We're Moving! - Planning & Preparation
Got questions about the move? Find your answers here!
In the second of our blogs focusing on our Sunday venue move, Toby Elliott looks at the practicals and the logistics, and try and answer some key questions you might have!
I love a plan. Anyone who has known me or worked with me would be quick to tell you that where I go, a detailed spreadsheet often follows close behind… I have come to learn that this is not the case with everyone, but I am happy to tell you that here at Redeemer we have many faithful and dedicated members of our family who play their part in the plan for a Sunday morning service! Many of these people are behind the scenes, and wouldn’t be noticed by those coming through the doors at 10am, but I know that if they weren’t around, their absence would definitely be noticed, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who serve faithfully behind the scenes to make sure Sundays at Redeemer run smoothly!
But what does this have to do with the new venue? Well, on Tuesday night a number of those that serve on or lead Sunday teams met at the University of West London to explore, ask questions, and get excited about our new Sunday venue. We know that moving to a new venue is likely to throw up fresh challenges and new plans will need to be set in place to make sure our Sundays run as smoothly as they always have (I’ve started on the spreadsheet already). Below are some of the questions they asked, questions that you might be asking too. We’ve tried to answer them as best we can so that you have an idea of what Sundays at the University might look like.
Where are we going to meet?
We will be worshipping together on a Sunday morning in the Weston Hall, which is the large lecture theatre in the centre of the university building. Refreshments and the welcome table will be located just outside the hall in the cafe space, with the kids meeting in a suite of rooms elsewhere in the building (more information on that below). You can find a map of the site here.
What security measures are in place?
The university has a dedicated security team that will be present on both entrances to the university site, each entrance is equipped with barriers that the security staff will open to allow people in and out of the building. Everyone who attends on a Sunday morning will need to sign in at the desk, to ensure that the security team know who is in the building if an incident occurs. This means the site is a very safe environment for everyone, especially children and vulnerable adults, however it will be important for parents to stay alert, as there is lots of space for children to get lost in the building!
Will I still get my cup of coffee?
Don’t worry, our refreshments team will still be on hand to provide with that caffeine boost before and after the service! With the larger cafe space outside of the main hall providing the opportunity to sit and chat over a hot drink, while allowing further ministry and prayer opportunities in the main hall for those who may wish to respond to what has been shared during the service.
Where will my children be meeting?
Children up to the age of 11 (School Year 6) will continue to join us for the first 15 minutes of corporate worship. Our children’s groups will then run in another area of the building called the Savoy Suite, which is a short walk away and will be clearly signposted from the main hall. The suite is only accessible using dedicated security passes which will be available to children’s ministry leaders only, meaning that the area will be off limits to anyone who is not part of Redeemer church. Due to the distance between the hall and the Savoy Suite all parents will be required to collect their children after the service, rather than the kids team bringing them back.
What about parking?
There are several residential streets around the university which will have parking available on a Sunday morning, but please make sure you check for any potential restrictions before you park anywhere! There will be dedicated disabled parking spaces available at the university site for those that require them.
Hopefully those questions cover much of what you might have been wondering about the move to the new venue, I’m sure that there will be fresh challenges that we haven’t anticipated yet, but we are very excited to be taking this next step in our journey as a church! Of course, we are not perfect, and it is likely that everything won’t run perfectly smoothly as we get used to meeting in the university, but what I can assure you is that the same faithful servers who have served us so well in the Town Hall will continue to do so as we move into a new venue! They may just require a little extra grace as they get to grips with the new plan.
My final question to ask is - ‘Will God be with us?’
I can answer this with an emphatic YES! We are expecting God to move amongst us in new and powerful ways through this time of transition and in the future, in Exodus 33:15 Moses speaks to God and says ‘If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here’. As we move we are praying that same prayer, in the knowledge that he will always be with us, as individuals and as a church!
More questions about the move? Contact us at hello@redeemerlondon.org
Look out for the third blog in the series, coming soon, where we’ll talk more about the purpose of the move, and the vision behind it!
We're Moving! - Pause & Praise
In the first of three blogs focusing on our change of Sunday venue, Pete Cornford encourages us to pause and praise God for what he’s done so far at Redeemer!
Redeemer Church is moving! From the 2nd of June we will be meeting in Weston Hall, at the University of West London! We will be releasing more information about the practicalities of the move over the next two weeks, so that you have all the information you need about the move before it happens. As part of the move we’ll be publishing 3 blogs, the first of which is this one!
