2 Timothy 4:1-8

These are some of the last words from Paul that we have. What a powerful charge he gives to Timothy!

Pause for a moment to put yourself in the situation of both Paul and Timothy…

If you were a long standing and faithful servant of the Lord, with something of value to share with someone younger or less experienced than you, what would your instructions be? Would they be similar to those of Paul to Timothy?

If you were in a position of leadership, even if it is over just a few in a small group, how would the responsibilities and characteristics that Paul requires of a leader relate to you?

Most of us are under leadership. Paul addresses some of the difficulties our leaders might face. Think about how we could make their job easier.

He also shows some of the problems we might cause, not only for our church leaders but for those around us.

In this year of spiritual awakening in Busbridge&Hambledon, pray that our understanding will go deep, that our eyes will be opened to see how God’s word applies to our lives and our church. Pray that we might come to understand that nothing is too hard for God. Pray for your group, that every one of them will be equipped and ready to respond. What a charge Paul has given us! What truth we have to think about, take in and make our own!

Old Rectory update
We are delighted to announce that two developments occurred in the past week. On Monday the PCC voted to approve the project up to the amount which has been raised so far and planning permission was granted on Wednesday. The Old Rectory team are now looking at costs and priorities and will share this information with the church as soon as we have it.
What can you do?

· Give thanks and pray for those involved in the planning (from Old Rectory team members through to the Waverley Planners)

· Approach Mark Williams to offer to help with an Action Team

· Contact Dudley Hilton to offer to support and care for Probation Service people with us every Wednesday and which started last week

· We appreciate many have given financially, but the Team are keen for anyone who is able to set up a monthly direct debit of any amount for the project to do so, as this will help with longer term planning

· Pray that this project will honour the Living God who intervenes in our lives and will give us confidence in our faith

Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure!
This year’s Hot Cross Bun Family Adventure will be from Hambledon Church to Busbridge Church on Good Friday (14th April) starting at 2.15pm. We are looking for some help with serving tea and/or making cakes. Offers please to Frances Shaw, frances.shaw@bhcgodalming.org or ph 421574.

Reverence service
Have you got it noted down in your diaries that there is a special Reverence choral evensong service at Hambledon on Sunday 2nd April at 3.30pm? There is no Hambledon Heritage service at 9.00am on this day so even more reason to go along to this reflective event.

‘The Journey’
Meditation presents The Journey – a one hour reflection on the life of Jesus with readings and songs, followed by refreshments. Saturday 10th June, 6.30pm, Busbridge Church. No charge, but there’ll be a retiring collection in support of the Old Rectory project.

Nexus
On 6th April, Ann Wilson MBE, Vice Chair of the Surrey Gypsy Traveller Communities Forum, will give an insight into Surrey’s largest ethnic minority, their lives, traditions and aspirations.  An evening not to be missed!  We look forward to seeing you in the Busbridge Church Centre at 8.00pm.  There’ll be drinks, nibbles and a chance to catch up before the talk starts.  All are very welcome!

Sermons on the website
Are you getting annoyed that the latest sermons aren’t on the website? Does it irritate you that you can’t catch up on the service you missed? Do you have an hour a week spare, to load the sermons onto the website? Fabulous! We need you! Tony Nunn has done a sterling job maintaining this for years but is no longer able to do it. If you’d like to put your name forward for this important role, then get in contact with Karen in the Church Office in the first instance (01483 421267).

BIG Spring Clean!
We’ve finally put a date in the diary for the super duper BIG Spring Clean! For those of you who are new to Busbridge&Hambledon, this is held at Busbridge Church and we usually have up to 80 volunteers of all ages in teams doing painting, cleaning, clear up, gardening, building stuff and handing out tea and biscuits! It runs from 10.00am – 2.00pm and includes a fabulous slap up lunch. It’s also a great way of getting to know new people, so what more could you ask for? So put Saturday 10th June in your diaries and if you’re really keen and you’d already like to volunteer your services for this fun event, email karen.kinder@bhcgodalming.org.

Explorers volunteers urgently needed
Would you be interested in joining our lively and creative Explorers team? We are looking for helpers to join us in teaching the 7-11s about Jesus once a month. Please contact amy.johnston@bhcgodalming.org to find out more or to sign up!

Easter Garden Service
Is happening on Saturday 15th April and we need people to make cakes and co-ordinate the tea at this busy event. Contact Catherine Taylor if you can help ASAP. Thanks!

Is this you?
Calling all architects, structural engineers or those with expertise in technical drawing!  We are seeking someone willing to act as a mentor to a gentleman in Chiddingfold who is trying to rebuild his life following some very dark times. He has an interest in these skills and professions and has asked if we could try and find someone who shares this experience and from whom he could learn.  Full support and training will be given to anyone taking on this role. Contact Penny Naylor for more information.

