theFridayService

The Greatest Commandment

2010-09-01T16:11:00.004+01:00

This week we consider a short passage but obviously an important one.

Jesus discusses what is the greatest commandment. Do you agree with Him?

And what does it mean?

Paying Taxes to Caesar

2010-08-23T18:48:00.002+01:00

This week we consider an odd little story about paying tax.

As usual we will be asking: How does it apply to us today?

Write your thoughts in the comments below!

Bonus Cartoon

2010-08-19T15:59:00.003+01:00

From http://asbojesus.wordpress.com - images from that site are copyright free

Rejected

2010-08-18T18:35:00.002+01:00

The story told by Mark moves up another gear as Jesus' authority is questioned and he tells an extraordinary parable that summarises Israel's history and prophesies his death.

Wow.

Come discuss.

Friday 8pm.

Usual venue

The Mystery of The Fig Tree

2010-08-13T23:08:00.004+01:00

This post comes after the meeting for once. Tonight we discussed the incident where Jesus curses the fig tree, a story told either side of the "cleansing" of the temple.

We agreed that it was probably an enacted parable of judgement upon Israel.

Further research bears this out - read the prophetic text from Hosea 9

Jimmy and Johnny - Too Big For Their Boots?

2010-08-01T22:25:00.002+01:00

This week we learn how a couple of brothers - Jesus' best mates - had big ambitions.

Were they wrong to do that?

They certainly ended up as key people in Jesus' plans for his church.

Comments below or discuss in the pun at 8pm on Friday.

Seen and Not Heard?

2010-07-27T13:35:00.003+01:00

This week we come to a short but important passage in which Jesus welcomes little children. In the old translations it says "suffer the litle children". "Suffer" seems to mean "allow" but it suggests that the disciples didn't like children crowding round. Why?

And - usual question - what does it mean for us today?

PS: This blog now has "share" buttons below so you can tell your Facebook friends about it!

Divorce: Does God Really Hate It?

2010-07-19T16:40:00.007+01:00

Heavy stuff this week.
At the end of the Old Testament, Malachi says that God hates divorce. In our passage from Mark's gospel for this week, Jesus is asked what he thinks.

Is it ever right for Christians to divorce? If so, what are the valid reasons?

Contribute your thoughts below or come and discuss on Friday.

Evil Spirits?

2010-07-12T18:41:00.002+01:00

It's time to think about evil spirits on Friday this week. Ironic that in a world where we have tried to rationally explain away anything supernatural with a scientific analysis, the most popular movies are films like Avatar and Twilight.

Why is this? Do people still secretly believe in the supernatural while at the same time debunking traditional religions?

Discuss.

Transfiguration!

2010-07-06T15:20:00.004+01:00

On Friday we will explore what the Transfiguration is all about.

We'll also meet two people who have had a big transformation in the last week. The new St Mark's curates will be with us for the first time.

In some theological viewpoints, there has been a material change in the nature of someone who becomes a priest (John and Debbi become priests next year). Probably no-one at St Mark's would agree, but what is the significance of being ordained? Discuss...

Pictures here...

www.bradford.anglican.org/documents/100704ordination/index.php

Back To Normal?

2010-06-30T11:07:00.002+01:00

Just a note to say that we meet "as normal" this Friday (2nd) when Cat will help us catch up with where we are (if that makes sense!).

Roebuck

7.30 for 8pm

Be

There

Off To See The Bishop

2010-06-07T08:27:00.002+01:00

There is no meeting in the pub this week. Instead join Cat and others in a trip to Leeds to see Bishop Tom Wright (seen here doing his impression of Tommy Cooper).

Cat says:

Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham, is speaking at the WYSOCS (W Yorks School of Christian Studies) summer lectures in on 11-12 June. For those who haven't heard him/heard of him, he is a fantastic speaker and thinker - quite surprising for a Bishop - who is very highly respected and well worth hearing.
His talks are on Wisdom, Glory and Virtue, and are headlined Human Flourishing in Tomorrow's World, details as follows:
Wisdom: Fri 11 June, 7.30 for 8 pm
Glory: Sat 12 June, 9.30 for 9.45 am
Virtue: Sat 12 June, 11.15 for 11.30

Although they are presented as a threesome, you could easily take any of the three as individual sessions. Cost is £7 (per talk) if you've got a paid job, £4 if you would describe yourself as a concession (not working, retired, student etc). (If you wanted to go to all three talks the cost is £18 or £10 respectively.)
The talks are going to be in Leeds at St George's Church on Great George Street, which is easy walking distance from the station.
For more information have a look here http://www.wysocs.org.uk/ (click on Life Matters and then Forthcoming Events).

BE BOLD!

2010-06-01T13:49:00.006+01:00

Come and join us this Friday (we have a few people unavailable so we need all the help we can get!)... when we will be hopefully giving out some World Cup booklets produced by Our Daily Bread to the other punters in the pub.

If you can't be there, then please pray. Thanks!

