Category: Uncategorized

The letter from James is full of very practical instructions, written to “all God’s people scattered over the whole world”.  That’s a fairly comprehensive reader base and it includes us!

James deals with all manner of subjects – riches and poverty, faith and actions, wisdom, guarding our speech, judging others, prayer – and he is at pains to remind us that faith and action go hand-in-hand.

He begins with the uncomfortable subject of trials and temptations.  “When trials come your way …” he says.  “When” not “if”.  Facing difficulties is a normal part of life and being a Christian does not provide immunity from that.  James points out that what we have in our armoury is the gift of prayer, which will enable us to persevere through the difficulties.  If we are unable to pray, we have friends who will pray for us and a God who cares about us, through good and bad.

At some stage in our lives, trials beset us all, and (like me) you probably marvel at the way some people deal with everything life throws at them.  Maybe a couple desperate to have children, who suffer one miscarriage after another; maybe a friend whose life seems to have lurched from crisis to crisis over many years; maybe a disabled person whose serenity and contentment is an inspiration.

James encourages us to remain faithful under duress and to remember that “every good gift comes from God … who does not change …”

Old Rectory update
Electrical first fix complete on first floor, plastering commencing next week and the front entrance area formed. Mark Pateman

The Bridge Magazine
The team at The Bridge Magazine are looking to update their website. They’d love to hear from anyone who might be willing and able to help them with this.  Please either have a word with Cathy Brook (Busbridge Classic service) or email her at: editor@thebridgeonline.org.uk.

They’d also like to hear from anyone in Busbridge or Bargate Wood who’s intending to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch over 27th – 29th January.  Perhaps anyone doing so would be kind enough to copy their recordings to Cathy at the email address above? 

A message from Guildford Besom…
Guildford Besom wishes to extend a huge thank all those at Busbridge Church for the lovely hampers that were given at Christmas time to so many homes.  They were so appreciated and were just a wonderful present to give to people who have all been struggling so much in different ways. Thank you so much again – you have been a real blessing! The Guildford Besom Team.

Specific prayer for Old Rectory
· Give thanks for progress so far. 
· Pray for good weather so that the outside work can get up to schedule
· Protection for everybody on the site and no more problems
· Shelagh’s fundraising birthday concert on 3rd February and for everybody involved

Women’s ministry
Nicky Hemery has kindly agreed to take the lead on this important ministry in 2018. If you have any ideas for events you would like to have please speak to Nicky about them – bear in mind you may need to commit to running them too! We also need to get our mailing list up to date, so if you’d like to receive advance notice of all of our women’s events please let us know via ladies@bhcgodalming.org.  

Birthday Concert
Shelagh Godwin invites everyone to a special birthday celebration concert of her own music on Saturday 3rd February at 6.30pm in Busbridge Church. Collection for Old Rectory. If you would like to come along please email Shelagh on jimdogshome@aol.com.

Upcoming event
Meditation are returning on Sunday 11th March with their hour-long programme The Journey: the life of Jesus in words and music, a programme suitable for Lenten reflection, with Michael Wigley. Hambledon Church, 3.00pm. To be followed by tea and cake and a collection for the Old Rectory Project.

Feba Prayer Meeting
42 Minster Road, Godalming, from 10.30am to 11.30am on Monday 12th March. Please come and pray for this media ministry with partners in most of the world’s trouble spots. Further details from 01483 417725.

Coffee drop in
New for 2018, there’s a new coffee drop-in on the second Monday of the month. Thanks to all those who came along on 8th January. The next of these is on Monday 12th February, 2.00pm – 3.30pm in the Busbridge Church Centre. This is for ANYONE around at this time who’d like a nice cuppa and the chance to get to know others.  Pop the date in your diary now.

Blokes’ Biking
…is happening again on Wednesday 21st February. This group of blokes of all ages, shapes, sizes, biking ability and sense of balance meet in the Homebase carpark at 7.30pm. The bike ride is followed by a restorative pint at the Inn on the Lake. Feel free to join in for the pint end of things if you can’t make the cycle.