Thanks to everyone who gave to our Easter Appeal for Open Doors. If you weren’t able to be in services last week, donation envelopes will be available in both churches for the next couple of weekends.

please pray for…
· Brian Oxborough as he recovers in hospital
· The baptisms happening next weekend
· The BJS & BIS Easter Services next week
· Mothering Sunday
· The planning for upcoming Easter events
· The Alpha course – finishing soon
· Greenhill Close and their road steward, Carole Keating
· Maplehatch Close & Wormley Lane

Timothy was a very fortunate young man.  The son of a Greek father and Jewish mother, he was blessed with a rich heritage. His mother and grandmother were both godly women, who taught him the Old Testament scriptures and also, one imagines, prepared him to recognise the Messiah when he came. We can be sure that they prayed regularly for him and it would appear that, when Paul brought the gospel to their community, all three put their faith in Christ.

If we have children, grandchildren or Godchildren (of whatever age) it is our privilege and our responsibility to pray for them, to teach them God’s word and to share our faith with them. All of us – mothers and others – are called to play our part in this and we must never underestimate the effect it may have.

It’s important and life-changing, both for us and for those we pray for. It builds the next generation into men and women of faith – and that will have eternal significance.

The baptism service poses the question:

Will you pray for these children,

draw them by your example into the community of faith

and walk with them in the way of Christ?

We respond: With the help of God, we will.

How would you describe the following professions…?

Soldier          Athlete          Farmer

How do they differ?

What do they have in common?

Would you consider any of them to include an element of suffering?

If you HAD to choose – which profession would you prefer and why?

2 Timothy 2: 1 – 13

According to the Scripture reading this Sunday the Christian is to incorporate

something of all 3 ‘callings’!

Which would you rate as the most important/significant for you?

How can we follow all 3 ‘callings’ at the same time?!

…Listen to the Sermon!

The total raised for the Channel for Mission SALCET Christmas appeal, including Gift Aid, was £3341.60. Thanks to all who contributed to such a good outcome.

Mystery at Busbridge Church…
At the risk of this notice sounding like an episode of The Vicar of Dibley, has anyone seen the ’Welcome to Busbridge Church’ framed sign that goes on the church front door? It has been missing since Christmas and we’d really like it back. If you know where it is, please hang it back on the front door ASAP.

Stars in their Eyes!
…is almost upon us! This fabulous fundraising event is happening on Saturday 25th March, 7.30pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre. There are strong rumours that Snow Patrol may be rocking Godalming and it may indeed be the case that Elvis isn’t dead, after all. Tickets are an absolute bargain at just £5 each – available after the services or easier still, from going online to buy your ticket on www.bhcgodalming.org/tickets/stars2017.

Mothering Sunday – NEXT WEEK
Carole Keating is looking for volunteers to help her make posies for Mothering Sunday. If you would like to join her on Saturday 25th March at 10.00am in Busbridge Church Centre, please contact Carole. Any donations of greenery would also be gratefully received.

Explorers volunteers urgently needed
Would you be interested in joining our lively and creative Explorers team? We are looking for helpers to join us in teaching the 7-11s about Jesus once a month. Please contact amy.johnston@bhcgodalming.org to find out more or to sign up!

Mission Sunday
Today is Mission Sunday, when the focus of Channel for Mission’s Easter appeal will be Open Doors.  Welcome to all our special speakers in services today. Open Doors is an international ministry serving persecuted Christians and churches worldwide. Founded in 1955, it supplies Bibles, leadership training, literacy programmes, livelihood support and advocacy services. Please look out for special gift envelopes available in all the pews.

Connections Conference – 1st June, 10am – 4pm
Venue: Holy Trinity Church, Church Road, Claygate, Surrey KT10 0JP. Who is it for: all church members and ordained ministers with a heart for older people
Cost: Free of charge (bring your own lunch)
Book on holytrinityclaygate.org.uk/connectionsconference

Amy & Michael Johnston
As you’ve probably heard, Amy (our Children’s Worker) and Michael (our Worship Leader) are heading back to Northern Ireland in April. We will miss them greatly. If you would like to contribute towards a farewell gift for them, please either drop off your contribution to the church office in a marked envelope or you can make a payment online marked ‘Johnston farewell’ to sort code 60-09-04, account no. 00705349.

Marriage Course
A new Marriage Course will be starting in April – could your marriage benefit from an MOT?! If you are interested in attending please email marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org ASAP. Leaflets with more information are at the back of church or on the website www.bhcgodalming.org/courses.

