There are printed songbooks available for those who have difficulty reading the overhead projection screen and there is also an induction loop for those with hearing aids if you sit in the middle section of the church. Ladies’ toilets are located in the back hall on the left and gentleman’s toilets are through the doorway in the church on the right as you enter. Please ask if you need any help. After the morning service, tea, coffee and other refreshments are available in the back hall, please join us.

We are looking at chapters 3 and 4 of the Epistle to the Hebrews today, and begin to see how the writer draws on the experience of the children of Israel as they wandered hopelessly through the desert in making his point. The land was the resting place for them which had been promised to Abraham all those generations previously, but, as we well know, those who came out of Egypt proved incapable of entering in when the crunch came. They believed their senses, rather than believing God’s promise. What is on offer for the New Covenant believer is the rest of God through which we cease from our own works and allow Him to do His work through us. Easily said! What is the writer getting at, and how do we actually get into this rest? Certainly, in a ‘stressed-out’ age, we need as much of it as possible. How do we ‘make every effort’ in the way that we are told to? I’ll try address these questions this morning, because I need more of that ‘Sabbath rest’ myself.

Brian reported that payments on the general fund had exceeded receipts in the first ten months of the year by £8,608 leaving a balance on general fund of £12,424 at 31 October 2007. Further payments on rewiring fund had been £2,695. Other balances at 31 October were £173.45 on the extension fund, £462.50 on the bible fund and £386.86 and £296.25 on the mission and local communion funds respectively. It was noted that £291.10 had been collected through the harvest gifts and it was agreed by the meeting to increase this to £500.00.

Dear all, just a quick message to say that we arrived safe and sound. Tomorrow we will travel back to the orphanage. Brenda and the children are well and it is not too hot here.

All the children in the orphanage are well and the people in church are busy harvesting their rice.

love Ming and Family.