July 2010 part 1

We are now in the holiday season when we are encouraged by visiting friends. Retired missionary Jack Muggleton, his wife Margaret and a Mrs Heyer from Nottingham were with us on Sunday 4th July and shared in the breaking of bread. In the evening Stephen Clegg of Killamarsh proclaimed the Gospel message,

On Sunday 11th our number was increased again and we welcomed Fred and Marjorie Beevers [Wimborne], Bobby and Mary Robertson [Maybrook] and Alex, Margaret, Matthew and Ryan Fleck[N. Ireland]. Let all the world in every corner sing. my God and King! In the evening George Clamp gave his testimony and presented the Gospel message, speaking from John 8 19-24.

Audrey Jones is making good progress after a hip operation following a fall. She also broke her wrist. Peter Jones is to undergo surgery on 2nd August. Iris Benstead is now at home. We wish her a speedy and complete recovery.

A reminder that we are having an afternoon/evening with visiting missionaries Stephen and Jill Davis [Tanzania] on Saturday 24th July. All are welcome.

Sunday 27th June

We thank the LORD for His goodness to us. We were encouraged by the attendance at our meetings of visiting saints: Mr Ron Elliot of Waltham Abbey, Mr Bill Dagleish of Fife and Mr and Mrs Dennis Butler of the Kennet Road assembly in Newbury.

The Gospel meeting was ably conducted by our Brother from Harrogate, Paul Jackson. Drawing our attention to a few verses from Romans chapter 1 16ff. He spoke about the Power of God, the Righteousness of God and the Wrath of God. Students of the Word may be helped by understanding the word translated in verse 18 "hold" to mean "hold down or retain" I think the sense there is of people who actually know spiritual truths including the truth of the Sovereignty and Power of God but do not sincerely acknowledge Him in their lives and are therefore "without excuse"[v 20].

Paul was also able to make some useful suggestions as to how we might transfer the audio recording of the Gospel meetings to this blog. A work in progress at the moment!

Gospel Meeting

On Sunday 7th June our evening meeting was led by our Brother Graham Elliot from our own assembly. The reading was from Exodus chapter 3 1-22. We were reminded of the Mercy of God in making preparation for the liberation of His people. In verse 7 God says "I have seen... I have heard... I know". He sent a Man to lead His people, a man who entered obscurity, took up a position of humility, was prepared during a period of years and was effective in his Divinely appointed work insofar as he trusted in God. So it was in the case of our Lord.

The amplification system that was recently installed incorporates a recording facility so that CDs of the meeting exist and we are hoping to make them available as computer files for the benefit of those unable to attend the meeting.

We continue to have in our prayers Iris and Terry Benstead and also Peter Jones, who will shortly be having a hip replacement operation. We praise God for his miraculous healing of one of our friends, Dianne Brookbank, whose tumour "disappeared "!

Sunday at the Hall

Yesterday was special for us in that we were visited by the Lancelot family from Skelmanthorpe.

Brother Tim posted this comment on the blog but in case you missed it this is what he wrote, "Hi there! My family and I are looking forward to being with the Christians at Durham Road Gospel Hall to remember the Lord Jesus in the Breaking of Bread tomorrow.This will also be the first time I will be with you to share the good news of God's free salvation. I hope you can be there in the evening - I'm hoping to give an audio visual presentation on what the Bible says about God's greatness.This will be at the usual time of 6:30 - great to see you if you can make it.Tim, Rachael, Nathanael (9), Priscilla (7), Samuel (6 today!)" Rachael's mother was with us too.

Brother Tim's Gospel presentation [with the help of Powerpoint - uninformed critics who claim that Brethren Assemblies do not use modern communication tools please note!] was firmly grounded in Scripture. Here are the references:

"Behold God is Great..." Job 36 26

• Deut. 10 17 The Giver of the Law
• Ezra 5 8 The Resident of His house
• Nehemiah 8 5-6 The Subject of His Word
• Psalm 95 3 The King over all
• Proverbs 26 10 The Creator of all
• Daniel 2 45 The Guide to the future
• Titus 2 13 Our Saviour
• Rev. 19 17 The Judge of all the earth

We continue to pray for Iris that she may fully recover and for Terry and the family at this difficult time. We also remember Peter as he waits on a date for a hip replacement operation.

Thank you LORD for your goodness to us.

A date for your diary

On Saturday 24th July Stephen and Gill Davis who have been working for the Lord in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam for several years will be visiting us at the Gospel Hall. Stephen will give a report at 4pm and will minister the Word of God after tea (6pm). He will also share the Gospel on the following day. We pray for their safety whilst travelling and for the Lord's help for Stephen during his time of preparation.

Recent meetings

On 4th April our evening meeting was conducted by Malcolm Blanche of Weatherby. We read from John 2 13-22, Matt. 1238-41 and Exodus 4 1-9. He commented on the place of signs and miracles in the Ministry of the Lord Jesus. He taught on the Resurrection - that it showed the Power of God, it is the finished Work of Christ, that it serves notice on the world of future judgment and at the time of that judgment there will be a separation of believers to His Glorious Presence in Heaven and non-believers to an eternal hell.

On April 11th Alan Green of Harrogate spoke to us of the new life that is available to the believer. These passages of Scripture were read: Romans 10 8-13 and John 20 19-31.

Yesterday 18th April we were blessed by the ministry of Marcus Reid of Selby who was standing in for his father-in-law, Alan Green. We are praying that Alan will quickly recuperate from his recent operation. Marcus preached very clearly on 1 Corinthians 13 explaining the keywords in verse13: "Faith, Hope and Love"

We continue to pray for the full recovery of Iris Benstead and that the Lord will encourage Terry and the family. We also lift up Dianne to the Lord and ask Him to help Billy to support her.

We continue to be blessed week by week by visiting speakers who lead our Gospel Meeting at 6.30pm, all of whom travel a considerable distance to be with us. Since our last report these include Frank Jackson of Hull, Stephen Downs of Harrogate, David Cartwright of Guisborough and this evening John Farnsworth of South Emsall who led us in a study of Acts 26 where the Apostle Paul gives his testimony.

We have also been blessed in another way by a visit from Brethren and Sisters from an assembly in Leicester who included Clive, Rachel and Naomi Surrell and Richard, Carole, Rosalyn and Joel Pilgrim.

Also [!] our Sister Doreen Snowden [who has been suffering with shingles] was able to be with us this evening.

We continue to pray for Terry and Iris Benstead at this difficult time for them and their family.

Blessed be God our God!