Dear Hope Family,

Thought for the Week

Let us not give up meeting together

Hebrews10v25 “And let us consider how we can spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Thank God for modern technology. God gave mankind creativity and the ability to work in teams. He made the resources in the earth. Through these things, God has given us technology. The question, as with all things, is how we use that technology.  The good news is that, even in these times, we can continue to live in the way he has called us to – together. Let us use what we have to encourage one another and find ways to build one another up in our faith. I am mindful of some of us who do not have internet access and so do not even get this email.

If you have not received or would like me to resend the email earlier in the week about the technology we are using to stay in touch going forward, please let me know.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, (Romans 15v13)

Roland

News/Programme

• Sunday  – we have had over 300 views on Facebook of Sunday’s service and additional people on Youtube. We therefore intend to continue with a public “broadcast” service in these formats. The new restrictions mean that to enable multi-person contributions, we will record this Sunday and put it on-line for 10.30 on Sunday. Remember the clocks change!
• Youtube – search for “Hope Community Church Admaston Songs Sunday”. Last Sundays is here https://hopeadmaston.org.uk/sermons/do-not-fear-live-stream/
• Facebook – Hope Community Church Admaston page https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/?ref=bookmarks
• Small Groups on Zoom –

– If you are not yet part of  small group, we encourage you to join one in this time of isolation. Please message Roland or Tony to join one.

• Prayer on Zoom – there are three opportunities for prayer with others on Zoom. Please message if you would like to access these groups. Wednesday morning – 8am-8.30 every week; Monday evening – 1^st Monday of month at 7.30pm – 9pm; Monday afternoon – 3^rd Monday of month 2pm – 3pm
• 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.
• WhatsApp Group – We have begun a Hope WhatsApp group to cascade information. Only the administrators can post. If you are local to us and have not been invited to this yet, please message Natalie (see contact details below).
• Pastoral Care – We are seeking to make sure everyone is cared for during this “lockdown”. Natalie is ready to coordinate responses to need.
• If you are in isolation as per government advice and not able to go shopping or get a prescription, please contact Natalie on by email natalie@hopeadmaston.org.uk . She will then make the request to the volunteer “Hope Help” team.
• If you are willing to volunteer to be on the “Hope Help” team (i.e. receive requests on a WhatsApp chat and respond to ones you can do), please contact Natalie.
• Neighbourly care – Do watch out for your local neighbours.

 Prayer For:

• • • • Those in isolation at the moment – the older members of our community and the Norrises and O’Mahoneys
      • Those who are working in the NHS and are extremely busy, under pressure and exposed to increased risk.
      • That God would work in a mighty way in our community and nation at this time and bring salvation to many.
      • For wisdom and patience as we change how we do things.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Where to Focus in Trouble (Coronavirus)

Hebrews12v2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross … consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

I encourage you to be on your guard against the schemes of the Evil One. He wants you to fear, but God wants to build your faith. It is time to stand our ground. We gain the capacity to do this in focusing on Jesus. It is very easy to get distracted by the news which tends to increase fear, but let us focus on Jesus the great faith builder. It is definitely possible to watch too much news (!), I recommend you limit your intake – and replace it with meditation on Jesus Christ. The news is fluid, but Jesus is our rock, and one day we are going to meet him face to face!

You may find this link helpful where John Piper talks about the Covid-19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfStzaznIzk

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, (Romans 15v13)

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Hour of Prayer (Coronavirus) – we were encouraged to have a good number of us at the prayer evening and others joining on-line. May God answer our prayers and bring shalom.
2. Meetings going forward – Most events are cancelled going forward in accordance with government guidelines. The exceptions are:

• Small groups – these will continue to meet either in person or on-line as appropriate. If you are not part of a small group at present, now is the time to join one. Please let us know. The groups already running are Finch’s group, West’s group, Men’s Group (St Cs), Ladies’ Group (St Cs), and Youth.
• Hope Prayer – this will continue to meet on a Wednesday morning at 8am (“social distancing” applied)
• Sunday Worship at 10.30 – this will be brought into your own home by streaming on the following platforms. It will not be available until about 10.20, so don’t worry about not being able to find it before then, though you will be able to access our general song channel and Facebook page.
  • Youtube – search for “Hope Community Church Admaston Songs Sunday” (I cannot provide you an actual link until the time.)
  • Facebook – Hope Community Church Admaston page https://www.facebook.com/HopeCommunityChurchAdmaston/?ref=bookmarks
• We will celebrate communion together during the morning worship – but you will need to supply the materials for yourself!
• There is inevitably more “tech” involved in the above

1. Songs – this link is to the latest song by Tony, Caroline and Ethan on our Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK0EsKDerfQ
2. National Prayer – Churches Together in England has called all believers to pray on Sunday 22^nd March at 7pm and put a candle in their window as a symbol of Christ’s light of life – link for details here www.cte.org.uk/calltoprayer.
3. Pastoral Care – We are seeking to make sure everyone is cared for during this “lockdown”. Please let us know if you become unwell and/or are in need of provisions.
4. Mission – Let us not get distracted from our main mission that God has given to us. This is a huge opportunity as we head out as the “72”. In what ways can you be missional in your workplace or in your neighbourhood in the current situation?
5. Neighbourly care – St Christopher’s Trust are distributing flyers in the local community offering assistance to people needing support. If you would like to help provide support, please contact Dawn Croker. Maybe it is an opportunity in your neighbourhood to offer support or establish a social media group so you can talk to each other without meeting.
6. Prayer

–  Let’s pray for our world and it’s leaders, praying particular for our own nation and spiritual revival.

• Pray for all those who are having major changes to their work patterns and situations.
• Pray for us as leaders as we work through the various changes and establish new opportunities.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Assurance in Trouble (Coronavirus)

Romans 8v35-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we will be more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demon, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

As a 21^st Century western society, we take many things for granted and it is easy to feel upset or fearful when these things are potentially removed.

Emotions are very important signals for us. They indicate to us what is important to us deep down. The emotion of fear that we see prevalent in our society does exactly that: what are we most afraid of? The most common command in the Bible is generally cited to be “do not fear”. God is always telling people to trust Him and not be afraid: why? Because he loves us and is working all things for our good (Romans 8v28). Maybe we need to allow our emotions to be based on the truth of who God is and is totally dependable love for us: that means that his love for us is not only more important than anything else in all creation, but it is more important to me personally.

It is worth meditating on this truth though outlined in the lyrics below: “I do not know what lies ahead … but I know who holds the future”.

I do not know what lies ahead,
The way I cannot see,
But one stands near to be my guide,
He’ll show the way to me.

I know who holds the future
And He’ll guide me with his hand
With God things don’t just happen,
Everything by him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow,
With its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles,
Give to Him my all.

I do not know how many days
Of life are mine to spend,
But one who knows and cares for me
Will keep me to the end.

I do not know the course ahead,
What joys and griefs are there.
But one stands near who fully knows,
I’ll trust His loving care.

Jesus says “My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14v27). May you rest in God’s peace.

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Hour of Prayer (Coronavirus) – we are having an hour of prayer on Wednesday 18^th 7pm-8pm. We are advertising this as widely as possible to the community for people to engage in different ways. See attached poster.
2. Socials – Quiz night moved to Friday 27^th March (doors open 6.30pm, quiz 7.15pm)
3. Prayer –  Let’s pray for our world and it’s leaders, praying particular for our own nation and spiritual revival.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Prayer in Trouble (Coronavirus)

Psalm 91v5-6 “You will not fear the terror … arrow … pestilence … plague”

You have probably heard of the corona virus (!). Some may panic, but Christians pray. There seems to be many issues in the world which provoke fear –  whether health, economic, or ecological. Psalm 91 is a helpful Psalm to meditate on in such times and to speak over yourself. There is a combination of:

• Declaration by us – “I will say of the Lord he is my refuge”
• Promise about God and us – “He will save you … you will not fear”
• Declaration by God – “He will call upon me and I will answer him”

With this in mind, you may like to meditate on the Psalm using this video of the Psalm which I have put together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yiZQCvi2VM

I find it very interesting that the Devil uses the assurances of verses 11-12 “He will command his angels concerning you…” to tempt Jesus to take reckless action (Matthew 4v5-6). Jesus counters this temptation with “Do not put your Lord to the test”. A Christian response to danger is also a practical one, while trusting the Lord. Therefore, out of love for one another, we should follow the current Government guidance to minimise chances of spreading the virus:

Individuals should follow good hygiene practices including :

• Carrying tissues and using them to catch coughs and sneezes before binning the tissue
• Washing hands with soap and water (for 20 seconds) or using hand sanitiser gel to kill germs
• Avoid the touching of the face (unless hands have been very recently washed)
• All travellers returning from infected foreign countries or who have been exposed to someone in the UK who has the virus, should watch for symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath and if developed should immediately

• Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people
• Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel/contact details and to seek further advice

We will also:

• Continue to monitor such guidance.
• Have hand-sanitiser and tissues available at church gatherings.
• Note it is safer to greet someone with a pat on the shoulder than with a handshake

With much blessing,

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Socials – Quiz night on Wednesday 25^th March (doors open 6.30pm, quiz 7.15pm)
2. Funtastic Church – Sunday 29th March 10.30am
3. Prayer –  Let’s pray for our world and it’s leaders, praying particular for our own nation and spiritual revival.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Prayer on the “to-do-list”

Ephesians 1v17-18 “I keep asking that God … may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better … and that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”

Some Christians celebrate Lent, others don’t. That’s fine. To be honest, I have never strongly jumped on board, but don’t let that stop you, and if Lent is about preparation for Easter and Eternity (ref J John), then I’m in: all year!

This verse seems to be the start of such preparation: we need to know what we are preparing for before we prepare. Is your goal to know God? Is it to fulfil his purpose? Imagine knowing God better and better each and every day. Imagine having a full understanding of the glorious hope and purpose which he has called you into. Is this what you seek? Well, this is what this prayer is asking for – a fantastic prayer to pray over yourself and over one another.

May the Lord bless you with a greater knowledge of Him and of his purpose for you,

With much blessing,

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Prayer Day – Thank you to all of you who participated in the prayer day. It was good to be together and we can go forward with confidence that God has heard our prayers.
2. Pancake Pandemonium – Thank you too to all who contributed to this. Wonderful time to talk to various people from the community!
3. Socials – Come and bring your friends and family this Friday 28^th February – “Bring your own take away evening” with games from 6.30 – 9pm at Admaston House. Leaflet attached.
4. Barnabas Church – Barnabas is a sister church in Christ Central Shropshire. The whole ground floor of the main building was flooded out again this last week. They are doing some preliminary clean up, though there is the threat of further flooding over the next days. There may be opportunity to offer support over the coming weeks in the clean up operation.
5. Job Opportunity – The post of Cafe Manager for St Christopher’s cafe in Admaston House on a Friday is open. The deadline for applications is 19^th March. The advert is attached for your interest or to pass on to someone else …
6. Funtastic Church – Please note that Funtastic Church is not on this Sunday, but there is Hope Community Lunch at 1pm. See attached Funtastic Church flyer for details of next one on the morning of 29^th March.
7. Charlton School – Ruth Watkins (Schools/Youth worker for St Christopher’s) had a very good meeting at Charlton this week. Thank you for your prayers and to God for making a way. I will update you on plans Sunday morning.
8. Prayer

–  On the back of your prayer diary is some pointers for prayer for each other. The first is “pray for each to have a growing knowledge of God and his purposes”. Let’s ask God for this!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Prayer on the “to-do-list”

Acts 4v24 “They raised their voices together in prayer to God ….”

