Worship at Lyndon in June

With 15 days 14 hours and 18 minutes to go before the beginning of the World Cup, I guess that in June sermon illustrations are going to be dominated by sporting references. There are of course the obvious ones of Paul talking to the people at the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 9 verse 24 – 27 ) which starts “You’ve all been in the stadium and seen the athletes train....They are staying alert and in top condition and giving it everything they’ve got to win the golden prize.” He then goes on to liken winning the” World Cup” to winning the golden prize of eternity and the spiritual exercise of faithful discipleship in Christ to keep you spiritually fit.

Then of course a bit later in his letter to the Corinthians he makes it very clear that they won’t get anywhere if they don’t work as a team. Rooney may be there to score the goals but unless our defence is more consistently secure we will give away any ground gained. In 1 Corinthians 12: 14 – 31 Paul talks about the team in terms of a healthy and co-ordinated body. He has a lovely way of keeping team members from being big headed by pointing out to them that they gain their value from being a part of the whole..”You are Christ’s resurrected body – that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your part mean anything.” (verse 27)




Later in the New Testament we find Paul encouraging his young associate Timothy in Ephesus again using sporting analogy as he stirs him to the call of church leadership. “Exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you both fit for today and forever!” (1 Timothy 4: 7-8). Paul is the Fabio Capello of his day and he draws his team together and sets his churches on the right path.

At LMC in June we meet for our monthly early morning communion and Parade Service on the 6th June and Breakfast Church will be assisting in the running of the 10.30 service. We look forward to being lead by their contribution as they wrestle with the issues of how we respond to those who wrong us (remember Maradona!)

On the 20th June Loren Kimberley, a member of our Jesus Crew and Girl’s Brigade, comes to be confirmed and Lesley Christmas and Matt Baker come to be baptised and made church members. And finally on the 27th June we celebrate and support Deb Humphries as she comes to the end of her training as a local preacher and has her final trial service with us. This will lead to her accreditation as a local preacher and marks the end of her studying that began 3 ½ years ago. Come and give thanks to God

Rev Julia