Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Uncovering the problem!

Psalm 139v24 “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Builders have been working on the community centre we use for almost the whole of 2020. Sometimes we have found walls which could not be built on and we just had to take them down and start again. But there have also been points where decisions have had to be made as to whether we strip back and start again, or whether we just cover the old with new.

One such occasion occurred last week. We were going to use a suspended ceiling covering the existing one, but for various reasons we decided to take down the existing one and replace it. The hard news was that in taking the old down and revealing the joists, we found dry rot at one end, woodworm in the middle and a cracked beam at the other end. This news was hard, but it was far better to have uncovered it now than later have some misfortune.

The cracked oak beam had been supporting an outside wall for more than 150 years. At some point in its history, someone had screwed a steel plate over the crack to try and hold it together. However the crack had continued to grow and now extended beyond the plate. No option now, but to take it out and replace it.

We have all lived life, and so hidden beneath our façade are damaged and corroded parts that are better dealt with than covered up. Unchecked, these may be the point of failure in the time of crisis.

David’s prayer in this psalm is a brave one. He has described earlier in the Psalm how well God knows him (eg v1-4) – every detail is seen (v11-12). To be opened up for surgery is never comfortable, but the end result is life. David appreciates this. He understands that as God opens him up spiritually and deals with the areas of weakness in his life, God is actually preparing and leading him in the way that will last forever.

Are you struggling with life at the moment? Is God opening up areas of our lives that need more of his healing touch? Are we ready to pray the prayer of David?

“In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Romans 8v28

With love and blessing,

Roland

News

• This Sunday
  • We will be broadcasting from Admaston House with a live worship band. If you are not involved in this, please stay home and watch on the links below.
  • Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/live
  • YouTube on Hope Community Church Admaston channel. https://youtu.be/om36aPJQpQY
• Microgroups
  • Helen King shared on Sunday about how for a few weeks a group of 3/4 of them met online for about 15-20 minutes each week at a time that suits them. 9.30 in the evening worked for them and they could change the day each week according to their availability. They would spend a few minutes catching up and then praying and sharing together.
  • Helen is now organising (with Natalie) other “Microgroups”. We would like to encourage you to take part in one of these groups. If you are interested, do contact Helen for more information or Natalie to express interest.
• Thank you
  • To Dan and Rebekah for running the Tearfund Quiz last Saturday evening so well. £220 was raised for Tearfund through the evening.
• “Real Advent Calendars”
  • Last chance if you would like one for children you know – contact Sue.

Programme – Please contact roland@hopeadmaston.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 one another on our prayer diaries.
• Let’s pray for those who are currently grieving and those who are unwell at the moment.

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.