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Worry

Don't worry - I'm not making you watch The Sound of Music this week! I thought as Andy's at a parent's evening, I'd take the opportunity to look at another of my 'hot topics' - worry.

Why do we worry? What do you worry about? What does the Bible say about worry? How can we stop worrying?

Come along and we'll discuss the issue then have a time of giving our worries to God. See you then.

 
 

Homosexuality & the church

Tonight a very select group of us (where was everyone?) thought about the issue of homosexuality and the church's (and our) response.

We watched a documentary by Louis Theroux called 'The Most Hated Family in America'. It was about a church in the States who feel that God wants them to tell homosexual people that they are destined for hell, by picketing and doing broadcasts. 

It made for quite disturbing viewing and I couldn't help but feel that Louis was the one best representing how Jesus would have felt. He made the point that it was an issue Jesus didn't actually mention and that he had other priorities.

We then discussed the programme and talked about the difficulties surrounding the issue. We thought about questions such as: Is it wrong for people to be practising homosexuals? Is it our place to tell them? Which issues should we as Christians speak out boldly about? Do we consider sexual sins somehow worse than other sins?

It was clear tonight that we all have different views on this tricky topic. Some of us feel that loving homosexual relationships are probably not such a big issue for a God of grace; others felt strongly that they need to take the Bible more at face value. Do leave us your thoughts on the topic.  

 
 

Christmas games evening

We decided last night (after the fun of playing consequences) that it would be good to have a games night on the last SofaChurch before Christmas. 

So an advance notice for you: the 20th December meeting will be all fun and games. Bring any games you fancy playing and maybe some festive munchies too... ho ho ho! 

 
 

Consequences

This week (our other) David led us with his thoughts on consequences in relation to the book of Jonah. 

We started with a game of consequences, (not played that for a few years!) then David read us the story of Jonah. 

We then had an interesting discussion, thinking about how Jonah's actions (and inactions!) had very definite consequences. We also thought about our willingness to be obedient to God and how he is the God of second chances. 

Thanks for a really interesting and fun evening, David.

 
 

David's USA experience

This week, David and Julie will be telling us all about their experiences in the States this summer. The whole family did a sort of 'life-swap' with a minister and his family from North Carolina; they swapped homes, jobs, cars and congregations - come and hear their thoughts on the whole experience.