Letter from Jon, November 2021 

  
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
 
Dear Liberty Family
 
When Peter wrote these words he was writing to encourage churches that were undergoing severe persecution for their faith, to strengthen them and remind them of who they are in Christ and what God has done for them.  We might not be experiencing the same sort of persecution as the churches to whom Peter was writing, but the words that Peter writes apply to us today, as they did back then.  Over this last 18 months we have experienced a season of lament, and the church has taken great strength and comfort in knowing that ‘God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble’ (Ps 46:1).  Whilst these words remain true, I am praying that God would draw us out of ‘lament’ and into a new season of ‘joy’ and ‘hope’.
 
At the beginning of this new month I am extremely grateful for our Church and for what God is doing amongst us.  I loved last Sunday with our taster of ‘Gathering with God’ in the morning and ‘Explore’ in the evening.  The men’s breakfast on Saturday morning was just such an encouragement.  Tonight we are running our ‘Into Liberty’ course with a number of new people around the Church.  Our home, Liberty Centre, is being used more and more through the week and we are making strong connections with those around us.  I see a new enthusiasm and stirring in the Church.  There is a new momentum starting to build amongst us for the plans and purposes God has for us as we move ahead, directed by our vision.  We still face many challenges in terms of resources needed to do all God has for us, but I believe that as we give ourselves to God he will supply all we need.  These are exciting times.
 
As we move towards Christmas I pray that these words of Peter would resonate with us today, that we would know who we are in Christ, that we would be increasingly aware of what God has done for us in taking us from darkness and into his wonderful light, and that we, his people, would declare the praises of our Lord Jesus Christ in everything we say and do.
 
Love, Encouragement and Abundant Blessings
 
Jon