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Pastor Dave Baxter's New Year Message

  • Jan 10, 2012

Pastor Dave Baxter welcomed in the new year in the PBC News with a story of Hans Nielsen Hauge.

'Dear Friends,

On the 5th April 1796 a man called Hans Nielson Hauge was ploughing a field on his father’s farmland. He was singing a Norwegian hymn, ‘Jesus, I long for Thy Blessed Communion’, containing the lines: ‘Mightily strengthen my spirit within me/that I may learn what Thy Spirit can do.’ Hauge had been seeking a deeper walk with God. He had been praying, ‘If Thou, my Father, wilt give me power, create Thy love in my heart and preserve me in humility, then I will serve Thee with all my strength. I will sacrifice everything, even my own life, as did the early martyrs, rather than depart from Thy commandments.’

As Hauge was ploughing the field, he came to the end of the second verse of the hymn, when something deep happened, ‘my soul experienced something supernatural, divine and blessed; that there was a glory that no tongue can utter.’ From that day on everything changed.  I love that testimony. I love the fact that whilst Hans was ploughing a field, he was worshipping God and was suddenly overcome by His power. My prayer for each one of us this year is that whatever our field, we would encounter God in our daily lives.  Why not dare to pray Han’s prayer today? God Bless, Dave'

That touch of God's hand and answer to prayer was the start of Hauge's God-driven mission to the whole of the Norwegian people.  It was a time when Norwegians were emigrating to America and consequently, Hauge's teaching on repentance and salvation went over to the US with the Lutherans.  What a wonderful encouragement as we start this year.  What are we praying for?

News & Announcements

Mozambique 12 - Auction of Promises - Saturday 21st April

10th April, 2012

More information on this event shortly but please put it in your diaries - we're looking forward to a great fundraiser for Mozambique 12 - the evening of Saturday 21st April starting at 7.30pm will include music, nibbles, drinks and an auction of a real mixture of the mundane and the incredible! There'll be a five pound charge on the door, but you'll have food, a drink and plenty of socialising time as well as the auction. Its only a couple of weeks away so don't miss it! If you have something promise for auction then please let Dan or Matt know in the Church Office. All proceeds go to the Mozambique 12 trip.

The Theme of My Praise - Easter Prayer from 2nd-5th April

2nd April, 2012

Take an hour or two out to meditate on Jesus, His emotions leading up to the cross and praise Him for who He is between 8am and 6pm from Monday 2nd - Thursday 5th April at PBC. There will be readings and prompts for your thoughts and prayers, leading to the cross itself and Psalm 22. Jesus is the theme of our praise. Come and worship Him.

Easter Sunday - Baptisms and The Miracle Maker

2nd April, 2012

Easter week at PBC has some thought provoking and interesting opportunities for worship and glorifying our living God. There's Good Friday service at 10am, followed by the Walk of Witness at 11am to the Village Green for the HOPE Pembury Churches Together annual service on the green. Hot cross buns and refreshments will be served at the Hanes' home after the service finishes. And on Easter Sunday, there's three baptisms taking place in the morning at 10am followed by a family opportunity at 5pm to enjoy a cinematic experience with popcorn, icecream and fizzy pop whilst watching The Miracle Maker. For more details, click on the heading.