Busbridge Ball
This fantastic event at Clock Barn Hall is happening on Saturday 24th February – a three course meal and disco. Tables seat 10 and tickets will be sold for the entire table, so get your group together NOW – just a couple of tables left. Tickets are £48 each. To book your table, contact Carol Jones on calack@btinternet.com or 07855 760634.

please pray for…
· Churches Together
· Families preparing for Baptisms
· Busbridge Junior School
· Tuesley Lane and their road stewards, Jackie Beale, Carole Keating, Frances Shaw and Lesley Reeves
· Brighton Road & Feathercombe Lane

Old Rectory update
Works continuing with main extension structure, forming internal walls and doorways.
Mark Pateman

A reminder about morning services next week @ Busbridge&Hambledon
Sunday 21st January
There are no morning services at Busbridge or Hambledon on Sunday 21st January. This is because there is a special ‘Annual United Service’ put on by Churches Together, for all the church family across Godalming. So make sure you remember to go to:
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, 10.00am

Busbridge Centre
A reminder to all groups and individuals who use the Busbridge Centre – can you please make sure you leave the centre clean and tidy – that means vacuum if required and wash, dry and put away in the correct place, any dishes you have used. If you put anything in the dishwasher, please put it on before you leave. Thanks.

Hambledon Prayer Breakfast
The next Hambledon prayer breakfast is on Saturday 20th January at 8.30am in the church room. All welcome.

Prime Time
Our afternoon of Nostalgia and Guess Who? is fast approaching.  If you are hoping to come along to the event on the afternoon of Monday 22nd January, please can you send us a photo of you as a child as soon as possible so that we can copy them prior to the event. Your original photos will be returned to you. Do consider coming along to join us and see if you can guess what your Prime Time friends looked like as youngsters! If you have a query either contact the Prime Time team via the Church Office or email primetime@bhcgodalming.org

Birthday Concert
Shelagh Godwin invites everyone to a special birthday celebration concert of her own music on Saturday 3rd February at 6.30pm in Busbridge Church. Collection for Old Rectory. If you would like to come along please email Shelagh.

Women’s ministry
Nicky Hemery has kindly agreed to take the lead on this important ministry in 2018. If you have any ideas for events you would like to have please speak to Nicky about them – bear in mind you may need to commit to running them too! We also need to get our mailing list up to date, so if you’d like to receive advance notice of all of our women’s events please let us know via ladies@bhcgodalming.org.  

Upcoming event
Meditation are returning on Sunday 11th March with their hour-long programme The Journey: the life of Jesus in words and music, a programme suitable for Lenten reflection, with Michael Wigley. Hambledon Church, 3.00pm. To be followed by tea and cake and a collection for the Old Rectory Project.

Lesley Mason Radio interview
If you’d like to hear this interview go to heavensroadfm.com/features.

Feba Prayer Meeting
42 Minster Road, Godalming, from 10.30am to 11.30am on Monday 12th March. Please come and pray for this media ministry with partners in most of the world’s trouble spots.

CHANGE OF SERVICE TIMES/LOCATIONS AT BUSBRIDGE CHURCH…
It’s the Churches together service on 21st January but following that, please do remember the new Busbridge morning service times and locations from 28th January onwards….the Classic service remains in the church, but the start time is moving to 10.00am. The Busbridge Contemporary Service will also be starting at 10.00am but go to Busbridge Junior School Hall. Children will go to their groups at 10.15am – you’ll be advised in services on where and when to take them/collect them. NB: No changes apply to Busbridge Quiet, the evening service or to either of the Hambledon services.

Coffee drop in
New for 2018, there’s a new coffee drop-in on the second Monday of the month. Thanks to all those who came along last week. The next of these is on Monday 12th February, 2.00pm – 3.30pm in the Busbridge Church Centre. This is for ANYONE around at this time who’d like a nice cuppa and the chance to get to know others.  Pop the date in your diary now.

Busbridge Ball
This fantastic event at Clock Barn Hall is happening on Saturday 24th February – a three course meal and disco. Tables seat 10 and tickets will be sold for the entire table, so get your group together NOW as tables tend to sell out quickly. Tickets are £48 each. To book your table, contact Carol Jones.

please pray for…
· The Busbridge congregations as they change times and/or locations
· The work of The Cellar
· Citizens Advice
· The Paddock and their road steward, Judith Rolfe
· Braemar Close and Cricket Green

January can be a bit gloomy can’t it? Presumably your Christmas decorations came down last weekend, it is still dark in the mornings and early evenings and spring feels a long way away.

