Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Staying Up

Ephesians 6v13  “… and after you have done everything, to stand.”

So this coming Monday is what is sometimes called “Blue Monday” – the day is described as the most depressing of the year due to the combination of various seasonal pressures including the weather and post-Christmas blues.

Don’t let it bite you: God gives us a strategy to overcome such things:

• Take every thought captive – to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10v5). We have a responsibility to control our thinking so that each thought we have is in line with Christ.
• Focus on Jesus and what he has done for you (Hebrews 12v1-3). That control of our thinking is best done by focusing our attention on Jesus: consider the suffering he went through for you so that you could be a forgiven child of God; consider how he has filled with his Spirit and has prepared heaven for you. You can lead your thinking in this way through whatever means suit you. Keep focusing on Him until a spirit of thankfulness rises up in you.
• Approach God with your difficulties, but also with thankfulness (Philippians 4v4-7). So now, with that spirit of thankfulness also in you, you are able to present all your requests to Him. The result is that his peace will guard your heart and mind.

May it be for you a day of the joy of the Lord,

With love and blessing,

Roland

News

• Sundays 10.30am through Lockdown – as on WhatsApp earlier in the week:
  • If you are able to join us by Facebook/Youtube and Zoom, please do so over the coming weeks:
    • Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/live
    • Youtube on Hope Community Church Admaston channel: https://youtu.be/om36aPJQpQY
  • If you are not able to join as above, you may meet physically at Admaston House in accord with our policy of exceeding government guidelines.
    • Mask on
    • Sanitise hands on entry
    • Go straight to a seat (households are spaced at least 3m apart).
    • Do not intermingle.
    • You may contribute to the Zoom call via the roaming microphone.
    • Leave the premises as soon as you have left your seat.

• Bible verse Testimony
  • Thank you very much to all who have come back to me with regards to sharing a verse of Scripture and explaining why. I am encouraged and may the Lord bring much light to the hearts of many through your verses.
• Christmas Appeals
  • Thank you to those who contributed to the Breadtrust Christmas Appeal. Our Shropshire churches gave a total of just over £7000 towards the work of developing a Foundations for Farming Centre of Excellence in Zambia and towards physically and spiritually feeding Roma people in Ukraine .
  • We were also able to give £240 to the Telford foodbanks as a result of the Carol Service offering.

Programme – Please contact roland@hopeadmaston.org.uk if you would like to join any of our meetings on 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.
• For the implementation of the vaccines. There are several in the church who have either had it or are about to have it.

Prayer:

• For those recovering from covid-19.
• For our young people and teachers with the changes in their education and exams.
• For the light to shine brightly from us Christ-carriers!

Other general information

Pastoral Care during Lockdown 3 – If you are in isolation and need support (e.g. shopping), please contact natalie@hopeadmaston.org.uk who will arrange with the team of helpers.