UPDATE: We have confirmed permission this evening from Caroline, the Roebuck landlady.

Who Do You Say I Am

2010-05-26T15:35:00.003+01:00

So eventually Jesus took all his disciples away for a few days. Away from the crowds he asked them "who do you think I am?"

This picture was released a while ago and claims to be an image of Jesus as he might have been according to "experts" - nothing like the traditional images from paintings.

But who knows? What does matter is not his image but his identity. Who do YOU say he is?

Friday Night - usual place. 7.30 for 8pm. Discuss!

Very Special Guests

2010-05-18T14:53:00.004+01:00

We have very special guests this week, all the way from Ghana. Pastor Theo and his wife Monica will be with us at the usual venue. Come early (7p.m.) if you want to join them for a meal, or 8pm otherwise.

They will be very happy to answer (and ask!) questions, so if you want to know what it's like to lead a church in Africa, come along.

They will also be at our United Celebration on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. when we hope everyone from all our congregations will join us! There will be other special guests and announcements too!

Like Trees Walking

2010-05-08T12:51:00.004+01:00

Lovely to meet some new friends last night as we were joined by visitors from Halifax who are exploring new ways to reach out for Jesus Christ.

Although we had a hearty meal to say farewell to Robert and Barbara, they are still with us this week when Robert will tell us the tale of how Jesus healed a man at the second attempt. How come it didn't work the first time?

Any thoughts? Write them below and come to discuss. Friday. 7.30 for 8pm.

PS: Watch out for news of some special visitors the following week!

A Sad Farewell

2010-05-04T12:31:00.003+01:00

We gather early this week at 7pm to eat together and say a sad goodbye to Robert and Barbara, founder members of the Friday Service as they move to pastures and pubs new.

Food is also on the menu for discussion as we hear the conversation Jesus had with his disciples about bread and yeast. Once again Jesus appears a little rude and impatient with his disciples.

You wouldn't get the Duke of Edinburgh being like that, now, would you?

Was Jesus Downright Rude?

2010-04-27T22:34:00.002+01:00

Last week at the Friday Service we noticed that after calming the wind and the waves, Jesus turned to his disciples and asked "Are you so dull?" We wondered how this fitted in with sinless perfection.

This week it's worse. Jesus calls a Gentile woman and her daughter - or all Gentiles - "dogs". That doesn't seem very nice.

What do we make of that? Comment here or come and discuss - 8pm start in some part of the usual venue.

Clean And Unclean (Remember?)

2010-04-21T15:02:00.002+01:00

Do you remember this picture?

Go back to June 2008 on this blog and read the entry about "Understanding Holiness" . We were studying Leviticus way back then. This week we will examine Jesus' views on the subject from Mark 7.

If you are a visitor, we will be somewhere in the Roebuck!

The vicar will be late so don't look for a dogcollar. Look for some "holy" looking people!

How To Walk On Water

2010-04-16T08:42:00.002+01:00

Quick update: tonight (16th April) we look at Jesus stroll across the Sea of Galilee.

Join us if you can - on foot, by car, but probably not by plane...

Lots of Food!

2010-04-06T12:20:00.004+01:00

This week we're back in the pub and Bob will tell the story of the five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed 5000 men plus women and children (so it's not the "Feeding of the 5000, it's maybe three times that...)

On the left is a picture I took in the church built over the place where the miracle was said to have occured.

But how did it happen? Did bread suddenly appear? Was it in Jesus' hands or in the disciples' hands as they distributed it?

What do YOU think?

GOOD FRIDAY

2010-03-30T08:55:00.003+01:00

This Friday we meet at Julie's house to celebrate the Lord's Supper and retell the Easter Story.

If you want to come, get in touch and we'll tell you how to get there.

Happy Easter!

A Dead Girl and A Sick Woman

2010-03-15T17:05:00.002Z

We forgot to update the blog last week - perhaps the demons got in before they reached the pigs (insider joke for those who were there)

Anyway, this week it's more from Mark 5 and the title above is taken from the New International Version, which manages to make the whole thing sound very dark and miserable, when it's about healing and raising the dead!

Do you think the little paragraph headings in some Bibles are unhelpful?

This Friday : More Parables

2010-03-03T16:16:00.001Z

This Friday... more parables. It does exactly what it says on the blog.

See you there!

Parables: Cute Stories But What Do They Mean?

2010-02-23T16:12:00.003Z

This Friday we have reached Mark 4, and Jesus starts to tell parables.

But what do they mean?

And why doesn't he just tell us what to think?

Express your views below - simply or in story form...

.. and then join us the the pub at 8pm!

Angels and Demons?

2010-02-17T18:38:00.003Z

No, that's not the vicar on a bad day...

Mark 3 this week and there are several references to demons to ponder.

What do we make of this? Are demons real? If so, what do we know about them?

Why are they mostly mentioned in the gospels - much more than anywhere else in the Bible?

Express your opinion below or in the pub on Friday.

Racing Ahead...

