Dear brothers and sisters
Do we believe that the Bible itself is God's word to us and therefore always right, or do we just believe in our interpretation of the Bible as better than others'? On Sunday we will be thinking about how God's word is clear. Not all of it is equally easy to understand, but God has chosen to reveal himself in his Word (supremely in his Son, as we heard last week) and an ordinary Christian can understand what God wants us to know without special secrets from a priest or professor. Thank God for people like William Tyndale (1494-1536) who translated the Scriptures into English, and said: "I defy the pope and all his laws, If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture, than he dost." Sunday's readings are Deuteronomy 30:11-14 and Hebrews 3:1-19.
If you would like to think further about this whole topic, I recommend the book
Taking God at his Word by Kevin DeYoung. It's readable and heartwarming. You can get the Kindle version on that link, and we have a few paperback copies available to buy or borrow on Sunday.
I previously said that we would be starting a
Living In Love and Faith course next Wednesday as part of the Church of England listening and discernment process. The deadline for completion of the course and feeding back has been pushed back from December to April, and we are postponing ours by two weeks. Further details to follow next week.
If you are on the rota for reading the Bible readings in our services, or you are not but might like to serve in that way in the future, please come along if you can to the
training workshop in church on Monday 11th October, 7.30pm. Are we hiding our light under a bowl? When we read God’s word in Church services, are we making the most of it? How can we do that better? James Cary, BBC Comedy Writer, stand-up theologian and Bible-fan, would love to help us read God’s word in a way that’s engaging to listener and faithful to what’s written. In this interactive session, he will get us to have a go at a few ways of approaching the text so that we can better experience and engage with the stories and teaching of the Bible. Book a place by email to
Hilary .
David and Heather Sharland are back from Uganda and will be retiring soon. They are visiting Bathampton on 3rd October and we can see them at the 10.45am service or the 4.00pm Back Together service. Do encourage others who would appreciate a more traditional-style service but perhaps haven't been into church for a while, to come especially to that one.
Adam Biggs will be playing the organ and we are giving him a thank-you gift. The service will be followed by tea and cake!
Don't forget also the
Harvest Festival at 10.45am on 10th October - a great one to invite friends to - and bring tinned gifts for Bath Foodbank and stay for a hot dog afterwards.
Then on Wednesday 20th October at 3.00pm we acknowledge the sadness of losing members of the church whose funerals we may not have been able to attend during the pandemic, in a
special service to thank God for their lives and the hope we have in Jesus.
It is possible that we might be joined by Bath students in the next few weeks. Do look out for any and welcome them. We also say goodbye to one of our own going away to university in the next few days.
God bless you,
