Turre Evangelical Church
Newsletter November 2011
Avenida de Almeria Turre
There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less.
From the Editor…. .
This month we have had visitors, long standing friends from Highworth Community Church in England. It was such a blessing to have a week together, and renew fellowship. One of the good things we were able to share was our daily prayer time.
This set me thinking about two things, firstly what a blessing the church family can (and should) be to each other. Where we are now is definitely home, but the memories of all the good and not so good things we have shared with friends, and all the joys and sorrows which have forged relationships over the years are unchanged by geographical distance. The bonds between us will last for eternity. We also previously lived in Dartmouth in Devon, where Rachel was born. Running a business there took a lot of time and energy, so our fellow believers became a special and supportive part of our family. And although we only see each other occasionally now, as soon as we are together, it as if no time at all has passed.
Meeting as a family on Sunday mornings, and at other times, is an opportunity to praise God together, share experiences, and support each other. It is so easy to take your eyes off the Lord, and focus on other things, for example how we are feeling when we come, responding to the inevitable pressures and irritants with an unforgiving attitude or allowing discouragement to grow. But we can be strengthened as individuals and family by worshipping God together. Read Hebrews Chapter 10 verses 23-25.
Secondly I was reminded that it is possible to feel lonely and isolated when you are a long way from “home”. I think there are quite a few English people like this in Spain, and we in the church should be reaching out to them with love and friendship. What a difference it can make to know that someone cares about how you are feeling, and is prepared to reach out, maybe with practical help or something as simple as a listening ear. Most people respond positively to an offer to pray with them, and there may be opportunity to introduce them to the One who has promised never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews Chapter 13 verse 5).
However we should have no hidden agenda. God loves all of us unconditionally, and our love and help to others should also be unconditional. The leadership are currently praying about ways to use the church building more effectively in outreach, and ways to serve the community around us. Your prayers would be appreciated and any thoughts you might have. Please share them with us.
The editorial in the next newsletter will be as usual written by Alan, who is returning from his Canadian sojourn next week. Welcome back Alan we have missed you and Gloria.
Meanwhile the Lord bless you all.
This Newsletter will be available to all people who attend our church, whether on a regular basis or if you happen to attend whilst here on holiday.
If you are here on holiday and would like to keep in touch you can ask for newsletters to be sent to you or you can visit our website, which is: www.turrechurch.com and for any reason you can email us at contact@turrechurch.com
Prayer Meetings
Prayer meetings in November will take place on 2nd & 16 th & 30th of the month. We have been witnesses of the amazing power of God and the need to continue to talk to Him about His plans for His church in the future, so if possible make the effort to attend, because we have so much to thank Him for. These meetings go on for just one hour, so please try to attend if possible.
Please support these meetings as we need to spend more of our time in prayer. It gives us the opportunity to put the world out of our minds and concentrate on God. It is only by listening to Him that we will know His plans for us.
After the prayer meeting on Wednesday , I was amazed at the speed with which things developed with regard to Florins Box and the distribution of food. (Why are we always surprised when God answers our prayers?) The following day I was offered the opportunity to go on Bay radio and talk about the church, and the aim of helping those who have no money for food. The same day I was also told that Dames of Turre would buy food for the “bank” from their funds, if I let them know what we want. The upshot of all this is that on Fridays after mother and toddler group finishes at midday, the church will be open from 12-1pm, for anyone to come who needs food. This was also trailed on Spectrum (thank you David). The Fundraiser in Turre have a box for food collection, and I will be calling there regularly. We now want to tell people that this food is available. If anyone cannot come at the time stated, we are able to deliver a bag of (non-perishable) food locally, as long as we are told who needs it. Please keep your eyes and ears open, and let me know about anyone you know who may be struggling to feed themselves or their family because of hardship. We need to make it clear that there are no strings attached, and that this food is a gift. If anyone asks us why we do it we will certainly tell them, but no-one needs to feel under any obligation if they come for help. Margaret Freeman
House Group
House group meetings will be held on 9th & 23rd of November. These will take place at Brian and Margaret's house in Agua Nueva in Turre and they start at 8.00pm. It will last for about one hour and it gives us the opportunity to study the Bible. It is also a wonderful way of enjoying Christian fellowship and everybody is welcome.
Daytime House Group
This group will meet on 3rd & 17 th November, starting at 11.00am in the church.
This is an ideal opportunity for those people who cannot make the evening meeting to join in and learn more about the Bible, have Christian fellowship and to ask questions.
Daytime House Group (Agua Amarga)
Peter and Xenia have started a daytime house group in their area as it is a long way to travel to Turre. It is held on the same day as the daytime house group in Turre and there is talk of both groups discussing the same topics. It is envisaged that, maybe, every so often, both house groups will get together, either in Turre or Agua Amarga, to enjoy fellowship as a larger group.