2010-02-09T09:13:00.001Z

This Friday we are already on chapter 2 of the shortest gospel. If you have been planning to come sometime, join us soon before we finish Mark!

On Your Marks...

2010-02-01T17:20:00.004Z

Sorry about the pun...

This week we start a gospel - Mark - and we're back in the usual pub at the usual time 7.30 for 8pm.

See you there!

Movie Night Next Week

2010-01-23T10:52:00.004Z

Next Friday we will be at Julie's house at 7.45 to watch "Children of Men" together.
Here's the review of one writer at the Internet Movie Database:
"This movie is a revalation from start to finish"
It is number 182 in the best movies of all time (as voted for by thousands of IMDB members) ahead of Good Will Hunting, The Exorcist, Brief Encounter etc etc.

Here's a link to the trailer on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikEQy1XxDE
(but I think it might spoil some surprises in the movie so beware!)

Check To See....

2010-01-13T13:15:00.002Z

Check with the church office or the vicar (you know the number!) if you are planning to come this week, to see if we are getting together.

No-one could get through the snow last week and it could be worse this Friday!

Meanwhile, here's a picture of the church in the snow.

(click the picture for a larger version)

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-12-19T17:32:00.004Z

We're taking a break now and we restart on January 8th at 7.30 for 8pm in the usual place.

Meanwhile, here's a nice picture of the snow, viewed from the church hall.

Tip: Click on the picture for a larger version.

Three Wise Men?

2009-12-12T18:14:00.001Z

Christmas Carols in The Roebuck

2009-12-05T13:44:00.005Z

Join us on Friday (11th) for Carol Singing and few readings, plus some contemporary stuff here and there.

7.30 for 8 p.m. start.

1 Thessalonians 4

2009-11-24T19:08:00.002Z

So...

are you ready?

... for the big day?

Update

2009-11-17T10:09:00.002Z

Just a note to say that we will now be looking at 1 Thessalonians 3 this Friday, postponed from last week.

Meanwhile here's another sign from Ghana to make you smile. Would you go to this place?

Sign of The Times?

2009-11-07T16:03:00.003Z

I shared the stories from my trip to Ghana last Friday and mentioned the many signs that advertise a business with Christian phrases. Here's one I especially like!

Meanwhile we are back with 1 Thessalonians this week and we are looking at chapter 3. Come and join us. Don't be shy. Repent!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-10-16T22:24:00.006+01:00

PLEASE NOTE! PLEASE NOTE!

CORRECTION! WE WILL BE MEETING ON FRIDAY AFTER ALL!

PLEASE NOTE! PLEASE NOTE!

7.30 for 8pm as usual

PLEASE NOTE! PLEASE NOTE!

After Chapter One comes...

2009-10-12T17:06:00.001+01:00

... chapter two!

(of 1 Thessalonians)

Roebuck pub. Friday. Come find us.

Take A Letter...

2009-10-09T14:08:00.003+01:00

So, after last week's background to the letter - Paul's journey around Macedonia and his flight from trouble at Thessalomica, it;s time to begin.

We all write letters (or e-mails!) and there are conventions about the format. In Paul's day you began with your name and then the name of the person(s) you were writing too.

But of course it's what comes next that is different every time. What did Paul have to say to this young church?

Find out tonight. Add your comments or questions below.

Would You Believe It? It's The New Testament!

2009-09-28T18:55:00.003+01:00

Well we finally decided that it was time to take a break from the Old Testament and look instead at the New.

But rather than do something obvious we thought we should look at parts that are less familiar. We also thought it good to try and follow the order in which the books were written (it's generally thought that the Gospels were written later than the letters). Most scholars think 1 Thessalonians was the first to be written, so that's where we begin - this Friday. Come and be part of a fresh start!

The picture is a "word cloud" of 1 Thessalonians. A word cloud is a computer generated image of the key words in a text. The more often a word occurs, the bigger it is. Fun, eh?

Note: I can't remember the source for this image so if it is yours, let me know and I will remove it or attribute it. Thanks!

The Two and Half Tribes and Israel/Palestine

2009-09-25T12:03:00.002+01:00

As key world figures try once again to look at the Middle East "problem", this week we look at the area and ask about the significance of the land.

In Numbers 32 the tribes who were allocated the land East of the Jordan agreed they would help the rest of the tribes invade the land before they settled in their own land.

But can we take these stories as a prescription for the division of the same land today?

Comments please, and come with thoughts to the pub too!

Normal Service Resumed : Vengeance on the Midianites!

2009-09-17T08:31:00.004+01:00

Apologies for the lack of posts for a few weeks. Hopefully normal service is now resumed!

We also thought you'd like to see the new sign - if you always meet in the pub, you don't see the church!

(Note: the rest of the sign includes only our Sunday Services - this is how what we were advised by the Diocese to include.)

Meanwhile this Friday we are in Number 31 and the shocking story of vengeance on the Midianites.

Come and consider what it has to say to us today ... or comment below.

