Dear Friends,

What do you bring to your relationship with God?

In any relationship, it’s a question worth asking. Who brings what? What do we contribute? If I do the dishes, do you dry?

This Sunday we’ll be continuing in Genesis, looking at Genesis 15:1–21. Abram has received extraordinary promises from God, but he still has questions. He still has no child. He still does not possess the land. So how can he know that God will keep his word?

The wonderful answer in Genesis 15 is that God brings everything. He brings the promise. He brings the covenant. He binds himself to his word. And Abram brings nothing but empty hands: “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

That is good news for us too. We do not come to God with an impressive spiritual CV, a perfect record, or even wonderfully strong faith. We come with empty hands, trusting the God who raises the dead, the God who gave his Son for our sins and raised him for our justification.

So please do join us this Sunday as we hear God’s word together and are reminded again that God brings everything, and we receive everything by faith.

We meet twice this coming Sunday morning in St John the Baptist Loxwood to learn from Genesis 15 & Romans 4:18-25

8.30am | BCP Holy Communion |
10am | Family Worship | with groups for the kids and coffee afterwards.

Everyone is welcome & we’d love to see you!

With love in Christ,

Revd. James Forward

Read on Below the Line!

Harvest Collection!

With our Harvest Celebration coming up on Sunday 4th of October in Loxwood Church, our annual harvest collection is an opportunity to give thanks to God for all his provision, by donating food that will go to those who really need it. Donations can be left at the back of either church, and then will be taken over to Cranleigh Food Bank. If you're not sure what to donate, you can see requested items here www.cranleighfoodbank.org/donations and please make sure that all perishables will still be in date by the end of October.

Little Angels

Our Thursday morning toddler group, Little Angels, is back this week!

Little Angels is a relaxed and friendly group for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, parents, grandparents, and carers. There’s plenty of time to play, chat, enjoy refreshments, and get to know other local families. Each week we also have a short Bible story, some singing, and a simple reminder of God’s love for us and our little ones.

We meet on Thursdays at 10am at Loxwood Church.

Whether you come every week or have never been before, you would be so welcome. Do invite friends, neighbours, children, grandchildren, or anyone you know who might enjoy coming along.

Pilgrim Groups

Pilgrim Groups are a place of deeper fellowship, where we support one another in prayer, and go deeper into God's word together. If you are not already in a Pilgrim Group and would like to join one, please email Richard Allan or speak to him in church. richard@alflox.org

Prayer Central

Our 1st Wednesday of the month Prayer Meeting is coming up next on Wednesday 7th October. We will meet in Loxwood Church Room. We meet at 7.30pm for refreshments, 8pm to sing and pray, and we always finish by 9pm. There is never an obligation to pray out loud. God hears the prayer of our hearts just as well! Please do join us.

Year of Prayer

Psalm 127 says ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.’ Monday Morning | Alfold or Loxwood Church Room |

Fasting

You may or may not know, but we as a church are currently looking for a Kid’s and Youth Pastor to help us with our vision of passing the gospel onto the next generation. In God’s kindness he has provided us with a significant financial gift, so that we can make a full-time appointment for the role. And the PCC are in the process of putting together an advert for the job.

This is a huge moment for our church, and I want to make sure that we are earnestly praying for God to provide just the right person for us. So I am calling for a fast on Monday mornings, from whenever you wake up, until midday when our prayer meeting ends. If you are able (medical reasons permitting) to join me in skipping breakfast on Mondays, please use the time to ask God to match his financial provision with just the person of his choosing. You can come along and pray at our Monday morning Year of Prayer meetings (which are continuing for a second year), or you can pray at home or at your work. But wherever it is… please pray!