Nelson

Theme for 2010 'I know them and they follow Me' John 10:27

Scripture for 2010 'Come to the Water' Isaiah 55

Next Meeting Saturday September 4th Not to be Missed - bring a friend

St Francis Church gathering area, Songer St, Stoke 2pm

Retreat Teapot Valley 17-19 September

August Meeting

On Saturday 7th August we were very blessed to have as our guest speaker Dianne McDonell from Waves of glory International.

Our theme for the year is from John chapter 10 v's 27."My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me."

She spoke into "And I know them”, choosing to emphasise the intimacy between Jesus and ourselves.

The beauty and simplicity of her talk held a captive audience. She peppered it with her personal testimony and a good dose of humour.

An altar call was given and the ladies were invited to receive Jesus, making a new commitment to Him.

Dianne prayed for each one who came forward. The Holy Spirit moved with great power.

Words of knowledge brought conviction, deliverance, healing and restoration.

This ministry was amazing. I noticed an enormous love and bonding as the women comforted each other and ministered to each other.

Three women received obvious healing to which they testified. One woman was instantly healed of anxiety and fear and would never previously have spoken in public. What a mighty God we serve!

Dianne was a breath of fresh air and we loved having her.

March Meeting

Fr Jack O’Connor was our speaker , and his topic – ‘The Good Shepherd’ underlined our 2010 Theme, ‘I know them and they follow Me…’

He started by telling a little story, a Grand-dad took his grand-daughter for a long walk, and eventually said to her, ‘Do you know where we are? Her reply - ‘I don’t mind where we are, ‘cos I’m with you!’

Such trust, just like a sheep feeling really confident with his shepherd.

In Jesus’ s day, said Fr Jack, a shepherd knew each of his sheep, in fact he probably had been out with his father minding the family flock since he was about 3 years old! He’d been taught to protect his sheep through thick and thin, to fight off robbers, and even bigger beasts such as lions because the sheep were precious! If a sheep was killed his shepherd was even supposed to bring back the leftover bits of sheep that the lion had eaten!

And that is what Jesus is like – someone who will fight to protect us, His sheep!

Not like the hireling, who’s just interested in the money he can get from ‘babysitting’ them! And just as there are good and bad shepherds, there are bad & good sheep as well.

Our venue ( the foyer of St Francis Church, Stoke) contains a wonderful wall hanging of the Good Shepherd surrounded by his sheep, and Fr Jack used the mural to advantage, pointing out the demeanour of the sheep, both the good and the bad, just like us, some have no sense of responsibility from being brought up badly, some tended carefully in a loving atmosphere!

And most important, that Jesus, the Good Shepherd can love us into changing our ways where necessary!

Father Jack with the Nelson Team

February Meeting - To Hear Jesus, To Know Jesus and To Follow Jesus

This was the challenge from Rita and Roger Peterson at the first meeting for the year on Saturday 8th February. They shared practical ideas and gave personal examples of their life experiences. What an encouragement.

The Praise and Worship was accompanied by guitar and flute and we did enter God's rest.

Prayer ministry was offered at the end of the meeting and of course time to catch up with new and old friends over a cup of tea or coffee and afternoon tea.

What an exciting start to the year. A year of hope.