The United Reformed Church Chesham
 |
| Home page |
|
| Newsletter |
|
| Contact details |
|
| Young people |
|
| Meet & Eat |
|
| Activities |
|
| History |
|
| What is the URC |
|
| Easy fundraising |
|
| Urdu/Punjabi |
|
| Christingle Song |
|
| Links |
|
| Safeguarding |
|
| Data Privacy Statement |
|
|
April 2007 Newsletter
Dear Friends
This month we look forward to our celebrations of Easter. The walk through Lent following Christ’s path will take us to the depths and darkness of the cross and then the light of the resurrection will bring new hope and show us again God’s promise for each of us.
A small baby is totally dependant on those who care for him or her, but it is not long before they show their determination to choose for themselves. As we grow to maturity we usually pride ourselves on our ability to be independent. We enjoy giving gifts and our time and talents and can find it quite hard to be on the receiving end of others giving. I have had conversations with three different people this week, who have said that they were given lovely Mothering Sunday gifts, but really didn’t expect these or feel it was right for them to receive them. When I had to stop driving it was difficult to have to accept lifts instead of give them. As we get older we become more dependant on help from other people. It is not easy to accept one’s loss of independence and accept help, but whatever age we are, we must recognise that we can’t go it alone. We all need the support of others. We all need to be open to receive as well as to give. Easter is about being open to receive help and support from God.
The words from Paul’s letter to the Romans remind us of the meaning and purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection:
5If we have been united with Christ like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. ... 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Christ died to free us from sin and so forgiven by God, we are able to receive God’s grace and love. By the resurrection we have that great hope of life eternal. Easter is a most amazing act of love. It is often said that the most precious thing anyone can give for someone else is their life.
God’s gift of love is available, but too often we hesitate to accept it. Let’s be open to receive from God this Easter and so know the peace which faith in Christ brings.
|  |
|  |