In this first blog Pete Cornford looks back at our time in Ealing Town Hall over the last 5 years, and encourages us to pause and praise God for what he has done in and through us as a church!
London is a fast paced and vibrant place to live. What a privilege it is to dwell in this city!
I am so aware in my own life that I love the new and the next: pressing on for what today holds and getting excited about the future. I would like to consider myself an ‘enthusiastic optimist’, with a mindset that says ‘we can do it!’
However sometimes it is good to pause.
To stop.
To reflect.
To look back and be grateful, recognising all that God has accomplished.
Redeemer Church, London was launched on Sunday mornings, at Ealing Town Hall in January 2013.
The iconic, central location has served us so well. From the small downstairs basement we have expanded into the main Hall as you enter the building. There has been space for the children's work to expand from 1 child to regularly getting over 50 children in attendance. People have decided to follow Jesus, many have got baptised, couples have got married and families have celebrated the arrival of babies. Visiting speakers have inspired and taught us, people have been healed and there have been powerful encounters with the living God. We have dreamed, cried and laughed together as community…..
And I am very grateful!
If you have been part of the journey - THANK YOU.
Why don’t you pause now - reflect and be grateful for all you have!
Artisan Live!
Read on to find out about last week’s live music event, and hear more about the Alpha Course!
Last Thursday saw our second live music event at Artisan Coffee in Ealing! To launch our next Alpha course, which starts this Wednesday, we invited a number of talented musicians, singers and poets to share their talents with us! All this was free, and came with the opportunity to enjoy great coffee served by the fantastic staff at Artisan!
The evening was full of highlights, newly written original songs by Toby Elliott, brilliant harmonies from Meg & Ruth, who joined us all the way from Wimbledon, poetry from Steve Page, a regular contributor to the Redeemer blog, and the unique and beautiful vocals of Yvette Flower! Another new act that performed at the event was On That Note, a barbershop quartet which included Russell Oakley, a member of the Redeemer family who was able to also share a testimony about how much he benefitted from being on the Alpha Course last term! Their medley, which began with a rendition of the iconic opening lines of Bohemian Rhapsody, was a fantastic moment! Kayla & Anna had the whole coffee shop in stitches with their cover of Valerie by Amy Winehouse, which included a personal warning from Kayla of the importance of paying your parking fines!
Also on the night, Sam (our fantastic host) had the opportunity to interview Bronwyn, another member of the Redeemer family, about how her life has been transformed by the Alpha course! She described how her entire outlook on life had changed because she had been given the opportunity to ask questions, discuss with others, and discover a personal relationship with God.
That is the invitation we are extending to you this term, come and join us on Wednesday night at 7:30 at Osteria del Portico, to enjoy great community, great food, and discuss the question ‘Is There more to life than this?’ If you enjoy it, why not come along every week for the next 10 weeks, as we take the opportunity to explore the Christian faith, and see how knowing God personally might transform your life!
You can sign up by following the link below, or just turn up on Wednesday night! I look forward to seeing you there!
#RedeemerRecommends - Alpha
#RedeemerRecommends a chance to change your life in the next 10 weeks…..
This week on #RedeemerRecommends we’re recommending a course, one that has changed the lives of thousands of people across the world, and one that we are starting right here in Ealing with a launch event TONIGHT!
The Alpha course began in the 90s at Holy Trinity Brompton, just a few miles away from here, and was adapted by Nicky Gumbel to provide a friendly, welcoming environment for people to ask questions and learn more about the Christian faith. You can find out a bit more about one individual’s experience of Alpha below…
Our Alpha course will start on the 15th of May at Osteria Del Portico, and you can find more information about HERE. We also have an event to launch the course tonight at Artisan Coffee! Come and enjoy some live music and poetry, and hear a little more about the course, including an interview with someone who had their life changed by Alpha!
We start at 7:30, and would love to see you there! The address is below, and you can find the Facebook event HERE.
#RedeemerRecommends - Bread
#RedeemerRecommends a blog curated by a member of the Redeemer Family!
Here at Redeemer we love to celebrate the gifting of members of our family! This week on #RedeemerRecommends we are pointing you in the direction of another blog contributed to and curated by Ann Ajet, who attends Redeemer with her family!
