Lord, Show us Your Glory

GLORY

CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE MAY 2012

LORD show us your

INSIDE THIS ISSUE MINISTER IN THE MIRACULOUS - BY ROY TODD YOUTH UPDATE SCHOOL UPDATE

Refreshments will be served at the end of the meeting.

Our offering today is for a new fund to support overseas trips.

Buses will be returning to the Seacourt Park & Ride until 1.40pm

CRĂˆCHE Ages 0 - crawling Vale Room

TODDLERS Ages walking - 2 years Cherwell Room

EARLY YEARS Ages 3-4 Ridgeway & Wytham

INFANTS School years 1-2 Hinksey Room

JUNIORS School years 3-6 West Oxford Primary

YOUTH School years 7-11 Cotswold Hall

GROUPS

WELCOME

THIS MORNING

16+ Our speaker today is Steve Thomas Thames Hall

WELCOME TO OUR CELEBRATION

We hope that you enjoy our time together. Above are some useful bits of information about our meeting. If you have any questions, please ask one of the stewards.

“LORD show us your

This heart-cry from Moses is deeply moving. In his lifetime, he had already had many encounters with God. First, when his attention was arrested through the burning bush that did not burn up, God changed his life and called him to lead God’s people, Israel, out of slavery and into freedom.

Sticks becoming snakes, and snakes becoming sticks again; plagues of punishment on pharaoh and Egypt; the power of the Passover blood against the plague of death on the firstborn of each family; the Exodus, and the crossing of the Red Sea; bitter waters becoming sweet; manna and quail to feed the Israelites on their journey; water from the Rock; victory over the Amalekites through the power of intercession; the sovereign gift of God’s word in the ten commandments: these were all features of Moses’ encounters with God and miracles that attended his leadership of God’s people. It’s a remarkable catalogue. No wonder he was called a prophet as well as a leader!

03| LORD SHOW US YOUR GLORY BY STEVE THOMAS

GLORY”

A GREATER REVELATION YET!

And after all this, he’s still crying out to God to “show his glory” to him! Hasn’t he seen enough?

No, there’s far more! He wants to know God better, to understand him more. We talk about “a glorious sunrise or sunset”, a “glorious display”, a “glorious day” meaning something that shines in all its brilliance. Our lives are lit up, uplifted and illuminated by these things radiating with splendour. Moses is asking for that, certainly, but for more! In Hebrew, glory means the “weight of his presence”. This is something that you not only see in all its brilliance and admire with wonder, but something that you feel. This encounter “presses down on you”, makes an impression on you, and the impact changes you for ever.

GOD’S GLORY, HIS CHARACTER

The amazing thing when God comes down, is that the encounter is not just a spooky “power” thing which gives you goose-bumps. When God passes in front of Moses, the story reads: “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him, and proclaimed his Name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”.” (Exodus 34.5-7) What Moses sees in this encounter with God’s glory is God’s wonderful character, his compassion, his mercy, his grace, his patience, his abounding love, his forgiveness, and his holiness and righteousness.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

I cannot get over Moses’ hunger for more. I am deeply challenged by this. I have walked with God for nearly fifty-five years. It’s so easy to get blasé, or live in the warmth of past experiences

or answered prayers, or to see what I’ve seen before, and nod sagely, in one’s heart, saying effectively: “Yes, that’s what God is like….”

Moses is desperately hungry still.

What a model for a leader! What a model for all of us! It provokes me that God is found by desperate people, not comfortable people.

He responds to the wholehearted, not the half-hearted. Is this still our heart-cry: “Lord, show me your glory!”?

AND GOD WANTS TO REVEAL MORE….

And when the desperate man cried out to God, God showed up!

He passed by, he showed himself, he filled Moses gaze with the vastness of his good and loving character. Moses is overwhelmed with the knowledge of the weakness and faithlessness of God’s people, knows that he and they deserve nothing from him, but still begs God to go into the land they are inheriting with them.

And God promises to go with them and do wonderful things amongst them. They probably got more than they ever bargained for! He blessed them so that they eventually became a source of salvation flowing into all nations.

And he wants us to see his glory so powerfully, to be so desperately hungry to know him, that we too can be a blessing to nations. And if we want to accomplish big things for God, we need big hunger for him, and big encounters with his glorious presence!

