News for 9.8.20

Dear Friends

Here is the latest news, but do please also check in with the facebook page www.facebook.com/ccpitsmoor/   and website  www.pitsmoor.church/  during the week.

A little word

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.                                                                                                                                                       1 Kings 19. 11-12

Elijah, the powerful and frankly scary prophet, meets God. He has had his triumph over the false prophets of Baal in the showdown on Mt Carmel. Then he runs away exhausted and depressed. He is given strength for the journey and then is called to meet God. As a prophet powerful in word and deed he would have expected God to show up impressively. It is the gentle whisper instead (or as the hymn puts it; O still small voice of calm) where he hears God.

In this period of enforced stillness, with far less activity, where are you hearing God? Perhaps like Elijah it will be where you were not expecting it. I guess the more certain we are of how and when God will speak and act, the more likely it is we will be surprised, disappointed or confused.

If nothing else the O/T prepares us for Jesus who could always be relied upon to do the unexpected. Some will stand on the side lines tutting; others will climb aboard and enjoy the ride!

New for this week

Services

If you’d like to join us on Sunday morning, here is a reminder of the link. The link is the same every week.

https://zoom.us/j/303159289?pwd=NXdpQkFJQWdLTlpIYTc2alZ6VUhqUT09

Meeting ID: 303 159 289  Password: 597076

Alternatively, for audio only, you can phone in to this number: 0131 460 1196, and follow the instructions.

We start to gather online from 10.00, our service starts properly at 10.30.

This week’s reading is Matthew 14. 22-33

Things to pray for

Give thanks for times when God has surprised you and sustained you

For Holiday Clubs, Conferences and Festivals happening virtually

For the people of the Lebanon

Creation Care Group

On Sunday at 7pm we are going to be looking at Chapter 5 of ‘Saying yes to Life’ by Ruth Valerio. We have reached fish and birds. If you don’t have a book, you can down load one for free at https://spckpublishing.co.uk/free-ebooks

Do join us on zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82411277512?pwd=VDlaN0oxNks1cVNJaTk5VklUbUxYUT09

Meeting ID: 824 1127 7512        Password: 880861

Update on re-opening

We are finalising plans to enable limited re-opening of our building. It is a complex balance of weighing risk and being able to offer something that will work and feel both welcoming and reverent. To emphasise again, it will be small scale and is aimed at those who can’t do on-line services. Zoom will continue for some time yet.

Earlier week’s news

Previous editions of this news update are on the website if you can’t find it in your in-box.