Nether Heyford Baptist Church – November 2020

Nether Heyford Baptist Church

Morning services have now re-started and comply with the current government and Baptist guidelines.

We are meeting in the Baptist rooms, holding shorter services and would be pleased to welcome you. (with some restriction on numbers)

Services for November:
November 1st 10.30am Morning worship led by Clive Leakey
November 8th 10.30am Remembrance service led by Les Britten
November 15th 10.30am Morning worship led by Wendy Manley
November 22nd 10.30am Morning worship led by Les Britten
November 29th 10.30 am Communion service led by Martin Buckby

All welcome

Thanks to all who contributed to our Harvest service last month – the cash collection raised £88 and this together with the collection meant we were able to send £230 to Operation Agri for Malawi. Gifts to the Hope Centre were also much appreciated.

It was only earlier this month that I realised the significance and the reoccurrence of the “number three” in my life:-

I had 3 siblings, I was born on the 3rd of the month, my earliest memory is of when I was 3, I was married on the 3rd of the month, I have 3 grandsons and two of these boys were born on the 3rd of the month.

The number 3 is a significance to me from the scriptures

• The trinity being 3
• Perhaps the best known verse in The Bible is from chapter 3 of John’s gospel
• There were 3 crosses – we are told in The Bible that “there were others crucified with him – one to the left and one on his right” – so Jesus was in the middle
• And a verse in Revelation chapter 3 remains significantly special to me as I will detail later

It started to make me think of some of the most special and significant people in my life and of course there are many more than 3 – but if I was asked to name 3 the following would be high in priority

1 My pap
My upbringing was difficult, damaging and dysfunctional – but my pap was a rock on which I stood and found comfort during the times of uncertainly and chaos. At the age of 15 and having returned to attending chapel in Duston my pap, many years after he had stopped going to church began attending with me. I remember so well, us walking to chapel when he stopped, and getting his breath, said to me, Martin, and quoted a well known hymn, Martin,

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

I believe that he acknowledged his need for faith, accepted the promise given and
confirmed where his hope rested.

2 Ward Sister at St Crispin Hospital
I was first introduced to St Crispin Hospital when during my final year at school and not “in an academic stream preparing for exams” I was given the opportunity to start volunteering at St Crispin Hospital – I was 15 years old. I loved it and after leaving school and working for Civil’s supermarket in Kettering Road I continued my voluntary role at weekends. This ward sister, with whom I kept in touch with until her passing last year was a most significant influence in my life – she taught me so much, encouraged me so much, corrected me so much – but her greatest influence was her example which remains her legacy on my life. I often say, we all have the opportunity in life to leave a legacy for good and those who follow the path of faith, also a legacy for God.

3 A Christian
After returning to chapel I remember attending a Christian Rally at Duke Street Gospel Hall – it was the 2nd October 1971 and the man who led the service, an evangelist, spoke from Revelation chapter 3 verse 20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

He quoted this well known poem which I have often recalled:

It was Christmas 1939 that King George VI echoed words of Minnie Louise Haskins:

“I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely to into the unknown.’ And he replied , ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than the light and safe than a known way!’ So I went forth and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night.”

It was a call to trust God. The way ahead was incredibly dark. No one knew where it would lead. But those words speak of one that walks with us, of one who leads us through the night. We can still rest in that light, love and trust today as we experience the journey through life. 

So it was on the 3rd October this year on which I began my 50th year as a Christian. What has that journey been like? Tough and challenging at times? – yes, wonderfully good? – definitely, known of failure? oh yes, but God is gracious in his forgiveness and restoration. I have realised again and again that until we expose ourselves to faith we will never experience the importance, impact and influence of faith in and on our lives.

Thank you.

Martin

(On behalf of the fellowship at The Chapel on the Green)

For more information visit the Nether Heyford Baptist Chapel page.