Bread is described as being ‘for today’s emerging generation of thoughtful disciples.’ We hope that you will be challenged and informed by their articles! We are also hoping to publish some articles written by Ann on the Redeemer blog in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled!
What. A. Weekend.
Why was the Easter weekend so important?
Wow.
What a weekend.
Without doubt the most important weekend of the year when it comes to the church calendar. This weekend we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, events which despite occurring over 2000 years ago, still shape each and every moment of the life of a christian. Without this weekend, if he never died as a sacrifice for our sins and then rose, conquering death and winning an everlasting victory, followers of Jesus Christ would quite simply have no foundation for their faith in him. But we believe that he did do that, we believe that he still lives today, and is seated on a heavenly throne, at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us, which makes the Easter weekend one worth celebrating!
The weekend started with a day we now call Good Friday, but a day which seemed altogether less ‘good’ all those years ago. Jesus Christ of Nazareth hung on a cross and died, seemingly defeated. While we know now that this was in fact the beginning of his victory, a moment when all of our sin and shame was paid for, it is important as christians that we remember the cost of our salvation, that Jesus suffered in our place, that he felt our pain. This was the first time we have met together on Good Friday at Redeemer and it was an amazing service, meeting together for an hour, we sung songs which reminded us of the power of Jesus’ blood, we heard monologues read which reinforced the message that Jesus suffered for us, and we took communion together to mark the sacrifice that was made. I personally was incredibly moved by the whole service, and it was stirring to hear so many voices lifted up in praise to their king, even on such a sombre occasion.
Then, on Easter Sunday, it was time for a celebration! We had the opportunity to sing songs together which allowed us to rejoice in the victory won as Jesus walked out of his tomb! We were led by a fantastic choir, heard truth proclaimed, and were able to celebrate with three individuals who took the opportunity this Easter Sunday to be baptised and to begin their own journey of walking with Jesus, out of the darkness, and into his Glorious Day!
But what does this weekend mean for us as christians? Is it just a once a year celebration, after which we go back to our routines….? No! We believe that this truth, this celebration of Jesus’ victory is something to be celebrated all year round! So we’ll be celebrating next Sunday too, and the Sunday after that, and not just on Sundays! Every day of the rest of our lives is now lived in the knowledge that we walk in the everlasting victory that was won on the first Easter! This truth we believe is not just for ourselves, but is true for all people, of all ages, all across the world. If you’re reading this and you aren’t currently celebrating this truth, why not come and find out more by visiting us on a Sunday morning at Ealing Town Hall, or join us on Thursday the 9th of May as we launch our next Alpha course with an evening of live music and poetry at Artisan Coffee. As you reflect on another Easter weekend, whatever that means for you, don’t miss a chance to come and join in the celebration which continues all year round!
He is risen.
He is risen indeed!
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!
Mark 16:6
#RedeemerRecommends - Mere Fidelity Podcast
This week #RedeemerRecommends a new podcast to check out on your morning commute!
The results are in. People love podcasts.
Ofcom stats show podcasts are booming in the UK with the number of weekly podcast listeners doubling in five years (from 7% of adults in 2013 to 11%, or 5.9m last year).
I’m a paid-up member of the podcast gang. The UK (and London in particular) provide some of the best continent in the podcast space. We have great stuff from the world of football (try The Totally Football Show), comedy (No Such Thing As A Fish is worth a listen) and film (Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review is pretty essential) to name a few.
What about podcasts from churches? I’ve found there are times that tuning in can be profound, and other times when it doesn’t quite work. A stirring stories can still raise my faith from the other side of the world. At the same time, some sermons are carefully contextualised to cities I don’t live in, and congregations and cultures which mean the applications or topics don’t quite ring true.
If you’ve got an interest in picking up a new podcast, why not try Mere Fidelity - https://mereorthodoxy.com/category/mere-fidelity/
The focus of each episode is a hot topic about theology, the church and the culture, and the four contributors unpack what they’ve thought, studied, experienced and seen with care (and without a big fanfare or controversy).
Why does it stand out?
Well partly the episodes are equipping and formative without being a Sunday sermon recording. Why does that help? Listening to a sermon on a tube can feel difficult to fully engage with and, when the call to respond involves communion or going to speak to someone/get prayer, it can feel false to just move on to the next episode.
Shallow listening and a flimsy attitude to responding to the bible can be dangerous habits which we don’t want to bring with us on Sundays.
