(All are invited to our Coffee morning and Exhibition Sat 27th Jan 10-12. And our 50th anniversary service Sun 28th 10.30am)
Happy
Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to us.... Thank the Lord for all his blessings,
Happy Birthday to Zion.
50 years is a lifetime... Well nearly all my
lifetime! The folk who brought Zion together from different churches are simply
to be congratulated. In a world where division and enmity are so prevalent 4
families coming together is surely a worthwhile moment to celebrate.
50 years also proves that God has blessed our
unity as Psalm 133 says: God rejoices when brothers and sisters dwell together
in unity he calls it, wonderful and beautiful. I believe our history shows that
God has poured out his blessing, his costly anointing oil of love.
Our story involves people who have been
blessed to experience the Holy Spirit, blessed with an attitude of generosity
and blessed with a willingness to learn from each other. Our two parent
denominations have both gone through times of considerable decline and yet Zion
has welcomed many new worshippers over the years. Even recently we have had the
privilege of welcoming Maria by Baptism, alongside our annual service of
recommitment and covenant.
Mind you reflecting on past blessings should
not make us arrogant, or complacent. The attitude that was prepared to see
things change which facilitated four churches uniting, or the attitude which believed
in a God of abundance not austerity, and so insisted that we give to others 10%
of our income must continue. A mind-set of Fair Trade which receives freely of
God's love and grace in the hope that we can then share generously with others is
the only one which can ensure our health and celebration for 50 more years!
As Paul wrote to the Philippians: 'Your
attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who although he was God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Rather he emptied himself.
Taking the form of a human servant, and became obedient even to the point of
death on a cross. (Phil 2:5-8 my paraphrase.) Here we see the example, or the
blueprint of Jesus. He was by nature God and so chose to give, in order that
others may share in his life. The willingness of those who have gone before us
to sacrifice 'their' church to discover a new life together, should inspire us.
As I have said many times, the core reality of being a Christian is that we are
deeply blessed: we receive from God, a deep love, an invitation and experience
of a wonderful relationship. We are filled, we are blessed, we are made new by His
grace and love. This is a free and wonderful gift. The only right response is
to be prepared to respond in love towards others. The depth of God's love for
us, should be matched only by our willingness to love those he places around
us. We are blessed to bless.
Please do not misunderstand me, I am aware Zion,
like every other family is very much an imperfect church. We suffer the same
weaknesses as any other grouping. However over the years there have been those
who have sparked us forward, with generosity, valour and deep grace. It is time
for us to pass this flame forward. As the hymn says, we are ransomed, healed,
restored, forgiven... So we must by God's outpoured grace become those who
heal, set others free from shame, restore and forgive. If we do this, with
God's on-going help, I believe we may yet serve God's wonderful kingdom
purposes of love for yet another 50 years.
We are truly blessed. O lord God send your
spirit to help us once again share that blessing with others.
Stephen
Stephen
