This is selected highlights from Lindfield United Reformed Church's monthly magazine, Good News. It is freely available from the Church and Lindfield Post Office. The printed edition also contains useful information regarding local meetings and 'Family News'.
If don't live in the area, and wish to recieve a copy of the magazine, please Email the Editors.

WORSHIP IN NOVEMBER
4th
9.30am David Nibloe and David Walters – HOLIDAY CLUB SERVICE
11.00am Graham Campling
6.30pm HEALING SERVICE – Norman Smith
11th – REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
(Church Away Weekend at Ashburnham)
10.30am – Norman Smith
3.00pm – British Legion Service at All Saints
NO EVENING SERVICE
18th
9.30am David Nibloe and Norman Smith
11.00am Norman Smith
6.30pm Richard Walters and Philip Wren
25th
9.30am David Nibloe and Ernest Lloyd (CW to I)
11.00am COMMUNION and INDUCTION OF ELDERS – Norman Smith
6.30pm Dawn Walters and Norman Smith

THE MINISTER WRITES..
A couple of American citizens popped into our evening service a few weeks before the act of terrorism that devastated New York, just before their return to Philadelphia. Both had grown up in this country, one in Lindfield and the other in Surrey. They said they belong to a lively Methodist Church in the States, where, to accommodate the spiritual hunger of the congregation, they have been having worship services not just on Sundays but on several weekdays as well. The 700-strong congregation is, apparently, moving on with the Lord and attempting exciting things for him.
I was greatly helped by talking and praying with the couple, after our service, and deeply encouraged and challenged by two issues that arose in conversation.
The first concerned the subject of prayer. It appears that their church has discovered how to sit quietly in God’s presence, perhaps for as long as an hour, with hardly anybody present speaking! Perhaps just three people pray aloud for a few minutes. The long silences are accepted, and people talk about the blessings of such times. Worship services can last anything up to three hours and few desire to leave before the end.
The second issue was much more significant. They have, in recent years, become aware of those churches that may, theoretically, do everything according to the evangelical, or even charismatic, ‘book’ but fail to demonstrate a true love relationship with Jesus! It struck home to me that, maybe, we are quite slow at emphasising the importance of this reciprocal love relationship ourselves. We, somehow, miss out on helping one another to experience the joy of expressing our love to God who loves us. As a consequence, we often fail to make much impact on our community because the love of Jesus is not automatically radiating through us.
Yours in the love of Jesus, Norman

1ST LINDFIELD JUNIORS
On Friday 6th July boys from the 1st Lindfield Boys’ Brigade arrived at Holmbury St Mary’s to spend the weekend. We were divided into two teams HUNTERS and COBRAS to compete against each other in activities, such as rounders, uni-hockey and football. Also there were badge and T-Shirt design competitions. On Saturday afternoon we went to Guildford Leisure Centre. On Sunday we had a lovely roast and were visited by the President of the Boys’ Brigade. It was a fun weekend and we all enjoyed it.
James Blythe

Thank you, James, who, unfortunately, has now left the company due to moving to East Grinstead.
May I take this opportunity to thank Stuart Dew for kindly joining us after Sunday Worship to give the boys some more spiritual enlightenment and a good old game of noughts-and-crosses.
Thanks also to the Battalion President, Derek Hinton, and his wife, Peggy, not only for joining us for Sunday dinner but also for presenting the awards. Our theme for the weekend having been Formula BB, each boy left with a small memento of his time away.
Peter Shashall, Officer-in-Charge

THE FAITHFUL REMNANT!
An important group of us is not going to Ashburnham, on the second weekend of this month, for whatever reason! Perhaps we are unwell, have important responsibilities to fulfil, or are just not interested.
I look forward to seeing those who are able to get to a Sunday church service and to welcoming you at 10.30am. It will be the only service of the day, at our church. Please note the time and alert any other people, or remind them nearer the day, in order to help them not to arrive too early, or too late!
Although we are not joining the 130 other people linked with our church for this away weekend, we can still fulfil a very vital role. Please give as much time as you can on 9th, 10th, and 11th November to pray for:
Ý the main team of speakers and counsellors – Steve, Simon, David, Alan, Izzie and John
Ý the team from Teknon caring for the children, headed up by Sue and Simon
Ý the couple looking after the young people – Stuart and Kath
Ý the organisers of the weekend and, of course, all the people who are sharing in the event. Pray that it may be a time of fellowship, learning, encouraging and looking forward to the next chapter in the history of this church.
NORMAN

