John 14:8-14 ‘Show us the Father’ –What is God like? –God is like Jesus Christ! For people without active faith... –God is like the church! –You and me, corporately –We are responsible for our bit of his church, calling ourselves ‘St James, Taunton’

–So we hope you / others will find... –God through his Holy Spirit, expressed in Welcome Safety Belonging A place to use gifts Generosity Warmth and comfort Challenge and opportunity Care and friendship Uplifting worship Honest teaching –For all ages and across our town’s social divides

Of course we are not perfect –But it’s down to each committed Christian to ‘Show the Father’ ‘Ask in my name’ ‘Do the works I have been doing’ –Just obey Jesus! –Leave the results and consequences to God

John 14:15-27 ‘I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you’ –You plural –The body of Jesus today

John 14:15-27 ‘I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you’ –You plural –The ONLY body of Jesus today is his church ‘But Lord, why do you show yourself to us and not to the world?’ –‘anyone who loves me will obey my teaching’ –‘anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching’ –Only Christians can be, and show Christ Our amazing and sacred mission!

St James’ church finances A non-accountant’s version!

MISSION at St. James £ People and expenses 69,000 ( £40,000 of the ‘Parish share’ plus expenses, office, caretaker, evangelism) TOTAL Mission here 100,000 The building 31,000 (Gas, electricity, insurance 11,500 plus repairs and maintenance 19,500)

Mission from St. James’ £ Total anticipated outgoings 140,000 Add previous total (mission here)96,000 Mission in Somerset 30,000 (rest of Parish Share) Outward mission giving 14,000 (TYFC, Mission Partners, Debt advice)

ANTICIPATED INCOME 2016 ….. £ Voluntary giving (84,000) + tax back (20,000)104,000 Other – donations, fees, hall hire (20,000), car park (4,400) interest etc NB if we rely on this hall can’t be used for church groups32,000 TOTAL anticipated INCOME 136,000 Anticipated TOTAL EXPENDITURE 140,000

Individual giving What kind of amount? –If you don’t have to think and plan, and probably give something else up, you’re not giving enough –We need an average of £50 per month per person!! Everyone! –According to their means –Remember the widow’s two small coins... –But God knows how you choose to spend your money (we can fool ourselves but not him!) –Start now with a small promised amount each week or month

NB 1)Please gift-aid your giving. We currently get £19,000 per year from tax refunds and it could be more! –Praise God for this provision by our successive governments 2)Please give by standing order if you possibly can that way it comes out first from your monthly budget however little you pledge –And it greatly simplifies our treasurers’ work!

Christianity: Knowing GOD personally through Jesus Christ As part of the Church in Taunton We seek to know Christ better, and to make him better known We do this through varied and lively worship, learning to apply God’s word in the Bible, and being filled with his Holy Spirit

‘‘I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength’ (St Paul in Phil 4:13) ‘...and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus’