Michelle: Does that feel damp to you? [holding out a fleece jacket]
Mark: No, not really
Michelle: You’re saying “no”?
Mark: Yes, no
Michelle: You’re sure?
Mark: Yes, it’s a no – why?
Michelle: Damp means yes, dry means no


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Seeking God’s Will
The Bible has several suggestions on how to seek confirmation of God’s will, the most straight-forward way being to ask God in prayer. But sometimes we are worried that the answer won’t be what we want it to be and we need to be careful not to twist God’s Word to fit with our own desires. Judges 6: 36-40 (Gideon and the wool fleece); Joshua 18: 8-10 and Acts 1: 23-26 (drawing lots); 1Samuel 23: 9-12 (“bring the ephod”); Ezekiel 18: 30-32 (“Repent and live!”); Jeremiah 16: 10-15 (“such a great disaster”); James 1:5 (“he should ask God”); 2Timothy 3: 16 (“All Scripture is God-breathed”); Philippians 4: 8 (“whatever is true..”)


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Peter: We’re going to be “clothed with power from on high” [Luke 24:49]

Andrew: Well, that’s good, because I think you should be clothed in something other than pyjamas if you’re going to go all over the world telling people about Jesus

[At same time as this, use something to represent “the blowing of a violent wind” (Acts 2: 2) eg. a powerful fan with ribbons attached blowing out, or a sound effect (use a search engine to find sound effects you can download for free)]

Bartholomew: You’re so right, I can feel an awful draft…[looks around for the source of the draft – everyone freezes]



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: Given that he’s giving us this gift so that we have the right words to say when we are arrested, and I quote, “brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them” [Mat 10: 18-20] I’m not sure if I want to find out!

Peter: It’s going to be fine. The Holy Spirit is going to be our Helper too, reminding us of how Jesus would do things [John 14:26] and guiding us [John 16:13]

Bartholomew: It’s going to be like that feeling of courage and excitement we get when Jesus lets us in on the secrets of his kingdom. And we’re going to have that flowing from us all the time [John 37-39]


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: But we’ve been waiting for days. What if it doesn’t come? What if it has come and we’ve missed it?

Peter: We won’t miss it! We just need to be patient!

Andrew: That’s funny! You! Peter, being patient!

Bartholomew: I wonder what being baptised in the Holy Spirit is like?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: No, it’s not come. And I’m beginning to doubt it ever will.

Bartholomew: It will come! It will! He promised!

Andrew: This is so dangerous, waiting here in Jerusalem. If we are going to receive the gift he promised, I wish we could receive it somewhere else!

Bartholomew: I think it’s really exciting! Hiding here, waiting for a special gift of God’s power! [Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:4] I can’t wait to get it!



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew sitting looking dejected, about to tip cornflakes into a cereal bowl. Bartholomew and Peter burst on to stage, all are in pyjamas/ dressing gowns and slippers.

Peter: [very excited - addressing Andrew] Is it here? Has it come?!

Bartholomew: Have you hidden it somewhere?! [searching about]

Andrew: Every morning, it’s the same! When will you two give up?

Peter: So it’s not come then?


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Waiting for The Gift (of the Holy Spirit)

Acts 1:1-8 and 2:1-4. For Pentecost.

When Jesus was arrested and crucified the disciples were terrified for their own safety and completely gutted that Jesus’ ministry should have come to an end in this way. But after the resurrection and his appearances to the disciples, imagine how they might be feeling? Confused, elated, excited, wondering what comes next? In this in-between stage they haven’t been given the Holy Spirit, so are still dependant on Jesus’ actual presence and reassurance, and they are still in danger from the religious leaders and the Romans. But Jesus has told them to wait in Jerusalem, that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them and that then they will be witnesses for Jesus “to the ends of the earth” [Acts 1: 8].


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: In the past only God’s prophets were touched by his Holy Spirit, but now God wants to pour out his Spirit over all who believe in his son, Jesus

Peter: And all who believe will prophesy, or have visions, or dreams, or speak in different languages

Person in Crowd: What should we do?!

Peter: Save yourselves – repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Andrew: That’s another 3000 for the Possible Mission Taskforce!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Peter: We’re not drunk! It’s only nine in the morning!

Matthias: In no other name is there salvation, Jesus is Lord of all

Andrew: You saw his miracles, wonders and signs – he was sent by God and raised from death by God

Peter: We are witnesses to his resurrection, and because this Jesus is now seated at the right hand of his father in heaven, he has given us the Holy Spirit, as he promised


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Andrew: (opens dossier, takes out two clear sleeves, speaking at same time) This is the choice of agents to replace Judas on the Possible Mission Taskforce…Barsabbas, a-k-a Justus, or Matthias.

(Andrew puts them behind his back and switches them about)

Peter: Lord, do you choose the left hand or the right hand? (pause) He says the right…

Andrew: Matthias it is!

