This Sunday - New Identity

Join us again this Sunday as we conclude our series ‘The Global Gospel’. This week we will be thinking about ‘New Identity’

After the account of Paul’s dramatic conversion last week, when he met the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, this week we see Paul’s new identity. Straight away we see how the true gospel is powerful and convincing, but also how it brings opposition. Paul has a new place to belong, and also a new pattern for his life. Join us as we think about what this means for us.

During the service this week there will be Holy Communion. Children’s work will continue for under 4’s and primary and secondary aged children. There will also be an opportunity for question and answer time in response to what we have heard, so do join us if you can - we’d love to see you.

This Week - Delight In His Word

We started thinking last week about the fourth great enabler - God’s word. In the hands of the Holy Spirit it is transforming and it empowers disciples as they pray. But, often we find God’s word does not have the transforming power we might hope. We listen to a sermon, we read a passage of the Bible in a quiet time, we open God’s word in Small Group; we hear much of God’s word, yet we don’t experience its life changing power. Why?

The answer might be that, although we hear much, read much, understand much, we don’t have the time or take the time to let those truths permeate down deep into our hearts. Like a bouncing bomb, God’s word detonates on the surface of our lives, rather than sinking down deep into our hearts to explode there under the surface.

In short, we want to rediscover what it is to meditate on God’s word like the Psalmist... “the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.” (J.I. Packer)

So in our small groups this week we we are going to try to put last week into practice by taking part in a guided meditation. Click on the Enable Material button to find out more about the session.

Christ Church Leadership Update

We are pleased to welcome Anna back to the team this month. On the agenda was future plans for small groups and ideas for community building in church, including 'donuts and discussion', picnics in the park and bring and share lunches. We are excited about the upcoming camping trip in July. Finally, a big thank you to Amy who is supporting the leadership team in our efforts to improve our pastoral care provision.

The Christ Church Leadership Team meets monthly to pray and plan. Please speak to Marc, Stephen, Jean, Neil, Anna or Erica if you would like to share encouragements, concerns or ideas.

PCC Agenda

At the APCM last month we agreed to publish the agenda ahead of our PCC Meetings. To view this months PCC meeting agenda click on the button below which will take you to the calendar in Churchsuite. Here you will be able to view what is going to be discussed.

Youth Update

This past weekend, Lisa O'Kane announced a development with her additional needs' charity called 'The Store House Programme'. This ‘Field to Fork’ initiative, with a focus on the life cycle of food production, will create work experience and employment opportunities for young people who are currently not accessing education. Pursuing this will affect Lisa's ability to continue with the paid hours she has been doing, since March, as a part time youth worker across Trinity Churches. We are delighted that Lisa will remain on the team for SPREE SW at the end of June.

Lisa writes "this decision has come with a heavy heart and is certainly one that I have not taken lightly. The relationships I have built have been so positive and I have learnt so much from my experience here. I hope to remain involved in the church family, volunteering with youth work, and will continue to pray for the young people".

Please join us in praying for Lisa as she prepares for this initiative, and also for the provision of youth work over the coming months. We will be seeking to appoint another part time youth worker soon, please do get in touch if you would be interested to hear more.

Women’s Breakfast - 18th May

Please do join us for our next Trinity Women’s Breakfast on Saturday 18th May at St Kea Church from 8.30-10am. In our breakfasts this year we are looking at six ways in which God is different from us and exploring together why that is a good thing. This time, we’ll consider how God needs nothing, and how that encourages us as needy people. Do come along for friendship, teaching and discussion over a delicious breakfast. Click on the sign up button below to book your place.

Pentecost Praise!

Our next Trinity ‘Praise and Worship’ evening will be held at St Kea Church on Sunday 19th May at 7pm. It’s a great opportunity to engage in an extended time of sung worship led by our church bands. Refreshments and cakes will be served from 7pm ready for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there if you can make it.

Key Dates

Sea Shanty Evening for Mercy Rescue Trust - 10th May

Trinity Women’s Breakfast - 18th May - 8.30-10am

Praise and Worship Evening at St Kea Church - 19th May - 7-9pm

Trinity Camping Weekend - 12th - 14th July

Weekly Prayer Points

Each week there will be a few things for our church life and church family that we can join together in praying for:

1. We ask this week for our continuing transformation in Christ. We acknowledge that we cannot change ourselves and need your Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, transforming our heart and renewing our minds. Help us to open our eyes so we can truly see who You really are.

2. Father God, we thank You for our mission partner Compassion UK. We give thanks for their church partners throughout Uganda and the love and dedication of their staff and volunteers who seek to know, love and protect the children in their care, empowering them to thrive. To read about how the compassion shown by one family saved an abandoned baby’s life click here.

3. This week we pray for the congregation of St Allen as they make plans to work with St Clement. We pray for wisdom in the decisions they make and for unity within their congregation as they move forward in their plans.