A theology-centred discussion between four well-read and well-rounded guys can spark inspiration, give a hunger for deeper study and draw you in to a whole topic you’ve never considered, without any feeling of ‘this is the wrong time and place’.
The other reason it works well is that the topics they pick are timely and, frankly, fascinating! Some relatively recent episodes covered ‘millennials and burnout’, ‘the weirdness of Matthew 27’, ‘ethics and technology’ and one simply called ‘Hillsong’.
It’s always good to hear London mentioned too. For that we can thank one of the four contributors, Andrew Wilson, who is the teaching pastor at Kings Church Catford, part of the Newfrontiers network here in London.
See what you think. Happy listening!
Encourage - Your Setback is Your Springboard
Peggy Boardman tells us about the most recent Encourage event.
The most recent Encourage event sought to remind us of how God can work any situation for our good. Peggy Boardman describes how the event was a blessing to many women from Redeemer and from other churches across Ealing borough.
How many of us live with setbacks?
Sometimes we spend too much time holding onto the things of the past while we miss out on the here and now.
The speaker told us about how she tried very hard for 8 years to achieve something that she intensely desired but it never came to fruition. It was very hard at the time but she surrendered to God and then God began to move in the midst of her disappointment. What she is doing now is very different from what she had planned but this new direction has given her great fulfilment - much beyond anything she expected!
Her talk spoke to me and I remembered when I left my home, Indonesia, a long time ago to live in the UK. I was disappointed that I had to leave the ‘good life’ behind and was not sure how living in the UK would be like with no family, friends or helpers and drivers. But, I met God in London – that was far greater than any ‘good life’ in Indonesia!
God often uses a setback to move us forward.
In the same way, Joseph experienced a big setback when his brothers sold him into slavery. But 13 years later Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he made him No. 2 to Pharaoh controlling all of Egypt. During this hard time, Joseph learned to trust God. In God’s timing he was moved forward for a divine purpose. He not only saved his family and the people of Israel but also saved Egypt from starvation as well as the surrounding nations.
Joseph said in Gen 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
The Encourage ladies event will be running every two months and the next one will be on 11 May – details will be given nearer the time.
Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 8
Prayer is a conversation…
One of the purposes of prayer that we learnt about back in our first week of meetups was that it is an act of COMMUNICATION. Part of healthy communication in any relationship is giving space for each of you to speak while the other listens. In this week’s poem Steve Page reminds us of the importance that listening has in our relationship with God.
Remember to Listen
Have you ever had the feeling
while praying
that you've inadvertently
been talking
while God is speaking?
Don't worry -
He wrote it down for you.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3
#RedeemerRecommends - Persisting in Prayer
As our Transforming Prayer series comes to an end, #RedeemerRecommends some books to encourage you to continue pressing into a life of powerful prayer!
Last Sunday we reached the end of our preaching series on Transforming Prayer, and this week sees us finishing our prayer journals in our meetups! Never fear! We will have 3 more weeks of meeting and praying together in groups, followed by a church wide Week of Prayer from the 7th to the 13th of April.
But after that, it is our hope that the whole of the Redeemer community doesn’t simply stop praying, but is instead inspired by this season of Transforming Prayer, and the effect it has had on our lives! So inspired in fact that we continue to pursue transformation in our own situations and the situations of those around us through the power of prayer! As Christians our desire is that our relationship with God is constantly growing closer and more intimate, and one of the best ways to ensure this is by pressing into prayer throughout our lives.
So this week’s #RedeemerRecommends is hoping to supply you with a few books which you might find helpful as you continue to develop in your prayer life and your relationship with God.
Book #1 - Too Busy Not To Pray (Bill Hybels)
This is a book which encourages individuals at any stage of their walk with God to press into prayer. Hybels sets out practical ways to ensure we slow down and prioritise times of prayer. The book helps to expand our view of just what God can do in our lives and in the lives of those around us when we do so.
Book #2 - Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (C.S. Lewis)
This book, a collection of letters to a close friend of Lewis’ named Malcolm, speaks of many different aspects of prayer and how they affect our lives. Reading it takes us on a journey to understanding just how crucially important prayer is and how it increases the depth of our relationship with God.
Book #3 - The Power of a Praying Woman (Stormie Omartian)
Focusing on personal prayer, this is a great book for women of all ages looking to establish a discipline of prayer and hoping to see breakthrough in their own lives through persistence in prayer. Encouraging readers to ‘cover every area of life with prayer’, each chapter ends with a prayer to follow or to use as a model for your own personal prayer time.
