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.

Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Down is Easier than Up

Philippians 3v12,14  “I press on … I press on … heavenwards”

To go down is to submit to the pull of gravity, and requires little effort. When I am out cycling, going uphill requires effort and takes time; by contrast, coming down enables freewheeling and is all over so quickly.

I am minded as we see some of the events in the US of how fragile the privileges and the blessings we have in this world are. Let us take care to protect what we have and move upwards rather than downwards. Moving upwards together often requires us to disadvantage ourselves and our views. As we enter another lockdown, we also find the removal of our normal freedoms, and we disadvantage ourselves for the sake of the whole.

What is 2021 going to mean for you? What are your ambitions for the year? How spiritually ambitious are you? Are you going to drift downwards this year or move on upwards? Up will take effort, and sometimes be a hard slog. In the Bible, the glory of God’s presence is often encountered on the mountain (think Moses on Sinai, Elijah on Carmel, Jesus being transfigured). It takes effort to get up a mountain, but the reward vastly outweighs the effort.

In John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”, one of the handicaps poor Christian has is the baggage he takes with him. What baggage is holding you back on your spiritual journey? What is it that you need to cast off?

Many things may get in the way of goals you set for 2021, but your relationship with God is down to you – it is not up to other people, and God is always open and faithful.

May 2021 be a year of adventure in the Lord for you as you discover more of the wonders of his love and purpose for you. Press on!!

With love and blessing,

Roland

News

• Coming Sundays through Lockdown
  • We are offering physical meeting at Admaston House as well as online this coming Sunday in accord with government guidelines.
    • We want to enable everyone to participate in the way appropriate to them.
    • To mitigate risk, we will exceed government guidelines in terms of our leading of worship and the spacing of chairs.
    • No intermingling is permitted which will mean that all attendees must go to their seat on entry. Attendees must also leave the premises as soon as they leave their seat rather than interact with others.
    • The Zoom time will be able to continue as normal with the use of a roaming microphone in the room.
  • Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/live
  • Youtube on Hope Community Church Admaston channel. https://youtu.be/om36aPJQpQY

• Testimony
  • Over the coming weeks, we will be refocusing our testimony slot for the broadcast. We would like each of you to share your favourite Bible verse and explain why it is your favourite. What do you think? Are you up for participating with that? If so, please contact Roland and he can timetable a Sunday for you.

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.

Prayer

• For all those who are impacted by the latest lockdown and by the changes in our relationship with the EU. Let’s pray too for the US at this time.
• For our young people and teachers with the changes in their education and exams.
• For Hope to overcome fear!

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.

Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

God’s Plan to become human

John 1v1,14  “In the beginning was the Word …  the Word was God … the Word became flesh .”

Keep reflecting on the creator of the universe becoming a human being like you and I. Such is God’s desire to meet with you. He changed history, he changed the world, and he is changing you.

May you know the love of the Lord for you this Christmas.

With love and blessing for this Christmas and New Year,

Roland

News

• Coming Sundays
  • On 25^th December we will meet only on Zoom 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 publically available) and have a shorter Zoom time.
  • Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/live
  • Youtube on Hope Community Church Admaston channel. https://youtu.be/om36aPJQpQY
  • We will return to live in-person worship on 10^th
• Carol service
  • A big thank you to all involved in putting on the Carol Service. We have had some very positive feedback which is fantastic. May seeds have been sown which bear much fruit. For those of you not on WhatsApp, about 120 people were present for the evening and attendees commended both the safety of the event and the programme.
• Email
  • There will be no church email next week.

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.

Prayer:

• For all who attended the Carol Service.
• For our nation to turn back to God at this time of uncertainty.
• Do use your prayer diary cards to pray for each one of us.

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.

Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

God’s Plan to bring you Joy

Acts 2v28  “You fill me with joy in your presence.”

The presence of the LORD is a key theme. Peter quotes the above verse from the Old Testament, so let’s consider the blessings of God’s presence from there:

We might not be able to have a big party this year, but “you will fill me with joy in your presence” Psalm 16v11

We might not be able to have many guests to dinner, but you can be “eating and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 27v7

There may be many things to fear this Christmas, but “In the shelter of your presence you hide them … you keep them safe in your dwelling.” Psalm 31v20

There may be many things we lack this Christmas, but “Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.” Psalm 21v6

The direction ahead may be unclear, but “Blessed are those .. who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.” Psalm 89v15

In that light the command in Deuteronomy 15v20 “Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the LORD” is not a burdensome command at all. And I think is New Testament people can do it more often!!

The heart of Christmas is the presence of the LORD – Immanuel. As many of us enjoy a quieter Christmas let’s take the opportunity to dwell in His presence.

May you know the presence of the Lord, and so know his love, joy and peace this Christmas time.

With love and blessing,

Roland

News

• This Sunday – Carol Service
  • The Carol Service at 5pm is a “bookings only”. Please book for you and your friends by 5pm Friday 18^th. At hopeadmaston.org.uk/events  We now have 49 spaces booked.
  • A huge thank you to all those who are serving with the setting up and running of the Carol Service. May the Lord use our service in His way for His kingdom.
  • There will be no morning meeting either physical or streamed, but you can join us at 9.30am for setting up for the carol service. See instructions for helpers sent on WhatsApp yesterday.

• Coming Sundays
  • 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.
  • Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/live
  • Youtube on Hope Community Church Admaston channel. https://youtu.be/om36aPJQpQY
  • We will return to live in-person worship on 10^th
• Giving to Breadtrust for Christmas
  • Would you like to contribute to the work of Breadtrust this Christmas? The two projects being funded this Christmas are running a kitchen to feed physically and spiritually Roma people in Kiev, and advancing the Foundations for Farming in Zambia with a “Centre of Excellence”. You can give here.

Programme – Please contact roland@hopeadmaston.org.uk if you would 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 Carol Service. That the light of Christ would be seen and recognised by our neighbourhood.
• For our nation at this time of 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.

Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

God’s Plan from the beginning

1 Peter 1v20 “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”

Have you ever prepared or been part of a surprise party? There is a big plan afoot, but the central recipient is unaware of it. Maybe some little clues are dropped as part of the fun, but they only maintain the intrigue rather than reveal the plan.

It is a bit like that with Jesus. God chose him right from the start – and even before the start. We so often focus on ourselves and our salvation, but this salvation is much, much bigger than you or I – it is a plan that stretches right back through time, and it is a plan which stretches right across all space. God dropped little clues in the prophets, but what they meant could only be fully seen when the real thing came into view.

While the plan maybe cosmic, the reason for revelation is for you and I – so that we can participate in it. The context of the above verse is Christ being the perfect sacrificial lamb to “redeem you from the empty way of life handed down to you”.

It helps to see our present situation in the light of the big picture. God is unfolding his amazing plan. I don’t know the detail, but he has told us the destinations and he has told us how to get there. By his grace in Christ, we are indeed redeemed from the hell-road to the heaven-road.

We may remember the birth of many great men, but the birth of Jesus calls for huge celebration, because in his life, we too have life.

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.
  • If you are joining us on site, please let me remind you:
    • wear mask at all times indoors
    • sanitise hands on entry
    • Check in with the QR code (if you are able)
    • Go to your seat (we are not permitted to “intermingle” indoors in Tier 2)
    • The service itself will proceed as previously with the broadcast time and then the “Zoom” time.
    • Afterwards, we may only intermingle in groups of 6 outdoors.
  • Facebook live https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/live
  • Youtube on Hope Community Church Admaston channel. https://youtu.be/om36aPJQpQY

• Coming Sundays
  • The above is our general plan for while we are in Tier 2 restrictions.
  • 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 publically available) and have a shorter Zoom time.
  • We will return to live in person worship on 10^th

• Carol Service
  • If you are willing to help with logistics or marshalling, please let Natalie know.

• Magazines
  • There are still a couple of sets of magazines to be distributed. If you are able to support this, it will be greatly appreciated.

• Microgroups
  • Last call for the first batch of Microgroups. If you would like to be part of one for just 15-20 minutes each week at a time to suit your group, please message Helen or Natalie.

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

Prayer

Give thanks

• For our church family together.

Prayer

• For the magazines going out, those distributing magazines and the Carol Service as it becomes publicised.
• “Ask, Seek, Knock” for God to be changing us to his likeness by the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
• For those who are unwell or feeling low at the present time.

Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Constant in Change

Psalm 13v5 ” But I trust in your unfailing love”

As we face changing rules and regulations once again, and as maybe there are frustrations and concerns for many about Christmas, let’s focus on the words of this Psalm to bring our thoughts to God:

¹ How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
² How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

³ Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
⁴ and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

⁵ But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
⁶ I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

And then let’s reflect on the words of the song by Jesus Culture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
This one thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up never runs out on me

Because on and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains
This one thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up never runs out on me

In death in life
I’m confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid
There’s nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

Your love never fails, never gives up never runs out on me

May the Lord fill your heart and mind with a confidence in Him who loves you and is working for your good.

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

• Tier 2 status
  • We will communicate the plans for Sunday 6^th next week.

• Carol Service
  • We are able to continue with this for the community.
  • We have identified about 20 jobs across logistics (marshalls, serving etc) and technical, so we will need a lot of support on the evening. There will also be significant set up in the couple of days before (lights, tree, stage, tech, signage). If you are willing to help please message Roland.
  • The Hope Magazines are ready to go out advertising this. As Natalie has highlighted there are 4 piles left if you are able to do 1.
  • The Carol Service planning team who have done a fantastic job getting ideas together will meet Monday 30^th November at 7.30pm on Zoom to finalise way forward.

• Christmas Giving
  • At the Carol service, any cash donated will be given to the local food banks.
  • As a church, we can give electronically to BREADTrust in the weeks leading up to Christmas on this link https://www.give.net/HopeCarolConcert . Gifts in this period will go to the following projects:
    • In Zambia, monies will go towards developing a Centre of Excellence where rural pastors will be trained in farming, market gardening and other means of earning a living.  Also, monies will go towards developing vegetable selling which has been enabled by the new bore hole drilled in the South of Zambia in response to climate change.
    • In Ukraine your giving will go towards work serving and helping the poor Roma gypsy community in Kiev through providing food and sharing the Gospel.

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 the magazines going out, those distributing magazines and the Carol Service as it becomes publicised.
• For those who are unwell 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.

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.