Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”
Luke 18:28-30 NLT
MorningStar Ministries closed the month of July for their annual sabbatical. The next service was scheduled for Sunday, August 6th. July is set aside for members, employees and volunteers to rest, visit other churches, go on a vacation or volunteer for a mission trip.
MorningStar’s Mission Trip:
During the summer, Jorge Parrott, Missions Director for MorningStar Ministries, took a small team to Southeast Asia. It is sobering to realize there are parts of the world that have no other means of hearing the Gospel unless missionaries are sent. These people do not have access to even a radio. God Bless the missionaries who literally risk their lives bringing the Gospel to those who have never heard it before and to the Christians living in restricted countries that need encouragement.
Jorge Parrott writes the following talking about one of the many special days on this trip:
“Another amazing day seeing transformed lives. We met many young leaders, former drug addicts, who have been delivered from opium, cocaine and heroin and healing others, led by the loving hands and hearts of Aung and Phyu, who teach them and put them to work in businesses in their compound in a market mall building. Also met with good friends who are pastors and leaders in Thailand who attended MorningStar University College of Theology, http://MSUTheology.org. So blessed and enjoying the Lord’s presence.”
“Amazing two days of Ministry with these hungry and mighty men and women of valor for the Lord. Most minister to drug addicts and human trafficking victims in this area. Powerful worship and great teaching and activation in Holy Spirit and the Prophetic. Our team will never forget this!
Dr.Jorge Parrott, Missions Director”
Below is a short video of Dr. Nancy Daniel, Dean of MorningStar College of Theology, speaking at one of the services. She was introduced by Dr. Jorge Parrott.
~A look back~
Jim Bakker returning to Heritage USA for a visit in February 2013, which was over 25 years after he left in 1987. – Against All Odds
Biblical signs of the times:
On the 5th, Fox News reported: “North Korea ICBM test: Alaska, Hawaii polls demand better missile defense.” Lawmakers in Alaska and Hawaii are doubling down on calls for improved U.S. defenses after North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that experts say could hit Alaska.
Click link for story and video. North Korea ICBM
On the 7th, Fox News reported: “Montana earthquake: 5.8 magnitude quake strongest in 20 years.” A magnitude 5.8 earthquake that rocked western Montana early Thursday was the largest quake to hit the area in the past 20 years, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Click link for story. Montana Earthquake
On the 10th, CNN reported: “California fires rage as red flag warnings spread across West.” Sixty children were temporarily trapped by a wildfire Sunday when an access road at a California summer camp was “completely enveloped by flames” a fire spokesman said.
Click link for story, videos and pictures. California Fires
On Sunday the 6th, MorningStar Ministries reopened the church after their month-long sabbatical.
Rick Joyner’s Word of the Week published the week of 8/8/17
The Life of a Disciple–The Book of Revelation
Week 32, 2017
This week we will cover Revelation 10:8-11:
Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.”
So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”
I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
So they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”
The prophet Ezekiel was also told to eat the book, and then to go and speak to the people. It is required of prophets that they themselves partake of the Word and digest it so that it is part of them before they speak it to others.
Pseudo prophets often proclaim judgments and condemnation on others as if they themselves are different and righteous. Biblical prophets used the term “we” when confessing the sins of the people. Biblical prophets did not stand apart from the people, but as one of them, interceding for them. This is the nature of Christ, who became one of us and identified Himself as “The Son of Man” so that He could be the true Mediator for man.
Christians are called to be the salt and light of the world, so if the world has fallen to corruption and darkness in our times, it has been on our watch. We cannot compromise the truth and fail to proclaim the certain consequences of the evil and perversion growing in our time. To be true messengers of Christ, we must, like Him, identify with the people and be willing to lay down our lives for them.
Only the death of Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, can be the propitiation for sin. Our death, whether it is dying daily as we are called to do, or our ultimate death, is the result of standing for the truth. It is the witness of the cross that will inevitably result in the salvation of others.
Just before the Lord was taken up into heaven, He said to His disciples, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Greek word translated “witnesses” in this text is martus, from which we derive the English word “martyr.” We are all called to be martyrs every day.
Jesus commanded His disciples to take up their crosses and die daily. All but one ended their lives by being executed for their unrelenting declaration of the Gospel. John, the one whose death is not recorded, suffered repeated attempts to execute him, but even when they boiled him in oil he was not harmed, and they could not kill him. This is why he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.
The life of a disciple would seem like a hard one, but it is actually the ultimate life. As the Lord taught, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). When we lay down our own lives and interests for the sake of serving the Lord, we will live the greatest, most noble lives. We join the greatest adventure found in this life, and we enter an eternal fellowship with the greatest souls that have walked the earth.
The true life of discipleship is also the most freedom we can experience in this life. If we are dead to this world, what can the world do to us? A dead man has no fear and cannot be controlled by the desires and passions of this world. Just as Jesus said that He had food to eat that they did not know about, what sustains the disciples is the bread of heaven, and their fellowship is a heavenly one in the presence of the King of kings.
Click below link to read the entire article: Rick’s Article
If you would like to receive a free e-mail of the Word of the Week, go to MorningStar’s website at: www.morningstarministries.org. and go to the PUBLICATIONS tab and click on the Word of the Week and you can register in the left column.
From the 24th-26th, MorningStar Ministries held its Wild Love ’17 conference, with special guest speakers including Worship Leader Misty Edwards, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke and Missionary Heidi Baker. Special worship leaders included Hunter Thompson, David Bradshaw and musicians who were there for this three-day event that brought together 1300 people. Main Street and the Ballroom were open for the overflow.
Video of Worship Leader Misty Edwards singing “Where You Go I Go.”
Check out the slideshow below
Heidi Baker’s Ministry is IRIS Global. IRIS Global Ministries exists to participate in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth in all its aspects, most especially through our particular calling to serve the very poor: the destitute, the lost, the broken, and the forgotten.
