ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH

NEWSLETTER: 15th March 2020

       FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

You know…meeting together, being family together…”doing church” together, is at the heart of our 2020 Vision. It is being in relationship with God and with each other…together.

This cannot be replaced by watching teaching on-line or by reading a doctrinal book. The Bible says:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another (Heb 10: 24-25)

We not only live in a world where face-to-face contact is replaced by individual self-discovery, but in a culture where relationships are transitory – a society that says that if your partner no longer pleases you then it is OK to move on to another one; that if your church is no longer exciting then it is OK to move on to another one where the worship is more “up-beat” or the teaching more “zingy”.

Today we are focusing on the incredible importance of being part of a local church and how our 2020 Vision is to play a full part in the life of ACC and thus make a difference to the community in which we live, to our relationship with each other, and our worship of the LORD.

And if you think that it is OK to find your Christian teaching through self-discovery just remember that even Jesus Himself –

on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom (Luke 4: 16)

God bless you all

Peter

THIS WEEK: As part of our 2020 Vision series, Vince will be talking to us about the “three challenges of today’s local church”

WORSHIP NIGHT: Come along at 6.30 pm this evening for a time of musical worship. Everyone is welcome and it would be good to see a good number there and of special encouragement to our Worship Group who so faithfully serve us week by week.

NEXT WEEK: Ernest will be bringing a message to us about the “Historical Truth of Exodus”.  

Some of our men, including Peter, will be away at Sizewell next weekend so please remember them in your prayers.

STREET-A-WEEK: We hope many of you have been praying this week for our neighbours in Christchurch Road.  We are now entering our fifth week  of  praying for a different street each week in the run up to Easter. This week we will be praying for Bond Road

FOOD HYGIENE LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE: If you are planning to do the Food Hygiene course online, please let Gill know. For those who are hoping to help in the kitchen for Fellowship meals etc. The cost of the course is around £12 but it is likely that the church will provide funding to those who wish to do it.

QUIZ NIGHT: Ashford Street Pastors are holding a quiz night on Saturday 28th March. Please see the notice board for further details. If you are thinking of going please let Helen Brocklehurst know and we can then make up some teams

BIBLE STUDY: The next Bible Study will be at 2.30pm on Friday, 20th   March, at Church House. Everyone welcome.

LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP: Ladies Fellowship meets fortnightly in various homes. The next meeting will be this Friday, 27th March, at Pat’s. 

FOODBANK/STAMPS; Please place any food or stamps in the boxes provided. These contributions are always gratefully received so a big thank you to everyone.

PRAYER TABLE; Please help yourself to any literature that you might be interested in and other items available on the prayer table

BLOSS COFFEE:  The Bloss coffee has been much appreciated by everyone since we began using it, please, if you feel you are able to help with the costs of providing it, remember there is a box for donations on the prayer table.

PAINTING AT ACC: It is good to now have the ceiling painted in the back hall and to know that the toilets and corridor will be completed in the next couple of weeks.  However, there is still plenty of other painting needed at ACC, including a lot on the new mezzanine floor.  If you can help with this, please talk to Ernest about what needs doing.

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

Tues   17th         11:00 – 14:00     Open Arms

                        19:00 – 20:30    Worship Practice

Weds   18th        09:30 – 10:30    Weight Watchers

                        19:30 – 21:00     Home Groups

Thurs  19th        19:30 – 22:00     East Kent Chorus

                      19:00 – 20:30     Signing Course

Fri       20th        09:30 – 10:30    Revival Prayer

                         14:00 – 15:30      U3A Singing for Pleasure

                        14:30 – 16:00     Bible Study

                      19:00 – 21:00     Friday Youth Night     

Sat      21st        09:00 – 10:00     Run in Victoria Park

Sun     22nd        10:30 – 12:00      Celebration Service

Refreshments served from 10am. Prayer in the Prayer Room from 10:10