Book #4 - God on Mute (Pete Greig)
A book specifically aimed at those who are struggling with seemingly ‘unanswered’ prayer, Pete Greig, the founder of the 24/7 global prayer movement, writes of his personal struggle. It’s an incredibly eye opening and honest account of his journey as his wife Samie fought a battle with a brain tumour. The book focuses on the questions which come up in situations when our prayers seem to be met with total silence, and aims to cultivate a sense of hope and faith in God’s love, a love which goes beyond our understanding.
Answered Prayer - Deeper Relationship
Nathanael Jegunma shares how attending his Transforming Prayer meetup has enhanced his relationship with his Heavenly Father.
In the second of our blogs focusing on Answered Prayer, Nathanael Jegunma shares with us how the community and the prayers of his Transforming Prayer meetup have led to fresh encounters and more intimate relationship with his Heavenly Father!
I am new to Redeemer and joined a small group within the first 2 weeks. God has truly revealed how powerful he is when you have faith in him and act in according to his word.
The Transforming Prayer series has reinvigorated my connection with God and I have felt my relationship and understanding of him grow. I have begun to regularly share the word of God with my colleagues at work, improved my family relationships and learned to communicate more effectively with God.
There is power in us gathering and praying together and we have seen God answer prayers in our group. I would encourage anyone who attends Redeemer to enjoy the fellowship and family that small groups provide and get involved.
— Nathanael Jegunma
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42
Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 7
Persistent praying leads to dramatic results, be encouraged by Steve’s latest poem to press on in your prayers, and expect to be transformed!
Throughout this season of Transforming Prayer, we have been constantly growing in our ability to pray with confidence, and learning how to pray in different ways and in different situations.
Steve’s poem this week reflects a journey of learning, being transformed, and growing into great pray-ers.
Flyer
Not everyone flies.
You land hard a lot.
Then just as you think
it's time for a new direction,
just as you think
it's not worth another stumble,
a fresh fall onto your knees,
you launch and take flight.
An updraft catches your wings
and you're airborne.
And when you eventually land
you see that you've got
somewhere new,
a whole new perspective.
That's when you know you're a flyer.
Not every line flies.
You land hard a lot.
Then just as you think
it's time for a new direction,
just as you think
it's not worth another stumble,
a fresh fall,
your thoughts take flight.
An updraft catches your wings
and you're airborne.
And when you eventually land
you see that you've got
somewhere new,
a whole new perspective.
That's when you know you're a poet.
Not every prayer flies.
You land hard a lot.
Then just as you think
it's time for a new direction,
just as you think
it's not worth another stumble,
a fresh fall onto your knees,
your prayer takes flight.
Your spirit resonates with His
and you see His face.
And when you get to your 'Amen',
you see that you've got
somewhere new,
a whole new perspective.
That's when you know you're a pray-er.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
#RedeemerRecommends - Vintage Worship
#RedeemerRecommends a new worship album borne out of a time of dependence on God’s goodness….
This week on #RedeemerRecommends we are focusing on a new worship album, released this month by Vintage Worship, the worship team from Vintage Church in Los Angeles.
The album was recorded in August 2018, as the church came together for two nights of worship, in the wake of two devastating events locally which had profound effects on the church community; The California wildfires, and the Thousand Oaks shooting.
The songs on the latest album ‘Heaven All Around Us’ reflect on God’s kindness and his grace, while encouraging us to hold onto his love and declare truth about him over ourselves as a form of restoration, even in times of tragedy and heartbreak.
Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 6
This weeks poem talks of the process of breakthrough, a topic we’re focusing on in our meetups this week.
This week in our meetups we have been focusing on praying for a breakthrough on our lives and the lives of others around us.
Steve’s latest poem tells a story of that kind of breakthrough we are praying for, a story of bruises, scars, and healing.