We have been sent to places where “love” must every day mean bread for the hungry, water for the thirsty and healing for the sick. It must mean family for the orphan, freedom for the captives, and peace for the war-torn. We want always to make our love real in these ways, for as long as the poor are with us.
Heidi Baker’s MUST SEE ministry website is: http://www.irisglobal.org/
Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke is described on his website as principally known for his GREAT GOSPEL CRUSADES throughout the continent of Africa. The son of a pastor, Reinhard gave his life to the Lord at age 9, and heard the call to the African mission field before he was even a teenager.
After attending BIBLE COLLEGE in WALES, and his ordination in Germany he pastored a church and then went on to start missionary work in Africa. It was there, in the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, that God placed upon his heart the vision of ‘the continent of Africa’, being washed in the precious BLOOD OF JESUS – an entire continent from Cape Town to Cairo and from the Dakar to Djibouti that needed to be reached and to hear the proclamation of the signs – following the Gospel.
Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke’s miraculous salvation video:
He founded Christ for all Nations ministry and has over 76 million decisions for salvation cards from his crusades.
Reinhard Bonnke’s website is: https://new.cfan.org/reinhard-bonnke
New apartments at Heritage USA: The Villas at Regal Manor are now available for rental. This project took less than one year to complete and was built on one of the former PTL overflow parking lots on the corner of Starlight Drive and Regent Parkway.
Check out the slideshow below
The Villas at Regal Manor
1069 Chateau Crossing Dr, Fort Mill, South Carolina 29715
Jim Bakker’s Morningside Ministries in Blue Eye, Missouri
Pastor Jim Bakker continues to bring his TV audience the revelation news of the last days along with showcasing several Christian ministers, giving them a platform to share their knowledge about the perilous time we are living in.
Among Morningside’s special guests in August were Pastor Mark Biltz, Evangelist Perry Stone, Pastor Paula White, and Pastor Matt Hagee to name some.
Below is a short video of Jim Bakker talking about why ‘Perilous Times’ are here.
Below is a short video from the Jim Bakker Show of Pastor John Shorey discussing how Revelation events are unfolding before our eyes, especially within the last few years.
TO WATCH THE FULL SHOW, CLICK LINK: http://bit.ly/2wFtesU
~A look back~
A nostalgic walk through the years of Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker’s PTL ministry:
Biblical signs of the times:
On the 3rd, the University of Utah reported: “Ongoing Yellowstone earthquake swarm north of West Yellowstone Mt.” The University of Utah Seismograph Stations (UUSS) is monitoring an earthquake swarm which is currently active on the western edge of Yellowstone National Park.
Click link for story and charts. Yellowstone Earthquakes
On the 4th, Israeli News on Line reported: “Why Israel is concerned about American-Russian understanding on Syria.” The Agreement reached during the G-20 meetings in Hamburg between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin on July 7, 2017, about establishing a de-escalation zone in southwestern Syria was accepted with mixed feelings in Israel.
Click link for story and picture. Israel concerned about USA and Russia
On the 7th, Fox News reported: “US spy satellites detect North Korea moving anti-ship cruise missiles to patrol boats.” Despite the United States’ insistence that North Korea halt its missile tests, U.S. spy agencies detected the rogue communist regime loading two anti-ship cruise missiles on a patrol boat on the country’s east coast just days ago.
Click link for story, video and picture. US Spy Satellite
On the 11th, Reuters reported: “Magnitude 6.2 quake hits Philippine island of Luzon, jolts buildings.” An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 hit the Philippines’ northern island of Luzon on Friday and was felt in the capital Manila, shaking buildings and forcing the evacuation of offices and schools.
Click link for story and pictures. Philippine Earthquake
On the 17th, Fox News reported: “Barcelona terror attack: At least 12 dead after van plows into crowd; 2 suspects arrested.” ISIS on Thursday afternoon claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Barcelona that killed at least 12 people and wounded 80 others.
Click the link for story, videos and pictures. Barcelona Terror Attack
On the 27th, Fox News reported: “Harvey causes ‘catastrophic flooding’ in Houston, thousands of rescue calls made.” Hurricane Harvey continued to pound southeastern Texas on Sunday with “catastrophic flooding” in Houston, forcing residents to flee to their roofs and higher ground as officials respond to thousands of 911 calls for rescues in the “unprecedented” event.
Click the link for the story, videos, and pictures. Harvey Hurricane
On Aug 29th, Rick Joyner appeared on the Jim Bakker Show. Several shows were taped and aired on September 4th, 5th, and 6th. All the shows can be seen on Jim Bakker’s website: www.jimbakkershow.com in the Video on Demand Section.
On the 8th, MorningStar Ministries opened their doors once again to evacuees from a senior care facility on Hilton Head Island S.C. This year there were over 400 patients and health care workers that had to evacuate from The Cypress of Hilton Head retirement community because of the monstrous Hurricane Irma.
Below is an excerpt from our local newspaper, The Herald on Line and a link to the complete story and pictures.
“The Heritage Conference Center in Fort Mill on Friday afternoon was welcoming 405 residents of The Cypress of Hilton Head retirement community.
Last year, we welcomed 385 Cypress members in October, said Erika Robinson, general manager at Heritage, referring to Hurricane Matthew, which battered South Carolina last year. “They stayed for 11 days. Now nearly a year later, we are geared up, and our staff is ready to welcome them back. It feels like a family reunion.”
On the 15th, MorningStar Ministries hosted a Community Outreach named, “Food Truck Friday.” Three food trucks offering a variety of barbeque pork, chicken, and ribs along with other vendors serving a number of sandwiches, desserts and snow cones accompanied by pleasantly warm weather made for a good time.
Live music was provided by Music Director Leonard Jones and some of his students from MSU School of Music, and an inspiring message preached by Lead Pastor Justin Perry of MorningStar blessed the atmosphere. Hundreds of people came out to enjoy this pleasant evening. All in all it was a successful outreach.
Upper Room – The following are Russell James’ plans for the upcoming months.
1. The 7th Anniversary of the re-opening of the Upper Room will be on Saturday 12/2/17 at 1 p.m. with refreshments to follow in the lower level.
This years special guest will be Lee Young, former PTL singer.
2. Christmas Day: the Upper Room will be open from noon until…for anyone with no plans for the day and would enjoy some fellowship. Doug and Sandy Perrone have been hosting this event for a few years, and many people have been blessed by this outreach.
3. Bishop Ron Lambright and Rev. Russell James will be holding the annual Communion and Candle-light Service on New Year’s Eve starting at 11:30 p.m.