Talking Donkey????

2009-07-27T18:41:00.004+01:00

..So there was this donkey, right? And it was talking to this guy....
There are some who would say we have to take everything in the Bible literally.
Others can't believe in anything vaguely supernatural.
The story of Balaam and his talking donkey is one of the strangest in scipture. Did a donkey really talk? Any why?
Comments here please, and come and discuss on Friday 7.30 for 8pm in the local here in Utley.

Snakes on a Plain!

2009-07-14T17:20:00.002+01:00

Interesting, this...

This week we're looking at NUMBERS 21 including the strange story of the snakes.

What do you make of it?

Please comment (we'd love to hear from you!) or come for the meeting at 7.30 for 8pm.

No Meeting Next Week - GO AND SEE THE TIGER!

2009-06-26T21:46:00.004+01:00

Ther is no meeting next Friday (3rd July) because there is a special event in Keighley. We are pleased to have a visit from Tony Anthony, former World Kung Fu Champion, who will share his story about how he became a Christian while in a notorious prison.

It's at Victoria Hall, admission's free and it starts at 7.30pm. It's a great event for us to bring friends.

Tony will also be leading an evangelism training day on Saturday 4th July at 10am until 5pm, at the Airedale Church. Bring lunch - tea and coffee provided.
The day costs £10 but you get an excellent training manual (or Manuel, as it says in the church notice sheet!)

More of The Same? Why?

2009-06-23T12:43:00.003+01:00

This week we are in Numbers 18 and 19. It seems rather familiar, which to me begs the question....

... why does the Bible sometimes repeat stuff, sometimes in great detail, and sometimes what seems to be the more boring bits?

What's God trying to do?

Maybe you'd like to comment or discuss with us face-to-face?

Back to "Normal"

2009-06-16T11:22:00.003+01:00

Back to the pub on Friday to consider the strange story of Aaron's rod.

We have had some strange stories over the last few months and yet often we have found application for our lives today. But this one might be a bit tough.

It's there in Numbers chapter 17 if you want to take a look. Please comment with your thoughts!

Five In One!

2009-06-07T22:45:00.005+01:00

Pay attention, now...

Just a reminder that there is no meeting on Friday. Instead we join will all our St Mark's friends for one service at 10am next Sunday, 14th June. It will be packed so come early.

See you there!

Three in One or One in Three?

2009-06-01T18:52:00.005+01:00

This Friday (5th) we have a break from the mystery of Numbers in the Bible to look instead at the mystery of numbers in the Godhead.

Confused by the Trinity? The vicar will explain it all!

Or maybe not...

Help Wanted!

2009-05-26T11:01:00.002+01:00

ON Friday we'll continue with some priestly rebellion but in the meantime, does anyone from our regular gang want to respond to this:

Dear friend,

I am writing to you as someone who is, or has been, involved in leading a fresh expression of church. We are soon to produce a new expressions newspaper and re-launch our website and wondered if you could help us?

We want to gather stories of those individuals who have been affected by attending a fresh expression of church, perhaps by having their faith renewed or becoming a Christian or hearing God’s call on their life. If you know of someone could you, with permission, tell their story in around 75 words? It need not be dramatic! In fact ordinary stories well told can be very powerful. They would need to understand that we might use their story and photo on our website or in one of our publications and you would need parental permission if you were to submit a story of anyone under 16. A decent (hi-res if possible) head and shoulders photo of them would be good too. We are not looking for anything too detailed – just a quick retelling of their story to illustrate the range of people being impacted by fresh expressions. Do come back to me if I can clarify further, but if you can send us something please email to stories@freshexpressions.org.uk . Ideally we need them by the end of May, but do continue to send them after that if more ideas come your way.

Really hoping you can help us. Thank you

Yours,

Norman

This Week : Happy Birthday, Church!

2009-05-12T20:19:00.002+01:00

In case you missed the e-mail...

Hi Folks,

Just to remind everyone that we are sharing a Pentecost meal at 7.30pm at the Buck.The subject for the evening is a group understanding of Pentecost -what do you know?

We suggest you try the Buck curry and experience tongues of fire - don't dwell too long on this joke please !

See you Friday,

Bob & Barbara

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

2009-05-06T20:50:00.001+01:00

Congratulations to Rod, who this week was approved to go ahead with Reader training.

And it's Rod who will lead us on Friday with an overview of the book of Numbers!

Something To Consider...

2009-04-22T17:11:00.003+01:00

Last Friday, we were few in number, but some significant things happened.

1. We turned our plans into something completely different so we could support someone in their needs.

2. New people turned up (at the end!) and challenged us in more ways than one:
- "How does anyone know you are here? Even the bar staff didn't know!"
- "What are you doing in the way of mission?"

3. Meanwhile, we had a very brief aside about the T-mobile Advert - the FlashMob dance in Liverpool Street station
See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUZrrbgCdYc
For an explanation of Flash Mobbing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob

- we were wondering if Christians could do something like that although we felt that sometimes Christians copy stuff others have done and do it less well!

