To La Côte Church family and friends and visitors,
Dear *|FIRSTNAME|*
A Summer Heatwave
It’s the end of June as I write this note and already the apartment is uncomfortably warm. The local newspaper reports record temperatures in several cantons and the forecasters are warning us that the hot weather is likely to continue throughout the summer. So, I follow the guidelines and keep the windows shut during the day, only opening them at night, and I have fans and ventilators and plenty of cold drinks…
Even so, in my flat on sultry afternoons, like today, I am generally in somnolent mood. Perhaps it’s the ventilation or the insulation or some other constructional feature that is at fault, but my neighbours agree the building is uncomfortably warm, in fact – it’s hot!
Now even at the best of times my mind is given to idle wandering, a failing which I naturally try to curb. But, one sultry afternoon, my mind was off on its musings. It began by wondering whether the architect of our apartment block had had connections with Babylon or at least been privy to their building secrets - possibly a follower of the architectural school of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was, I understand, an advocate of furnaces. Were his building techniques applied as a blueprint here?
The story of the fiery furnace is familiar to us all (Daniel 3). The three young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego trusted God and refused to worship the king’s statue, so Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to be thrown into the furnace. As the king watched what was supposed to be their execution, he saw not three but four figures in the flames. And the fourth figure was divine in appearance. The Most High God had stepped in to save his followers.
The story is more than a timely reminder that however hot it may get, God is always present with us; our God is a God who cares and stands beside us through every danger and all our suffering.
The story is a resounding statement of reassurance and love. In the midst of the mess that our world is in, whatever the power struggles and whatever the strength or magnificence of the Nebuchadnezzars of our day, ultimate sovereignty lies with God. God’s priorities are not the priorities of the world, nor does God measure by its criteria. We are freed, by God’s grace, from serving the world’s values and its idols:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king that we will not serve your gods.” Daniel 3:17-18
Revd Adèle Kelham
Offering accommodation to Ukrainian refugees
In Switzerland – contact OSAR Organisation Suisse d’Aide aux Réfugiées. https://www.osar.ch/agir/aide-pour-les-personnes-refugiees-ukrainiennes/familles-daccueil
In France – http://www.ain.gouv.fr/situation-en-ukraine-accueil-et-solidarite-a7226.html
Or – contact the local association ALIAS 01 who work in the Pays de Gex to support integration of refugees, including Ukrainians arriving. Please click HERE.
Please click HERE for more information from our La Côte Church website.
Adjusted Covid Measures at La Côte Anglican Church
Update 7 April 2022 - Read more
PLEASE NOTE – If you are hesitating to come to one of our main services but would like Holy Communion or private prayer in person, please contact Revd Adèle Kelham.
For any prayer requests for yourself or others, please contact Peta Tracey who will share in confidence with our Tuesday prayer group where we pray for the needs of our world and community.
Worship this week-end
Sunday 7 August – 8th Sunday after Trinity
16.00 Gingins Holy Communion celebrated by Revd Adèle Kelham
Worship next week-end
Sunday 14 August – 9th Sunday after Trinity
10.00 Divonne Holy Communion celebrated by Revd Adèle Kelham |