Dear Friends
Well what a January it was, with so much for us to celebrate as a church family. The Scottish Party was such a joyous event with so many coming together for a wonderful evening of Scottishness, with so many people of all ages and different nationalities taking part. The week before this, of course, saw two wonderful baptism events, firstly on the Sunday morning with five people being baptised, and then on the Wednesday at Gathering with God with a further two people going through the waters of baptism. It was so powerful to hear some of the stories and declarations of these seven people, stories of life and hope and freedom, stories of God’s grace and power, and wonderful declarations of commitment to following Jesus Christ.
Earlier last month, during a time of worship and prayer with some church leaders, Keith Short, who heads up the Scottish Network Churches, came over to me and whispered in my ear that he had the sense that this year, 2024, would be the year when Liberty Church truly stepped into it’s name, that this year would be a year of Liberty, a year of freedom. It was a very brief word and humbly brought, but it just resonated with me, and I do believe it is a significant word for us this year. I love seeing people’s lives and situations transformed by the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love stories of freedom; freedom from the past, from fear, from addiction, from sin. Freedom to walk into the future with the God who has always loved them and who has set them free.
I have always loved church and believed it can be, and indeed should be, such a powerful demonstration of what true community should look like when God is placed at the very centre. A community of people who do not deny the trials and tribulations of life but who live with hope and freedom, supporting and being supported, growing in faith and devotion, choosing to follow Jesus Christ and to glorify his name. As we continue to do what we are doing, gathering to worship, serving each other and the community around us, praying and witnessing, loving, giving and welcoming the stranger into our midst, living for God on the frontline of our own lives, I believe we will see increasing freedom in our own lives and in the lives of those we love and serve.
I am so grateful to be a part of what God is doing amongst us and grateful for being part of the Liberty Church community. May the name of Jesus Christ be lifted high in all we do and may we see Liberty increasingly become a place of freedom for many.
Much love
Jon |