Well, some Christians have already tried...
http://www.dream.uk.net/index.php/guerrilla-worship.html

Lots of comments please!

PS: I'm away for 3 Fridays now (sorry!). See you in May!
Derek

He Is Not Here...

2009-04-14T12:13:00.002+01:00

... He IS Risen!

This is a photo of the burial place of Jesus, from the Garden Tomb in present-day Jerusalem.

Come on Friday and we'll discuss the story and work out what happened.

What do you think?

Lets Have A Good Friday

2009-04-04T14:35:00.004+01:00

This week is Holy Week and there are services every night at St Mark's:

Monday 8pm-9 : Prayers for our church

Tuesday 7.30pm-9 : Ministry Team with private prayer or prayer for healing

Wednesday 7.30pm-9 : Open for private prayer with some guided prayer

Thursday 7.30pm-9 : Open for private prayer with communion at 8.30pm

Friday in The Pub : Join us for a meal at 7.30 prompt, with a retelling of the Easter Story and celebration of the Last Supper

Is It True?

2009-04-01T17:29:00.004+01:00

Is it true that the world's most popular trousers are named after the most holy tribe in Israel. Does the book of Numbers have anything to tell us?

It certainly descibes the setting apart of the priests who would serve in the temple, and we'll be taking a look at what that means for us this Friday in the pub as usual.

We'll also be discovering whether this blog posting has any relation to the specific date on which it was posted....

History Repeats Itself

2009-03-18T22:45:00.001Z

... well actually we do. This Friday - same place, same time and... same as last week!

What Would You Bring?

2009-03-09T15:19:00.003Z

This coming Friday, the usual clients at our local pub will no doubt be talking about the recession, the cricket and the European football results.

Among them a group of us will discuss the offerings brought by each of the tribes of Israel when the Tabernacle was dedicated.

As you do...

What can this passage say to us today? What relevance can it possibly have to our lives in the 21st century?

Make comments here and come chat with us at 7.30 for 8pm in the Roebuck, Skipton Road.

So Why Would Anyone Take A Nazarite Vow?

2009-02-28T14:17:00.002Z

Much conversation last night about the Nazarite Vow from Numbers chapter six.

But the thing we were struggling with is this:

why did God make provision for it?

Surely holiness is just holiness. Why should only some people - who seem to decide to do it of their own volition - take a special vow.

And if they do, why these three things? -

- don't cut your hair

- avoid dead bodies

- avoid even grapes, not just wine

It feels like there is more than meets the eye here.

Any suggestions?

We're Still Here!

2009-02-24T16:29:00.002Z

Apologies to anyone who's been in the habit of dipping into this blog too see what we're up to. We've not posted for a couple of weeks but we're still here!

On Friday we continue to explore Numbers, which (as we said before) has more narrative than you probably thought...

We thought of it first!

2009-01-29T21:19:00.001Z

(Well Rod did...) From the satirical website http://newsbiscuit.com/

Numbers - Not Exactly What It Says On The Tin

2009-01-27T11:48:00.002Z

This week we start book 4 of the Torah - Numbers.

It's not what you think.

Take a look.

Come and find out on Friday.

(Not in the pub - at Nigel's place!)

Back To The Pub...

2009-01-23T13:02:00.001Z

Belated post just to tell anyone who needs to know that we are back in the pub tonight for what may be the final part of Leviticus. Hope to see you there!

Happy Birthday Julie!

2009-01-16T11:08:00.002Z

Happy birthday to Julie who is && today!

We meet at her house at 8pm tonight and will still be thinking about Leviticus and the Atonement as planned!

Meanwhile, more on the "There's Probably No God" Campaign...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7832647.stm

Thanks, Rod!

2009-01-10T15:02:00.005Z

Back to the pub last night for an interesting overview of where we are (and where we have come from) in Leviticus.

For an extract of Rob Bell's teaching on "The Gods Arn't Angry":

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQ9f7ndip0

We also talked about the Humanist Association's posters for London transport and liked Rod's suggestion of a similar poster saying "There's Probably No Bus"

For more on the London bus posters about God (or His non-existence):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7813812.stm

There's a great moment at the very end of the video!

Meanwhile WE MAY CHANGE THE VENUE NEXT FRIDAY. Watch this space!

To Us A Child Is Born...!

2009-01-08T12:57:00.004Z

News from Robert and Barbara...
"Eisaa born today 7th Jan 2009 16.53hrs at Halifax General. All well, he weighs 8lb 1oz and he is a very beautiful baby. Rachel is fine but knackered. Praise God for a safe delivery."

Have A Break!

2008-12-20T19:12:00.003Z

Please Note: There are no meetings of the Friday Congregation now until Friday 9th January.

When we return, Rod will be reminding us of Leviticus and where we are so far.

