CR5 Issue 175 January 2020

CR5 Trip Down Memory Lane
This 1930’s aerial view of Netherne Hospital shows the existing water tower as well as the hospital
buildings that have given way to Netherne- on-the-Hill. The hospital traditionally had a strong cricket
eleven and a match can be seen in progress in the right-hand corner.
Are you interested in local history? Then why not join the Bourne Society.
Apply to : Mrs J Ward, 5 Landscape Road, Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9JB.
www.bourne-society.org.uk
Help! Where did the year go?
No one really knows who wrote Psalm 102
in the Bible. Perhaps it was just before the
end of the exile, and the writer is speaking
personally and also for the nation. Whoever it
was, he or she was at a particularly low ebb.
Note the flow of what is said: “my days vanish
like smoke,” “I forget to eat my food,” I groan
aloud,” “my days are like an evening shadow,
I wither away like grass,” (verses 3-5,11).
Pretty depressing stuff, is it not? Maybe it
sums up how we may feel from time to time.
But the Psalmist moves on to a positive
conclusion. There is hope because of God’s
constant nature and because God is Eternal.
The Lord sits “enthroned forever,” he “will
arise and have compassion,” “respond to the
prayer of the destitute,” “and appear in his
glory” (verses 12-13,16-17). All this, the Psalm
continues, is written for people like you and
me: “Let this be written for a future
generation, that a people not yet created may
praise the Lord” (verse 18).
Hope for 2020
“But you remain the same,
and your years will never end”
Psalm 102:27 and Hebrews 1:12 (NIVUK)
We also don't know who wrote the Epistle to
the Hebrews, but he or she refers to Psalm
102, word for word in places. The unchanging
Eternal God provides peace of mind for us and
guarantees our future in Christ. Things around
us may grow old and perish, but God remains
the same and his years will never end.
The message for us at the end of 2019 is clear.
Jesus, who is Lord of all, remains who he is,
full of grace and always present for us. The
passage of time does not diminish his love for
us.
Let’s continue to trust him in 2020.
Prayer: Great eternal gracious God, thank you
that your love for us is constant, despite the
passage of time, and guide us please through
the year ahead. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
GCI Coulsdon Community Church meets at 11.00am on
Sundays In Coulsdon Community Centre Upper Hall.
For further information please contact
Pastor Brian Smith coulsdon@gracecom.church or
01243 699812. To receive daily e-mail messages
like this one please go to www.daybyday.org.uk
To advertise call Lucy on 01737 557888 or 07703 209292
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