Most of these events can be seen on the Upper Room’s live streaming link at: http://upperroomchapel.christianworldmedia.com/
For more information, check out their website at: www.upperroomchapel.com, or keep current with the happenings at the Upper Room on their facebook page at; https://www.facebook.com/groups/62147692320/.
Note: Russell James operates the Upper Room Chapel through offerings and love gifts. To give to the excellent work of the Upper Room, please click on the ‘Support’ tab on their website at; www.upperroomchapel.com., or send a donation to:
Upper Room Chapel
8409 Regent Parkway
Fort Mill, S.C. 29715
NOTE: The A Call To Worship Service, held in the Upper Room twice a month by George and Mary Greene, conducted their last service on September 23rd.
They believe that the Lord is leading them in a new direction. These were some of the most anointed services held at the Upper Room. God Bless you both. You will be missed!
From the 22nd-24th Antioch International Church held their 3rd Annual CFM Advance 2017. This conference focused on the Five Fold Ministry. Training & Equipping people for ministry, and how to fully utilize the gifts the Lord has given to each believer.
Check out the slideshow below
For more information about Antioch International Church check out their website at: https://www.aicchurch.com/
Jim Bakker’s Morningside Ministries in Blue Eye, Missouri
On the 4th, Jim & Lori Bakker and their team flew to Houston, Texas with relief supplies from Morningside Ministries to help the people affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Pastor Jim said the following about this special outreach:
“Dear Friends of this Ministry,
Lori and I are on our way today to bring a team of people to Houston, Texas. We leave this morning and will return Tuesday evening so we can welcome Rabbi Cahn back to Morningside for his visit here on Wednesday and Thursday.
Yesterday, a truck loaded with pallets, water purification and other survival supplies left Morningside bound for Houston. We are asking that you pray for the safety of that truck as it makes its way there as well as for the team, leaving this morning, as we fly down to Houston to help in the relief efforts taking place at a number of churches.
We are able to bring 44 pallets = 1,584 buckets of Food, a pallet of Water Filtration bottles and other misc. survival items to those who need it most. In addition, we have the 2 pallets of Bibles/Books on board as well. We pray the churches, now serving as shelters from the flood waters, will soon swell with people seeking Jesus when the ground is dry again.
Never before have you been ‘the hands and feet of Jesus’ as much as this moment. Because you have been prepared and have prepared to share with others, we are able to make this trip possible. We appreciate all you do for this Ministry and for allowing us to represent you to thousands of hurting people in need.
We could not be doing this without you.
Please continue to pray for us in our journey. Pray for those still in harm’s way. And, most importantly, continue to pray that each one will experience Jesus through us to His glory.
May God be with us all….
Pastor Jim & Lori”
During the month, Pastor Jim had several guests on his program including his long time friend and mentor Dr. R.T. Kendall, who wrote the book God Meant It for Good. This book helped Jim Bakker to understand the power of forgiveness and how he must forgive ‘from his heart’ all the people that helped put him in prison. He learned that even though the Lord allowed him to go to prison when he was innocent of the charges, He would work it for good.
After Pastor Jim was released from prison, renowned lawyer and professor at the Harvard Law School, Alan Dershowitz, took up his appeal and proved he was innocent.
Below is an important segment from the Jim Bakker Show where Dr. Kendall explains the power of forgiveness:
New! Link to watch the PTL Television Network if you do not have Roku:
New! Morningside Ministries’ TV you-tube link: This is an informative link to see many short videos from the Jim Bakker Show, including messages from the prophets, teachers and other guests on the daily show.
~A look back~
Tammy Faye Bakker singing “Higher Ground” at PTL
Biblical Signs of the Times:
Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
Luke 21:5-8 NLT
On the 1st, RSBN (Right Side Broadcasting Network) posted the following video of President Trump in the Oval Office receiving prayer from his religious council and before he declared Sunday September 3rd as a national day of prayer for Hurricane Harvey survivors in Texas and Louisiana.
Clink link to hear the prayer. Prayer for the White House
On the 3rd, the White House announced that President Trump has declared today as a National Day of Prayer for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Click the link for the story. National Day of Prayer
On the 8th, Fox News reported: “Powerful earthquake hits Mexico’s coast, tsunami waves reported.” At least 15 people died in a historically massive earthquake that struck the southern coast of Mexico early Friday, toppling hotels and houses and prompting tsunami waves and power outages.
Click link for story and picture. Mexico Earthquake
On the 8th, the Los Angeles Times reported: “California declares state of emergency in 3 counties where fires have burned thousands of acres.” California Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in three Northern California counties where wildfires have burned thousands of acres, destroyed structures, threatened groves of giant sequoias and limited access to Yosemite National Park.
Click link for story and pictures. California State of Emergency FIRES
On the 12th, Fox News reported: “Hurricane Irma leaves millions without power in Florida as evacuees return home.” Floridians are returning from their Irma-induced exodus on Tuesday to find wrecked homes, food shortages and widespread power outages – and now face a long and daunting road to recovery.
Click link for story, video and pictures. Hurricane Irma
On the 18th, Fox News reported: “Hurricane Maria upgraded to ‘potentially catastrophic’ Category 5 storm.” Hurricane Maria quickly strengthened into a ‘potentially catastrophic’ Category 5 storm on Monday evening, hours after it had formed into a Category 4 and Category 3 earlier in the day.
Click link for story, video and picture. Hurricane Maria upgrade
On the 19th, Fox News reported: “7.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Mexico City.” A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Mexico City Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Click link for story, video and picture. 7.1 Magnitude earthquake
On the 21st, Fox News reported: “Hurricane Maria leaves Puerto Rico powerless, at least 15 dead on Dominica.” Hurricane Maria regained major hurricane status early Thursday, strengthening to a Category 3 Storm, as it left a devastated – and completely powerless – Puerto Rico in its wake and at least 15 dead people in Dominica.
Click link for story, video and many pictures. Hurricane Maria
On the 22nd, Fox News reported: “North Korea’s H-bomb threat comes with potential risks.” Would exploding a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific, as North Korea has threatened, push the current war of words between the U.S. and North Korea closer to actual war?
Click link for story and picture. North Korea’s H-bomb
Thank you for visiting our website
Rick & Chris ~ from the grounds of Heritage USA


