3rd March 2019

ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH

NEWSLETTER: 3^rd March 2019

       FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

This week we are going to be looking together at the next “I AM” statement of Jesus. In John chapter 8 and verse 58 Jesus astonished the hostile Pharisees by declaring:

‘before Abraham was born, I am!’

They KNEW that in this short phrase He was, by using the “I AM” claiming to be God made flesh – and so they took up stones to kill Him for what they saw as blasphemy.

Make NO MISTAKE. Jesus is divine. And yet, He deigns to identify as our brother.

In Mark 3:34–35, Jesus declares that those who follow Him are His brothers: “He looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”

Later, in Hebrews 2 verse 11 we are told:

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

What an incredible privilege! We are family at ACC. God is our Father in Heaven. And His Son, Jesus Christ – God made flesh – is happy to call us His brethren. Let us not under-play the awesomeness of this! And let us take our cue from it.

We are family here. Let us love, honour and care for one another as such.

God bless you all – my brothers and sisters
Peter

TODAY:  ALL IN SERVICE

       The “I AM” sayings of Christ

“Before Abraham was, I AM”

SPECIAL OFFERING: The offering today will be given to the work of the Missionary Aviation Fellowship.

NEXT SUNDAY:  “THE ARMOUR OF GOD”

Peter is continuing with our series on Spiritual Warfare  Nest week

“The Breastplate of Righteousness”

FAMILY DAY OUT:  “A walk in the woods”

On the 23^rd March at 10:30 am there will be an opportunity for the church family to enjoy a walk in Poulton Woods, Aldington.  Please keep the date free in your diaries and more information will follow nearer the time.

CHURCH VISION 2019: There are still some people  who have not yet returned their Church Vision Questionaires. If you are one of them it would be really good if you could do so as this will enable Peter and the elders to get a really good overview of the giftings of the family members and their willingness to serve in the church where they are able to.

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.

LADIES FELLOWSHIP: The next Ladies Fellowship meeting will be on Friday 15^th March at Gill’s. A time for ladies of the fellowship to meet with one another for a time of sharing and prayer.

FOODBANK: Please remember the Food Bank when you go shopping. Tinned and non-perishable items are always wanted and a complete list of acceptable items is available if you need it.

MEDICAL MISSIONARY NEWS: Please remember to save your used postage stamps and put them in the box on the prayer table.

 

                     WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

 

Mon 4^th            10:00 – 12:00  U3A Memory Course

Tues 5^th           10:00 – 14:00  Open Arms

19:00 – 20:30  Worship practice

Weds 6^th         09:30 – 10:30   Weight Watchers

19:30 – 21:00   Home Groups

Thurs 7^th          19:30 – 21:00    East Kent Chorus in main hall

Fri 8^th               09:30 – 10:30   Prayer

14:00 – 15:00   U3A Singing for Pleasure

19:30 – 21:30   Friday Youth Night

Sat 9^th             09:00 – 10:00   Park Run in Victoria Park

Sun 10^th             10:30 – 12:00   Celebration Service

(Tea & Coffee served from 10:00)