THE RYEcroft Squirrel writes …
Every now and again, the old man gets out of the car with a green bag. Although the name is no longer in view, I think there was a time when St Michael had something to do with the original outfit! In the green bag, there are usually items of clothing. I heard him mutter something about replenishing his wardrobe so he would not have to spend much money after he had retired. He leaves ‘Ryecroft’ in early January so I look forward to being able to wake up, periodically, and go absolutely anywhere I like without him, or his ‘missus’, trying to give me the ‘heave ho’.
Just before the old man did his back in before Easter, I noticed him trying on a very suave suit. He left the labels on the garment and put it in his wardrobe. Many weeks later, he got it out to wear it to a wedding and, to his amazement, found a neat, round hole on the shoulder of the jacket. He did not look very happy, to say the least. In fact, he was fuming - he ought to have been fumigating because, you’ve guessed it, he had been visited by my friend the moth! Great stuff, I thought, that will teach him an important Bible lesson. It says, in the good book, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy." *
Neither St Michael, nor his relative, Mark Spenser, would help him. "Tough" they said, "but we are not responsible."
So, there he was with quite an expensive jacket, labels still on, and no desire to wear it with a hole in. I noticed him looking up his house insurance policy, but I was pleased it offered no cover for pests, insects, fungus or squirrels! Let him sweat, was my sentiment. The trouble with most people is they know the Bible theory but are slow to learn what it means to put the truth into practice.
So what would he do? He remembered that ‘Saint’ Gwen does invisible mending so he asked if she would kindly help. She found other holes that needed to be invisibled! She did a marvellous job so the old man will be wearing the jacket any day soon. You might take time to admire his ‘holy’ outfit – very ‘suitable’ for an ageing, part-time clergyman.
I’ll try to write to you once more before winter really sets in.
Yours gloatingly
Brother Bushby
* see Matthew 6:19

BALCOMBE URC
The main services are held on the first and third Sundays of the month, at 11.00am. The speakers for this month are:
4th November David Walters
18th November Donald Nisbet – Hymn Choice service
There will be no service and lunch on the second Sunday in November as we will be joining with Lindfield URC for their church weekend at Ashburnham.

CHANGE YOUR SEAT – BRING ABOUT A NEW MEET!
One of the ways of encouraging greater awareness of one another is to be brave enough to change where we sit at a Sunday service. For some, that is very impracticable, because you need a special chair or you come in your own, on wheels. But the vast majority could, if they would, choose a different area in the church to sit down. Do that frequently and be bold enough to introduce yourself to the person nearby after the service – even make sure they are aware of the times coffee is served – and a few more strangers could become friends.
We continue to welcome new people on a fairly regular basis. It could be that you are actually reading this as one who has recently started attending this church. Please don’t wait until people, in addition to the official ‘welcomer’, speak to you – take the risk and initiate a conversation. You might find yourself next to someone else who is new, too! Your willingness to encourage the start of a meaningful friendship will be much appreciated.
NORMAN

MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS?
It is thrilling to share in a service where two Christians come together to pledge themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. Although the number of marriages in this country has diminished, because people opt to live together, or remain single, marriage is still popular. There is even a growing emphasis, especially on the other side of the Atlantic, to stress the importance of avoiding all pre-marital sex – advice that has always been in God’s word!
But even Christian marriage can be a very difficult adventure. All sorts of issues can contribute to a breakdown in what was, initially, a glorious, fulfilling relationship. Issues can creep in, very insidiously, until they reach the point where deep hurts begin to emerge and real concern is expressed about the future. Here are a few:
Ý Money, or the lack of it, and how it is spent
Ý Long hours apart, perhaps responding to the responsibilities of employment
Ý Children and how they are managed and disciplined, or the absence of children
Ý A growing attraction to a third party which, perhaps, began as a harmless friendship
Ý Boredom with each other’s company and conversation
Ý Drifting away from sharing together in prayer and Bible reading
Ý An absence of prime time together, when each affirms the other in mind, body and spirit
Ý A clash of church, or club, commitments which leads to long periods spent alone, for either partner
IF you sense all is not well in your marriage, do not try to sweep the issue(s) under the carpet. It is vital to face up to what is happening and to do everything possible to prevent further deterioration.
Ideally, it should be possible for a Christian couple to be honest with each other and to spend time talking out, and praying through, the matters of concern. Sometimes, things have gone too far and any attempt to converse is met with bland, stonewalling, tactics. If this situation persists, it is important to share your predicament, IN CONFIDENCE, with a trusted friend, ideally NOT your parent(s) because this often provokes the other spouse. You may find it best to approach a minister or an elder. You may prefer to seek out the help of RELATE (sadly, there is usually a long waiting period to obtain an appointment). If possible, take your partner to a Christian Marriage Enrichment weekend, designed to help good marriages get even better and to help those that are struggling.
I cannot urge you strongly enough to remember the promises you made before God and the importance of taking action now to salvage a relationship.
Never underestimate the power of God, who loves you and your spouse, and who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.
Norman

CONTRIBUTORS NEEDED!
As our main contributor to the 'Good News' magazine 'retires' at the end of this year, we will be looking for new people to write articles. If you have something interesting to report, which is of a Christian nature, or would like, for instance, to write a testimony of what God has done, or is doing, in your life, please send your item to the editor for approval and publication.
Don't forget, this is our church magazine so we are responsible for making it happen!

COPY DATE …
for the December issue of Good News is NOON on Sunday, 11th November. Please let me have your articles in good time and don’t forget to include your name and telephone number in case of query. Thank you.
Editor