February 13, 2020
763 Grace Street, Herndon Seminary: Mary Lee Castleman, an active member of the St. Timothy's Episcopal Mission, wanted to establish a proper school for girls. She first established the Herndon Seminary on the upper floor of the old mission building, formerly located at the corner of Grace and Vine Streets. In 1881, Mrs. Castleman built the house on this site, where she and her daughters lived and continued to run the Herndon Seminary, a private boarding and day school for young ladies. The seminary was in operation until 1926.
Stories this photo appears in:
Town installs four of the final six Historic Markers.


We Are The Network
We are incarnational.
All we are and do is because of Jesus Christ. We want to call forth a network that lives like Jesus did on earth. The love of Christ propels us to be a network that lives loved and loves life.
We are relational.
We are a people of faith, believing in the power of Love. We want to call forth a network that loves one another as the visible unified body of Christ.
We are transformational.
We believe in holistic transformation for each individual and for our community as a whole. We want to call forth a network that moves towards transformation of the heart, soul, mind and strength.
We are transactional.
We believe that we need to honor God with how we labor in the Kingdom. Each of our unique purposes positioned together with those of others is a powerful and honorable expression of the Kingdom. We want to call forth a network that collaborates together for the good of the community and the honor of our King.


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Celebrating the life of Eleanor L. Bischel
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of Eleanor. This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Eleanor L. Bischel, Age 91, Died November 18, 2023.
Eleanor Bischel, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home on November 18, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Hannah Lane, her sister, JoAnn Namey, and her son, Mark Bischel. Eleanor is survived by her devoted husband of 70 years, John, and her loving children, Colleen Hobbs and Michael Bischel.
She leaves behind a legacy of family and love, cherished by her grandchildren, Joseph Mueller, Sierra Mueller, and Amy Kurrelmeyer, as well as her beloved great-grandchildren, Preston and Jackson Mueller. Eleanor was a dedicated member of St. Ann's Catholic Church for 50 years.
Throughout her life, Eleanor contributed to her community with unwavering commitment. She dedicated many years to service with the Shelby County Election Commission, taking pride in her role and leaving a lasting impact. Her warm spirit, kindness, and dedication to family and community will be dearly missed.
May she rest in eternal peace.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901) 379-0861.


Youth work at St Philip's is part of youth work across Penn Fields Parish, overseen by our parish
'Youth Missioner & Enabler' (YME) and a team of volunteers. To see the latest update on what is
happening with the youth work, visit the resources page here.
Reaching Wider – We aim to connect with young people regardless of their faith through developing
relationships with local schools and developing youth activities in the area. We aim to share the
gospel through words and activities where appropriate in an age and culturally appropriate manner,
and also through our actions.
Reaching Deeper – We aim to encourage young people to learn more about and connect with God
as individuals through prayer, reading the Bible and worship in general. We also aim for them to do
this individually and with support from others, which could involve showing the young people
different ways to do this to help find the ways that work for individual young people to connect with
God and by creating an appropriate environment.
Rooted in Prayer – We aim to encourage the young people and volunteers to develop their prayer
lives as individuals and as a team of volunteers. This includes praying with and for young people, the
volunteer team and the wider community. We aim for this to happen in the form of monthly youth
team prayer meetings, before, during and after sessions and with individuals where appropriate.
Our in-church activities focus on the Reaching Deeper element of the vision. Despite this, we welcome any young people who wish to attend any of the groups to explore what we believe in more depth.
Bridge Community focuses on the Reaching Wider element of the vision. While there will be a short part of each session focusing on a faith-based theme the priority is connecting with young people in the community to support them where possible and appropriate.
Path - School Years 7-9
Psalm 16 tells us that God will show us the path of life. But what is the path of life and what does it mean to be on this path? Join us for some games and to explore what these questions might mean for you.
Path starts part way through the 10:30am service in the youth room, so join us upstairs to start.
YOUNG ADULTS - ages 15-22
How can we stay rooted in God during all the challenges that we face in life? Join us to share experiences of doing this, as well as games and growing deeper in our relationship with God.
Young Adults runs on Sunday evenings between 6:30-8:30pm downstairs at St Philip’s in the youth room.


