以马内利——神与我们同在 

以马内利。这是我们在圣诞节欢唱时唱出的歌,是我们在圣经中虔诚诵读的经文,也是我们在祷告中充满盼望的呼求。然而,它“神与我们同在”的含义远比节日的祝福或一句安慰的话语更加深刻。它是基督徒生命的脉搏,是确信神并非遥不可及、抽象或冷漠,而是进入了人类经验的纷繁复杂与美好之中,与我们同在,住在我们里面。对于朗尼米德基督徒团契而言,这一真理不仅塑造了我们的敬拜,也塑造了我们的身份和使命,提醒我们每一次信心的行动都始于对神与我们同在的确信。

从耶稣降生于马槽的那一刻起,以马内利的非凡宣告便变得触手可及。神选择了同在而非权柄,选择了关系而非炫耀。祂没有身披华丽的王袍,而是用襁褓包裹着,没有被显贵抱在怀里,而是被谦卑的父母抱在怀里。在那简单的场景中,我们瞥见了一个我们永远不应失去的真理:上帝乐意在任何境况下与我们同在,不仅在我们成功的时刻,也在我们恐惧、迷茫和默默渴望的时刻。以马内利,就是那位进入平凡生活,并以神圣旨意充满其中的上帝。

在耶稣的地上事工中,他揭示了上帝与我们同在的深意。他与渔夫、税吏和被社会遗弃的人同行,走过尘土飞扬的道路。他与被社会抛弃的人同席。他触摸不洁之人,安慰悲伤之人,修复破碎之人,并扶起羞愧之人。他聆听,他哭泣,他欢笑,他祷告。耶稣表明,“与我们同在”并非被动的存在,而是积极而充满爱的参与。他的同在并非以压倒性的力量改变我们,而是以温柔而持久的恩典。

甚至十字架也诉说着以马内利的语言。耶稣选择为人类受苦受死,他完全认同了我们的痛苦、罪孽和与上帝的隔绝。祂曾直面最深的孤独,使我们永远不必再经历同样的痛苦。在坟墓的寂静中,在复活带来胜利之前,以马内利始终与我们同在——即使在死亡中,神也与我们同在,确保没有黑暗深不可测,祂的同在能够进入并救赎我们。当祂复活时,祂不仅战胜了死亡,更永远地印证了祂的同在不再受时间或地域的限制。

复活之后,耶稣应许门徒,祂必与他们同在,直到世界的末了。这并非比喻性的安慰,而是祂圣灵的真实恩赐。在五旬节,以马内利从与我们同在的神,进入了我们里面的神。圣灵成为基督在信徒生命中永恒的同在,引导、安慰、责备并赐予力量。我们永不孤单,因为以马内利并非历史的记忆,而是当下的真实。

在我们的团契中,这一真理重塑了我们聚集的方式、祷告的方式和服事的方式。我们周日聚集在一起,并非仅仅出于责任或传统。我们怀着期盼而来,因为以马内利在我们敬拜中与我们相遇。当我们高声歌唱,当我们擘饼,当我们分享经文,与我们同在的神就亲近我们,鼓励我们,挑战我们,更新我们。当我们彼此代祷时,我们深知以马内利正以我们看不见的方式动工,将希望编织进受伤的心灵,带来超越理解的平安。

在日常生活中,同样的应许也使我们稳固。当工作令人不堪重负,当人际关系紧张,当疾病令人恐惧,或当疑问悬而未决时,以马内利与我们同在。他不是远距离的旁观者,而是与我们同在的伙伴。他的同在并非总能消除困难,但他改变了我们对困难的体验,提醒我们,勇气并非源于没有恐惧,而是源于对神圣同在的觉知。

以马内利也激励我们走向他人。因为神与我们同在,我们也蒙召去与他人相处。陪伴成为服事,聆听成为爱。怜悯化作见证。在邻里、职场和家庭中,我们承载着基督的同在,这并非通过惊天动地的举动,而是通过忠诚、仁慈和对神已然动工的默默信心。