Diocese of Guildford Transforming Work
The Diocese are putting on a series of events looking at how we can be open to God’s transforming power in our daily work so that we live fruitful lives for God and for those around us. For more information go to www.cofeguildford.org.uk/transforming-work or look out for brochures at the back of church.

Old Rectory Fundraising Events – Update March 2017
Future dates (please put them in your diary):
Saturday 25th March: Stars in Their Eyes
At the Wilfrid Noyce 7.30pm. Organiser: Tim Davies and team. Email stars@bhcgodalming.org
Saturday 27th May: Black Tie Soiree at Tillies, Munstead
Organiser: Clare Haddad
Saturday 10th June: ‘The Journey’ at Busbridge Church 6.30pm Organiser: Shelagh Godwin, jimdogshome@aol.com.
Saturday 24th June: Mid-Summer Music at Malthouse Farm 6.30pm. Organiser: Carol Jones/Caroline Luard and team (details in due course)
Saturday 9th September: Festival of Song: The Star, Witley Organiser: Gary Balchin
Saturday 18th Nov: Auction of Promises perhaps? We just need someone to take this forward – any offers?
Email Rosie James for further info

please pray for…
· The BHC Staff team – leadership, admin and clerical support
· Those who have recently lost loved ones
· The planning for upcoming Easter events
· The Alpha course – finishing soon
· Foxdene and their road steward, Helen Tod
· Latimer Road & Vann Lane

Some of us may remember many years ago when Cranleigh had a cinema. It was certainly different and the atmosphere was what it must have been like back in the thirties. One Christmas I, and some of the family, went there to see the latest James Bond film. The man in front of us in the queue put down a five-pound note and asked for two tickets. The woman behind the counter looked down at the fiver and looked back at the man with a puzzled expression.  “Oh it’s gone up since I last came here,” said the man to which she replied, “yes and they talk”. 

James Bond is always on His Majesty’s Service and no risk is too great or price too high to pay to make sure that the job gets done and the nation’s security is protected. He gets himself in all sorts of jams but he never seems to be phased out. He always shows total confidence and somehow it always seems to work out for him. How often do we Christians show a similar confidence to the world? Or put another way, do our actions match up to our words?

In today’s reading Paul reminds us we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us and that God loves us from the beginning of time. Should that not give us real confidence? Confidence to go out and show the love of Jesus to all we meet and declare His love for them? I am sure that James Bond would not hesitate to act but perhaps that’s because he underwent lots of training. I wonder how your training is going?

When you walk into a church, perhaps on holiday, you can usually tell straight away if it’s a living building, a place of prayer, alive with God’s spirit, cared for by a loving community, where things happen and God is at work.

Busbridge Church was consecrated on 1st March 1867. This was an era of great Victorian building. The foundation stone for the Royal Albert Hall was laid in May 1867, completed 1871; Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1858; Charterhouse School 1872. Work on London’s Tower Bridge was started in 1886; opened in 1894 and cost about £1 million.

We have no pictures of our church being built, and have not been able to locate any original plans. Although the building was deemed to be too small in 1911, we are fortunate that it is not a ‘great barn of a place’, dark and uninviting. We are blessed with a rich Arts and Crafts heritage. It may not always be exactly what we would like for space, but I love it. For me, this building is not only physically warm but spiritually warm as well, reflecting a place of prayer and grace; a place where God has been honoured, baptisms, weddings and funerals marked.

This year, 1st March is Ash Wednesday, and there will be a special ashing service followed by an extended time of prayer. Next Sunday, 5th March, we shall be celebrating with a service in church at 10.00, as well as looking to the future with a short ceremony and lunch in the Rectory garden. We will be praying for and committing the whole site to God, and welcoming back many who have found God here and then moved on into different forms of Christian ministry. Do sign up and come. Much has happened in 150 years, the neighbourhood and times have changed and the world is a very different place. Yet the gospel message of Jesus Christ remains the same. Let’s celebrate!

LENT Bible Verse & Text Challenge – Launch from 1st March 2017 for 40 Days – If interested, Text BHC to 60777
Thanks to a generous donation we will be having the LENT Bible Verse & Text Challenge. Thank you to our donor! For those that wish to join the text challenge, the first text will begin on 1st of March and there will be one text a day with a bible verse and a challenge each day for 40 days. If you are interested in receiving the text challenge daily for 40 days, please text BHC to 60777. 

Clean Household Scrap/Junk Needed…for next weekend!
The scrapheap challenge is on…for 5th March! At the 150th Celebration, the children’s and youth ministries need you to keep hold of the following items and drop them in to the collection bin at the back of church: cardboard tubes, shoe boxes, juice cartons, cardboard boxes (small), Pringle tubes, plastic lids and takeaway cartons, egg boxes, plastic 1 litre and 2 litre bottles. Please ensure they are clean! Thanks.

