Minister's Message for September 2010

 

Dear Friends,

Since I last wrote, both our summer Fun Day’s have been and gone. Ours, despite inclement weather, turned out to be a great success. Both events were well supported by helpers and visitors. Visitor numbers were good and people generally were grateful that the Church had put on a good community event.  So thank you all once again for your help with these events: without it they would not have been so well appreciated by our community.

I strongly believe these Church Community events are beginning to have an impact on our community. The local MP’s and Council are certainly taking notice that the Church does plays a significant part in community life these days, something they haven’t always acknowledged.

In September we begin a new teaching series in the book of Philippians, a letter that is known for its teaching on Joy. At a time when the recession is beginning to bite and the looming Government cuts make life even more difficult for us all, I believe it’s right that we look at this letter so we learn how to have the right Christian attitudes in times of struggle. Many of us, endure life rather than enjoy life. We see the problems first rather than the blessings that are around our daily lives. The Bible says that God created us to be joyful people, despite our circumstances. But for most of us joy is lacking in our lives because we don’t fully understand how God wants to bring joy into our lives. Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Phil 4:4) What better statement to begin our new term?

A reminder to that 26th September is BackToChurch Sunday, please pray about who you could invite to this special service. It is based on the simplest and shortest step in evangelism - that we should invite someone we already know to something we love; invite our friends to our church. Invitation cards will be available shortly.

   Ray

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Coates has been our minister since March 2002, coming to us after serving as Free Church Minister at Lord's Hill Church, Southampton, an Ecumenical Church, since October 1996.

Ray lives in Lower Earley. Ray has an active interest in computer technology and the internet, and enjoys regular visits to the cinema and theatre, he also enjoys travelling and reading, as well as both visiting and entertaining friends and family.

On many Saturdays during the football season Ray can either be found at Reading's Madjeski stadium supporting Reading F.C.

Ray was a Police Officer for 30 years, 20 of which were spent as a Detective with the Metropolitan Police. He became a Christian in 1977 and quickly became a leader in his local church as well as being actively involved in major investigations into organized crime including drug importations. It was during his last years in the Police Force that he had a strong sense that God was calling him to Christian ministry. He was able to take early retirement in 1993, and it was a natural progression to full-time pastoral ministry.

 

 Ray

The Lord said: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14