Bernard Bowden ** Mike Harmsworth ** 0118 971 2242 ** Elizabeth Oxbury ** Ron Timms

www.thatchamfreechurch.org.uk Issue 51

50th

Anniversary

Edition

2

. . . or red or yellow or purple or green; but the colour doesn’t matter, it is the policy that counts. How do you know who to vote for on 7th May? Christians are citizens of heaven, yet commanded to go into the world, to be salt and light, to love our neighbour as ourself, and to serve as well as minister and witness. I believe we have a responsibility to fight, peacefully where possible, for righteousness and justice in our society, therefore we must seriously, prayerfully, intelligently grasp the opportunity to make our choice known in the election. Abstention is normally ‘sitting on the fence’ and a dishonourable position to take. God has already given us guiding principles in the Bible, so let’s prayerfully apply these to the current political situation. I suggest three principles that are basic:

1) The dignity of man. Every person is precious in God’s sight. There is no place for prejudice, racialism, extreme nationalism, or exploitation of one group by another.

2) Civil order must be maintained. Man will always be basically

sinful in this world, and influences for disorder must be discouraged.

3) Economic order. Natural resources are for our benefit, but we

are trustees and must replenish them. The man who buried his gift was condemned severely.

God bless the elections; may evil be restrained and good people act for what they believe is right.

3

At the April Ladies’ Fellowship we shared our reflection on Easter and what it

means to us. Hilary reminded us of the suffering of our Lord and just how physically

painful it must have been. Several people brought poems, hymns or readings and

here are just a selection. Easter may only be celebrated once a year, but its message

should be in our hearts every day.

A Few Facts . . .

The word Easter

derives from Eostre,

the pagan goddess

of spring. To the

Saxons, April was ‘ostermond’ — the

month of the ost-end wind (wind, that is,

from the east) so that Easter became by

association the April feast, which lasted

eight days.

Nowadays Easter Sunday is the first

Sunday after the first full moon following

21st March, and can therefore fall as early

as 22nd

March, or as late as 25th April.

The presentation of eggs at Easter is a

practice that goes back to Persian times,

when it was held that there were two

contending forces, within the egg. The

Jews, Egyptians and Hindus also clung to

this idea and made symbolic gifts of eggs

to each other. In due course, Christians

adopted the custom, signifying by the

new life within the egg, the resurrection

of Christ. They gave eggs to their

friends, coloured red, as a symbol of the

Blood of the Redemption.

Indifference

When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged Him on a tree, They drave great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary. They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep, For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap. When Jesus came to Birmingham they simply passed Him by, They never hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die; For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain, They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain. Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do,’ And still it rained the winter rain that drenched Him through and through; The crowds went home and left the streets, without a soul to see, And Jesus crouched against a wall and cried for Calvary.

G A Studdert Kennedy

4

We remain very grateful for the good times

we were able to share at Thatcham Free

Church and for the lifelong friendships we

made there. We are grateful too for the

positive effect on our children. We hope

that you have a good time of thanksgiving

on the 3rd of May, and that as a church

your will be inspired to develop your vision

for the next 50 years.

Charles and Joyce Zealey

We regret that we will be

unable to join you for this

Anniversary Thanksgiving

Service but wish you

every blessing as you

celebrate this very

special day.

God Bless

Nigel and Pat Bevan

Looking forward to a

time of great blessing

as we celebrate God’s

goodness to us over

the 50 years.

With prayerful good

wishes

Shirley Butler

5

As a family, we have very fond memories of

Thatcham Free Church (‘Green Lane’); having had

the privilege of Roy Herrington’s ministry and

fellowship. The church was extremely supportive

of us as a young family and we will always

treasure the leadership shown consistently by the

likes of Roy, Alan (Butler) and Phillip (Hall) as

well as the warm fellowship of the members over

a 20 year period 1976-1996.

