 Over the last couple of weeks, I've been reading a fantastic book by Tom Wright called, The Day The Revolution Began. It challenges us to rethink our picture of the gospel and, in particular, our understanding of what happened on the cross. Rather than divine wrath being poured out on an innocent person to satisfy God's "anger", Tom Wright demonstrates that the cross is the fulfilment of God's promises to a broken world and the ultimate expression of His covenant love for us.
"Jesus died for our sins, not so that we could sort out abstract ideas, but so that we, having been put right, could become part of God's plan to put his whole world right. That is how the revolution works." Thoroughly recommended! Neal.  Photo by Gabriel Benois on Unsplash
Would you like to meet up with others after the Sunday podcast? Starting Sunday 3 May we'll be hosting a weekly Zoom call immediately after the podcast has finished. If you'd like to join us there, email info@meltonvineyard.org.uk to receive an invitation.  MISSING CHURCH?
Why not catch up with some of our previous talks that are all available online. Just click on the picture above to go straight there. Previous series include:
 We are delighted to announce that we'll be premiering the recording of Beelzebub & His Spectacular Travelling Show on YouTube this Friday, 10 April at 7pm. A lone traveller is on her way to Jerusalem. She is searching for a mysterious stranger. But will Beelzebub and his troupe of performers manage to divert her from her quest and recruit her for their sinister production instead? Join Lust, Sloth, Pride, Greed, Anger and Hypocrisy on their travels to find out... Suitable for ages 10+  Storehouse has teamed up with Melton Borough Council Crisis Team during this difficult time. We strongly believe that partnering with the Crisis team and working together is the best, quickest and most sustainable way to ensure that people get the food and other supplies that they need. We are sorting, packing and providing the Crisis Team with your donations of food, toiletries, nappies and sanitary products and the Crisis Team will be co-ordinating the distribution of products to the front doors of people in need. If you are in a food crisis and don’t have local support from family, friends or neighbours, please contact the council switch board on 01664 502 502. If in the next few days a designated number is made available I will post an update. If you would like to donate anything please leave it in the donation boxes at Sainsburys or Morrisons. Thank you all for your support!  If you're wondering how to fill some of the extra time you now have at home, Crossway are offering a selection of free resources, including Ebooks, verse cards, articles, podcast interviews and Bible reading plans and devotionals. Check them out by using the link below.
 The Evangelical Alliance have posted this encouragement to pray on their website:
At 7pm this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer. Whether you are continuing to worship as congregations or not, we have the great privilege and freedom to be able to call upon God, wherever we are, individually and corporately, for healing in our country. We would pray for all in leadership at this time, making decisions about the containment of the Covid-19 virus, for those working in health and social care, and especially for the most vulnerable, whether elderly or those with underlying health conditions. There are already stories being told of wonderful acts of kindness across neighbourhoods. Alongside your prayers, take the opportunity to telephone or email someone who is isolated, buy some additional food for your local foodbank, or offer to deliver shopping for an elderly neighbour. We may not be able to touch physically but we can make connections in so many other ways. They are also publishing a weekly prayer each Thursday. You may like to use this week's prayer as you pray this evening: Heavenly Father, we turn our hearts to you. You are utterly faithful, and you have never failed us. Grant us hope, strength and mercy in our time of need. Enable us to throw our cares onto you, our mighty God. O Lord, hear our prayer. We pray for those touched by the coronavirus, those who face sorrow, fear, illness and isolation. We ask for compassion, love, healing, and kindness. Make us a people living in your perfect love that we may drive away fear. O Lord, hear our prayer. We pray for wisdom and clarity for those making key decisions, for scientists, medical experts, politicians and public health officials. We pray for acts of kindness to spread in every community. Enable us to be quick to see need and respond in gracious and loving ways. Take us through this time of trial. O Lord, hear our prayer. In Jesus’ name Amen Scripture reading: “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7  Debby Wright recently shared this beautiful prayer for our time. You may want to use it tomorrow evening when we join with Christians around the nation at 7pm and pray together.
Lord, I pray for protection. I pray we would adjust our behaviours to be selfless. I pray for a vaccine, a cure! I pray for all the doctors and scientists who work tirelessly in this time, all those in services who will be in extra demand. For those who will suffer with the virus and those who will lose loved ones. But mostly I pray as many have been praying, I pray for revival. Never before has the church been so united in prayer for a move of God. Could this be our opportunity? Our time to shine? I pray God would use us for his glory in this time. I pray the church will rise up. By church I mean each Christ follower taking responsibility to live like a true disciple, led by God’s Spirit, acting in his name and extending Gods Kingdom like never before; being brave, selfless, helpful and practical. I pray we would lovingly choose behaviours to be hygienic, but at the same time, look out for the vulnerable, offering to help neighbours, even strangers. Finding ways to encourage and build others up in the Lord. I pray for ideas, and I thank God for the internet which will be one of our greatest tools. I pray we will be a blessing and source of peace to those who have none, that we will share our faith, as there will be openness to the gospel like never before. I pray for those of us who may even feel led to take the place of caregivers and healers to those no one else will touch. When it all settles back to normal my prayer is that normal will not be the same, that our nation will have cried out to God, humbled itself and joined us in worship and adoration of the one true Almighty God our Lord, our Saviour, our King. Amen. DEBBY WRIGHT, VCUKI NATIONAL DIRECTOR  It’s great to see how creative the church is being in this time of forced isolation. The staff team is now meeting regularly via Zoom calls (for more information on how Zoom works, see our earlier blogpost KEEP IN TOUCH). The wonderful Breathing Space team are moving their appointments online. We had our first virtual Men’s Prayer Breakfast using Zoom this morning (which means there’s more room around the table – come on guys, join us next Friday at 7am…). Our street has started a private Facebook group to keep in touch and support each other. The Couch to 5K group are continuing their WhatsApp communications to encourage each other with their runs, even thought they weren’t able to run together. And we heard of at least one other Small Group that held their group meeting this week via WhatsApp, sharing thoughts about the passage and prayer needs together in real time. So please drop us an email, text, Facebook message, etc. and add your comments below to let us know what you and your group are doing to stay in touch.
Love, Neal and Eluned. |
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