Meanwhile, watch this and enjoy...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MWzzRfMZO5o&feature=related

Christmas at the Inn

2008-12-15T15:42:00.002Z

There's room for everyone at the Roebuck this Friday. Come and sing your favourite carols - arrive 7.30 so you've time to buy a drink then singing starts at 8pm.

See you there!

(No meetings after that until 8th Jan!)

Back Where We Belong?

2008-11-29T15:01:00.005Z

On Friday (5th December) we return to the pub - 7.30 for 8pm as usual.

So is this where we belong? And what have we learned from our time back in church (cold, wasn't it?)

What have we learned from the Ddiscipleship Course that might make us do anything differently?

The picture is an advert from this site:

http://www.churchonthecorner.org.uk/

So we're certainly not the only ones! In fact, another group from St Mark's, all men, meets fortnightly in the same pub as us! Ask Simon about "Beer and a Bible".

The vicar will want to know what we talked about when he gets back...

Comments below!

IMPORTANT : PLEASE REPLY!

2008-11-24T19:15:00.003Z

Important message for Friday Service regulars!

We are trying to plan events for December. The Discipleship Course ends on Friday then we are due back the pub.

We are looking to go Carol Singing in the Roebuck on the 19th and then cancel meetings on the 26th and January 2nd.

Which leaves 5th and 12th of December to fill. Robert and Barbara would like to host a meal as last year but we are not sure who can make either of these dates.

So... please e-mail the webmaster (that's the vicar to you!) and let us know when you are free!

Discipleship Week 6 : Church

2008-11-17T14:12:00.002Z

So... what is the church? Does it even have a future in this country? What;s God's view?

What do you think? If you could make it different, what would you do?

Is the Church of England way of doing things the best way?

Join us in church on Friday and comment beforehand here!

After Salvation... What Next?

2008-11-10T18:28:00.003Z

So after Discipleship week 4 - Salvation... what comes next.

This week we look at morality and mission; what does Epesians 2 mean when it says (after telling us we are saved by God's grace, not works) that God has prepared a life of good works for us to do?

Are works necessary? Surely if we're saved then that's it? We can't add to our salvation so do we need to do anything at all? What do you think?

Please comment or join us at 7.30 for 8pm on Friday.

PS: Only a couple more Fridays after this, and then we can go back to the pub....

The Sweet Song of Salvation

2008-11-01T13:27:00.003Z

On Friday (7th) we will be looking at Salvation.

Surely will all know about that, now, don't we?

If we are all Christians do we really need to talk about this? Can't we do something deeper.

What do you think? Is this worth talking about or should we follow the writer to Hebrews in chapter six:

1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so.

Prayer : Does It Make Any Difference?

2008-10-25T15:07:00.004+01:00

As we talked about the up-coming meeting, we reflected that Phil Yancey's book "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?" is one of those books that raises many questions but doesn't answer them.

So this coming Friday we will have a go at understanding prayer from a Biblical perspective.

What are your questions? Ask them here and come along for some answers (hopefully!)

Now Hear the Word of The Lord

2008-10-18T12:44:00.003+01:00

So....

Discipleship Course Week 2

How do we know what God is like?

As we've heard, He reveals Himself to us in creation, in Jesus and and in scripture.

But how do we understand it?

Are there any keys to help us grasp what God wants us to know and do?

Friday 24th in church 7.30 for 8pm

Meanwhile... any comments on week 1. What did you think of Bruce Almighty and more interestingly, Marc Driscoll? Did you agree with him?

Comments please!

Back To Church (for 7 weeks only!)

2008-10-10T23:56:00.006+01:00

IMPORTANT NEWS!

Next Friday (17th) we are returning to church for a seven week Discipleship Course.

All the St Mark's congregations are following the course so it seemed good for us to do it too.

Coffee/tea on arrivel from 7.30pm for 8pm start.

See you there!

IT'S A BOY!

2008-10-07T12:42:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to our friends Tim and Emma on the birth of Joshua!

That's perfect timing because this Friday we will be trying to decide why a woman who gives birth is "unclean". (See Leviticus 12).

What do you think?

Please leave a comment - it's been very quiet recently on here!

Forbidden Food

2008-09-30T20:41:00.003+01:00

No, not cream cakes!

A really challenging one, this.

Come on Friday and consider why God allowed the Iraelites to eat sheep but not pigs. Or stranger still, locusts were okay but not many other insects!

Why?

Come find out!

Comments welcome here in the meantime!

Ordination - The Story Continues

2008-09-17T10:15:00.006+01:00

This Friday we return to the story, after several chapters of instructions (though even the instructions were part of the story..)

The central theme is the ordination of Aaron to the priesthood. But what does it have to teach us?

Should we allow it to speak to us about priesthood today (and does that mean a separate priesthood or all believers?)

Or does it teach us about the priesthood of Jesus?

Or both?

Below are a couple of websites that explore the topic.

Comments here welcomed or better still join us at the pub - 7.30pm for 8pm on Friday evening.

http://honoringtheministry.blogspot.com/2007/07/ordination-ears-thumbs-and-toes.html

http://biblestudiesnet.homestead.com/files/levlsn3.html

More of the same?