In 2005 as part of a marketing campaign a travel company declared a certain Monday in January as ‘Blue Monday.’ Using a complicated (and entirely fictitious) formula it was decided that things like the weather, post-Christmas debt, failing new year’s resolutions and the time since Christmas combine to make that Monday the ‘most depressing day of the year.’ According to popular myth it is Monday 15th January this year.

We, however, have lots to celebrate: this weekend we re-launch the Classic and Contemporary services at Busbridge, work continues on the Old Rectory and Hambledon Car Park and, most importantly, God is still God.

Our reading for today declares that we are chosen by God, that apart from God there is no saviour, and that God is doing a new thing (see Isaiah 43:10, 11, 19).

We needn’t buy into the gloom of January and marketing campaigns. We can be joyful that there is life from God in us and in our churches.

In our reading from Isaiah God chooses his people ‘so that they may proclaim my praise.’ Instead of the January blues what can you praise God for today and this week?

Socrates declared that ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’. 1900 years later, St Ignatius (the founder of the Jesuits, 1491-1556) would have agreed with him. He recommended a daily ‘examen of consciousness’, a way of praying that looks over the day – or month, or year – that has just passed, discerning where our thoughts and actions have helped us to be in touch with God and reflect him, and where they have taken us away from God.

Try it; it is an excellent thing to do at the turn of the year.

There are 5 simple steps:

Find a quiet place; become aware of God’s presence (he is always there!). Ask him to show you what he wants to talk to you about.

Look over the past year and thank God for all that has been good.

Still thinking of the events and developments of the last year, notice how you feel about them. Have any drawn you closer to God? Were there any that made you feel far from God? Don’t judge yourself – just notice.

Thank God for the times when you have been in tune with him, and express your sorrow for the times you have not responded to him.

Look ahead to the new year; what is it you want from God in the months to come? Ask him, trusting that he will give you what is good.

Close your time of prayer by thanking God for what he has shown you and offering yourself for his service.

We started the carol service season last Sunday evening with the special Unplugged Christmas service.

This Sunday we have carol services across Busbridge&Hambledon, both morning and evening. As we head through Advent and into Christmas our message is that God is with us. This is a unique message. It isn’t ‘God might be with us’, nor ‘God will be with us’ or ‘God was with us’. It is God IS.

God IS God. God IS with us. God IS for us. God IS offering salvation. God IS active. God IS present.

If God IS for us, then who or what circumstance can separate us from His Love in the form of the Christ Child?

This is why we celebrate and invite family, friends and neighbours to celebrate alongside us.

Only 15 days till Christmas! Are you ready? What else do you need to do? As I write this I still have so many gifts to buy, cards to write and food to prepare.

Our reading today from the prophet Isaiah set me thinking about what I would truly like to give and what would be the very best gift I could give if I only had the power. Here, it seems, is God’s preparation list; the gift he wants to bring to our world.

Justice for the poor and needy
Righteousness (goodness, honesty, faithfulness, integrity, right relationship to himself)
Wisdom and understanding
Peace and security
Rest
The Good News of his goodness and love to be known throughout the world

These surely are gifts we all long to receive. As we draw near to Christmas we praise God for the amazing gift of his dear Son, Jesus, in whom he wishes to give us all these things and much, much more. His Holy Spirit, his presence with us and the working out of all that he desires for us and for his world.

May we be those who can receive and share the Good News of all that God has prepared for us in Jesus.

Old Rectory update
All works going to schedule, including laying the concrete for the extension, which will be started the end of next week (weather permitting). Mark Pateman

We have been shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of Linda Brown last Monday, 27th November. Linda’s funeral service will be in Busbridge Church on Thursday 21st December at 11.00am. All who knew and loved Linda are warmly invited to the church service. Please continue to hold Ruth, Carolyn (Linda’s sister) and the wider family in your prayers.

We have been deeply saddened to hear of Brian Albery’s death on Wednesday 29th November.  Brian’s funeral will be held at Busbridge church on Wednesday 13th December at 1.30pm. Please hold Diane, Neil, James and the whole family in your prayers.

Busbridge evening carols
Thanks to Jill and Janet for purchasing 200 mince pies! We are looking for 4 people to organise the mulled wine on the night. Please speak to Simon if you think you can help.