05| LORD SHOW US YOUR GLORY BY STEVE THOMAS

ONE FAMILY THREE REGIONS SIX MONTHS

Last November we had a significant area Celebration where we commissioned the three new regions marking the beginning of the next stage for our family of churches. Over the next six pages read about what has been happening in the regions >

SOUTH REGION

WOMEN’S WEEKEND

We welcomed Emma BarclayWatt to South Oxfordshire where 90 or so women gathered, encountered God, saw the release of his power and saw breakthrough in a number of areas. There was also much encouragement and fun. Alongside Emma, highlights include massage and a step up in the praise and worship.

And, it was the biggest men’s or women’s weekend we’ve had to date.

Men: the gauntlet has been thrown down!

MEN’S WEEKEND

Coming up on the 9th and 10th of November, we have the 2012 Men’s weekend. Many details are still to be finalised, but we are delighted that Stewart Keiller will be joining us for the weekend as our invited speaker, and we’re looking forwards to a dynamic time of encouragement, breakthrough and the released presence and power of God.

CELEBRATIONS

We hosted J John in January and saw a number of people respond to the gospel message.

We’re planning a picnic after the July celebration and we’ve booked Philip Jinardu for September. We’re praying or a venue that’s big enough for us all to fit in! St. Brinius has served us well, but we need more room to get everyone in!

COMPASSION

PRAYER

FIRE!

We gather for unhurried times of worship and prayer at our Fire! meetings.

We encounter God in order to see the world transformed as we carry his presence and power to a broken and hurting world.

The leaders of the churches gather to pray for the region, and each other, that we might truly be stronger together in Christ.

07| SOUTH REGION

Swindon were there TRAINING We’ve run our first, but Street ening happ is rs secon Pasto d Building Leaders course this in Wantage and year. We aim to run Abingdon as well. great a been this It’s most years in order to equip many witness, not only people to serve to the towns, but s force e polic the their to communities and local authorities. outside and inside the church as much As a region we e urag enco rally as gene possible. compassion ministries which are locally effective and regionally coherent.

For example, Lifeline, working with eating disorders, runs training days, courses and befriending across the region.

WEST REGION

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

Our vision in West Oxfordshire is ‘Transforming Communities’ and as a regional team our focus of the last few months has been taking the vision God has given us and developing a practical strategy that will help us turn it into reality. Our desire is to see God’s kingdom grow, to see new birth in all of our towns and villages and healthy growing churches across our region. It’s a big, Godgiven vision, but where to start?

Our discussions and prayer have led us to concentrate on three specific areas which will form the backbone of our activity together over the next couple of years. We are seeking for our regional working together to serve what is already going in our local churches, and to develop what is only achievable through working together.

training We are clear that training is key area of investment for us as group of churches, and if we are serious about planting churches then we need to be far more effective at raising up new leaders with the relevant skills, knowledge & wisdom.

In the last couple of years we have run a ‘Living Leaders’ course which has trained over 20 people across our churches with developing leadership skills. We are looking to develop new levels and areas of training that will draw together people with similar gifts across our churches and invest in them to develop their ministry effectiveness. We want our training to cover all aspects of life.

Firstly, our character - as individuals we want to increasingly take on the likeness of Jesus.

Secondly, we need to train people in their competence – we want people to develop their skills, gifts and ministry, whatever God has called them to. And thirdly, we want to train people in Biblical content so that ministry is based on a solid foundation.

Our vision is that all of us are constantly seeking to grow as Christians and as a region we want to provide opportunities to learn, grow and mature together.

Our final key focus area is evangelism.

In all of our churches there is a desire to see people born again, our churches The next generation are important grow and our communities transformed and always worth investing in! by the power and love of God. All of that Across our churches we have fewer requires effective evangelism! young people than we would like . and a variety of youth programmes In developing evangelism in our region, we eve This is an area that we beli we are going to focus firstly on training r. can tackle more effectively togethe and releasing those in our churches with a clear evangelistic gift. As with the other Our regional initiatives will seek areas we believe this something that to develop the youth work and we can do more effectively together, workers that are already in place encouraging and inspiring one another. in our churches, whilst initiating some new activities that will draw Secondly we want to make sure that youth together across our region. our evangelism is effective. There is a Our vision is to see youth work huge wealth of experience across our that equips young people to be church es in running different outreach confident in their faith, is missional activities, but it’s great to have someone and provides on-going effective come alongside and help sharpen and in th you our discipleship to release make them really effective in seeing to all that God has for them in the people born again. Again, by working present and future. together, we can help each other be achieved by our region. more effective, have clearer strategies and share the gifts that God has given us.

OUR VISION OF ‘TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER’

STARTS HERE!

