Friday 29 May 2015

Garden work party

The Chapel community again did an amazingly efficient garden work party and we are glad to report that the prayer trail now has  a fresh look. We also were treated to a delicious lunch. It is definitely worthwhile to join in the "winter-cleaning" exercise at the Chapel! (Photo credit: Ansie)








Wednesday 20 May 2015

Evening prayers a true blessing- the Pentacost Novena

We are at the moment engaging in the Pentecost Novena which celebrates 9 days of prayer after Jesus' Ascension into heaven. This has been a true blessing into the lives of the few souls who have braved the cold to be blessed by the fellowship, prayer and warmth at the chapel every night. I did not know that they chapel is such an inviting warm place at night!!

Learning more about the Holy Spirit and sharing testimonies have been inspirational and I have learned  how Oneness with the Holy Spirit and our fellow travelers can truly guide our lives. We explored how the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, what the power of prophecy can do, as well as the gift of speaking in tongues.

Last night Leon dealt with what it means to be a witness of Jesus. Witnessing means that we share what God has meant to us personally. He pointed out that we are not called to argue or debate anyone into heaven and that it is definitely not about winning people over with your intellectual skills. (1 Cor 2: 1-5). The power of our story rests in Jesus alone.

Why do we witness?
We are commanded by Jesus to be witnesses (Matthew 29) in order to go make disciples. We are lost without Jesus Christ in our lives (John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). People are hungry for the truth and the field is ripe. We have great news to spread!! John 3:16. Also, the love of Christ compels us to share with others (John 14:21).

What is a witness?
A witness are called to give first hand testimony. The message is the Good news as recorded in the Bible (1 Cor 15: 3-4) and carried over from generation to generation.

What qualifications do I need to have to be a witness?
We need to be sure that we are a child of God through the blood of Jesus. We need to confess and find forgiveness for our sins. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We need to be prepared to communicate our faith in Christ. And last but not least we need to study the Bible.

Possible hindrances
We all from time to time fall into spiritual lethargy when we find that we are not as excited as we used to be any more. We get so used to the message. We fail to prepare our hearts through prayer. We get to busy. We are scared of what people may say. We fear failure. We may also lack the practical know-how.

Leon pointed out that before the disciples became witnesses, they had to wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 1-8). The Holy Spirit brings super natural resources to help us in our lives. We will have real power, not our own but from God.

Join us tonight and every night till Saturday at 6pm for half an hour of togetherness in the Spirit. 


Wednesday 13 May 2015

Special services

Tomorrow (Thursday) is Ascension Day. There is a short service at St Patrick's at 09:00.

From Friday evening until Saturday 23rd, we will be holding a Prayer and Meditation meeting at 18:00 every evening - that is, from Ascension to Pentecost - and this is the invitation to everyone to attend. Who knows what extraordinary things God may do in Hogsback if we prepare well for Pentecost?

All this happens in St Patrick's on the Hill Chapel. 

"Jesus ascending to heaven" by John Singleton Copley - abcgallery.com. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus_ascending
_to_heaven.jpg#/media/File:Jesus_ascending_to_heaven.jpg