2008-09-09T15:14:00.003+01:00

On Friday (that's September 12th, I think) we will look at the next part of Leviticus... which is remarkably like the earlier chapters. The first section of the book describes the various sacrifices from the priests' point of view. This section tells us the same thing from the worshipper's angle.

Why is the Bible so repetative? It is often suggested that it's because God wants to make a point, yet this seems a little dull and maybe irrelevant to today. But is it more important than that? What do you think?

Answers by comment here or on Friday in the pub with the usual suspects....

A Fellowship Offering? What on earth is that?

2008-09-01T17:03:00.002+01:00

But surely it's simple... Jesus was the offering made for us. He died in our place on the cross, for our sins, didn't he? What are all these different offerings in Leviticus? If Jesus fulfills the requirements of the law, what are all these different laws about sacrifice?

Discuss... on here and at the pub on Friday!

Going with the grain...

2008-08-24T16:50:00.003+01:00

After last Friday's fascinating look at animal offerings, this week it's grain. No, don't start thinking "that's boring" because... well....

Just come and find out!

Oh, and there's communion to share too. (It's the bread, you see. There's a connection.)

Living Sacrifice?

2008-08-19T00:07:00.003+01:00

So after last week's intro we begin to look at the text of Leviticus.

Romans 12 tells us to offer our bodies as a "living sacrifice" to God as our act of worship. This might be worth keeping in mind as we hear what Moses was told by God.

There will also be plenty of blood....

See you on Friday.

Here Begineth Leviticus

2008-08-08T10:58:00.004+01:00

So now we move on to Leviticus.

It will be fun!

Honest.

Introduction tonight : Friday 7.30 for 8pm in the pub as usual.

PS: I have a dressing gown just like Moses. No, really!

Reflection : What have We Learned From Exodus?

2008-08-02T09:45:00.005+01:00

Last night we had the biggest turn out ever for the Friday Service since we moved to the pub (we're not boasting.. it was less than 20) as our look at Exodus came to an end.

So what have we learned along the way?

We split into two groups for discussion last night and our group particularly talked about Moses' Shiny Face! We felt that it would be easy to focus on the "miracle" of Moses face instead of the God who it reflected. The first 4 commandments are all about putting God at the centre, and we were struck by this quote:

Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

(Exodus 34v14)

Would anyone else like to comment on what they have learned in Exodus? Comment below!

The Radiant Face of Moses

2008-07-30T14:36:00.005+01:00

We think we might possibly - who know for sure - be close to reaching the end of Exodus this week.

Maybe.

So it's time to tidy up the loose ends of the story before we plunge headlong into the mysteries of Leviticus.

So... what's all this about Moses having a radiant face? What went on up the mountain?

If Jesus has opened the way for us to meet with God "face to face", why don't we all have shiny faces when we come out of the weekly service?
Discuss.

Is Idolatry The Most Neglected Topic and Worst Sin?

2008-07-22T22:03:00.003+01:00

This Friday we return to the latter part of Exodus and discover that while Moses was chatting with God about the small print in the law, the Israelites were busy sorting out another god for themselves.

This story from thousands of years ago seems distant and unrelated to us. But is it?

Is idolatry even considered a sin nowadays? We even have programmes called "Pop Idol" etc.

Is it, however, the worst sin of all - putting something else before God?

A Place for Women?

2008-07-14T13:26:00.003+01:00

So there are to be women Bishops in the Anglican church. But this Friday we go back - further than the vote in synod - further back than the first woman Prime Minister - further back than women getting the vote. In fact, further back than Exodus!
A little step back into Genesis this week and all will be revealed in the pub. (By a man of course)
Meanwhile, comments welcome on women Bishops and related topics...

Celebrate!

2008-07-02T08:48:00.003+01:00

This Friday we will be chatting about a brief mention in Exodus of three festivals that God commanded Israel to celebrate. What were they all about?

Join us at 7.30 for 8pm start in the usual inn. Oh, and we will be sharing the feast of the new covenant! (That's bread and wine)

One of the Crowd?

2008-06-24T17:00:00.003+01:00

This Friday we will continue our survey of the laws given to Moses by looking at what the New International Version of the Bible calls "Laws of Justice and Mercy".

Interestingly, some of these are about individual attitudes. They are not all things that can be legislated, but instead they are sometimes issues of conscience:

"Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong."

We all know how hard that can be!

Sometimes it is suggested that in the Sermon on The Mount Jesus refers to the letter of the law and challenges his hearers about what is in their hearts. But there are hints of that here in the Old Testament.

What do you prefer. A clear law that says in black and white "this is wrong", or a commandment that speaks to your heart?

Comments please!

What Not To Wear?

2008-06-20T16:51:00.002+01:00

Tonight (20th June) we are looking into the mysterious world of priestly garments. Turn up to find out more!

Boiling Baby Goats?