Dewi & Ann Jones

Unfortunately, I am preaching on that

Sunday, so my wife and I will be

unable to attend your special

thanksgiving service. However, do

pass on to the brothers and sisters

at Thatcham Free Church the very

best wishes of Pauline and myself.

Keith Barrett

I have so many happy memories of

growing up within the Green Lane

fellowship and will be eternally grateful

for the love, teaching, encouragement

and support shown towards me.

With Christian love and greetings,

Carol (and James) Cochrane

6

Christ is all sufficient. For the

Artist — He is the altogether lovely (Song of Songs 5:16)

Architect — He is the chief cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6) Astronomer — He is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2) Baker — He is the living bread (John 6:51) Banker — He is the unsearchable riches (Ephesians 3:8)

Builder — He is the sure foundation (Isaiah 28:16, 1 Corinthians 3:11) Carpenter — He is the door (John 10:9) Editor — He is good tidings of great joy (Luke 2:10) Electrician — He is the light of the world (John 8:12)

Farmer — He is the sower and Lord of the harvest (Matt 13:37, Lk 10:2) Florist — He is the rose of Sharon and lily of the valley (S of Songs 2:1) Jeweller — He is the living precious stone (1 Peter 2:4) Lawyer — He is the counsellor, lawgiver and advocate (Isa 9:6, 1 Jn 2:1)

Labourer — He is the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28)

Yes, the Redeemer rose, The Saviour left the dead, And o’er our hellish foes High raised His conquering head. In wild dismay The guards around, Fell to the ground And sunk away. Lo! The angelic bands In full assembly meet, To wait His high commands And worship at His feet. Joyful they come, And wing their way From realms of day To Jesus’ tomb. Then back to Heav’n they fly And the glad tidings bear. Hark! As they soar on high, What music fills the air! Their anthems say,

‘Jesus, who bled, Has left the dead, He rose today.’ Oh mortals, catch the sound, Redeemed by Him from hell; And send the echo round The globe on which you dwell: Transported, cry, ‘Jesus, who bled, Has left the dead, No more to die.’ All hail, triumphant Lord, Who saves us with Your blood; Wide be Your Name adored, Our risen, reigning God! With You we rise, With You we reign, And kingdoms gain Beyond the skies.

Philip Doddridge (283 in Christian Hymns)

7

Sunday 3rd May 10.45 Morning Worship Michael Herbert 50th Anniversary Service Not Ashamed

Thursday 7th May 19.30 Bible Study & Prayer Meeting Elizabeth Oxbury Prayers of the Bible 4 The Psalmist’s Prayer of Praise (Psalm 103)

Sunday 10th May 10.45 Morning Worship & Communion Bob Hazell The Power of the First Church

Tuesday 12th May 14.15 Ladies’ Fellowship Film Afternoon: Celebrating Ruth Bell Graham

Thursday 14th May 19.30 Bible Study & Prayer Meeting (Ascension Day) Mike Harmsworth Prayers of the Bible 5 Job’s Prayer of Repentance (Job 42:1-6)

Sunday 17th May 10.45 Morning Worship Rob Sneddon

Thursday 21st May 19.30 Bible Study & Prayer Meeting Elizabeth Oxbury Prayers of the Bible 6 David’s Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51)

Sunday 24th May 10.45 Morning Worship for Pentecost John Roper 17.00 Pentecost Celebration—Thatcham Baptist Church

Thursday 28th May 19.30 Bible Study & Prayer Meeting Mike Harmsworth Prayers of the Bible 7 Hezekiah’s Prayer for Help & Healing

Sunday 31st May 10.45 Morning Worship (Offering for Yeldall Manor) Andrew Ward The Parable of the Lost Sons

Thursday 4th June 19.30 Bible Study & Prayer Meeting Prayers of the Bible 8 Jonah’s Prayer for Deliverance (Jonah 2:1-9)

Sunday 7th June 10.45 Morning Worship & Communion