当我们继续携手同行,成为团契的一员时,愿以马内利不仅仅是我们所庆祝的名字,更是我们活出的真实。愿神与我们同在,在我们的敬拜中,在我们的交谈中,在我们的喜乐与悲伤中,在我们门徒生涯的每一步。愿祂的同在塑造着我们,使他人透过我们瞥见那位亲近我们、永不离弃之主的盼望。 

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Planning your Visit

Why not plan a visit to try us out?


studentwelcomer 

Whether this is your first time visiting a church or you’ve attended another church for years, we understand that visiting a new church can be a bit overwhelming. To help make it a bit easier, we’ve done our best to answer some questions you may have, so your first experience is a little less overwhelming.

Runnymede Christian Fellowship is a church based in Egham but serving a much larger geographical area. Those who call us home come from EghamVirginia Water, Staines, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Pooley Green, Maidenhead, Ascot, Sunbury, Heathrow, Slough, Ashford, Thorpe, Windsor, Woking and beyond.

Our church is a community of believers who gather regularly to share life and demonstrate God's love. We do this by encouraging and serving each other and the community. We believe in the power of prayer and are always happy to pray for you.
 

Church - What to expect

Our Sunday service is available to stream online at 11 am. You can join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or X.

The Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane in Egham, open to all, so if you would like to join us, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions, please call us on 01784 637010.

We run a physical Sunday School most weeks. If you would like your children to receive a weekly Sunday School teaching pack that you can do from home, please email us at admin@e-runnymede.co.uk so that we can send you the materials.
 

Sunday Venue at Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham


 Prophetic word for students -

Our Sunday service starts at 11.00 and typically lasts about 90 minutes.

We begin each service with lively worship, featuring songs from around the world, followed by inspiring, Bible-based teaching. All our sermons are recorded and are available as a podcast after the service.

We have a monthly cycle of Sunday services, with our Communion Service on the first Sunday of each month and an All-Age All-Nation Service on the second. Our other Sunday services include Spirit-focused and teaching services.

We have consciously adopted being a blended church, that is, both online and face-to-face. You are welcome to join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or X, or catch up with the recordings later.
 

Joining us in person

Visiting a new and unfamiliar church for the first time can be intimidating, but we want to ensure you feel welcome and enjoy your time with us. A friendly face will be waiting to meet you at the entrance and welcome you. 

Doors open at 10:30 for coffee and prayer.
Our Sunday Service starts at 11:00 and typically runs for about 90 minutes, normally followed by tea and coffee.
 

Driving and Car Parking

Our Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham, TW20 9DR, which has ample parking. 
Click on the link for directions to RCF.

We have plenty of parking spaces right outside the building. Spaces are reserved near the entrance for anyone with mobility issues (those with a blue badge). Please let us know if you need to use one of these spaces, have any special needs, or require any assistance.

The car parking area is a public area, so please ensure that your children are under your control and that, for their safety, they do not run around in the car park.
 

Visiting with children?

Everyone is welcome at RCF. We encourage everyone, regardless of age, to join the service. We offer Sunday School, which begins after worship and runs concurrently with the sermon for 30 to 40 minutes, serving children aged 4 to 12. On the second Sunday of each month, we have a shorter All-Aged All Nations Service, where the children stay for the worship and the sermon.
 

After Church

We chat over coffee and biscuits after church on the first, third, fourth and fifth Sundays. If you want to get to know us better, why not join us for Sunday lunch with some of our members? The first meal is on us (Voucher provided).  Please contact us and let us know. We would love to share a meal and get to know you better!

Fellowship Feast  
 

Want to connect?

If you're interested in connecting with us, whether to join our online community or attend our Sunday gatherings, please use our connect card.
 

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please review our FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers to many common questions. If you still have questions or concerns, please contact us; we’d love to hear from you.
 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO RCF!!

 
To contact us or see a map, click here.

Our address is Virginia Lodge, Heritage Court, Egham
Virginia Lodge Ariel
13/02/2023
 
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