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ISSUES Lord, for the years 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. © Timothy Dudley-Smith For more, go to MESSENGER Extra MESSENGER • Inform • Educate • Inspire THE LEADER’S AGENDA EDITORIAL proliferation of ministries who diligently study I am thankful for the work of Pastor Richard If ever there was a need to be like the Scriptures so they can share conspiracy, Daly and his team, who every Thursday accusations and fear.3 faithfully post online the latest fast-breaking Welcome the Bereans, it is now in 2020 At the General Conference Session news. That’s an activity MESSENGER cannot do, (25 June - 4 July 2020) the world church will and shouldn’t try to compete with. Our role is by Pastor Ian Sweeney ratify the latest strategic plan for the church to receive the news, take a step back, and publish a summary and direct you to under the banner: ‘I Will Go!’ This title provide a reflective angle of what’s taken ‘MESSENGER Extra’ to read the full version. t is a fascinating story being ‘more fair-minded than those in accompanies the latest wording of our David Neal, place. Perhaps it’s best explained like this: But if there’s one vision I have for which, at the time of Thessalonica, in that they received the word Mission statement, which states that as a Editor BUC News – Gospel of Mark; MESSENGER – ‘MESSENGER Extra’, it is to provide a ‘safe place’ Iwriting, is still ongoing with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures church we seek to ‘Make disciples of Jesus Gospel of John. Both equally important – but where we can dialogue together and and is far from daily to find out whether these things were so’ Christ who live as His loving witnesses and elcome to your new look MESSENGER, with distinct roles, and frequent collaboration. encourage each other, a place to have mature conclusion. Sometime around 2012, a (Acts 17:11, NKJV). proclaim to all people the everlasting gospel of and a very happy new year to you. One first act of collaboration has been the Spirit-filled conversation, learn from each Bulgarian, Oxford-educated charismatic The Bereans were open-minded enough to the Three Angels’ Messages in preparation for WDuring 2019 we introduced some introduction of ‘MESSENGER Extra’, a series of other, and to help keep us together. Perhaps woman, Dr Ruja Ignatova, came to the world’s listen to the new truths that Paul was sharing, His soon return (Matthew. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; gradual changes to both style and content. In video conversations expanding on the current there could be a discussion about an editorial attention with the promise of a revolution in but in being open-minded and excited by what Revelation 14:6-12).’ recent times, MESSENGER content has been MESSENGER editorial. You can find all nine 2019 or other feature article. Perhaps it can be a banking with the launch of a new crypto Paul was sharing, they also gave due The emphasis is for each church member around 65% news, and 35% for articles and recordings at: place where we can support one another in currency called OneCoin. With exquisite, diligence, and so they thoroughly examined to personally embrace their responsibility to features. With this edition we begin a journey https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL- prayer. Just go to Facebook, type in ‘MESSENGER no-expense-spared rallies and conferences Paul’s teaching from the Scriptures every day, go and share Jesus Christ, who is central to to turn that around – 65% articles/features, 8capq8wh9FyfAhPua7zvl9iwFHbh147. Extra’ and you’ll find our digital presence. across the globe, investors were invited and because they needed to be sure that Jesus the ‘everlasting gospel of the Three Angels’ 35% news. But ‘MESSENGER Extra’ is also a Facebook As we think about what faces us in 2020, I drawn to the promise of financial security and was the Christ. If ever there was a need to be Messages’. News about church life in the UK and page where the MESSENGER story continues. hope and trust MESSENGER will be a good friend untold riches. In a whirlwind of financial like the Bereans, it is now in 2020. Whether we are going to make New Year’s Ireland is so important. Not only does Perhaps space in one particular edition simply to help you on your journey of faith as we seek activity, it is estimated that over 5 billion US Social media platforms are effective ways resolutions or not, I pray that you would join MESSENGER record the history of the British does not permit the full story. If so, we may to inform, educate, and inspire. dollars has been invested.1 to quickly share and promote the latest ‘new with me in making the resolution to be like the Union Conference, but, of more significance, it In 2017, following a flight to Greece, Dr light’ or conspiracy. Sadly, too many apostle Paul and the Bereans. Let us place serves as ‘the family album’. It is no less than Ruja Ignatova disappeared and has not been Adventists do not follow the practice of the Christ at the centre of our message and our collective story of some twenty-first seen or heard from since. Berean believers and seemingly accept and engage in Bible study and personal witnessing century disciples, to inspire and encourage our Whisper a prayer . While OneCoin denies it is a scam, the share any news message without seeing the to lift Him up. life and witness in Christ. Be assured, we still Whisper a prayer in the morning, Chinese Government, along with the US necessity of research or Bible study. want your news, but we can report it better. Whisper a prayer at noon, Department of Justice, believes otherwise. Dr Paul was attacked because of his Christ- Here’s our thinking on how we will carry news Whisper a prayer in the evening, Ruja’s brother Konstantin was arrested and centred message. His ministry was focused 1https://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/1202006/money- reports in future. To keep your heart in tune.1 laundering-OneCoin-scam-trial-crv) put on trial in the United States, where he on sharing Jesus Christ as the Saviour to a 2https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50417908 • In general, news reports to be a maximum subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of world in need of a Saviour. I doubt that Paul’s 3e.g. Pope Francis’s brother is an Adventist: of 400 words, unless a major Sometimes, I wonder why I do pray. Even though I regard myself as a person of deep faith and money laundering and fraud.2 approach would be any different if he were https://record.adventistchurch.com/2013/07/24/popes- conference/mission event, or activity of trust in God, sometimes I have those moments when I wonder: ‘Is He really there, really Many financial experts state that investors alive today; he would lift up Jesus, the Christ. brother-not-an-adventist/ national/regional significance. listening?’ I respond to that thought very quickly with a smile and mutter, ‘You’d better be there, have no hope of ever seeing their money The Bereans studied the Scriptures and so Pastor Ian Sweeney serves as the President of the • News reports that contain ‘real news’, or I’m in a heck of a lot of trouble.’ again. accepted and lifted up Jesus. There is a British Union Conference. fresh, dynamic, vibrant, and encouraging. Incredibly, although USA authorities have For example, for a day of fellowship, we’re The ever-increasing need to pray labelled OneCoin as a multi-level pyramid looking for just the key points/highlights of I’m not sure why this is so, but it’s there. And the only tangible reason for it is circumstances, scheme, there are many adherents who the day, rather than a rolling narrative. The be they personal, corporate, spiritual, material, physical, emotional, relational or otherwise. believe that OneCoin will come good and ‘Did not our hearts burn within us same goes for almost any event – less deliver the promised riches. And so it is that about proceedings and more about people! Prayer as enjoyment willing investors are still being recruited by while he talked to us on the road, while • For services of baptism, we’d like to hear I like talking with God. If I really believe the words of Galatians 2:19, 20, and allow Christ to live family and friends. he opened to us the Scriptures?’ about the story of John or Mary Smith and in me and control my life, why wouldn’t I enjoy praying? ‘I have been crucified with Christ.