Mister New
I see you there
keep looking at me
but I'm not sure
what it is you see
I'm no-one's 'boy'
I'm not 'hey you'
my name's Mister
it's 'Mister New'
I've got old scars
raw scars too
but I'm not sure
it's clear to you
wounds can only
go so deep
there's only so long
that they can bleed
you might see wounded
see black and blue
but save your pity
that's all about you
I've grow taller
through broken skin
my roots sink deeper
than you've ever been
when you're up close
you'll see it's true
my fresh healed skin's
a real break through
I've got a name
so I'd thank you
when you address me
say 'Mister New'
Breakthrough - Men's Prayer Brunch
Redeemer’s new Men’s ministry kicked off with a big brunch and some bigger prayers, Sunny Gill tells us more in our latest blog…
The 9th of February marked the first Men’s brunch meetup. A new ministry from Redeemer with a vision to bring men together to discuss one simple but important question; what breakthrough are we waiting for God to do in our lives? He is a God who can do anything, and often we simply need to hold onto faith and trust that He will provide what we need at the right time.
The first meetup saw twenty-two men from Redeemer church devour an insatiable amount of eggs, sausages, bacon and coffee whilst catching up for those with those we haven’t seen in a while. But the event also provided a friendly atmosphere for new people to make new friends. It was great to see the coffee pouring and the conversations flowing with outbreaks of laughter from one end of the table to the other.
After the mighty-meaty brunch, we all gathered around in the spacious living room to listen to our very own Francois share his testimony – a vulnerable and honest account of how he grappled with an addiction to pornography, and the way it affected his marriage. It was so encouraging to hear that despite the bondage to sin that only seemed to tighten with the passage of time, Francois learnt to lean on God and His abundant grace. God has set him free from this; providing the much needed breakthrough that Francois required, as he was able to bring himself, his marriage and his family unilaterally out of difficulty under God’s light.
The session concluded as we broke into small groups to discuss addictions that we wrestle with but focus on a real and tangible way out – by lifting our voices in prayer, and beginning to lean on God; trusting Him for the breakthrough that he ultimately provided for Francois.
Chris Sutton was then given some time to discuss the ministry he is putting together called ‘caring for ex-offenders’ before the day ended in a final prayer.
The men’s ministry will be running these brunches every two to three months and we would love to see you at the next one on 13th April. Come along and please do bring any men you know who would benefit from the fruits of this ministry (inside or outside of Redeemer).
Details of the next meetup will be given nearer the time. – Please speak to Barny, Francois or Sunny for more info.
Review by Sunny Gill
Answered Prayer - Close through the Changes
Our first testimony of answered prayer speaks of God’s closeness as a Father…
As part of our Transforming Prayer series we are starting a new blog focusing on answered prayer. If you’ve got a testimony of how God has answered a prayer for you recently, be it big or small, get in touch at prayer@redeemerlondon.org
The first story of answered prayer reminds us of a truth we’ve touched on in our meet-ups recently, that God is a Close Father.
Close through the Changes
I'm experiencing a lot of change after a year of challenges: a family bereavement, a house sale and a divorce.
I've asked my meetup to pray for wisdom and a peaceful resolution, I also asked for prayer around my first meeting with a bereavement counsellor last week, arranged through an Employee Assistance Programme. It's free but you get little choice as to who is allocated to you. And in an answer to that prayer, the EAP matched me with the most perfect counsellor.
Not just that but God has blessed me with more interactions with Christians at work that ever before - driving home the truth that I'm not alone and that he is standing with me.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 5
Prayer isn’t just a solo adventure….
We have passed the half way mark of our Transforming Prayer meetups, and it’s been incredible to hear stories of growing communities of passionate individuals coming together to pray!
We are called not just to pray as individuals, but to join together and pray, as a team, just as the early church did in Acts 2:42.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Steve Page’s latest poem, inspired by the recent six nations rugby tournament, paints an inspiring picture of what a praying community looks like.
A TEAM SPORT
[In the voice of your favourite over-excited rugby commentator.]
We're inside the final quarter. We've seen a bone-cruncher of a contest today and there's no sign of a let up, the prayers gather for the next engagement, positioning themselves with practiced confidence, skillfully supporting each other, ready for the push. You can see every knee and each hand bears the marks from this long muddied pray, red and brown staining every inch of their entwined limbs; - arms and hands holding fast.
Front row.
Second row.
Back row.
Digging in for the big push.
The opposition has played an intelligent game, taking advantage of any lapse in concentration, any sign of tiredness, looking for any weakness to exploit. The prayers know they can't afford any slips now, they need to keep up the pressure, maintain their advance deep in the opposition's half. Every yard of gained ground needs to be defended.
