The next “Family Matters” Saturday seminar is on Saturday 9th June 2007.  Our focus this time is on Biblical Parenting.

In our hope to serve you most effectively during our time, we’d like to hear from you.  Please submit your questions about parenting to us ASAP, either via email or by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Following on from Sunday’s message on “Reflecting Godliness in our Dress“…

Over at the GirlTalk Blog, they are providing some helpful resources to help us as we think through and assess this important area.

You can download and use the “Modesty Heart Check” and read articles they have written relating to this topic:

Fashion & Following the Saviour Part 1
Fashion & Following the Saviour Part 2
Fashion & Following the Saviour Part 3
Fashion & Following the Saviour Part 4
Fashion & Following the Saviour Part 5
Fashion & Following the Saviour Part 6
Fashion & Following the Saviour Part 7
Modesty on Your Wedding Day

You can also get your hands on additonal resources they recommend, click here for details.

Then, check out theRebelution blog, written and run by Brett & Alex Harris (Joshua Harris’ younger brothers).  They recently conducted and analysed a “Modesty Survey” – which makes for informative reading.

Go check out these resources and let’s seek to reflect godliness in the way we dress!

Click the link below to download the Take it Home sheet from last Sunday’s message by Peter Bowley, entitled: “Reflecting Godliness in our Dress.”

The podcast has also been updated so you can download the sermon audio via our subscription at iTunes.  Click the “Podcast” page in the top menu for further details.

Something new for the summer!

Peter and I have been talking for a while about making sure we are all reading good books together, so we have decided to launch the “Caregroup Book Club“.

 It is just a fancy way of saying that once per month we are going to give over an evening of caregroup to study part of a book together.

So, to kick us off into a summer of reading, we are going to begin with one of our favourite authors, Jerry Bridges and his book “Growing Your Faith”.

We should have some on the resources table this coming sunday for you to purchase.  So stop by and pick one up!

The assignment is to read the first 2 chapters of the book:

Growing Your Faith – by Jerry Bridges
SECTION ONE: The Necessity of Spiritual Growth
  Chapter 1 – The Foundation for Growth
  Chapter 2 – Compelled by Love

The first “Caregroup Book Club” is:
Bowley Group: Tuesday 29th May 2007
Smith Group: Thursday 31st May 2007

For the singles of our church, here’s some great resources we wanted to draw your attention to that we trust will serve and encourage you!  May they be a means of God’s grace to you all! (and even if you’re not single!)

1. “Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart” by John Ensor.

It’s a new book that’s just come out.  I picked up at the Sovereign Grace Leaders Conference in April, and it also happens to be the next book in the Girltalk Book Club. 

You can purchase the book from Amazon.

Crossway, the publisher, describes the book as an “easy-to-read guide for men and women [that] presents a biblical alternative to the culture’s broken system of ‘serial dating.’”

Sovereign Grace’s own CJ Mahaney adds his endorsement:
“Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart defines and describes biblical masculinity and femininity for single adults. I would also encourage those who are married to read it. John Ensor is a creative and theologically astute writer. I have thanked him for writing this book and you will too.”

2. A Recent Sermon by John Piper

Just this past Sunday, John Piper preached a message entitled: “Single in Christ: A Name Better Than Sons and Daughters.”  You can listen, watch on read it by clicking the link.

It is a message providing a biblical, theological perspective on the gift of singleness.  Hear from John Piper himself in his opening introduction: “To say the main point more briefly: God promises spectacular blessings to those of you who remain single in Christ, and he gives you an extraordinary calling for your life. To be single in Christ is, therefore, not a falling short of God’s best, but a path of Christ-exalting, covenant-keeping obedience that many are called to walk.”

3. ONE: The Covenant Life Singles Ministry

This is the website for the vibrant singles ministry at Covenant Life Church, the Sovereign Grace church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

Check it out for recommended resources and audio messages from there most recent teaching series.

A few interesting bits ‘n’ pieces and information for you…

1. BIG Day Out
The church BIG Day Out on Bank Holiday Monday – 7th May 2007 – is taking place at the Blaise Castle Estate.

Meet at the main car park at 11am.  Bring a picnic lunch!  Come ready for fun and fellowship!

2. Camping Weekend
If you want to come to the church camping weekend away – the dates are Friday 24th August through to Monday 27th August 2007.  Please book a spot for your tent with Peter Bowley ASAP.  The booking deadline is Sunday 27th May 2007!

3. Last Sunday’s Bulletin
The bulletin from last sunday is available to download from here.