PREPARING FOR EASTER
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew’s Gospel takes us on the journey from Jesus’ baptism to his testing in the desert. We read after fasting forty days and forty nights ‘he was hungry’. This is not just stating the physically obvious – but we see that Jesus is empty and vulnerable.
The desert is the place where Jesus goes from hearing the Father’s affirmation and public recognition in baptism to a place of isolation, threat, vulnerability and an assault of identity.
The devil brings the three temptations of which two begin with “If you are the Son of God” – to prove who you are by doing. The first temptation represents for us the way in which we can fill our own lives with achievements, with trophies which feed our own ego and hunger for acceptance. Jesus reply is this – only God’s word can reach the deepest hunger within us. Only God can claim to satisfy every need we experience.
The second speaks of importance and fame. In a society such as ours where these things go to the heart of what we value as identity, being somebody in the eyes of others,
having fame and recognition is considered to be all-important. The pressure of Facebook and Twitter to constantly update exciting and full lives can drive some people to think that not having one means they are not as important or leading such fulfilling lives. Jesus’ reply is this ‘Don’t forget what God has said – don’t test his wisdom, his truth-” Life in God is not based on how other people see you or perceive you – life in God is about how He sees you.
The third temptation is about desire and where the centre of our hearts lies. What or who do we worship? Where is our focus and energy directed? Jesus later teaches that we must seek first God’s Kingdom, that we cannot serve two masters, that we must be wary of the dangers and lure of wealth. “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only”. (v10.)
As we prepare for Easter, we should be taking these questions to our own hearts. Where have we been reshaped by the values of this world? Where do we need to reshape what we think is important? It is of course only a beginning, this type of journey is a life long one as we seek to be people in this world but not of this world.
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IN THE LINE OF FIRE!
Our church building had a narrow escape on Wednesday, 11th February, when a major fire destroyed the neighbouring St David’s Foundation charity shop and a café at High Street, Newbridge. We thank God first and foremost that no-one was killed or injured in the incident but our prayers continue for all those seriously affected by the fire.
It was reported that the fire began around 12:20 pm in the charity shop because of an electrical fault. There was some relatively minor damage to guttering and wall surfaces at Tabernacle because of the heat and a rear door had to be forced open by the fire service during the emergency to gain access to rear sections of the shop.
A number of our ladies were preparing food ready for the Community Luncheon Club due to be held the following day but because of the major disruption this had to be cancelled. However, the emergency crews from the fire service and Caerphilly County Borough Council, still on duty in the early evening, were grateful when Tabernacle supplied them with a surprise meal of beef casserole – originally intended for the luncheon club – in addition to tea and coffee.
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Speakers for Sunday Services in March
1st: a.m. Rev. Peter Cho
p.m. Mr Geoff Champion
8th: a.m. Rev. Peter Cho
p.m. Pastor Phil Evans
15th: a.m. Rev. Peter Cho (Mothering Sunday)
p.m. Mr Mel McDonough
22nd: a.m. Rev. Peter Cho
p.m. Mr Chris Parker-Jones
29th: a.m. Rev. Peter Cho
p.m. Mr John Palmer
Diary Dates for March
Tuesday 3rd: 7pm Church Business Meeting
Wednesday 4th: 5pm – 7pm Newbridge Partnership
Wednesday 11th: 7pm Romanian Choir
Thursday 12th: 12.30pm Community Luncheon Club
Tuesday 17th: 10am Deacons’ meeting
“ “ 2.30pm GBA Officers’ meeting
Tuesday 24th: Easter Eggsplained
(Schools visiting)
Wednesday 25th: 7pm Joint Deacons’ meeting
Thursday 26th: 12.30pm Community Luncheon Club