2008-06-14T10:02:00.002+01:00

A good meeting last night with an extraordinary range of topics. R.T. picked some especially unusual Old Testament laws for debate, in particular the command that the Israelites should not boil a kid goat in it's mother's milk - a command which occures three times!

Someone pointed out that the command is very specific - that it does not forbid using milk, just not the mother's milk.

A brief survey of opinions on the net suggests that the context was the local Canaanite religions, who used the practice as a superstitious way of ensuring prosperity, and so the Lord was telling the Israelites to be distinctive.

Here are some examples:

Adam Clark and other historical commentators bring out that boiling a kid in its mother’s milk was a prosperity ritual among the Canaanites—the Eternal was telling the people in the "promised land" to give firstfruits and tithes if they wanted prosperity, and not to follow a Canaanite practice.
http://www.servantsnews.com/sn9712/s71211.htm

Canaanite ritual, according to excavations at Ras Shamra (ancient Ugarit), called for sacrificial kids to be boiled in milk, but the damaged Ugaritic text does not clearly specify mother's milk. If it were so, then it is understandable that Israel was being prevented from copying pagan idolatrous ritualism.
Another option suggests that the dead kid was being boiled in the very substance which had sustained its life, hence the prohibition.
Until more archeological information comes to light, the specific religious or cultural reason remains as supposition.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080319201240AAkIPzO

What's Happening This Friday? Blasphemy!

2008-06-12T20:12:00.003+01:00

R T writes : (see comment on the last post)

"Such gems as "do not cook a young goat in its mothers milk" - although that has some significance as you will hear!

No blasphemy - what do you consider to be blasphemy? We are not told the punishment for blaspemy in Exodus 22.

Plus I have done a little research into The Churching of Women which we touched on last week."

7.30 for 8pm as usual in the usual place.

P.S. - That's not a picture of R.T. by the way...

Understanding Holiness in The Old Testament Law (more exciting than it sounds)

2008-06-07T09:24:00.017+01:00

Last night we looked at just four laws from Exodus and wrestled with why God gave these specific instructions. Simon explained that the law takes the form of an ancient Middle-East treaty. See http://www.aracnet.com/~wing/suzerain.htm for example.

But what's all this stuff about clean and unclean and not touching certain things - or even women at the wrong time of the month (some of the guys could see other reasons for keeping away...)?

It seems God was trying to help the Israelites understand holiness and the seriousness of sin. These diagrams may help...

This is the basic Old Testament understanding:

How do things change? By sacrifice or sin:

This is of course a picture of what will have it's greater meaning when Jesus comes:

Everything In Scripture Is There For A Reason

2008-06-04T04:08:00.003+01:00

Last week we made the effort to look carefully at some of the (apparently) obscure laws in Exodus 21 and discovered just how brilliant and ground-breaking they are, setting the pattern for modern UK lawmaking, including lex tallonis, causuistry, case-law, and recognising the difference between murder and accidental homicide!

The "story" continues this week in chapter 22. Come and find out more!

Meanwhile... the passage last week seems to sanction the death penalty, albeit in a society where imprisonment was nearly impossible. Is capital punishment still appropriate today? Comments please.

Had An Accident At work

2008-05-27T21:26:00.005+01:00

picture: http://www.talkoncepersonalinjury.co.uk/

Have you has an accident? Or what about your livestock? What about one of your donkeys?

This is what the law says:

33 "If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit must pay for the loss; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.

So over 3000 years ago, God was already sorting out compensation claims. But are today's laws a fair reflection of how God sees it? What do you think?

Come on Friday to discuss some more of the Maker's Instructions....

Come to St Mark's Next Sunday (Not The Pub!)

2008-05-18T17:10:00.002+01:00

There will be no Friday meeting this week at the pub.

Instead join the other St Mark's congregations at 10 am in church for a United Celebration.

Ten people will be confirmed by the Bishop of Bradford. That's not him in the picture!

A Most Holy Place

2008-05-13T20:27:00.003+01:00

Join us this Friday to explore the mysteries of the Ark of The Covenant. Rod has promised us a scale model - either this week or next week - and it will be better than watching Harrison Ford open the box!

Living Biblically?

2008-05-07T14:41:00.004+01:00

Up to now it's been story time on a Friday night in the pub, but after a brief pause for theological reflection, this week we hit the diffficult task of exploring the laws given to Moses.

So on Friday we are attempting to understand 12 chapters-worth of The Maker's Instructions.

Any thoughts before we begin?

PS: Don't be put off commenting by the requirement to have your thoughts quality-assured by the blog admin. It's just to prevent some of the dodgy spam comments that link to dubious other sites.

DON'T GO TO THE PUB!

2008-04-29T12:01:00.003+01:00

This Friday (2nd May) we will not be in the pub.

Instead we will be meeting at Robert and Barbara's so they can be at the meeting.

(Robert's recent op means he can't give Barabara a lift. In fact he can't lift anything for a little while.....)

Call them or the church office for the address if you need to know. See you there!