If anybody is interested in joining this group, please contact Peter or Xenia on 950 138 151
| November Services | |||
| Please note that our Sunday services now start at 10.30am. | |||
| Services in November will be led by the following people: | |||
| Leader Speaker Worship | |||
| 6 th November | Brian Freeman | Alan Bishop | David Hay |
| 13 th November | Alan Bishop | David Hay | Margaret Freeman |
| 20 th November | Margaret Freeman | Phil Baker | David Hay |
| 27 th November | David Hay | Brian Freeman | Margaret Freeman |
| During the services where there is communion, a few communion cups will have plain water for those people who do not want to drink wine. We would not want to discourage people participating who cannot or do not want to drink wine. | |||
| Church Activities | ||
| These are the Church Activities during the week | ||
| Wednesday | 10.30am | Ladies Sewing Circle |
| Alternate weeks | 8.00pm | Prayer Meeting / House Group |
| Thursday | 11.00am | Daytime House Group (Fortnightly) |
| 11.00am | Daytime House Group (Fortnightly) Agua Amarga | |
| 7.00pm | Games Evening (Monthly) | |
| Friday | 10.00am | Mothers & Toddler Group |
| Sunday | 10.30am | Morning Service |
Games Evening
There will be a games evening on 17th November it start at 7pm. We serve tea, coffee and squash for your refreshment during the evening. Please invite your family and friends and bring them along. If you have a game that you enjoy playing just bring it with you.
For more details see CJ or phone 686833444
Quiz Night
There will be the next Quiz Night on Friday, 25 th November. It starts at 7.30pm and we welcome anybody who fancies an evening out. Please come and bring a friend. Teams should be made up of 2/3 people. Refreshments will be served during the evening.
Elderberries Lunch Club
The next meal will be on Thursday the 24 th at Torre Bahia. For more details or to book phone Marianne 950472349 or Margaret Moffat 950477063
Bring and share
Our next bring and share meal is the on Sunday 27 th November after the morning service. Please join us and bring a dish to share. Drinks will be provided. Looking forward to seeing you.
Lady's Breakfast
The next breakfast will be on Saturday the 3 rd of December. It is held at the Irish Rover in Mojacar and starts at 10am. It is for ladies only and it is a great time of sharing, testimony and fellowship. Please see Natalie for more information or to book a place or phone 950452885.
FGB Breakfast
FGBMFI Ladies and Men´s Breakfast on Saturday 26th November at 10.am. The venue is Restaurant Torre Bahia, Mojacar Playa. The speak will be Terry and Barbara Jacobs. This is the last meet in 2011. The next meet will be in February 2012. For more information or to book a place contact David Templeman on 950168349.
Carol Service
This is advance notice that our Carol Service will take place on Friday, 16 th December starting at 7.30pm. This is an opportunity to invite a friend or friends. Most people like the thought of singing carols at this time of the year, so it is a wonderful reason for asking them to come along with you. The service is very simple, as in past years, and consists of readings from the Scriptures of the Christmas story and prophecies from many years beforehand and carols. There is no sermon and there will be mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.
The owner of a Christian café has been told by police to stop displaying “offensive” Bible verses.
Police visited Jamie Murray, owner of the Salt & Light Coffee House in Blackpool last Monday following a complaint about “insulting” and “homophobic” material, according to The Christian Institute, which is advising Mr Murray.
The café has a TV mounted on the wall that displays verses of the Bible from a set of DVDs called the Watchword Bible.
The DVDs provide audio and text of the entire New Testament but the volume is turned down in the café.
Police told Mr Murray they had received a complaint about “insulting” and “homophobic” material being displayed in the café, although they did not tell him the specific texts relating to the complaint.
According to The Christian Institute, Mr Murray was told to stop displaying the Bible verses because it breached Section 5 of the Public Order Act, which forbids the display of offensive or insulting words.
He said: “I couldn't believe the police were saying I can't display the Bible. The officers were not very polite, in fact they were quite aggressive. It felt like an interrogation.
“I said ‘surely it isn't a crime to show the Bible?' But they said they had checked with their sergeant and insulting words are a breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act. I was shocked.
“I'm not here to insult or offend anyone, but the Bible is the Bible. We're always being told that we're a tolerant and diverse nation. Yet the very thing that gave us those values – Christianity – is being sidelined.
“I'm not looking to make a name for myself, I'd rather be quietly getting on with running my café. But there comes a time when you have to say enough is enough.”
The Christian Institute is calling for the word “insulting” to be removed from Section 5 of the Public Order Act.
Spokesman Mike Judge criticised Lancashire Constabulary for its handling of the complaint. He believes their warning contravenes free speech and religious liberty.
“We've all seen the police stand by while extremist Muslims hold placards calling for infidels to be beheaded, but woe betides a Christian café displaying Bible texts," he said.
“Yes, the Bible speaks about morality, of course it does. But the Bible isn't hate speech. Disagreement isn't hatred. If a café customer dislikes parts of the Bible, the right response is to take their custom elsewhere – not dial 999.”
Mr Murray stopped displaying the verses while he sought legal advice but has since started running the DVDs again after receiving assurances that displaying Bible verses in public is not a crime.
Sam Webster, solicitor-advocate with The Christian Institute, said there may be grounds for a legal action against the police for infringing Mr Murray's rights to free speech and religious liberty. The Christian Institute is advising him of his legal options.
Posted: Monday, September 26, 2011, - www.christiantoday.com
We should not be surprised when people complain that the words of the Bible are “offensive and insulting”. It would be a mistake to think that the Bible is an “ear tickling” read. While we fully support the display of the New Testament in a public arena, there is likely to be some negative reaction. The words challenge and confront us all, and to quote Jesus from John's gospel chapter 3 verse 19 “And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil”. Jesus offended many people by what He said. Calling the Pharisees vipers and whited sepulchres was not likely to endear Him to them, but He was not afraid to challenge sin. And that makes His death on the cross even more amazing, in the words of Paul in the second letter to the Corinthians, the last verse of chapter 5 ”He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”. Thank you Lord.