Our minister Mung reflects on his first year at Spurgeon’s and looks forward to Lent and the activities of the coming few months:

It’s been one whole year since I’ve joined the Spurgeon Baptist Church family. Did anyone notice it? Where has the time gone? I started on 1st March last year with my cup of tea in the dining room of the manse looking out into the garden and praying.

One year on, the garden is filled with beautiful crocuses that I can’t get enough of. I didn’t see them last year, and Sarah and I didn’t plant any crocuses either. I take it as a sign of blessing from God.

It’s been a wonderful year of getting to know the congregation, learning from them and being blessed by them. I hope they have been blessed, encouraged and challenged in their faith too. Sarah and I have settled in well. Finding a barber (for me) being an important indication of that! God is good and we give him our praise and thanks!

There are many exciting things ahead of us. We look forward to Easter for a big celebration, the most significant date in the Christian calendar which is followed by the two big anniversaries in the summer – 50th year of the Water Eaton Church Centre and the 70th year of St Frideswide’s. All this, as well as the Building Redevelopment Project- All Under One Roof!

But before all of that, comes a time of preparation, Lent. It’s important that we take it seriously if we are to make the most of Easter. It is an opportunity to spring clean our hearts and keep our focus on what is to come. As part of our preparation, I want to draw our attention to a few things happening in March – The Alpha Course (about exploring the Christian faith) starting on Wednesday, 5th March at the manse and a Day of Fasting on Saturday, 8th March at the church. Please contact me for the Alpha Course.

For the Day of Fasting, please join in as and when you can, I’ll be at the church the whole day. There will be set times of led prayer at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. There will also be opportunities and space for individual prayers and quietness.

The Thursday Home Group will be looking at ‘The Prayers of Jesus’ during Lent. We are also starting a series on the characters of God based on Exodus 34:6 for our monthly All-Age Services starting in March.

And lastly, prayers for Easter Cracked will be greatly appreciated.

God bless,
Mung