09| WEST REGION

youth

evangelism

CENTRE REGION

TYNDALE UPDATE

Our Free School application has passed the first hurdle, resulting in an invitation to DofE interview on 16th May along with our friends from Chapel Street. Keith Elmitt represented us, taking strong evidence of support both in terms of parental approval and the vital sign-up of dozens of children for the first two years. We’ve been amazed by God’s orchestration of favour and goodwill towards us from every direction so do please keep praying for His ongoing blessing, and we’ll discover if our application has been successful by September! For more information see the website: www.tyndalecommunityschool.com

OUTBREAK

Sunday 29th April saw the first of our Outbreak gatherings, which are evenings of unhurried praise, prayer and prophecy. Chipper from The Leys is leading these times, which are open to all. We pray that they will reinforce our corporate rhythms of worship, intercession and hearing from the Lord, in addition to our other meetings. Outbreak takes place on the last Sunday of the month from 7:45pm – see oxford.occ.org. uk for more details!

KIDLINGTON YOUTH

Lifehouse Community Church was granted permission by the County Council last year to provide youth services for the whole town, including use of the purpose-built Youth Forum. They have also recently won Big Society funding, providing them with £10,000 to equip the Forum! Please pray for wisdom, strength and ongoing opportunity for them as they seek to bless the youth and transform their lives with the love of God.

TKC UPDATE

LEARNING

THE SCORE

Our newest Missional Community has begun; The Score is a community interested in expressing creativity, open to all, not just professional artists! Led by Emily Sturgess and Danny & Mary Scott, the next public event for The Score will be an open mic night in the last weekend of June, a great opportunity to draw any of your friends who have a creative streak into the welcoming fringe of the group.

Watch our website for news...

STUDENTS

James and Bex Lawton have accepted our invitation to head up the Student Team in 2012-13, as Dave Wong and Claire Fitzgibbon want to take a less central role in the first year of their marriage!

We’re thankful that God continues to provide the people and anointing for us to disciple those students who join us while they study in Oxford, and we’re looking forward to an exciting and eventful year ahead. the church as much as possible.

Our 3rd Learning Community took place in April, and was a great time of reflection and consolidation. We each assessed our leadership teams’ gifts, and humbly invited God’s transforming, nurturing power into areas of weakness, as well as drawing on the Ephesians 4 equipping ministries He’s placed amongst us.

Recognising that we can’t do it in our own strength, and the need to press into God for His anointing and enabling was a key part of the learning – one of the many encouraging comments from the discussions that weekend was that ‘we need to pray more’!

In order to help The King’s Centre staff and governors maintain and develop the buildings and services despite the difficult economic climate, three new working groups are being formed to provide more manpower for marketing, development, and the expansion of ministry – however this is not simply a local initiative, so if you have an interest or ability in one of these areas and would like to contribute (regardless of where you live), please let us know as we’d love for you to be involved too! Email stuartw@kingscentre.com if you’d like to be part of any of these working groups, which will discuss how best to improve what we do, and make recommendations to the governors.

Having been forced to make several of The King’s Centre’s staff redundant in the New Year due to a severe downturn in demand, we’re delighted that James Byard and Sally Riley have found new jobs. James is working in a local primary school, and Sally at Bury Knowle GP practice.

THE KING’S SCHOOL, WITNEY WALKING, ACTING AND TAKING EXAMS! BRECON BEACONS

Twenty seven members of Years 5 and 6 braved the varied elements of a wet spring to visit the Brecon Beacons, and also enjoy a morning’s team building in the Forest of Dean. Despite inclement weather (low cloud and driving rain) all pupils from Years 5 and 6 achieved their goal – to climb Pen-Y-Fan. Following delicious food at Welsh Bicknor Youth Hostel, it was straight into team challenges – The Great Egg Drop before bedtime; Archery, Blindfold Obstacles and Spider’s Web the following morning. Picnic lunch was enjoyed at Symond’s Yat before returning to school. Congratulations to everyone for demonstrating courage in adversity and encouraging others. Our thanks to parents Steve Neil and Stuart Larkin for organising a brilliant two days. Judging from these comments, all the pupils enjoyed themselves:

great Everything was de better and it was ma iends by being with fr

My best memory was probably seeing everyone having fun

ents orable mom d em m st o m an The cute snoring well ’s h es y Ja e er w y at eggs go ver learning th arachutes! with p

The best two days of my life, especially when we got on flat ground

My best momthenetstop were reaching bed and going to

EXAMS

In amongst the variety of extra-curricular activities, many pupils have been hard at work with NFER tests, school exams and GCSEs. We trust all the efforts of our Year 11s will be rewarded in public examinations.