Prayer can so easily be a low priority in our lives. There seem to be many other things more important: tasks which have something to show for them. And so it can get overlooked, forgotten or ignored. Maybe it doesn’t even make our “to-do-list”.

Yet, if we believe our God has all power and authority in this universe, then it seems most logical to go to him for the solutions to issues.

And, if we believe our God is a loving heavenly Father, then surely we will want to have conversation with him, and we will know that he answers our prayers out of both love and justice.

And, if we believe that knowing God is our ultimate goal and purpose, then we will see great purpose in simply being with him and knowing more of Him.

Thank you to each of you who are leading sections during our day of prayer this Sunday.

In Acts 4v24 we read “They raised their voices together in prayer to God…”, which hour slots are you able to join?

May we know more of the Lord this Sunday and may the Lord bring answer to our prayers,

With much blessing,

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Prayer Day – 23^rd February – There is a timetable attached and will available in church on Sunday – please sign up where you can.
2. Pancake Pandemonium – Tuesday 25^th February at Admaston House. This has been a very well attended event in recent years. If you would like to help as families join in activities and share in a Bible story and songs, please let Sharon Johnson know on rshar1965@gmail.com .
3. Socials – Our socials team led by Dan have launched a series of events over the coming months. The first is Friday 28^th February – “Bring your own take away evening” with games from 6.30 – 9pm at Admaston House. It is both an opportunity for us to meet together and to invite our friends and families in too. Who are you going to invite?
4. Prayer

–  Leadership – please continue to pray for wisdom and insight as we move forward with eldership.

• Diary – please continue to pray for one another day by day using the prayer diary.

• Pray for our sister church “Barnabas” in Shrewsbury who have had their premises flooded this week and will be meeting elsewhere this Sunday.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Prayer

Acts 13v2 “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said….

It was while the disciples were praying that the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. It was following their prayer in Acts 4 that the “place where they were meeting was shaken”. In Acts 10 it was while Peter was praying that God revealed a vision to him. I could go on … and on… Simply put, when we pray, God acts. Sometimes that action is in power on us, other times it is in power on others (eg Peter in Acts 12).

The simple question is therefore: Do we want God to move in our own lives? … to move in the life of Hope Community Church? … to move in the life of our community? If so then it is time to pray. We are therefore having a day of prayer on 23^rd February and would encourage you to participate as is possible.

You may also like to fast during the day in some way. To fast is not some “magic ritual”, but it is a statement of priority: it is saying that we are relying on God to act rather than relying on our physical strength. We can fast by abstaining (or partially abstaining) from food or drink during the day. This is not some macho thing, but a simple statement before God. Be sensible in how you apply this for yourself, with due regard for any medical conditions you may have. See also Matthew 6v16-18 concerning when you fast.

There is a timetable for the day attached. You can sign up to lead different sections of the day or simply to participate (email me or sign up on Sunday morning). What a God we have to come to in prayer!!

May God bless you this week by the power of the Holy Spirit,

With much blessing,

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Church Family Meeting – Thank you to all who participated in this.
2. Prayer Day – 23^rd February – There is a timetable attached and will available in church on Sunday – please sign up where you can.
3. Pancake Pandemonium – Tuesday 25^th February at Admaston House. This has been a very well attended event in recent years. If you would like to help as families join in activities and share in a Bible story and songs, please let Sharon Johnson know on rshar1965@gmail.com .
4. Baptisms – We are planning to have baptisms on Sunday 3^rd May and on Sunday 18^th July. If you are interested in being baptised, please let me know and we can arrange some preparation meetings.
5. Funtastic Church – The primary purpose of Funtastic Church is to reach out to families who would not otherwise be in church. On the basis that we have struggled to gather a reasonable number and the strain it is on our own people to stay through the day, we are going to trial having Funtastic Church on the 5^th Sunday of the month alongside our normal “5^th Sunday” activities. Those participating in Funtastic Church (largely families) would be in the main room and others of us will gather in St Christopher’s Room. The first Sunday of this will be 29^th March. There will be no Funtastic Church on Sunday 2^nd March, but only normal service in the morning and lunch at 1pm.
6. Prayer

–  Leadership – please continue to pray for wisdom and insight as we move forward with eldership.