The prayers' Coach looks on - look at his smile! You can see the pride he has for his team, he's schooled them on every tactic of the opposition and now that training, that practice has paid dividends. This is a team of prayers that so clearly know each other well, supporting each other every step of the way. You can see their co-ordinated pray, their sustained effort and the sheer pleasure they feel when they are praying together.
The prayers drive on. The sound of their groans and deep breaths merge into one. There's a rhythm to it, a cadence as together they push and PUSH.
The opposition's footing is slipping, the prayers' momentum gains pace and, YES! the resistance collapses. Oh, that must have hurt!
But there's no time for complacency, the prayers re-form their line looking for the next opening, the next opportunity to push forward.
This is a joy to see. The Coach shouts his encouragement - this was never going to be an easy struggle; you can't dismiss the opposition - they are a seasoned though sometimes disorganised team and they can take you by surprise. But as we've seen here today, the Coach knows that if his team of prayers keep to the plan and pray to their strengths, the opposition are surely in for a hiding. The prayers will triumph and they will take the winners' crown.
- Back to you in the studio.
#RedeemerRecommends on Valentine's - salt.london
#RedeemerRecommends a blog from another London based Advance church, with a focus on real love this Valentine’s Day…
If you’ve walked past a shop front or been on social media at all today, you will be aware that it is Valentine’s Day! A day which I’m sure brings about mixed feelings for many of you reading this.
There are many Christian blogs out there focusing on the subject of love, but this week’s #RedeemerRecommends has picked out one in particular which we think is worth a read!
salt.london is a blog which is run by a few friends from another Advance church in Waterloo, led by Andrew Haslam. It describes itself as a blog which seeks to “engage with thoughtful Londoners on matters of faith, philosophy, and life.”
The blog focuses on a range of topics, but you can find some links to their specific Valentine’s themed posts below. We hope you will find them thought provoking and encouraging, whether you’re single or married!
Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 4
God’s goodness is reflected in the way he answers our prayers…
This Sunday, Pete Cornford helped us to grasp the goodness of the God that we are talking to when we pray, and in our meetups this week we have been discussing ‘The Pattern of Prayer’, learning from Jesus’ model of prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13.
Steve’s poem this week speaks again of God’s goodness, and the importance of pursing prayer as Jesus’ intended it; reminding us what we can expect to hear from God in return.
Things you won’t hear from God.
Things you won't hear from God:
I'm sorry we are experiencing a higher number of calls than usual.
You may wish to call back later.
All of our operators are dealing with other customers.
We will be with you as soon as someone becomes available.
Your call is important to us, please wait or alternatively go to our website.
Listen carefully to the flowing options.
I'm sorry, I didn't understand that. Did you say, "Help"?
Our office is now closed. Thank you for calling.
Things you will hear from God:
"Welcome. I've been expecting you. What's on your heart?"
Remembering Answered Prayer
Have you had an answer to prayer recently? Read more about how your testimony could encourage others….
This weekend marked our third Sunday morning of Transforming Prayer, and I don’t know about you, I am absolutely loving it! I’ve begun meeting on a Tuesday morning and building community with those in my meet-up, we’ve had some great times of prayer and honest conversation together, sharing our dreams with one another for what we hope God will do in and through us during this time of Transforming Prayer!
Last week we were talking about answered prayer, and how we seem to have new requests to bring to God each morning! Because there are so many new things to ask for, we can often forget that God is answering our prayers daily, often in amazing ways! Together we have made the decision to keep a record of all the ways God is answering our prayers during our time meeting together, and to regularly look back at this list to renew and stir our faith!
But why limit that list to just our own group?! Recently God has been answering prayers, big and small, all across the Redeemer family, and we think that’s something which needs to be celebrated as we continue the Transforming Prayer series! So here’s your chance, if you’ve had a prayer answered, whether it be in the last couple of weeks since we started the series, or whether you have a powerful testimony of answered prayer from earlier in your life, we want to hear from you!
The power of testimony is huge! It stirs up faith in others, and encourages them to persevere in their prayers, it focuses people’s eyes back on God rather than themselves, and it motivates people to worship the God who answers their prayers.
If you’ve got an example of answered prayer that you would love to share with us, you can let us know by sending your testimony to prayer@redeemerlondon.org. It can be a big testimony or a small testimony, no-one is discounted, all answered prayer is worth celebrating! All we would ask that you try and keep it around 350 words maximum (as a point of reference this blog is 364 words long).
We look forward to hearing your stories…