VISITING THE SCHOOL

We will be holding an OPEN EVENING on TUESDAY 26TH JUNE from 7.00pm until 8.30pm. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone to come and see what the school offers to all age groups.

Our next OPEN MORNING will be on SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER. However, anyone is very welcome to come and visit the school during term time, and to see the school in action. We would be delighted to meet you and to show you round.

Just contact the school office (01993 778463 or office@ tkswitney.org.uk ) to arrange a visit.

Further details about the school can be found on our web site, www.tkswitney.org.uk wide variety of craft activities.

‘Acting Acts’ undoubtedly helped our pupils engage with these wonderful accounts of the exploits of the early church in a fresh way.

13| THE KING’S SCHOOL

ACTING ACTS

The Secondary School ended last term with a highly original exploration of the Book of Acts. Robin Howard wrote and directed a ‘mystery tour’ through the book, with various scenes cleverly juxtaposed, interspersed by mime and exuberant dance (choreographed by Katie Gamble). Sarah Lomas led a talented group of artists in portraying the stories on twenty seven panels which, when displayed together, provided a colourful and inspiring interpretation.

Others worked hard on PA and Lighting, Graffiti Art, props and a wide variety of craft activities. ‘Acting Acts’ undoubtedly helped our pupils engage with these wonderful accounts of the exploits of the early church in a fresh way.

For more information and bo king vis t www.oc .org.uk/westwitney

CHURCH

WEST WEST WITNEY WITNEY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CHURCH WEST CHURCH WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH

CHRIST CENTRED HEALING WEEKEND CHRIST CENTRED WITH DR ROGER SAPPHEALING WEEKEND WITH DR ROGER SAPP

CHRIST CENTRED HEALING WEEKEND CHRIST CENTRED HEALING WEEKEND WITH DR ROGER SAPP WITH DR ROGER SAPP CHRIST CENTRED Friday 22nd HEALING June 7.30pm WEEKEND Friday 22nd 7.30pm WITH ROGER SAPPJune at TheDR King’s School, Witney (free entry) at The King’s School, Witney (free entry)

Saturday 23rd June 10am-5pm Saturday 23rd 10am-5pm at The King’s Witney (tickets £5) FridaySchool, 22ndJune June 7.30pm FridaySchool, 22nd June 7.30pm at The King’s Witney (tickets £5) Roger believesKing’s healing is for everyone noWitney matter what and believes this is what at The School, (free entry) Jesus He travelsSchool, throughout the US and other parts ofentry) the world. He at shows Theus.King’s Witney (free Friday 22nd June 7.30pm sees many hundreds healed each month and his desire is too see many healed while is here but information also that this continues throughbooking us(free once he has gone. As ForheThe more and visit at King’s School, Witney entry) Saturday 23rd June he say’s “when I’m gone Jesus remains. ” He likes10am-5pm to bring the Good News of the For more information andandbooking visit Saturday 23rd June Gospels, show people how Jesus healed people10am-5pm then show us by example. www.occ.org.uk/westwitney at The King’s School, Witney (tickets He also likes to be able to spend lots of time with people if needed to £5) work www.occ.org.uk/westwitney at The King’s School, Witney (tickets £5) through their doubts and the see them healed.

Saturday 23rd June 10am-5pm The purpose of this weekend is to see the sick and injured healed, to have our atBYThe King’s School, Witney (tickets £5)CHURCHES ORGANISED WEST CHURCH | PART OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY faith built thatWITNEY we toCOMMUNITY can pray with people andOFsee them healed and for this to A FAMILY ON MISSION TOGETHER | REGISTERED CHARITY 1056921 | WWW.OCC.ORG.UK continue in a big way as the local Church.

For evangelism to come from this ORGANISED BY WEST WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH | PART OF OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES For more information and 1056921 booking visit as FAMILY ON MISSION TOGETHER CHARITY | WWW.OCC.ORG.UK weA do indeed see the sick made| REGISTERED well.