Weekday Carol Service
Did you know that a weekday afternoon carol service is held in Busbridge Church? This traditional service is hosted by Prime Time and is planned with the older generation in mind.  It is a service that is open to all, so please do consider if there is an older person known to you who you could invite along. This year’s service is taking place on Monday 18th December at 2.30pm. All welcome. And if added incentive were needed, mulled wine and mince pies will be served after the service! For further details or to book a place, contact Bryan or Penny in the Church office or email: primetime@bhcgodalming.org

Busbridge Contemporary Changes Meeting
There will be a ‘rolling your sleeves up’ meeting about the Busbridge Contemporary service at 8.00pm, Monday 11th December at Hambledon Church. We’re starting as we mean to go on with everyone who’s part of this community being involved in setting up, clearing away, giving coffee out, welcoming people, inviting new people for lunch, worshipping together…if you’re someone who’ll get stuck in, you’re up for leading different areas of the contemporary community or want to help out then please come along on Monday.

Nexus
Thanks to all who helped make our Charity Quiz Night so enjoyable. We begin our 2018 programme with a talk: ‘Safe Online? Be Cybercrime Aware!’ with David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner. There are always new things to learn about cybercrime, so come along on Thursday 4th January to learn how to keep your computer and yourself safe when online. We meet at 8.00pm in Busbridge Church Centre with a New Year drink and nibbles before the talk.  All are very welcome (including men).

Hambledon Prayer Breakfast
There will be no Hambledon Prayer Breakfast this month but we will return to the normal routine in January of the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Busbridge Classic & Contemporary 10.00am in 2018
A reminder that we’ll be giving the Classic its 10.00am space from the second Sunday in Jan 2018 (14th). The Contemporary will meet in Busbridge Junior School Hall at 10.00am. We’re grateful to all those who have helped us reflect on the past two years and plan for the future.
To clarify: 1st Sunday of January: Classic 9.00am, FUSE 10.30am in church building, 2nd Sunday: 10.00am in church and school, 3rd Sunday: Churches Together town service. 4th Sunday: 10.00am in church and school.

Advent Book Collection for Delight
3 in 10 children in the UK do not own a single book of their own. Delight believes every child should have their own books to enjoy at home. Last year they provided over 3,000 children from disadvantaged communities with beautiful books that they could choose, take home and very importantly keep. We are holding an advent book collection on behalf of Delight, so in the lead up to Christmas please consider donating your outgrown books to this wonderful charity so that other children, who otherwise would not have access to books at home, can continue to enjoy them. Throughout advent we will be collecting pre-loved (good condition) and new books for children aged between 3-11, look out for the box at the back of church / in the church entrance. If you would like to know more, please speak to Debbie Ollerenshaw.

Christmas Lunch
Churches Together are again organising a lunch on Christmas Day in the Baptist Church for those who would otherwise be on their own. Volunteer forms are at the back of the Church for anyone who would like to volunteer either to set up on the 23rd December, or on Christmas Day itself. We are also keen to hear of anyone who is likely to be on their own and may like an invitation. This is limited to the Godalming area as we provide transport. Please contact Gillian Martin (martin2ls@btinternet.com) if you would like to volunteer, and Gwen Wheatman (gwenwheatman@hotmail.co.uk) if you would like someone to receive an invitation.

Sermons you might have missed…
Have you missed a talk recently? Our talks and sermons are now uploaded to www.soundcloud.com/bhcgodalming and eventually our website will also carry direct links for each congregation. Also, if you feel you can help this important ministry, please email sound@bhcgodalming.org.

Christmas is coming…Somehow every year the pointers towards Christmas seem to arrive earlier and earlier in the shops, on the TV, online – tree decorations, canned carols, wrapping paper, special “Christmas offers” – you name it!  And they do, these pointers towards the Christmas of too much food, too much telly, too much spending… 

But these are Johnny-come-latelies compared with Old Testament prophecies of the birth of Christ such as this week’s passage from Isaiah. Written some 700-odd years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah is full of predictions of the birth, death and purpose of Jesus.  An early Christian writer, Jerome, said of Isaiah that “he described all of the Mysteries of the Church of Christ so vividly that you would assume he was not prophesying about the future, but rather was composing a history of past events!”

Christmas is coming…but which Christmas? The Christmas foreshadowed by more and glitzier adverts or the one prophesied and predicted in the Old Testament?  The tinsel and stuffing version, or the Christmas celebrating the most momentous birth of all time?  The Christmas of excess, or the Christmas of access as we realise with awe that through the coming of Christ God is among us, that we do have access to the God who loves us?

