Dear Friends

‘We praise him for all that is past and trust him for all that’s to come!’ is a dynamic line from a powerful hymn which speaks to many occasions within the Methodist Calendar but no more so than our upcoming Anniversary.

More than any event, an Anniversary is a celebration of all that is past, we look back on another year, and further, and many memories come to our mind. For those of you who have been part of this great church family for many years you will no doubt be comparing the ‘old days’ to how things are now, so many changes, some absolutely for the better, others sadly pain us as they are no more. I was especially moved to see the beautiful banner at our Christmas service, with all those names of the faithful who are now in Glory! A banner of remembrance and gratitude, it really moved me that our church honour these special people in this way.

But in all that is past, God’s providential care has been with us and for that reason we gather to give him all the Glory in our Anniversary service.

During the Second World War, when London was experiencing severe bombings, a small group were unable to get to the nearest shelter. They headed for the next best thing, a bus shelter, and as the bombs dropped round about the people, huddled in terror, the Methodist minister gathered amongst them, encouraging them to pray. One young man said ‘ I don’t know how to pray’, ‘well now is the time to learn, Pray Brother Pray’ …. The young man bowed his head and declared.:’ for what we are about to receive, Lord make us truly thankful!’

We praise him for all that is passed.

We do not know what tomorrow may bring, but let us trust Him ‘for all that’s to come’ and pray that God will give us the resources to meet whatever challenge is set before us.

Thank you for being part of our church story, for your gifts and graces, and all that you do to make our church family so special.

May God continue to bless you, and may God richly bless Christchurch Methodist Church in this, the beginning of another anniversary year.

Crawford

Rev Crawford Logan