(Enter Matthias. Play sound effect of violent wind - Andrew, Peter and Matthias take flame headbands from briefcase and put on their heads – all face forward in a line)

Andrew: We’re ready for action!

Peter: People of Jerusalem! We want to tell you about Jesus and we are not afraid to do so!

Matthias: Jesus Christ is the Lord of all, he’s the Lord of all the earth!

Person in Crowd: You’re all drunk!


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mission Possible - Pentecost

(John to play theme music of Mission: Impossible)

(Peter and Andrew, carrying a brief case/dossier, enter.)

Andrew: Play the tape! (shouts this across to John on sound-desk, this is literally a cassette)

Tape: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go, make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to follow everything Jesus taught you. To help you on this mission, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Remember, with God all things are possible. This tape will self-destruct in three seconds. (ends with sound effect of taping fizzing into destruction)


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Ascension Day - 40 days AFTER Easter Sunday



Looking forward from Easter day to the end of the Easter period there are the little remembered Rogation days (for prayer, and formerly also of fasting, aimed at persuading God to protect and give a good harvest). These lead up to Ascension Day 40 days after Easter Day - when we remember Jesus ascending into heaven. This concludes the Easter period itself.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

But then use of Jonhhy Cash's "Ring of Fire" was refused altogether by the owner's of the sound recording (Sony BMG Music). We are unable to use another track we wanted, "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, as MCPS were unable to get in contact with the publisher and could therefore not get permission to use it. We are therefore not currently going to include videos with music in them on the website!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The current process is long-winded and involved. As an example of how this all works (or doesn't!), at the date of writing this article, we have been quoted £50+VAT for the PRS Online Licence for a year, and £400 for a year's use of one track (Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire") from the owners of the composer's rights (Shapiro, Bernstein & Co) via MCPS.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Come and play skittles at the Hamworthy Club in Canford Magna on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 2010 at 7.15pm. This is an evangelistic event in that there will be a short "Food for Thought" God slot, but it is light-hearted and not pushy, and mingles well with the socialising and eating and skittling. Tickets cost £7 and there is a choice of fish and chips or chicken and chips or veggie burger and chips. So get inviting your non Christian friends! Names of those attending, meal choice and money need to be with Pauline at Richmond Park Church by Sunday 23rd May at the very latest.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

3) Permission from the owner of the sound recording of each individual track you wish to use. You can ask PPL to identify who owns the sound recording and give you the contact details of that owner. You then have to apply to the owner of that particular sound recording for permission to use that track.

PPL stands for Phonographic Performance Limited

http://www.ppluk.com/

email: member.info@ppluk.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 020 7534 1122 to ask PPL to identify who owns the sound recording and give you the contact details of that owner

or for general information, email: iestyn.david@ppluk.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 020 7534 1257


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

2) Permission from the publisher that owns the rights of whoever wrote each individual track you wish to use. You need to complete a MCPS Information Supply Form for prior approval of online music use. (MCPS are also trialling some blanket licences, to save you having to get a licence for each individual track, which may be worth while if you intend to use lots of tracks.)

MCPS is the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

email: newtech@mcps.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 020 8378 7500

They will need to know the song title, artist, the nature of your website, context of music use, number of hits per month, and how long you want the licence to last. It also helps if you can provide the name of the composer, publishers, and the duration of music use. Or you can discuss the possibility of some sort of blanket licence.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

When the worship was over, the sermon started and during the sermon, I heard those same three words again ‘Come, follow me’. After the sermon, the church pastor said ‘If anyone wants to become a Christian, then come to the front’. So I quickly prayed my first prayer asking if these words and visions were really from God. Shortly after I prayed, I heard that same voice and saw that same vision of Jesus as before. The voice said ‘Yes Come, follow me’. So I went forward, got prayed for and became a Christian. That was 9 years ago and I’m still a Christian today. It hasn’t always been an easy 9 years but I know that God has been there for me and has helped me through both the good and bad times.


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

So I went to this baptism and as the worship started it all felt a bit strange because this was a modern church and my vision of church at the time was old fashioned traditional, pews and church organ church. But this was different. This was a lively all dancing, all singing church with a band not an organ. As the worship went on, I somehow (don’t know how) joined in with the worship and closed my eyes. After a while, in my mind, I had a picture of Jesus and I heard a voice in my head saying ‘Come, follow me’. I just dismissed the picture and the voice as I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Mark's Story: Before I became a Christian, I was just a normal teenager into girls, sex, etc. I had no contact with any Christians and didn’t really think much about life and God. However, when I attended college, there was this Christian in my class who I got very friendly with. Halfway through the college year, his girlfriend was getting baptised. He invited me to her baptism and I said yes just to keep him happy and I suppose I was a bit curious about God and Church at the time but always put it at the back of my mind and denied it.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

1) Permission to broadcast music online. You need to apply for a PRS Online Licence.

PRS stands for Performing Right Society

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx

email: darren.house@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 0207 306 4248


richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.