Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Rising Up

Isaiah 40v31  “… but those who hope in the LORD will… soar on wings like eagles”

I believe God wants us to rise up in Him. I would like to just contemplate some Bible verses concerning “rising up”:

1. It depends on us trusting in God – “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” Psalm 20:7-8
2. Evil can rise up against us – “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!” Psalm 3v1
3. Though we may fall, in Christ we can rise up again – “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” Proverbs 24:16, NIV
4. We call on the LORD to rise up “Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.’” Numbers 10:35
5. We can be sure the LORD will rise up to rescue us  “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18
6. There is a time for us to rise up and act – “‘Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.’” Ezra 10:4
7. The reason we can rise now is because his glory rises upon us – “ ‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” Isaiah 60:1-2
8. We look forward to a time when we will rise to be with Christ forever – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven … and the dead in Christ will rise first” 1 Thessalonians 4:16

You may also like to meditate on this theme using the following songs:

• I will rise (What a peace I’ve come to know) by Chris Tomlin  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzBFv3Bzn3o
• It’s rising up by Matt Redman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzBFv3Bzn3o

With love and blessing,

Roland

News

• Sundays 10.30am through Lockdown – a reminder as previous weeks:
  • 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.

• Recommended book – Time to Act
  • Last Sunday I recommended “A call to Act – Building a poverty-busting lifestyle”. It the latest of 3 books by Martin Charlesworth and Natalie Williams who head up Jubilee+ . This is a vital part of our whole-life discipleship.
  • You can see videos about the book here acalltoact.co.uk/
  • A good place to purchase the book is here, though it is also available on Amazon at a higher price. standrewsbookshop.co.uk/product/a-call-to-act/

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 famiily together.
• For the good promises that are ours in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

• For those of us who are unwell or recovering from Covid-19.
• For each of us to “rise on wings as eagles” at this time.

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.