ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH

NEWSLETTER: 28th April 2019

       FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

With a wonderful Easter behind us we now move, literally, into a new season. The weather is more cheerful allowing us the opportunity to do things like the lovely Easter Monday walk that a number of us enjoyed this past week.

A new season brings new opportunities which I would like to bring to your attention. There are three events that I wish you to consider “signing up” for.

The first is a NEW fortnightly BIBLE STUDY. Very different from our housegroup meetings, this will be a proper Bible Study that will be hosted in Church House and facilitated by Brian and Pat Carter (of “Open Doors” fame and regular visitors and part of our extended church family). The first of these will be on the 17th May and will start at 2:30 and end at 4. Let me know if you plan to attend.

The second is “MARRIAGE MASALA – BECOMING ONE” to be held at “the farm” (Steve and Dorothy’s) on Saturday July 6th from 9:45 till 4. Led by Rod and Ruthie Gilbert this is open to 12 married couples who want to re-look at how “they are doing” in their marriage – and is very different in content from the course hosted 2 years or so ago. Let me know if you wish to attend.

The third is an opportunity to sign up to SPRING HARVEST 2020 – to be held at Minehead Butlins from the 4th till the 9th April 2020. Come and be built up as we were this year. See Helen for details. But, hurry – places go quickly and we need to know within a few weeks.

God bless

Peter

TODAY: THE ARMOUR OF GOD – THE SHIELD OF FAITH

We continue our series in Ephesians 6

NEXT SUNDAY; THE “I AM” SAYINGS OF JESUS:

This week we look at: “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE”

BIBLE STUDY: Starting on May 17th, from 2.30 to 4.00 pm, there will be a Bible Study group meeting led by Brian & Pat Carter. This will be held at church house. Please let Peter know if you would like to attend.

MARRIAGE MASALA: This will be held on Saturday July 6th and led by Rod & Ruthie Gilbert. See Peter’s letter on the front of this sheet for further information.

SPRING HARVEST 2020: It would be great if a good number of us could go together to Spring Harvest next year. Please speak to Helen if you would like further information regarding the accommodation available and pricing. Again, further information is in Peter’s letter above.

AUDIO SERMONS AND NOTES: Wherever possible all audio recordings and sermon notes can now be found on the church website. These are viewable in the ‘Sermons’ tab shown at the top of the page. All audio recordings are also available on the App.  Also the PowerPoint pictures for the Look back to 2018 and Vision for 2019 are on there, along with the audio and notes.

CHURCH APP: The Church App is a very useful addition to your phone or tablet and gives easy access to information about the church. All personal information is only accessible with a password so this is only available to authorised members of the church family. If you are unable to download the app you can also access this information from the church website, but again only with a password. Please speak to Gill if you would like to be issued with a user name and password.

LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP: The Ladies Fellowship usually meets fortnightly on a Friday afternoon between 2pm and 3.30pm. The next date will be announced shortly.

PRAYER TABLE:  Don’t forget to look at the prayer table each week and help yourself to any literature that is available. The new “Perspectives” magazine, focusing on the topic of “Mental health and the Local Church” is now available. There are only a few copies of these so please feel free to take one away but return it when you have finished with it so someone else can take it.

FOODBANK: There is still a great need in our area to provide food for the Food bank to distribute to those in need. If you can help please place your offering in the box provided.

MEDICAL MISSION: Please also remember to save your used stamps and place them in the box on the prayer table. These stamps raise significant funds for the work of the Medical Mission.

                     WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

 

Tues 30th         11:30 – 14:30  Open Arms

19:00 – 20:30  Worship practice

Weds 1st          09:30 – 10:30   Weight Watchers

19:30 –  21:00   Home Groups

Thurs 2nd          19:30 – 21:00    East Kent Chorus in main hall

Fri 3rd             09:30 – 10:30   Revival Prayer

19:30 – 21:30   Friday Youth Night

Sat 4th             09:00 – 10:00   Park Run in Victoria Park

Sun 5th             10:30 – 12:00   Celebration Service (Coffee from 10:00)

Prayer in minor hall from 10:10