For more information and booking visit www.occ.org.uk/westwitney www.occ.org.uk/westwitney For more information and booking visit www.occ.org.uk/westwitney

ORGANISED BYWESTWITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH | PART OF OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES

ORGANISED BY WEST WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH | PART OF OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES ORGANISED

BY WEST CHURCH | PART OF OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES A FAMILY ON WITNEY MISSIONCOMMUNITY TOGETHER | REGISTERED CHARITY 1056921 | WWW.OCC.ORG.UK A FAMILY ON MISSION TOGETHER | REGISTERED CHARITY 1056921 | WWW.OCC.ORG.UK ORGANISED BY WEST WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH | PART OF OXFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY CHURCHES

15| EVENTS

FUTURE CELEBRATIONS 01 JULY: centre region celebration 08 JULY: west & south region celebrations 16 SEPTEMBER: regional celebrations 18 NOVEMBER: area - with Joel Edwards

THE KING’S CENTRE Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES 01865 297400 office@occ.org.uk

ABINGDON COMMUNITY CHURCH Ed & Kate Evans 01235 521622 ede@occ.org.uk THE KING’S CHURCH, DIDCOT Robin & Lisa Howard 01235 848422 robinh@occ.org.uk HENLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Roger & Di Cole 01491 576883 rogerc@dtwo.co.uk SWINDON COMMUNITY CHURCH John & Gail Reeve 01793870916 johnreeveuk@hotmail.com WANTAGE COMMUNITY CHURCH Neil & Denise Townsend 01235 771152 neilt@occ.org.uk SOUTH REGION ADMINISTRATOR Nigel Watt 01367 718 498 nigelw@occ.org.uk

SOUTH REGION TEAM LEADER NEIL TOWNSEND

STEPPING STONES FOUNDATION UNIT New Yatt Road, Witney, OX29 6TA www.occ.org.uk/steppingstones

CARTERTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Matt & Anna Biddlecombe 01993 846510 mattb@occ.org.uk CHIPPING NORTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Paul & Lottie Meathrel 01608 646127 paulm@occ.org.uk COTE BAPTIST CHURCH Richard & Rachel Bloomfield 01993 850134 richnraychbloomfield@btinternet.com COMMUNITY CHURCH, MORTON-IN-MARSH Dan & Kerstin Campsall 01608 812445 danc@occ.org.uk NORTH WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Gary & Jackie Pizzey 01993 702615 garyp@occ.org.uk WEST WITNEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Jason & Jennifer Huffadine 01993 702979 jasonh@occ.org.uk WYCHWOOD HOUSE CHURCHES Tony & Charlotte Osborn 01993 878169 tony_osborn99@yahoo.co.uk WEST REGION ADMINISTRATOR Matt Biddlecombe 01865 297400 mattb@occ.org.uk

WEST REGION TEAM LEADER GARY PIZZEY

THE KING’S PRESCHOOL, BICESTER www.occ.org.uk/bicester

GEOFF & MARY NORRIDGE 01993 772375 GeoffN@occ.org.uk

CEDRIC & AUDREY HOBBS 01993 700295 CedricH@occ.org.uk

DAVID & ROSIE FREEMAN 01865 751474 DavidF@occ.org.uk

BRYN & DOROTHY FRANKLIN BrynF@occ.org.uk

ROGER & DI COLE 01491 576883 rogerc@dtwo.co.uk

MIKE & LIZ BEAUMONT 01865 864253 MikeB@occ.org.uk

STEVE & LORRAINE THOMAS 01993 850990 SteveT@occ.org.uk

APOSTOLIC MINISTRY TEAM TEAM LEADER STEVE THOMAS

Oxfordshire Community Churches | A Family On Mission Together | Registered Charity 1056921

THE KING’S SCHOOL, WITNEY New Yatt Road, Witney, OX29 6TA 01993 778463 www.occ.org.uk/tks

COMMUNITY CHURCH, THAME Kevin & Debbie Bowers 01844 260319 kevinbo@occ.org.uk CENTRE REGION ADMINISTRATOR Andrew Clark 01865 297420 andrewc@occ.org.uk

Oxford Church Office 01865 297420 oxford@occ.org.uk

PATHWAYS CHURCH, BANBURY Barrie & Mary Wood 01295 279268 barriew@occ.org.uk BICESTER COMMUNITY CHURCH Steve & Tammi Beegoo 01869 240651 steveb@occ.org.uk THE LEYS COMMUNITY CHURCH Chipper & Anna Betts 07985 982804 chipperb@occ.org.uk LIFEHOUSE COMMUNITY CHURCH, KIDLINGTON Mark & Katherine Eley 01865848659 markeley84@gmail.com OXFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH Stephen & Beverley Jones 01865 402141 stephenj@occ.org.uk

CENTRE REGION TEAM LEADER STEVE JONES