Proud to be an Oak

Dear Oaks,

I want to begin this week but stating just how thrilled I was with the Carol Service last Sunday. As one visitor remarked “One of the things I love about Oak Tree is that every ones gifts are used.” Whilst this is not strictly true I knew what he meant. I am so impressed by your creativity, organisational skills, dance, music, art and singing to mention just some.

But what struck me even more was how servant hearted so many of you are. There were good numbers around from 2:30 helping to set up and then again a great team afterwards to help with the mundane work of clearing up. Church life is not only about the gifts we bring to the party but the attitudes we exhibit as well. All of us can serve when it is in an area of life or ministry that we are passionate about, but sometimes it is needful that we serve in the mundane and un-thanked ways.

I hope that our guests felt welcomed, cared for and met with a spirit of generosity. Certainly from the feedback I have received this appears to be the case and it was noticeable that we had about 20 more people attending than last year. Perhaps the news is spreading?

Of course there is a danger that I am being a little self congratulatory? There is always room for improvement. But on the whole I just want to say I was proud of you all. After all it is a strange Christianity that thinks it is spiritual to put yourself down.

“No one respects a talent that is concealed” (Erasmus)

Jesus says go and invest your talent and that if you want to be great in the Kingdom of God you need to serve.

Christmas reminds us that The Father invested everything in us in order to save us. He sent His only begotten Son. Christmas also reminds us that Christ served us by becoming one of us and entering fully in to our human frailty. See how he serves in John 13 and why that is possible, see v3.

I do hope to see many of you on Sunday for the Christingle or at the market from 12-2 on Saturday for Carol singing and a spontaneous nativity!

Every blessing,

Mark