Author: Laura Thomas

Celebrating the new Church & Community Centre

Posted on by Laura Thomas

On Sunday 20th July, a little over a year after the contractors first arrived on the Old Barns Site to start work building a new Church and Community Centre in the heart of Stoke Gifford, the congregation of St Michael’s Church met together in the new auditorium to pray and to worship God.

As we approach the end of the first phase of this project (a secure, watertight and weatherproof shell, due for completion towards the end of August) congregations in three different services stood together to affirm our faith that, despite the challenges, and as we obey and trust in Him, what God has started He will see through to completion. As it says in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

 

Stoke Gifford World War One Centenary Event

Posted on by Laura Thomas

On Saturday 2nd August we are joining with the Stoke Gifford Royal British Legion to host a community event on the Green, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. We’ll be raising money jointly for the RBL Poppy Appeal and the Heart of the Community project. 

Bradley Stoke Radio will be in attendance, along with Westerleigh Brass Band and Mini Massive Sax Flextet, and there will be lots of other things to see and do.  The OSR Coffee Shop will be open serving tea, coffee, cold drinks and cakes – and on the other side of the Green the Beaufort Arms will be putting on a barbecue.

Children are invited to wear fancy dress, for a little parade and a chance to win a prize.  Please do come along and support this community event!

 

Prophetic word for Heart of the Community

Posted on by Laura Thomas

At the recent Church Weekend, the following prophetic word was given:

“I want to share picture of a brick wall being built by two people kneeling side by side, one crying and one laughing. Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” As you build sacrificially and joyfully side by side, there is a promise of a harvest as you sow into the Kingdom of God. It’s the offering of your lives and not just your skills that brings this about. I saw grass growing up through the bricks and the concrete. I felt that this land was once ‘common land’ belonging to the people. There are three levels of ownership on the land:

1. We own it.

2. The ‘people of the community’ own it – it’s for them.

3. Jesus is the ‘Land-Lord’ – He owns it and claims the right to it.

If you remember this, He will bring life to this project. Remember this and you will be like living stones, built into a holy priesthood. Each of us are like stones with a unique offering to bring.”

There are four types of stone in the wall (people who are needed):

Some people who are called to be ‘reassuring’; those who say, “it’ll all be alright!” (When money is tight and chaos breaks out, they will be saying, ‘it’ll be alright!’)

Others are those who ‘see’ – people who see a vision for what is possible.

Yet others are people who will labour in prayer.

Lastly, there are those who will weep with those who weep, and live alongside them and carry them.