As I was meditating on a particular day, the Holy Spirit dropped a phrase and a few thoughts in my heart, I heard in my heart the phrase ‘the two gospels’ as I thought about it some more a few scriptures began to come together to give flesh to this thought.
As ministers of the Lord Jesus it is important to have a proper understanding of some of the things that I am about to share, I am sure that most of us would have been introduced to this thought in one form or the other but I am hope to connect them in such a way as to give a further and deeper meaning to our understanding of the message that we are called to live and to preach.
You must have had people say ‘I am preaching the gospel’ maybe you like me must have said so yourself, which gospel do you mean? For according to scripture there are two ‘gospels’ which are connected yet distinct from each other.
Look at Mark’s gospel
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1)
This refers to the good news or message of Jesus Christ, but look again in the 14th verse, we see another gospel
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God
And saying, the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand repent and believe the gospel.
So we see it a bit more clearly, first there is there is a gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and Jesus himself began to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God.
I often describe the relationship between the two gospels in this way; The gospel of Jesus is like a trailer head and the gospel of the kingdom like the body of the tractor. One ushers or brings in the other. It is possible to emphasize one to the neglect of the other as we have seen today; God wants both to be preached to bring balance to the body.
If you examine the ministry of the early apostles they understood the difference and emphasized both messages in their ministry to the people. In Acts 8 for example we read that Philip preached the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus. (Verse 12) These two messages are different sides of the same coin.
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST?
The gospel of Jesus is the good news of the redemptive work of Jesus for the salvation of lost world, this redemptive work culminated in His death, burial and resurrection. It encompasses all the benefits that accrue to mankind through the cross, it includes salvation from sin, sickness, demonic harassment and even poverty, fear and all the works of the devil.
This gospel is God’s solution to all that happened at the fall of man. Paul the apostle said
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone that believes for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.
Salvation is what the gospel of Jesus offers humanity; it is the platform for a covenant relationship and son ship and is the only way into the kingdom of God. In other words you cannot by pass the gospel of Jesus on your way into the kingdom. No wonder Jesus said
I am the way, the truth and the life…..
There are many places in the scriptures where this distinction is either clearly mentioned or alluded to, for example in Mathew 11:28 Jesus said,
Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest
This is what the gospel of Jesus offers, rest from all the burden and grief of the enemy, and this is what we often preach in our Churches and crusades, we proclaim Jesus as the anointed one, God’s Christ and truly this is what He is.
Jesus is the Christ
Some people think that Christ is the surname of Jesus but actually it is just a description of an office, title or function that he came to fulfil, The Christ is the Messiah or the deliverer. To understand the concept of the Christ, think about Moses in the Old Testament, he is perhaps the most prominent example of a deliverer in the bible after Jesus.
God sent Moses to deliver the children of Israel from the grip and bondage of Pharaoh, to do this he was anointed and empowered to work great and mighty miracles that overthrew the dominion of Pharaoh over the Children of Israel, what Moses was to the Children of Israel Jesus Christ is to the world and all who will believe in Him
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease amongst the people.
This is the good news of Jesus, the demonstration of God’s love, mercy and grace. We need this today, fortunately the Church has been strong on this, but we also need to balance this with the message of the kingdom and this is what I believe this present apostolic and prophetic restoration is doing, bringing back the message of the kingdom to its place of balance in the ministry and life of the Church. The gospel of Jesus only has full value and meaning when it is aligned to and leads to the message of the kingdom.
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM?
The message of the kingdom is the declaration of the re emergence of the dominion and authority of the kingdom of God, it is a call to submit to the authority and lordship of the king of the kingdom, it announces the overthrow of the old satanic kingdom and the emergence of the new divine kingdom in the lives of those that will submit to its authority and power. Where the gospel of Jesus offers salvation the gospel of the kingdom demands obedience and submission.
The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, it is administered by spiritual laws, spiritual principles and divine ordinances like any earthly government, it offers citizenship to all who will meet the conditions for admission, confers rights and privileges like any great earthly dominion, it has its culture, values and economy but it also demands obedience, submission, loyalty and faithfulness to the king.
Jesus is the prince of the kingdom, in the kingdom of God Jesus is Lord, in the gospel of Jesus He is the Christ or saviour but in the kingdom of God he is the sovereign or the Lord and MUST be obeyed.
In Luke 5:13 Jesus said to some ‘why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not the things that I say?
This is why for many years I have encouraged believers to make the teachings of Jesus Christ the foundation of their walk with God, it was what the apostles taught and what they explained or applied in their epistles. Jesus is to the Church of God what Moses was to the Children of Israel.
There are multitudes all over the world who have experienced through faith the blessings of the gospel of Christ but have not submitted to the gospel of the Kingdom, but it is in the gospel of the kingdom that the greater blessing is. It is dangerous and highly deceptive to live in this place, a place where Jesus is Christ but not Lord.
Woe unto you Chorazin, woe unto you Bethsaida, for if the mighty works that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented a great while ago sitting in sack clothes and ashes.
These people were like so many today; they experienced the miracles but missed the greatest prize of all, a place in the kingdom.
In the Old Testament, the story of the people of Israel gives us interesting insight into these truths, under the mighty hand of God through Moses Israel experienced a great deliverance, God broke the power of Egypt, humbled their gods and led Israel out of their captivity ( Exodus 12) but God still brought Israel to a place where they had to accept his dominion over their lives and come under the yoke of His covenant.
In his own words,
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
Ex 20:2-3 NKJV
This was why they were delivered, so they could become God’s own people and He could be their God. Moses was to the people of Israel both a Christ and a lawgiver.
In the same way Jesus the Christ was both saviour (Christ) and Prince (Lord).
The kingdom of God was the chief purpose of the coming of Jesus Christ, all he did through the gospel of Jesus was to prepare men for a place in the kingdom and to break the dominion of the kingdom of darkness off humanity.
You remember what Adam had and lost in the garden was the kingdom that he was entrusted with; he was God’s representative in the garden, when he fell, Satan received the authority to establish his dominion or kingdom over fallen man. What Adam lost in the garden Jesus came to restore.
In Mathew 11:28 we see the principle of the gospel of the kingdom revealed, In verse 28 Jesus is the saviour offering rest but in verse 29 he is the lord demanding submission. Look at it
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me: for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest for your souls.
This is the kingdom principle, the yoke was a symbol of submission, he that was under yoke was subject to him that was the master, the yoke bound him to another and made him subject to the direction and guidance of the master. An animal under a yoke could only go where he was led to go.
We have known Jesus as Saviour now we must know him as Lord. As Lord only he can unveil the rich truths and treasuries of the kingdom to us, without this understanding we will never know the measure of the grace, power, supply and ability of God available to us.
Jesus said something very frightening
“Not everyone who says to Me,’Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matt 7:21-23 NKJV
Those who have known Jesus as Christ have touched the borders of grace but those who know Him as Lord will drink from the deep fountains of His grace.
We can receive healing through faith by the ministry of the Christ but we can experience another dimension of grace where through the understanding of the life of the kingdom we can walk in dominion over sickness and disease and minister that grace unto others. The walk of faith and love is the walk of the kingdom citizen; it is not just faith to receive a new car but an abiding walk of faith whereby you access the rich treasury of grace in the kingdom on a daily basis.
Jesus taught about the kingdom and its life, we must rediscover this theme in our churches and more importantly we must be so conscious of our heavenly citizenship that it will affect everything about our earthly walk.
The disciples of Jesus were men schooled in the kingdom of God and its ways, they lived on earth but their ways were from above, they knew that had power with God because the heavenly kingdom is greater than all and they were in that kingdom. They had seen the glory and the beauty of the kingdom and they were willing to forsake all to possess it, those who have tasted of the heavenly riches lose their taste for the earthly.
Understanding and living in this truth will change ‘church’ the way we know it, it will revolutionize our lives, will cause such a witness for Jesus to shine forth in our communities, this I believe is what the Lord is seeking to do today and as many as embrace this will be like new wine in new wineskins.
Have you experienced the power of the gospel of Jesus? It is time to experience the power of the gospel of the kingdom.


I created this Blog to share Christian beliefs and inspiration as I continue my journey of faith in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Broken People. . .
Have you ever done something and thought "I’ll never be forgiven for that"? Do you hide from your past mistakes hoping that they will somehow disappear? Have you ever thought “there is no way God could love me”?
We may feel emotionally scarred by events we have experienced, but God finds pleasure in the humility, which results from this brokenness. Being "broken" is caused guilt.
The desire of God's heart is never condemnation. It is always restoration.
7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and verlasting joy will be yours.
When we study the Bible, we learn that many of God’s chosen have sinned. Many of them pleaded deeply and sincerely for God’s forgiveness. They were contrite, true humility in the Bible sense.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Are you sorry for your sin? Do you really intend to stop? God is pleased by this kind of humility. Brokenness brings us to our knees. Our knees are never a bad place to be as long as our hearts look upward towards God. Being on our knees also shows humility and a need for something from God.
Even though Jesus Christ gave the most perfect sacrifice in every way acceptable to God for human guilt, it will not benefit us unless we are truly repentant, unless we come before God with a contrite and humble heart.
15 For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.


I Take My Lent Seriously
For Lent, I gave up critiquing people. Well, actually I adopted a practice of launching into a critique only to pop my hand over my mouth and say, “Oh, sh!t. I gave up critiquing people for Lent.” So, in fact, for Lent, I took on cursing.
I hate to announce my intent because, as my husband correctly points out, my creations often end up looking different than intended, but I’m gonna make a bread heart today for a bar. The heart-shaped bread is for the Love Lost Lounge in the Marigny. The bar hosts a St. Joseph Day altar tomorrow. I want to give the bar a gift because I love that a bar offers a St. Joseph altar and feast for the neighborhood. I’ve given bars gifts before. I picked the heart because the bar’s logo is a heart . . . with a stake in it. If the gift ends up looking like an olive on a toothpick, I’m giving the bar an olive on a toothpick.
Wednesday and Fridays, until Easter sets us free, we’re eating vegan. Vegan means no animal products. No cheese, no eggs, no butter, no mayonnaise. No Greek yogurt. I have come to hate Wednesdays and Fridays. In a panic, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I eat like a glutton. This Lent, I have given a new name to Fat Tuesday. On the other hand, I will never take animals for granted again.
“No alleluias in Lent.” That’s a staple of the Episcopal Church. To make sure we get the point, we ceremoniously bury the Hallelujah banner. (Yes, I’m spelling alleluia differently just to mess with you). We Episcopalians don’t have parties during Lent—when my first book came out and the Episcopal Bookshop wanted to give me a book launch, the Dean said “No book party during Lent.” Lent is soup and bread and DOUR. So yesterday when I jooked to the bands at the St. Paddy’s Day Parade, I did not shout Hallelujah! I take my Lent seriously.
here’s to creative synthesis . . .


