Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

God’s Plan to become Man

Philippians 2v6-7  “Being in very nature God .. made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

When did you start preparing for Christmas? I was fascinated earlier today to read that Filipinos start  their 4.5 months of Christmas celebrations at the start of September.

God starting preparing for Christmas from the start of creation as we saw last week. After several millennia of hints, the prophet Isaiah wrote about 600BC, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel” (Immanuel means “God with us”) (Isaiah 7v11). This is of course fulfilled as the angel says to Mary, “You will be with child and give birth to a son … he will be called Son of the Most High … The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God… For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1v31-38).

Sit and ponder. God decided to become man. As the Psalmist writes, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8v4). God was not just mindful of us, he became one of us – like you and I. This is a season to celebrate!

With love and blessing,

Roland

News

• This Sunday
  • We will be meeting physically this Sunday and providing a live band to lead worship. This will also be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
  • This will be our last Sunday morning physical meeting until 10^th
  • Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/live
  • YouTube on Hope Community Church Admaston channel. https://youtu.be/om36aPJQpQY

• Coming Sundays
  • On 20^th December, we will not have a morning service, though you can offer service in helping to set up for the Carol Service. Please let Natalie know if you are willing to help.
  • On 25^th December we will meet on Zoom only at 10am for about 30-40 minutes.
  • On 27^th December and 3^rd January, we will not meet physically, but will provide a broadcast with pre-recorded materials (some publicly available) and have a shorter Zoom time.
  • We will return to live in-person worship on 10^th

• Carol Service 20^th December
  • As I write, 2 or 3 spaces are being booked each day with currently 32 spaces taken.
  • Are you able to help with set up from 9.30-12 Sunday morning? Let Natalie know.
  • Are you able to help with logistics / marshalling from 4pm? Let Natalie know.
  • Please book a space for your household at hopeadmaston.org.uk/events .

• Magazines
  • Thank you to all who have contributed to the delivery of the magazines – well done!

• Let Jesus be our Battle Cry
  • Tony has done a remix of this song and it is available here. Let Jesus Be Our Battle Cry – Re-Mix – Tony Finch – Lyric Video – YouTube

Programme – Please contact roland@hopadmaston.org.uk if you would like to join any of our meetings via Zoom.

Sunday morning worship is now live-streamed on both YouTube and Facebook from Admaston House at 10.30am.

Prayer

Give thanks:

• For our church family together.

Prayer:

• For the magazines going out and the Carol Service. That the light of Christ would be seen and recognised by our neighbourhood.
• For our nation at this time of Brexit uncertainty. Praise God that our hope is in Him – may our nation turn to Him.
• For those who are unwell or feeling low at the present time.

Other general information

Pastoral Care – If you are in isolation and need support (eg shopping), please contact natalie@hopeadmaston.org.uk who will arrange with the team of helpers.