• Diary – please continue to pray for one another day by day using the prayer diary.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Appointing Elders

Titus 1v5 “Straighten out was was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.”

Graham Anns, representing the Christ Central senior team, introduced the subject of eldership to the church on Sunday. He proposed that Tony Finch and I be formally appointed elders of Hope Community Church, Admaston. Elders are appointed by both Christ Central and the local church itself. We therefore invite you to:

• Pray for discernment in this development in church leadership
• Respond with feedback as you feel appropriate to Graham at graham.anns@christcentralchurches.org .

For more information on what “elders” are, you can listen to Graham’s talk here https://hopeadmaston.org.uk/learning/ . In summary, however, Graham explained that the term “elder” comes from the Jewish background and the role has two key functions in the Bible (Acts 20v17,28-31): firstly that of “overseer” which refers to governance and organization, managing people and money, and teaching the Bible; and secondly that of “pastor” which refers to “shepherding” people by providing spiritual food and guidance as well as setting the example. Graham emphasized that leadership in the church is about enabling each member of the church to build up others, and to serve both within the church and out in the world (Ephesians 4v11-16). In the New Testament, an elder was not appointed alone but as part of a team. Lastly, it is important that an elder is “qualified” to be such, for which lists of such qualities are listed in 1 Timothy 3v1-7 and Titus 1v5-9.

May God build his church in Hope Community,

With much blessing,

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Church Family Meeting – All members and regular attenders are invited to participate in our Church Family Meeting on Monday 10^th February at 7.30pm. Doors open from 7pm.
2. Newsletter – I have attached our monthly newsletter for those who were not able to pick one up this last Sunday.
3. Prayer

–  Sunday 23^rd February is our Prayer Day. Think about how much you can participate.

• Let’s pray for those who are suffering among us at present and particularly for Natalie who is suffering with arthritis in her wrists.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Pouring out Heartache to the Lord

Psalm 13.

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.

This Psalm is among those called “Laments”. Lament means a complaint or expression of sorrow or grief.

All of us have times of grief and sorrow. Times when the world seems to be crashing in. The “enemy” (v2) may be pain, sickness or death, it may be poor finances, difficult relationships, or negative situations. We feel like God has forgotten us and we do not sense his presence. There comes a time when we cry “How long?” as the time extends and hope seems so distant. This is a Psalm for such times.

There are three things to note here:

• It is right that we should express our feelings and emotions to God. He is not going to be hurt by them and values a heart-to-heart relationship with us. He knows how you feel before you express it, so be open and honest to him.
• It is good to express total dependency on God “Look on me and answer … Give light to my eyes or I will …”. Our dependency is on him who has made us and loved us, not on ourselves or on others.
• It is enlightening to focus on what God has done for you and what he has promised ultimately to do. This is not a blind faith, but a faith based on the evidence of the past – faith in God’s unfailing love. The result is a heart which rejoices in God’s salvation and gives him praise. The situation has not immediately changed, but the focus of the writer has.

May God enable us to focus on him in our difficulties and put a song of praise in our hearts for his goodness.

With much blessing,

Roland

News/Prayer

1. Funtastic Church – It is Funtastic Church this Sunday afternoon. Do invite families with children to a Funtastic time together from 1.45.
2. Hope Lunch – It is Hope Community Lunch this Sunday at 1pm. Please let Sue know if you are planning to join us, or bringing others (suewilbywest@gmail.com or 07415 429318).
3. Children of Eden Musical – This Musical is being performed this weekend at Holy Trinity, Dawley (Fri) and All Saints, Wellington (Sat) at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10/£7. See here for details.
4. Prayer

–  Monday 3^rd – Prayer evening 7.30pm in St Christopher’s room

• Let’s remember to pray for one another using our prayer diaries.