Uniting in Christ to Serve Christ and to Proclaim Christ
Stamford is Deanery 13 of the Diocese of Lincoln and consists of five parishes in the town of Stamford and seven village parishes to the east of the town. We work alongside our brothers and sisters of the other Christian denominations in the town to proclaim the good news of God's love as revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ both in the words we say and the work we do.
A group of lay people from our deanery has now completed the Parish Foundation Course and the Leading Worship ministry module, and another group had already completed a recognized Pastoral Visiting ministry course before taking the Foundation Course. Both of these groups have received the recognition of their Parochial Church Councils and have now become the first Authorized Lay Ministers in the Deanery of Stamford, receiving their authority at Deanery Evensong in All Saints' Church, Stamford on Sunday 3rd February, at which the Ven Tim Barker, Archdeacon of Lincoln, was the preacher.
Following the success of the first Parish Foundation Course, our Synod has decided to run the course again this autumn with a view to growing the discipleship of any who wish to attend, and hopefully helping others to discover a possible vocation to lay, or even voluntary ordained, ministry in the deanery. Meanwhile a second ministry modules might be offered in Leading Worship this spring, and consideration is being given to what modules might be offered in the future. We hope to authorize a further group of Lay Ministers later this year.
MISSION AREA PLAN REVISION
The current Mission Area Plan ("MAP") which determines the deployment of stipendiary ministry in the deanery and among other things includes the current lay training schemes and ministry authorization included as part of its provision that it would be reviewed immediately with a view to a revised MAP being implemented after three years. That three-year period is coming to an end and revision of the plan has been well advanced but has come to a difficult stage because of changes at diocesan level. Our Deanery Synod has therefore decided to leave the Plan as it is while we await the outcome of the diocesan changes which have been spurred by the Bishop's review of central services and the wider issues that this review raised. Until the diocesan review work is complete the resources available to us in the deanery will not be clear.
One area in which some development may be possible is the provision of ministry to Christ Church. A diocesan Mission Initiatives Fund was part of the previous diocesan provision, and a new enhanced fund is expected to be established in due course to invest in church growth projects across the diocese; until this is established some interim funding is available for this sort of project and at its recent meeting our Deanery Synod decided to apply for up to five years' funding for a mission priest at Christ Church in the hope that with an appropriate growth strategy the post would become self-sustaining within a viable Mission Area Plan by the end of the diocesan funding. It is our Bishop's hope that the funding will be used for this purpose, to start mission provision where it is needed and where there is potential but not immediate prospect of local funding. The application is still being prpared and during this interim period there is no clear mechaism for applying, but the Rural Dean is in touch with diocesan staff and negotiations will start shortly, once we are clear what we shall need.
Father Michael to retire
The Rev Michael Ruff, Priest-in-charge of Stamford St Mary and Stamford Baron St Martin, has announced that he is to retire at the end of April. Fr Michael has made a huge contribution to the life of his two parishes and has been a faithful member both of Synod and Chapter and will be greatly missed in the deanery. While we say fareweill to him, plans for dealing with the vacancy, and for appointing a successor, are already in the early stages. The suspension of presentation has expired and there are no plans at present to make any change to the ministry provision for St Mary's and St Martin's so it is the Synod earnest hope that a new Rector can be inducted swiftly to take the parishes forward.
DIOCESAN SYNOD ELECTIONS
The following were recently elected to serve on the Diocesan Synod of the next three years:
House of Clergy
The Revd Martyn Taylor
The Very Revd Mark Warrick
House of Laity
A subsequent meeting of the clergy chapter appointed the Rev David Oxtoby as the third clergy member.
DEAN OF STAMFORD APPOINTMENT
Inauguration of the Ministry of the Dean of Stamford
The Very Revd Mark Warrick's new rôle as Dean of Stamford was celebrated at a Songs of Praise at All Saints' Church at 6.30pm on Sunday 20th November 2011, with the Rt Revd Time Ellis, Bishop of Grantham and until recently Dean of Stamford, preaching. The Archdeacon of Lincoln, the Ven Tim Barker, led the welcome of Mark into the office of Dean, along with other representatives of the local community including the Stamford Town Mayor, Cllr John Binder. Afterwards the congregation gathered for refreshments at Browne's Hospital; Governorship of Browne's being one of the ex-officio duties of the Dean.
Since the 1930s the title of Dean of Stamford has been held by the Bishop of Grantham of the time, and as part of the recent reorganisation of deaneries in this corner of the diocese, Bishop Tim resigned as Dean of Stamford in order that one of the local clergy could hold the title and thereby become the contact person for the Church of England in the town, relating particularly to Stamford Town Council. Mark Warrick, priest-in-charge of All Saints with St John the Baptist received the Licence as Dean of Stamford on 8th September and is now developing that role in the town and deanery.
Bishop of Grantham announces he is to leave his post
The Bishop of Grantham, the Rt Revd Dr Tim Ellis, today announced that he is to stand down on 26 September 2013 - the 37th anniversary of his ordination, and shortly after his 60th birthday.
Bishop Tim, who has held responsibility for appointments and the pastoral care of clergy in the southern half of the Diocese of Lincoln, has also led the Diocesan Youth service.
Before being appointed Bishop of Grantham in 2006, Tim was Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey in the Diocese of Lincoln for five years. He previously served in Old Trafford and Salford in the Diocese of Manchester, and on the Longley Council estate in Sheffield where he was also an Honorary Canon of Sheffield Cathedral.
"Serving as an archdeacon and bishop in Lincolnshire has been a great experience, but the time is now right to explore new aspects of life and ministry," said Bishop Tim.
"I am deeply grateful to all who have supported me and with whom I have worked."
The Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, said: "Tim has faithfully served the Diocese of Lincoln for almost 13 years, and we are very grateful for his work and ministry, particularly his expertise in church buildings, and his work in the challenging urban areas of the Diocese.
"We keep Tim and his family in our prayers as he prepares to move on."
Bishop Tim will be returning to his hometown of Sheffield, but will continue to exercise a role as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Lincoln.
Our former Diocesan Chief Executive, Maximilian Manin has appeared in court, accused of fraud and lying about his qualifications to obtain his job. Max appeared at Lincolnshire Magistrates' Court on 16 April. He is alleged to have falsely claimed a first-class honours degree in English Literature and the History of Art from Sheffield University to gain his post.
Lincolnshire Police had announced that they were making inquiries, after receiving information from the Bishop which came to light after Max left last May.
He was since been charged with obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception between 1 April 2004 and 1 June 2012. He also faces three further charges of fraud, and is due to return to court on 11 June.
The Bishop of Lincoln is delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Dr Justine Allain Chapman as Archdeacon of Boston.
Justine comes to the Diocese of Lincoln from the South East Institute for Theological Education where she is Vice Principal and Director of Practical Theology.
Having been a Head of Religious Studies in a North London Secondary School, Justine trained for ordination at Lincoln Theological College and then ministered for ten years in the Diocese of Southwark as a Curate and as a Vicar.
Speaking of her appointment, Justine said: "I am delighted to be taking up this new role as archdeacon and with a focus on developing our Christian discipleship across the whole diocese.
"Enabling deeper discipleship has been a passion of mine as a parish priest and as a teacher preparing people for ministry, ordained and lay, and so to come to the Diocese of Lincoln in this new phase of its life is a challenging and exciting prospect."
Justine's own particular research has been in how people can be strengthened as human beings and as Christians through the experience of adversity. She has written a book about this called Resilient Pastors: the role of adversity in Healing and Growth which was published last year.
Justine and her husband Thomas will be returning to an area they have lived in as students and which their four children have often come to visit their grandparents. Justine enjoys swimming, yoga and cooking for family and friends. A member of a book group, she particularly enjoys reading detective fiction reportedly because - unlike life and ministry - all the loose ends get tied up.
The Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, said: "I and my colleagues are delighted to have been able to appoint someone of Justine's considerable talent, experience and ability to this important new post, the work of which will touch the lives of Christians across the Diocese of Lincoln."
Justine and her family will move to Welbourn over the summer, and she will be installed in Lincoln Cathedral in September.
Central Services Review
The report of the Central Services Review Group is now available on the diocesan website in pdf and is recommended reading for all Deanery Synod members and others involved in church life in the deanery. It contains some exciting and wide-reaching recommendations. It will be debated shortly by the Diocesan Synod (see item below).
This website is very much under construction, so please return in a few days to see some real content. And do contact the webmaster on firstname.lastname@example.org if you have any suggestions for it. Thanks!


