A devotional guide to help us journey through ADVENT has been put together, reflecting on our Sunday Teaching. For a copy please visit out web site at www.forestdale.org.uk

Celebrating his birthday with us today was jake, and it was great to have him and his family with us - and as we sang to him and presented him with a cake, jake presented to the church this beautiful wooden display - made out of his garden fence!!!!

TOYS WERE DONATED BY MEMBERS of the church for children and families throughout the borough of Croydon

SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2008

ADVENT SUNDAY saw a helpful time of reflection led through by Susan, and helped us to focus on Jesus as our Lord. Throughout this season we look at the 'star' of Christmas - Jesus, but today also Ian reminded us there are two people in the Christmas account - Jesus and Us. In a time of prayer people were encouraged to write on a star the name of someone they want to know Jesus and also their name, asking Jesus to shine through them. Members of the church took someone elses star home to commit to praying for this. Songs today included:- Majesty; King of Kings, Majesty; Crown Him with many Crowns; I reach for the stars; Over all the earth; Tell out my Soul. Ian used the passage of Mary hearing the news of God's blessing on her to carry Jesus, and then used Mary's Song. Looking at - God's Wonder in me; God's Wonder through me; God's Wonder because of me. During time of reflective prayer at the end, we used the music 'Breath of Heaven'.

STARS SHINE from our time of prayers today

SUNDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2008

There was a great air of excitement as the school hall was full for our weekly celebration meeting, which featured the dedication to God of Joshua James, by his parents, Bruce and Kerry. Ian opened the meeting and welcomed the leaders for the day, Majors Adrian and Beth Maddern, from Sheringham Corps. They led us in songs, which included:- To God be the Glory; Be Thou my Vision; I'm Special; Wide, wide as the ocean; I'm may never march; My Jesus, My Saviour; All I Once held dear; Lord the Light of Your Love is shining. Our children sang Welcome to the Family, and Major Maggie presented the family with a special gift from the church. Bruce read from Scripture, and Major Beth led us through the celebration of dedication. Kerry spoke some words, before Major Adrian spoke on Choices. A Celebration Buffet concluded the day - for which we all thank Bruce and Kerry for. It was a special family event

THIS SUNDAY....

Don't miss our celebrations this Sunday. We start at 10am when we welcome Majors Adrian and Beth Maddern, from Sheringham Salvation Army. They will be leading our worship meeting and bringing the opening of God's Word to us. They will also be conducting the ceremony of Dedication to God, as Kerry and Bruce Weatherill dedicate to God their son, Joshua. You will find a very warm welcome, and we hope to see you. Also don't forget that at 6pm we will be at Croydon Citadel Salvation Army for an area celebration, where Major Anthony Cotterill - our divisional commander - will be speaking.

NOTHINGS TOO BIG FOR HIS POWER

So, the challenge has been given by Susan. You have about forty cups and two jugs of water - but only with a little bit of water in - everyone needs to be given a full glass of water - get going. That was the challenge given to church members Mike and Joan, but there was a problem - they could not do it. Joan suggested people might share a full glass of water but Sue was not having that. This weeks Sunday Challenge did not really succeed - but we were reminded that in 2 Kings there is a similar situation, but God took control and everyone was blest. Susan reminded us through her teaching today that sometimes we think we have so little, sometimes we think we are not much - and yet God can do some amazing things in and through us - we just have to trust and allow God to do it. Barbara opened the meeting with a call to worship and included in that the song, Here I am to Worship. Ian led us through some other songs including:- In Loving Kindness Jesus Came; When I was lost You came and rescued me; Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord; Great is the Lord and most worthy of Praise. We also enjoyed the singing of Nothings too big, big, big for His Power; I will offer up my life and Take my Life and let it be.

SONG FOR THE WORLD

The following song has been written for us to use in worship today.
The tune used was the tune traditionally for 'Love Divine', but fits into many other same metered tunes.


In a world, so hurt and broken,
In a world, so marred by sin,
In a world, that’s lost its purpose,
In a world, where there is pain;
Father, may this world see Jesus,
See Him dying on the Cross.
See Him crying: It is Finished!
Hope is given, for the lost!

In this world, may people realise,
Peace is giv’n to those who ask.
Healing, Grace and Revelation,
Flowing from the Heart of God.
Father, may this world know Jesus,
Know The Power of the Cross.
Know that for them, Jesus conquered,
Victory over sin and death.

For this world, we cry Lord Jesus,
Help us be the Light to the world!
Help us be those healing agents,
Help us take Good News to all.
Father, may this world love Jesus
Know His sacrifice for them.
Know He loves them, and forgives them
Gives eternal life to man!

On this day Lord, pour Your Spirit,
Bless Your People from above
Give us Power, Bring us Blessing
Grant us Gifts and gracious Love
Father, we Your People Praise You,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
We, Your People bow adoring,
Hail you as the Lord of Hosts!

Susan and Ian Woodgate
November 2008

SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2008

REMEMBRANCE was our focus this Sunday, remembering the women in Marks Gospel who anointed Jesus before His burial, and as the passage says, She did something beautiful - and what she did would be told for generations. We were challenged by how the stories of the past have been told for generations, many which inspire, challenge and aid our present and prepare the future. We saw how the past can be full of so much - hurt, disappointment, and how for so many memories of the past wars which include lost lives and damaged lives. But through such stories told we remember the reality of the fact we have life today - and above all remembered too the sacrifice of Jesus for us as well. We were challenged to consider what stories would be told about us, and how we sacrifice things, how we give our best, how we bless others and Jesus. The Sunday Challenge looked at remembrance and a game of remembering things was played - reminding us that its really important to remember some things - and others can best be well forgotten. Songs today included:- May the God of Hope, O, O, O how good is the Lord; Great is the Darkness; O God our help in ages past; In this world (a song written especially for this morning by our leaders).

SUNDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2008

Our focus on Hokey Cokey Christianity continued with looking at 'things happen when people pray', and to back that up, Ian looked at various passages in Scripture and some personal experiences that he has seen and known over a number of years. Time for people to pray individually or with people was given as part of this weeks Sunday Challenge, recognising that at times prayer can be a real challenge, but is something we need to do. Prayer zones helped us to reflect on the Lord's Prayer and people journeyed round these, or sat where they were and read through the Lord's Prayer as outlined in Matthews Gospel. Songs included: Mid all the traffic of the ways; God loves me; Teach me to dance; Everlasting God; Everyone needs compassion; Here in Your Presence, I find rest; Prayer Gently lifts me.