Our Vision

Is to Aspire … to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

April 2007                                         No 68

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
What now, my Lord, what now?

I see you hanging on a cross and my sin is part of what holds you there.

When you looked at me, that first time, something deep within me came to life - and I raised my head. You enabled me to turn my face upwards, to straighten my shoulders, to look the world in the eye.

I was used to avoiding people's looks, I didn't want to see the disgust on peoples faces when they looked at me. They knew what I was – and so did I – and I kept my head down.

You didn't look at me like that. When I first dared to gaze into your eyes, I saw such love brimming out of them. I felt like a child again, unsullied, untouched, carefree and cherished.

Oh my Lord, I think of what you have given me, what you have done for me – and there, there on the cross, bleeding, dying, in such awful pain as you struggle to breathe, that is what I have given you, what I have done for you.

I can hardly bear to look at you, knowing I helped put you there, and yet I cannot be anywhere else but here, now and for as long as it takes.

What will I do without you Lord, where will I go, what will I do?

My old life is gone and my new life – it was all about you. You became my life, Lord. I drank in the words of wisdom that fell from your lips, I ate up every kind glance, every loving touch and I grew strong, strong in the life that you gave me. But now – what now, my Lord?

Did you give me enough? Enough to enable me to carry on with life after you've gone?

Already you look so different from the man I knew. How can people do this to one another?

Oh Lord, I recoiled each and every time the lash was dragged across your back. I felt the weight of the cross bar as it was laid across your bleeding shoulders. I felt just a small part of your pain, dear Lord, but you felt all of mine.

The end is near now. My tears are falling freely as I see you take each tortuous breath, knowing it may be your last.

I have seen men die before, but not like this, not like this.

The sky darkens. Spirits seem to whirl about my head. I cover my ears and crouch low into the ground.

And now – silence. It's over. I slowly straighten up and dare to approach you, to touch your poor dead feet – but am pushed aside by a brute with a spear.

I gasp as he plunges it deep into your side, but you are past feeling it. Man can do no more to you.

I am alone and yet; and yet...

As I look into your face, quiet now in death, I experience one endless moment in time, one timeless second in all eternity... and I find peace.

I should be feeling frightened now, afraid of what comes next, but inside of me, something is welling up, a hope, a joy, a certainty that I will look into your eyes again. This life is not all there is.

Yes, I know I am just a woman, but my heart is warmed in knowing I am someone Jesus died for, someone Jesus love ... and I raise my head.

DAVE PRESSES ON!
In addition to his preaching engagements, visits to the sick and housebound, plus his input into various mid-week groups, Dave has continued meeting with the guides, brownies and rainbows, together with frequent visits to local schools.

He has amazed the children with seemingly reproducing the water into wine while talking about miracles, had the teachers in stitches telling them how his wife has given up ebay for Lent, and also had a rapt and very interested 'congregation' on one particular visit.

He was talking about the christening of infants and having explained the significance of it and the procedure, had several volunteers out to be parents and godparents.  With the 'congregation' ready and the font in place, all that was needed was a baby.  Lacking the real thing, Dave produced from behind his back a willing volunteer - Christopher Rabbit!  The ceremony was duly carried out though it has to be said that the 'baby' was the star of the show!

SHEFFIELD SOUTH CIRCUIT
The Leaders of Worship and Preachers Meeting of the Sheffield South Circuit have arranged a concert in support of the work of the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust.  This is by the Swallownest United Churches Choir at Mosborough Methodist Church on Saturday 14th April starting at 7:30pm.

Tickets are £3.00 for adults (£1.50 for children) including refreshments.

Further details and tickets are available from John Young on 0114 247 3086

or email : johnandsheila@young11.fsworld.co.uk.

PRAISE AND HEALING SERVICE
Bolsover invite you to a Praise and Healing Service on Sunday 29th April starting at 3:00pm

CIRCUIT OFFICE
The Circuit Office will be  closed from Friday 30th March reopening on Tuesday 10th April.

It is usually open on Tuesday’s (9:15am to 11:15am), Wednesday’s (9:30am to 1:00pm) and Friday’s (9:15am to 11:15am). 

Office Address : Staveley Methodist Church, Chesterfield Road, Staveley S43 3XD
Telephone : 01246 470859           Email : administrator@bolsoverstaveley.plus.com

Circuit DIARY

Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months.

April 2007