Summer time is here in the Netherlands! Hopefully there will be some sunshine and warm days and not too much rain!
Maybe you take some holiday, maybe you are working. Whatever your coming weeks are like, hopefully there will be some refreshing moments.
Some questions to ponder:
Who could you encourage or do some good for in the weeks ahead?
Mid way through 2024, what are you grateful for?
Is there anything for which you need to give space to grieve?
As you look into the second part of the year, what are you hoping for and why?
How does God fit into your thoughts, hopes and plans?
Earlier today, I was sat by a canal and read these words:
“for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.”
Psalm 26:3 New International Version
These words both encouraged, stirred and challenged me. Encouraged me afresh that with God there is unfailing love and faithfulness amidst a world where there are all kinds of challenges and heartaches. Stirred me to pray for those in really tough circumstances for whom God’s love might seem far away – like in Ukraine or the Middle East right now. Challenged me to ask myself – Am I mindful, anywhere even close to always, of God’s unfailing love? Do I actually really believe it is unfailing? (do you?) Do I live in the goodness of His faithfulness?
This verse is something I am taking with me into my summer reflections.
As a church community we are in the midst of changing our Sunday locations. From Sunday 18th August we will meeting at Buurthuis Op Eigen Wieken, Valkenpad 5, 2317AN Leiden. We are grateful to Incluzio to be able to meet here.
Below is a summary of our Sunday gatherings during the school summer weeks.
Much grace,
Andy
Summer @ ICL:
Sunday 21st/28th July – no organised services
Sunday 4th August – Vlietland Lakeside service, 11.00 – Songs, prayers, testimonies, talk: Possible or not? touching on trust and fear – based on Matthew 14:13-27. Bring something to sit on and why not bring some lunch? We will meet on the grass area to the further end as you turn right when coming from the large car park near Waterfront Vlietland. The car park is free.
Sunday 11th August – Katwijk Beach Service, 11.00 – Songs, prayers, talk from Acts 8:26-39 as we think about baptism before an actual time of baptism in the sea. Again, why not bring some lunch? We will meet at the southern end of the boulevard. Go down the steps/slope, turn left towards Wassenaar – we will be along there. There is plenty of parking in the area. For free parking, go to the parking area off Laan van Nieuw Zuid. This is about a 10 minute walk to the beach.
Sunday 18th August – First service at the new location: 11.00 @ Buurthuis Op Eigen Wieken, Valkenpad 5, 2317AN Leiden
Sunday 25th August – Second service at the new location: 11.00