VV_April Web 21-compressed

would like to join via Zoom, please email
revps@icloud.com
There is a special page on the church website
entitled, COVID-19: HELPFUL RESOURCES
FOR CHRISTIANS AT THIS DIFFICULT
TIME. This comprises a section of articles
written by the Minister at various stages over
the last year dealing with the pandemic from a
Biblical perspective. Please go to www.
realchristianity.org.
A recent upload to our sermons recordings
website is entitled, ‘Believers in Christ currently
suffer, but are sustained by a glorious hope’. It
is an exposition of Romans 8:18-25, which
includes the words, “For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us” (KJV).
A further address is based on 1 Peter 2:4-8,
which refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as “the
living stone”. We normally think of stones as
being inanimate, but Christ is full of life and
gives life. Most people, however, tragically
reject this living stone, even though “he that
believeth on him shall not be confounded” (1
Peter 2:6 KJV). Those who come to Christ for
salvation from sin will never be put to shame,
but will be gloriously vindicated. Great stones
provide a sure foundation for a building. Christ
is “the chief cornerstone”, providing salvation
for all who repent of sin and trust in Him.
However, a great stone which can be a sure
foundation can also act as a millstone which
grinds to powder. Those who defy Christ must
realise that He is also a Judge to be feared.
These addresses, and many others, can be
found on www.soundcloud.com/penn-freemethodists,
where they can also be downloaded,
as well as listened to from the website. Pastor
Peter Simpson, Minister
Tylers Green Methodist Church
Easter is a time when believers and nonbelievers
alike can have a positive view focused
on new life. In the Christian Church that new
life is focused on the resurrection of our Lord
www.pennandtylersgreen.org.uk
Village Voice April/May 2021
and the hope of new life that brings. For
believers and non-believers alike that new life is
focused on some of the things seen on Easter
cards, the risen Christ, of course, but also Easter
eggs and the chicks that emerge, or daffodils
and more generally seeing fresh growth in the
countryside and in our gardens.
But the timing is not always right. Climate
change is bringing forward the visible signs that
Spring is here and the fact that the date of Easter
changes from year to year adds to the confusion.
Easter Sunday is always the first Sunday after
the first full moon occurring after 21st March
and so, some Easters celebrations are somewhat
detached from the daffodils and other signs of
new life.
But it is a season of optimism and the
optimism this year should still be a time for
optimism. For church-goers there is the
prospect of attending gathered worship in our
churches on a Sunday rather than the scattered
worship of Zoomed or streamed services. For
all of us there is the prospect of life beginning to
return to ‘normal’ whatever that word will come
to mean post-pandemic times.
At the time of writing, Methodist Churches in
our Circuit are consulting worshippers whether
they are confident about returning to services
under present Covid restrictions and the
possibility of holding a service on Easter
Sunday. Other denominations may be having
similar discussions. Full details about reopening
will be given once these matters have
been settled.
But its Spring! This is a time to look forward.
A new dawn is on the horizon. So, tread
carefully whilst regulations require us to do so,
and when the time is right, let me know if you
have lost family or friend during lock-down or
if you just want to thank God for bringing you
through. We will remember all of them in a
Sunday Service when we can all gather in
church without masking our faces. Have a
Happy Easter and may God Bless you all.
Peter Stevens, Senior Church Steward, psredkite@
googlemail.com
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