One Hundred And Thirty Years…

That’s how long ‘Kirby Muxloe Free Church’ has been around – and it is our Church Anniversary today. Our guest preacher is Dave Woods, who was Bob’s Student Assistant, until he went to be pastor of Dunchurch Baptist in 2008. We are looking forward to a good day together [including a Tea this afternoon and a Praise Event this evening]

It is great to look back over God’s faithfulness down the years and see how He has blessed the ministry of this chapel in our village community through that time. But there will be some sadness today as well – on Friday, one of our older members died – and Bob will have to announce that at the start of the service. Roy had been an active member for more than 50 years, and was greatly loved.

Among many other things,Roy was one of the key people involved in starting and completing the Housing Project which resulted in ‘Carey Gardens’ 

This is next door to our church, and provides 13 flats where older folk can enjoy independent living, with all the facilities they need on hand.

The Carey Gardens Community has provided happiness and security for so many people for a long time now. Roy and his wife Betty have been so instrumental in the success of this project.

Roy was a lovely man – with a great family [in every respect] His wife, Betty – plus children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are very much part of our church fellowship.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. Roy’s generous spirit, commitment to family values, and enthusiasm for life have been passed on down the generations – and his quiet, strong faith in God has been an example to many. We will miss him.

The life of the church goes on – even though the individual members come and go – and God uses his people as they work together, to bless others and share His Good News. I have no idea which songs and hymns Dave has chosen for today – but here’s a good one for a church anniversary

Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive your people's praise.

Lord, for our land, in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world, where men disown and doubt you,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us-
self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.