Thank you to the 93yr old gentleman from Nottingham who sent a kind donation for Old Rectory. He’s never been to this church but he’s heard about what is going on and wants to support us.

Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 3rd March
Godalming is joining in this worldwide day of prayer with a service at St Mark’s Church, Ockford Ridge, at 2pm on Friday 3rd March. The service has been compiled by the women of the Philippines this year. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments and Fair Trade stall after the service. Do come and support this important occasion.
Maggie Jagger (Busbridge rep for WWDP)

Wanted – a person or persons willing to befriend a dog-loving asylum seeker who would like to accompany them on occasional dog walks. Want to know more? Contact Penny Naylor at the Church Office or email penny.naylor@bhcgodalming.org.

Nexus
On Thursday 9th March our talk is: “Living Life to the Full with my Guide Dog”.  Helen McCann is an amazing woman who doesn’t let her visual impairment stop her enjoying a full and active life.  She’s even training to run the London Marathon this year in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind!   Come and be inspired by Helen’s story. We look forward to seeing you in the Church Centre at 8.00pm.  There’ll be drinks, nibbles and a chance to catch up before the talk starts.  All are very welcome!

Old Rectory ‘Giving Weeks’ Update
1 week to go to our 5th March Anniversary Service!
Prayer: We’ve had over 20 signups for our days of 24/7 prayer coverage from March 1st – 4th.  We still need lots more help if we’re to secure our continuous prayer coverage. It’s a vital activity for all of us to join in together; think how inspiring and powerful it will be to have continuous prayer from our church for several days?! Remember – this is a virtual prayer room from home, work or travel, just www.24-7prayer.com/signup/9545ad to sign up for a slot to pray wherever you are at that time. We’ll kick off with a whole church prayer meeting in Busbridge Church at 9pm on March 1st after the 8pm 150th anniversary Ash Wednesday service.
Action: There’s just one week remaining in our 8 Weeks Of Giving for the Old Rectory project. A huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to date. Our goal is to have enough funds to have the Old Rectory, start using it and kick off the first part of the renovation work to the Old Rectory, but of course before we can do that we need to reach our funding goals and provide the Taylor family with clear support as they take the big step of moving home. So if you’ve been praying about contributing but haven’t got round to it yet, could we please encourage you to do so soon. There’ll be another chance to give later in the year once we have the final tenders in for of all the alteration works. The next week we’ll know what we have raised and what this means for the future, so join us on Sunday 5th March, 10am at Busbridge Church.

Fundraising without really trying…?
As part of our continued efforts to raise funds for the Old Rectory project it has been suggested that since households do not pay council tax in February and March then perhaps some might consider donating the equivalent amount of Feb or March (or both) to the Old Rectory project?

Marriage Course
A new Marriage Course will be starting in April – there are limited places so if you are interested in attending please email marriagecourse@bhcgodalming.org ASAP. Leaflets with more information are at the back of church or on the website www.bhcgodalming.org/courses.

Celebration Service
Join us for our celebration service in Busbridge Church at 10.00am on Sunday 5th March, with special activities for children. Have you signed up for the lunch yet?? Email 150th@bhcgodalming.org with “service” as your message title, or sign up in the back of church.

please pray for…
· Busbridge Junior and their Head Teacher recruitment team
· Those doing the March Marriage Preparation course
· The first 150th Anniversary Celebration event
· Those facing divorce
· The Alpha course
· Crownpits Lane and their road steward, Lynn Hargreaves
· Huntsman Lane & The Hydons

Have you ever thought of counting the ways in which God showed us his love through Jesus? There were the healings and exorcisms, the patient conversations with the disciples and enquirers, the controversies with the Pharisees and teachers of the law (examples of tough love?), the teachings and stories, the feeding of the 5,000.

Towards the end of his earthly life, John tells us ‘…he now showed them the full extent of his love…’. And what follows is not another healing or spectacular sign, but the Son of God kneeling on the floor to wash his disciples’ feet.

We know that the only people who were expected to wash another person’s feet were slaves (and wives, for different reasons). It is a strange action – very lowly and very intimate at the same time. How does it show ‘the full extent of his love’? It shows a love that is completely willing to serve the other, and it presages Jesus’ death on the cross, where he became the lowest of the low and yet drew us all to himself. Malcolm Guite puts it like this:

“And here he shows the full extent of love

To us whose love is always incomplete,

In vain we search the heavens high above,

The God of love is kneeling at our feet.

Though we betray him, though it is the night,

He meets us here and loves us into light.”

(Sounding the Seasons, Canterbury Press 2012)