Wincanton Baptist Church

Please note the update with the funeral details in the post below. If you have any questions please ring Kath Paull our Church Secretary on 01985 844553

Pastor Andrew Ireland

Andrew, our beloved pastor passed to be with the Lord last night. He passed peacefully in his sleep. We rejoice that God has released him from the cancer that was slowly eating away at him. He is now with his Father in Heaven rejoicing with the multitudes. We want to thank all of you for your consistent prayers since Andrew received his diagnosis.

In his all too short pastorate his dedication to Gods service has made a huge impact in our small fellowship, and into the community beyond. He will be greatly missed by his family, our fellowship and our community. Please continue to pray for Cathryn and the boys through this difficult time. We pray that, in time, great sadness will turn to wonderful memories.

Funeral:
Family and close friends will attend the Wells (Mendip) crematorium at 12 noon on Thursday 14th July.

Service of Celebration:
Following on from the cremation at Wells Crematorium there will be a service celebrating Andrew’s life and ministry in Wincanton on Thursday 14th July 2011.

Venue: St. Lukes and St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, South Street, Wincanton.
Time: 2pm

For all visitors free car parking is availoable at Churchfilds Car Park, or in the Carrington Way Car Park. Both are a short walk from the church.

OK, we had the Royal wedding, but this one was really the wedding of the year. Why? Because Ian and Cherie are part of our family here at WBC.

It finally happened. They tied the knot yesterday at Halcon Baptist Church in Taunton. It was great to be there to witness this special event. It was good to see so many from our fellowship making the effort to support them on this special day.

Cherie looked radiant, and Ian was the smart groom, looking nervous as he waited for the bride to arrive. The service went well with the church being packed out. We had the added bonus of a local Christian ladies choir to lead us.

During the signing of the register we were entertained by a duet comprising piano and flute. This was followed by a flute solo, giving a very professional performance that clearly touched the hearts of the congregation.

Well, that’s it Ian. You now have a lovely wife to look up to………..and obey??? We all know who the boss in that new household. Well that’s what they think. WRONG! I was thinking smaller and four legs. Hee! Hee!

Well! Who would have believed it. With so many of our flock fighting serious and life threatening illness, I think we all assumed that Pastor Andrew would have been the first to meet his Heavenly Father. We
all knew that dave was fighting a hard battle against cancer, but we thought that he had a good few months yet. So we were all taken aback when Dave passed to be with his Lord. I was able to spend a time with him in hospital when he and Maggie returned from France. When I saw him I knew that all was not well. But, like Andrew, Dave has always been a positive man, and he was looking to his Lord in all of this.

Jane and I were in London for the weekend with Joanna and had been to a production of “The Passion” in Trafalgar Square, on Good Friday. We were looking forward to celebrating the ressurrection on Easter Sunday. We were just about to l;eave for church when Sue rang us with the news of Dave’s passing.

Despite a clear feeling of loss and sadness, all the way through the church service celebrating the risen Christ I could only think about Dave and the fact that as far as I can see, he had just made the most perfect transition from this life to a new life, not in Christ, but “WITH” Christ. Dave had risen from the dead to be with Jesus on the very day that we celebrate Jesus own resurrection. Typing this account weeks after the event I still feel the emotion of it.

We will miss his cheeriness at WBC, but know that he is now with his Master. Our hearts and prayers remain with Maggie. Please keep the
prayers going for Maggie and her son Matthew, who is also fighting the same cancer as Pastor Andrew.

Aplogies for taking so long to post this.

As most folks are well aware our Pastor, Andrew has retired due to ill health. However, even in ill health Andrew remains an amazing example to us all. Facing a new chapter in his relationship with God, Andrew continues to be an amazing example to us all. He may have retired as our pastor, but the pastor’s heart is clear Sunday by Sunday as he and the family faithfully attend worship. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has seen him still ministering in prayer after services.

We thank God for his service here at WBC. It may only have been a short pastorate, but in that short time he has made a huge impact on us as a fellowship. He has also made a huge impact in surrounding churches and the schools.

We are so pleased that Cathryn, Matthew and Luke will be staying with us. They are part of WBC, as we all are. We are part of God’s family here in Wincanton. Please continue to support them, and Peter and Francis in prayer.

Quiet Morning.

On April 19^th we held a Quiet morning at Wincanton Baptist Church. It was an informal morning with displays based on Psalm 23.

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