The reality is probably both. But this Advent season as Christmas approaches, let’s make sure to celebrate and share its true meaning even as we look forward to enjoying the turkey and crackers…

Old Rectory update
Foundations to the new extension have been poured this week and the first stages of drainage installation are underway. Thanks for the cake and prayers!

We have been shocked and saddened by the unexpected death of Linda Brown on Monday 27th November.  Please pray for Ruth, as well as for Linda’s sister Carolyn and the wider family.  When we have news of Linda’s funeral, we will let you know.

We have been deeply saddened to hear of Brian Albery’s death on Wednesday 29th November.  Brian’s funeral will be held in church on Wednesday 13th December at 1.30pm. Please hold Diane, Neil, James and the whole family in your prayers.

We also send our love to Annaliese Boparai, whose father died last week. Please hold Anneliese and the whole family in your prayers.

Busbridge Classic & Contemporary 10.00am in 2018
We’ve been listening and talking with lots of people about the service times. We’ll be giving the Classic its 10.00am space from the second Sunday in Jan 2018 (14th). The Contemporary will meet in the school at 10.00am. We’re grateful to all those who have helped us reflect on the past two years and plan for the future. More detail will be shared as we approach the second Sunday in January. To clarify: 1st Sunday of January: Classic 9.00am, FUSE 10.30am in church building, 2nd Sunday: 10.00am in church and school, 3rd Sunday: Churches Together town service. 4th Sunday: 10.00am in church and school.

Be part of the changes for Busbridge Contemporary!
To find out more and your part in it, come along on Monday 4th December at Spinney Copse, opposite the church. Please let Simon or Mark Williams know for numbers. There will be a detailed planning meeting on Monday 11th December about roles and action areas. This will be in Hambledon Church (note the venue). Talk to Mark Williams or Dave Preece if you’d like to come to this one. Both meetings at 8.00pm.

Christmas Lunch
Churches Together are again organising a lunch on Christmas Day in the Baptist Church for those who would otherwise be on their own. Volunteer forms are at the back of the Church for anyone who would like to volunteer either to set up on the 23rd December, or on Christmas Day itself. We are also keen to hear of anyone who is likely to be on their own and may like an invitation. This is limited to the Godalming area as we provide transport. Please contact Gillian Martin if you would like to volunteer, and Gwen Wheatman if you would like someone to receive an invitation.

Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar
The window of Busbridge Church Centre has turned into a giant advent calendar this December. A different picture is being added every day, many created by local community groups. You are welcome to come along at any time to have a look.

Jingle&Mingle
Thanks to all the lovely ladies who descended upon the very Christmassy Clock Barn Hall for this year’s craft spectacular. We hope you enjoyed the festivities. Thanks again to the fantastic team who put this fun event together.

Michael Baughen writes…
You may recall our using a ’My beloved son’ booklet on Hebrews as our Lent Booklet…individually or perhaps in groups? The publishers are now putting 25 extracts from it online, one per day, for Advent. If you’d like to partake in this, go to www.cwr.org.uk.

Squires Lunch
We are suggesting that the next Squires lunch is on Sunday 10th December as the fourth Sunday is not possible this month. Please let the team know if you are interested in coming for the December lunch by Wednesday 4th December.

Busbridge Church
The walls are now back in at Busbridge Church. Thank you for your patience as the works were carried out.

Besom Hampers
Have you brought in your goodies for the Besom Hampers yet? The boxes for these will be at the back of church until 10th December so don’t delay. Things you could bring could be food items (go luxury end rather than value range!), household items, Christmas decorations or maybe toys? The Channel for Mission Team also need helpers to pack boxes on 13th December and deliver the hampers 14th-16th December. If you’d like to offer your services please email Robbie Hume or Jo Cookes. Thanks!

Sermons you might have missed…
Have you missed a talk recently? Our talks and sermons are now uploaded to www.soundcloud.com/bhcgodalming and eventually our website will also carry direct links for each congregation. Also, if you feel you can help this important ministry, please email sound@bhcgodalming.org.

Guildford Cathedral Upcoming Events…
16th December, 7.00pm Messiah with the Guildford Cathedral Choir. Tickets £12-£30.
17th January 2018, 7.00pm God and the Big Bang: an event to get you thinking about and exploring the interaction of science and faith with interactive workshops. More information on www.guildford-cathedral.org/events/boxoffice.