The January Corfu Pulse

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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, CORFU

An insight to the workings and personalities of our church January 2004

Services in January:

BCP – Book of Common Prayer CW – Common Worship

4th January 1030 Holy Communion BCP

Epiphany 1900 Songs of Praise:

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (see below)

18th January 1030 Holy Communion BCP

1900 Songs of Praise**

25th January 1030 Holy Communion CW

1st February 1030 Holy Communion BCP

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been observed for many years now between the 18th and 25th of January. The main focus of prayer during these eight days (sometimes called the ‘unity octave’) has been that through the Holy Spirit, the Lord would reveal His way and means for the church of Jesus to recover its visible unity. This will be our theme on 18th and 25th of January. During the week I hope we can all focus our prayers in a particular way on another church; perhaps near to where each of you live…………………………Clifford.

Weekly Activities:

1000 Library & Coffee Morning

1100 ‘Slimming Together’

Wednesday 1000 Coffee & Kids

(for ages newborn – 6 yrs)

1100 Follow-up Alpha Course

Thursday 1000 Bible Study - The Book of Acts

*Sunday School & Youth Group run at the same time as the Sunday Services

** During the next few ‘Songs of Praise’ we will be including worship songs from St Barnabas, Kensington where Melita Forte now worships, and also from the World Prayer Centre. ‘Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness. Sing to the Lord a new song for He has done marvellous things’ Psalms 96 & 98

‘Joy to the World’

True Joy is far deeper than happiness - we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances and human relationships but joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. God sent Jesus to us as JOY TO THE WORLD. In a world of trouble, turmoil and broken relationships the secret of this supernatural joy combined with compassion for the suffering can be found in John 15 where Jesus himself instructs us that ‘his joy may be in us and our joy complete’ (v 11). The Joy of the Lord is our Strength. Have a Joyful Year …………………………………………... Mrs Mop

Happy New Year! Or will it be? Talking with a Greek friend in December I commented on the number of weddings that seemed to be taking place that month. My friend told me it was because 2004 is a Leap Year and it is thought to be unlucky to marry in such a year! I had never heard this before but, having been brought up with a very superstitious grandmother I do know of many other superstitions – don’t put new shoes on the table, don’t put an umbrella up in the house, don’t cross knives, don’t walk under ladders, don’t cross on the stairs and so on. Life becomes such hard work when you have to think before you do anything or have to say, ’Good morning Mr Magpie’ whenever you see a single magpie ‘ just in case’ of bad luck. OK some of the above are common sense – if you walk under a ladder you might get something dropped on your head, and putting shoes, either new or old, on the table isn’t very hygienic but saluting a magpie? Superstition was beginning to rule my life until one day someone said to me, ‘If you’re a Christian, you don’t need superstition.’ and of course, it’s true. What freedom we can have if we put our trust in Jesus to see us through each day - he is with us in everything we do. So, Happy Leap Year! SL

PARSON’s PARAGRAPH

‘Vision for the Future, Repentance for the Past, Obedience for the Present’

THANK YOU for all those who put in so much work over Christmas at HTC. I timed the various services. Excluding late starts, welcomes and notices the Nativity service lasted 50 minutes and the Christingle about 45. How did they ever fit together? Each service showed the potential we have for music and drama. The Nine lessons and Carols went well. Some commented to me that I ought to use German and Dutch for a couple of the lessons. (point noted) The church was full at midnight on Christmas Eve. A greeting in Greek seems a good idea for future occasions.

Hello 2004

I offer you one of my favourite formulas for the start of New Year.

Vision for the future: There are two dimensions to this , the long range and the short range. The long range is clearly set out in scripture. God has certain declared goals for us as individuals and for the planet; in short; His Kingdom. I have preached a few times on the certainty of God fulfilling his word…we are not drifting towards a hazy, unclear future.

The short term vision is what God wants for us in the next few months or years. He wants to guide us in love with His personal prescription for each one of us. Finding that guidance involves such things as prayer, consulting friends, reading books, circumstances, the prophetic word.

Repentance for the past: If we are serious about moving forward in the direction of God’s future we might find that there are some weights which we seem to be dragging behind us. Inevitably our past will contain its share of failures, sins, disappointments and the like. Do we realise that God can set us free from our past? We do not free ourselves from our past by denying it or running from it, but some things need forgiving (and forgetting) Our personal healing is important and that too is on offer as part of the gospel.

Obedience for the present: I’m sure you all know the joke about the visitor to North Devon, who when he stopped to ask a local yokel the way, received the reply: ‘Ah now then if I be going ‘a Barnstaple I wuddn be startn’ from ‘ere’! If we want to walk into God’s future then it’s today when we must start and from whatever situation we find ourselves in. If we are on a guided tour, we don’t let the guide walk off into the distance, we follow close behind. We keep within earshot. The Christian life is a response to a guided tour invitation. It will not work by sitting in the armchair.

Off you go then! Clifford

News & Greetings from Myriam who also says thank you for the Christmas parcel. She now has a special walking aid but is still needing help to use it. Little Catherine who was our volunteer worker in 2000 is to be married in April. Dorrie Darke sends greetings. Stuart & Kathryn send greetings from the Congo – see newsletter on notice board. Jo, Linda & Richard write from Saranda ‘The donation towards the medical care element of our mission’s work will be very useful. As our work expands more people’s needs are coming to light and that inevitably requires more resources.’ – see letter on notice board

Items for ‘Pulse’ should be given to Stella & Ron 2661090926 or email stelnron@otenet.gr by the last Wednesday of the month

All enquiries regarding church activities should be directed to the office on 26610 31467 (Mon – Fri 10am – 1pm) e-mail holytrin@otenet.gr www.holytrinitycorfu.org

Out of hours & emergencies ring Clifford’s mobile 6947287816

Corfu Beach Guide Find out where the best beaches are.

Corfu Resort Guide Helping you choose where to stay.

Learn Greek Online Why not learn a few hoiday words?

Taverna Agni Planning to visit Taverna Agni?

Agni Travel Properties with pools, traditional local houses and quiet apartments. Agni Travel can help you find your perfect holiday.

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Dates for your Diary:

• Thursday 29th January: Fundraising coffee morning and outreach. Venue to be confirmed. Contact Lorraine

• Friday 6th February: 7.30 pm ‘Trivial Pursuit’ Evening at HTC €1 admission in aid of Church Funds.

• Next Church Council Meeting: TBA

• Saturday 14th February: Valentine’s Night Dinner Dance – to be confirmed, ‘watch this space’!

The ‘Coffee & Mince Pies’ morning at Ron & Stella’s house raised €102 for church funds.

For your Prayers:

• Thanks that Charles is OK

• Stuart & Kathryn for patience in the face of racial discrimination, hostility and sometimes threats

• Mike & Jean Heath (friends of HTC)

• Mila

• Corporate growth and outreach

• Richard Welch asks for prayers for the people of Chookha village, Albania, especially for a lady named Mirella. This extremely poor community are social outcasts & fact particularly stern challenges.

Pause for Thought:

Try Jesus. If you don't like Him, the devil will

always take you back.

~ Author Unknown ~