Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Priority in the Lockdown

Acts 28v30-31 “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul was under guard in Rome (28v16), but it was in his own home. Hopefully our lockdown doesn’t last 2 years!!

Paul had a very clear priority in life! It meant that whenever he came to a “lockdown” situation, whether it was on a ship, in a prison, or in his own home, he got on with his priority.

Maybe this is a time when your priorities are revealed by what you find to do? What is your number one priority in life? What are you aiming for? What are you seeking to achieve? Maybe lockdown is giving you more time to achieve this. Maybe you are needing to explore how you can do this at this time: each situation presents a new opportunity. Maybe lockdown is causing questions about your real purpose.

Jesus is clear that our priority is “the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6v33); for Paul, this was to reach others with the good news of Jesus. What ways can you/we find to share the good news of Jesus at this time?

In this light it is wonderful to have two Alphas and the Assemblies group on the go (see below). Carpe diem!

May God fill us with his heart for the lost and a courage to step out,

With love and blessing,

Roland

News

  1. Alpha – Dave and Emily are launching an Alpha course with some young adults this Friday afternoon. Please pray for the smooth running of the course, for the presence of God on Dave and Emily as they lead, and that those who join would have their eyes opened to Jesus.
  2. Assemblies – Helen has started a small team to prepare pre-recorded “assemblies” for families in lockdown with children aged 5-11. This is a fantastic new venture to share the good news with children and significant work is going into it. Rebekah and Emily are working with her at present. If you would like to contribute in some way, please let Helen know. Please pray for wisdom in all the decisions being taken and for effectiveness of the end product.
  3. Zambia – We are advised by the churches we support there that the harvest is good in the North of the country, but very poor in the South due to such dry weather. The churches are currently looking at putting bore holes in the Southern areas to support future harvests. Please pray for wisdom for the churches in their response and for resources to be able to implement.

Programme – Please contact Roland if  you would like to join any of the Zoom groups.

  •  Sunday – Youtube – search for “Hope Community Church Admaston Songs Sunday”.Facebook – Hope Community Church Admaston page https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/?ref=bookmarks Afterwards (about 11.00), we would love you to join us on Zoom for some time together.
  • Small Groups – Tony & Andrea’s – Alternate Wednesdays at 7.30pm  (message Tony for details) – Roland & Sue’s – Some Sunday evenings at 7pm (message Roland for details)
  • Prayer times – Wednesday morning  – 8am-8.30 every week Monday 3rd May – 7.30pm
  • Coffee shop on Zoom – 10 – 11.30 weekdays – this is a chance to just come on to the Zoom meeting room with your coffee and have a chat with whoever is there.
  • Crochet & Craft on Zoom – 10-11.30 Saturdays – Lisa is leading a group who can meet over craft with guidance offered.
  • Men’s Group (St Cs) – 7.30pm Tuesdays on Zoom.  Going through the “The Questions Christians hope no one will ask” book.
  • Ladies’ Group (St Cs) – 7.30pm Thursdays on Zoom.
  • Youth on Zoom – 6.30pm Sundays 3rd & 17th May
  • Youth Alpha – 4-5.30pm Wednesday and Thursday.
  • Alpha – 2.30pm Fridays
  • Hope Socials – Family Games night on Zoom Friday 2nd May 6.45 for 7pm start.
  • Prayer – Give thanks
    • For the hope we have in Christ Jesus
    • Those who are listening into our Sunday morning worship who would not normally be with us.
    • For our church community.
    •  Prayer
      • Use your prayer diary to pray for each person in our church family.
      • For the Youth Alpha which is continuing and the alpha course just starting.
      • Let’s pray for successful outcomes in the vaccine trials being started and planned as this seems to be the main natural solution to the Coronavirus problem.

Other general information

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

 

Spring Harvest – Resources continue to be available here https://www.youtube.com/user/SpringHarvest/videos .

 

Coronavirus talks – You may like to access these two links to good talks regarding God and the Coronavirus: