May Newsletter

Dear Friends,

LET ALL THAT HAVE BREATH PRAISE THE LORD:     (Psalm 150:6)

Spring flowers blossom at last.   How beautiful and joyful it is to see the spring flowers in bloom.

What a delight it is to watch with admiration the beauty of the colours of the flowers in blossom.

The joy in my heart seems to shout out loud in praise of God for His beautiful and wonderful world.

Before the blooming of the flowers, all plants around us appeared to be dead.   And we all kept asking:  Is there going to be any sunshine or growth this year?   The plants seemed to be struggling in their buds to be permitted to come out.   We all almost lost hope for spring and summer warmth.

But at last the flowers have burst open, sounding their praises to God Most High who has apportioned time for everything under the Sun.

The beautiful sight of the flowers reminded me of a film I watched called ‘ Born Survivor’ by Bear Grylls.   The bits that made to gasp for breath wee when he needed water and did not know where to get some because the water around him was not good for consumption – and he could not go on without water for three days.

As he walked on, he suddenly saw from a very small hole, the appearance of Spring water.  He immediately jumped with delight, thanking God for that miracle of water to keep him alive.  

Then at another near-death stage in a gorge of no escape, he saw a vine hanging down, like a rope to hang on to, to take him out of that deep ‘no return gorge’.   Even though it was with a struggle, he held on tight and climbed out of that dangerous place.

All his experiences, and blossom of this year’s Spring flowers, make me shout for joy that God is really good and cares for His beautiful world.  

God continues to plead with humanity to work hard and lovingly in keeping His beautiful world and sing His praise, saying what a wonderful world.   

God bless you all.                                Elizabeth

BETWEEN FRIENDS

BIRTH CONGRATULATIONS to Paul and Sarah Gos*ing on the birth of Esme on 25 April, a granddaughter for Jonathon and Paula, and a great-granddaughter for Pat Gosling.

Dorothy Whit*way is now home, and has been able to join us in Church.  Roy Mo*re is settled in the Kingston Care Home.   We continue to remember Rosemary and Bob Ha*ding,  Gemma Dav*s and all other friends who are not well or able to be with us at the present time, and assure them of our continuing concern, and our prayers. 

 
We extend our condolences to the Cooper family on the death of Alison’s mother in mid April and assure them all of our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.

“I would like to thank you for the lovely flowers and all your kind thoughts and prayers.   I am sure it will spur me on to make a full recovery.  Annette Stre*tley”

“Thank you so very much to all those who contributed to my 80^th birthday celebration.  The lovely cakes, cards, good wishes and church flowers wee so much appreciated.  It was overwhelming and will be stored among my treasured memories for always.  Thank you again.  My love to you all and God Bless.    Rosemary” 

TODDLER GROUP  We are still looking for helpers for Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings.  Please consider if you can help – the Toddler Group is a very worthwhile part of our mission to the local community but we do need to have more people available on each of the sessions.   If you could help just once a month, please see Sharon Heath, Anne Gale or Pat Watson.

The SMARTIES TUBE Challenge continues until 19 May – Please return your filled tube by that date.     

Please feel free to join the PRAYER MEETING in the Parlour at 9.15am on Family Service Sundays. The COFFEE BAR BIBLE STUDY has now moved to Fridays at 10.00am for a trial run.  All are welcome to join for coffee, sharing and learning.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND – Saturday 8 June – Summer Fair and Gift Day 

Sunday 9 June  Rev Peter and Rev Suva Catford lead our Anniversary Service at 10.00am.

A Bring and Share Lunch will follow the service.

ORDINATION SERVICE for Elizabeth on Sunday 7 July at 5.00pm at Surbiton Hill.  Entrance to the service is by ticket only, available online or see the stewards.  List in vestibule.

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?  

Surbiton Hill church is incredibly lucky in having its own tennis club, situated in Manor Drive, Surbiton.  The club has six hard courts, a pavilion and spacious grounds with children’s play equipment.  It is a family club where players of all standards can come and join in club afternoons and evenings, meet new friends, enjoy refreshments and get some good exercise.   Everyone is invited to join.

Tennis is played all year round, and sets are arranged for you.  Club afternoons are every Saturday, and club evenings every Wednesday.  A junior club meets every Friday evening from May to September, a men’s group on Wednesday mornings and a women’s group on Thursday mornings.

Do come down on a Saturday afternoon or Wednesday evening and just try it out and meet everyone.  We would love to see you.  If you have any queries, speak to John Botterill or contact the captain, David Ful*brook on 07712 816069. 

LADIES OPEN GROUP – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 8.00pm

May  14 Azalea time;  
May  28  Quiz with Bernard.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP – Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday at 2.00pm 

May 15  AGM – Bring and share lunch at 1.00pm

 DIARY DATES

May   8   Leadership Team meeting at 8.00pm

           9   Ascension Day Service at St.Paul’s at 7.45pm
          19   Ordinands’ Testimony Service at Wesley’s Chapel

The next Newsletter is the June one.  Copy date - 19 May.  Material to the Editor, Pat Watson, by this date please, to ensure publication on 28 May.   Please forward Diary Dates for the rest of 2013 as soon as possible to ensure maximum publicity.

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