ALL ARE WELCOME --
Welcome to the church with a heart, in the heart of Unionville. Whether you are a curious visitor, looking for a new church home, or somewhere in between, we invite you to join us for worship. We value faith and fellowship within our congregation, and service to the larger community. Regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, age, beliefs, creed, physical ability, mental health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, everyone is invited to participate in the full life and ministry of the church. No matter who you are, or where you are in life's journey, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.
Sunday In-Person Worship started Sunday, July 5th.
Masks are required for everyone attending in person, until further notice.
We are still hosting "virtual" worship services via Zoom beginning at 10:00 am.
Click here to be directed to the service:
To view a recording of the weekly video sermon, please go to the Pastor's Page.
Sermons and Reflection Letters can be found there as well.
Click on the File to read about our Church Reopening safety procedures.


All invited to Open House
The Church of Our Saviour, Cincinnati, warmly invites all who have shared in our hopes for a transitional program for men in recovery or re-entry, to join us at an Open House celebrating the successful first year of God’s Property/Transformations House. The Open House is Sunday, Sept. 24 from 4-7 p.m. at God’s Property/Transformations House, 1956 Kinney Ave. in Evanston (Cincinnati).
You will see the house, itself transformed by faithful people and by residents who have welcomed the opportunity to begin a new life. You will meet residents and alumni whose lives are being transformed. There will be free snacks as well as an opportunity to participate in judging the “25 Cooks Contest” for a modest donation. 7 p.m., all who are able to stay are invited to participate in the weekly Transformations community Bible study on the Exodus story.
We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone and thank those who have supported the vision, especially our late Bishop Herbert Thompson Jr., Christ Church Cathedral and the Church of the Redeemer, Hyde Park.


The California Rifle & Pistol Association, founded in 1875, provides training in the safe, responsible, and enjoyable use of firearms; sanctions competitive shooting state championships; and fights for the constitutional right to keep and bear arms for those who choose to own a gun in California for sport, hunting, or self-defense.
In the beginning, our seminars addressed the issue of violence occurring on church and faith based property. They still do that, of course, but SO MUCH MORE…
Jimmy Meeks will give a presentation on the Three Pieces of Evidence that justify church safety practices. It has been said of his presentation that, “there has never been a stronger call to action.”
Carl Chinn will walk you though what happened at the New Life Church tragedy (Colorado Springs, CO – December 2007). Several worshipers were shot; two precious sisters were killed. Carl also worked for Focus on the Family when, in 1996, a gunman entered that property and took several hostages – one of whom was Carl. He will share with you the priceless lessons learned from these tragedies.
Colonel Grossman will “zoom out” into all of society and talk about what it means to be a Sheepdog wherever one is – the church, the school, the mall, the theater – anywhere and everywhere. if you have heard him before, you know what we are talking about.
The Sheepdog Seminar is is a response to the violence that reeks havoc in our world. It calls upon the defenders to take their stand.
In a one day seminar it is impossible to impart all of the information that churches – and society as a whole – need in order to create a safe atmosphere for their communities. However, when you leave the Sheepdog Seminar, you will know exactly what you need to start doing.


Invitation to Rev. William Dobbie to take up post of Pastor at Castle Hill U.F. Church, Forres
Scope and Contents
There are some 300 names on the invitation - subscribers to the Church - which is written on a number of paper pages joined into one long roll several feet long (a conservator's nightmare). The roll is contained in black leather covered tube with gilt blocked title and date.
The blocked title states: 'Call / to the Rev. William Dobbie / by Castlehill United Free Church / Forres / August 6th 1907
- Creation: 1907
Language of Materials
Biographical / Historical
This collection is composed simply of an invitation - dated 6 August 1907 - from the elders, managers and members of the congregation to the Rev. William Dobbie to take up the post of Pastor at Castle Hill United Free Church in Forres, Moray, Scotland. William Dobbie was born on 21 May 1881 in Ayr. He attended Ayr Academy and studied at Glasgow University. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Ayr in May 1906, and assisted at Glasgow Camphill until 1907 when he was ordained and inducted at Castle Hill U. F. Church in Forres, 20 September 1907. Dobbie married Jean Fulton Hamilton on 25 April 1911. In 1914 he translated to Glasgow Govanhill and then did war service with the YMCA in France in 1916. In 1921 he translated to Lanark Cairns. The Rev. William Dobbie died on 30 April 1946.
For the origins of Castlehill U. F. Church, we have to look at events of 1733 when the First (or original) Secession saw members leave the Church of Scotland as a protest against the system of Patronage, by which a minister was appointed to a congregation on presentation by a landowner. A congregation was founded in 1768, when a group in Forres joined the Secession Movement. The first church was built at the north end of Batchen Street, Forres. It had various names over time: United Secession; United Presbyterian; and, United Free. The foundation stone of the Castlehill Church was laid on September 22, 1870, and it was opened and dedicated on November 26, 1871, with building costs of £3,000.
In 1900, the United Presbyterian and the Free Churches united to form the United Free Church of Scotland. This meant that there were two U.F. Churches in Forres, and each had to take a distinctive name. It was at that point that it was named Castlehill, from the site on which it stood, and the other became the High Church. In 1902 the Town Council presented the freedom of the burgh to Lord Strathcona in Castlehill Church. In 1903 James MacDougall Black became the minister and remained until 1907. Dr Black was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the year 1938-1939.
Two outbreaks of dry-rot, in 1902 and in 1946, meant that extensive and expensive work was necessary, and this was paid for by the congregation and by generous donations from Lord and Lady Strathcona and Andrew Carnegie.
When the Rev. David Leslie Scott, Minister of Forres Castlehill Church, retired on 30 June 1972 the church was closed and the charge united with Forres High Church under the name of Forres St Leonard’s. The former Castlehill Church was sold to the Forres Parish Church of St. Laurence and became its church halls. After a protracted period of refurbishment, it was eventually opened and dedicated on September 5, 1976. Dry-rot however can never be eradicated completely and some thirty years after the last repair the rot had reached such as state that it became beyond the economic means of the congregation of the Parish Church of St. Laurence. The building was finally sold on 30 June 2006, which was 34-years after the building was closed as a church.
1 cylinder, containing roll
- Invitation to Rev. William Dobbie (1881-1946) to take up the post at Castle Hill United Free Church, Forres, Scotland
- Language of description
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script


FATHER'S DAY SERVICE JUNE 18TH.
We will have a Special recognition of all the Dads in the 8:30 & 10:45 AM Service. We Honor our Dads on this day.
8:30 AM Worship
9:45 AM Sunday School
10:45 AM Worship
5:00 PM Various Bible Studies
6:00 PM Evening Worship
6:45 PM Wednesday Hour Of Power
6:30 PM Youth-Wednesday Night Live
6:30 PM R.A.,G.A.& Mission Friends Ministry


I have a cross wall. It all started when I decided to explore my faith and beliefs in the church a few years back. I bounced around until I finally found where I felt at home. It’s funny, I always thought people with crosses in their home were extremely religious and I couldn’t act “normal” around them. Weird huh? Well it’s true and now look: I have a cross wall.
I’ve learned over the years that this wall wasn’t just a reminder of my faith journey but also my journey traveling all over the country. They are constant reminders of how lucky I am to be where I am today. Among them is one from Italy, San Diego, Atlanta, Denver and so on.


150 Years of Mercy Education
This event has been a remarkable journey through time, a celebration of our enduring commitment to Mercy Education, and a heartfelt reunion of friends and colleagues. The 150 Years of Mercy Education Race Night brought us all together in an atmosphere of jubilation, unity, and gratitude. As we look back on the rich history of St. Saviours College, we also look forward to continuing this legacy with renewed enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose. Thank you to all who joined us in making this event truly special, and let's carry the spirit of Mercy Education forward for generations to come.


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If you have been reading my blog in the last couple of months you will recall that in December I tried to write a post a day about JOY. I was recalling things, people, events etc.. that brought JOY to me during this past year (31 Days of JOY Challenge). At the time, this was a reminiscent series, it was one where I was searching for my old self, the ‘me’ that knew what JOY was all about.
In the midst of it all I knew that I would need to take this train of thought a little further and REALLY look at joy, particularly what the Bible has to say about it and how that applies to my every day life.
One day while in Cairns I was trying to think of the verses that easily came to mind with the word ‘joy’ in them. There were a handful but I stopped at one in particular. It was this one:
James 1:2 ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.‘
As I concentrated on these words the thought struck me ‘is joy just an emotion?’. What I was getting at was that if we can stand back from a difficult situation and ‘consider’ it pure joy, isn’t that more of an ‘outlook’, an choice made in your brain after the fact?
I followed the Scripture links and of course this led to Romans 5:3-4 which mirrors what James 1:3-4 says. If you mesh the two together it looks like this:
As a response to trials (James 1:2) (suffering Romans 5:3) – the testing of your faith (James 1:3)
Perseverance produces character – (which gives us hope Romans 5:4) – (Hope does not disappoint as it comes from God Romans 5:5)
* Lacking nothing – (and the Crown of Life James 1:12)
What I realised is that Joy has two parts to it. There is the initial excitement type of joy that we may experience in life (baby being born, new job, wedding etc…) and then there is the controlled response type of Joy. The sort where we stand back, look at the situation and CHOOSE to see that we can grow from this experience.
Choosing to have that sort of outlook is very hard to do. God knew that when he had James pen the words:
‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.‘ James 1:5-6
So if Joy is not just an emotion but a choice that means that we can use any situation to change our outlook and work towards maturity.
I did do more on this as I pushed the study further and I’ll share that in another post. The last thing I wanted to say was that I realised that a lot of Christians ‘beat themselves up’ when their initial reaction to suffering or difficulties isn’t one of joy or trusting God. By understanding that this sort of joy is a process and a learnt response (learning to stand back, think things through and not just react) means that we can reach up and let ourselves off the guilt hook. I’ve got more to say on that but that’s another post.
So, is Joy an emotion? Yes. But, is it JUST an emotion? No. Its much more than that, its a choice of outlook that we can make in difficult situations which can cause us to grow. That’s what I have discovered anyway and I must admit, I’m going to need to ask God for whole lotta wisdom because doubt is something that creeps in all the time!


Please join us for our fourth annual Quakers and Business Forum in Niagara, NY. The Conference is being held 6/29 to 7/2, the weekend before the Friends General Conference Gathering.
The focus of the conference is Seeking Joy as Quaker Business People. We will have several Quaker business people speak about how they find joy in applying their faith and their spiritual gifts in their business life. Then we will have networking time so we can make connections within our community and use large and small group discussions to reflect on our own joys.
This year we will be meeting with the interested Young Adult Friends (and others—it will be open to anyone who is interested) for part of Saturday afternoon on the topic of careers. The format for “career café” isn’t set yet, so we welcome any and all suggestions.
I’m attaching a copy of the draft agenda and a flyer. Even if you can’t go yourself, please pass it on to someone who might be interested. Scholarships are available if needed. You can come for just the weekend, or you can stay for all or part of the FGC Gathering.