ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH

NEWSLETTER: 29th  July 2018

        FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

In Mark 6:21 we are told

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’

Are you weary and tired within after a long and hard year? Jesus calls us to be His servants, His stewards, His followers – but also His friends whom He loves and cares for. There is a time to work and a time to rest – the great balance of life.

If indeed all we do we do for the Lord then he does want to bless us at this time with a good, well-earned, summer break. So, as we come to the end of our current series on Spiritual Disciplines we are calling you to set aside August as a holiday (literally “holy-day”) – we are going to have a stripped down church week, with all-in services on Sunday based on the life of King Solomon.

Notice what it says in our Bible reading: that when we rest we should “come with” Him to a quiet place. We don’t find rest and restoration away from Him. We find it with Him in a “quiet place”. So, use this month to do less, to spend more time in prayer and worship, in meditation and the reading of the Word. And ask Him daily to refresh you – so that, come September, you will be ready to go forward with Him in the full power of the Spirit.

God bless you all

Peter

 

TODAY: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES – PART 8

We continue our study of “Spiritual Disciplines” focusing this week on “Hospitality”.

NEXT SUNDAY: SOLOMON

During August we will be focusing our thoughts on the story of Solomon.  These will all be “All-in” services and next Sunday the title of Part 1 will be:  God chose Solomon – God chose YOU!

AN OPPORTUNITY TO FELLOWSHIP: The Ladies’ Fellowship meeting generally takes place fortnightly at various venues between 14:00 and 15:30. As is usual, during the Summer Holidays we take a break, however there may be an informal get-together meeting in August the date and venue of which will be announced when confirmed. Please speak to Linda or Diana for further information.

LAST CHANCE!!!  Dave Bilbrough will be hosting a Worship Evening at St Martin’s Church, Aldington this coming Friday, 3rd August. Admission is Free but you must sign up TODAY if you wish to go. The sign up sheet is on the Prayer Table.

Also on Saturday 4th August, also at St Martin’s Church,Aldington, there is a Local Houses of Prayer Conference. Again, admission is Free but please sign up on the sheet, also on the Prayer Table, if you can go.

FOODBANK: Please remember the Foodbank when you go shopping and place your items in the box provided in the church. There is a notice on the board with information about what is needed.

PANTOMIME – PETER PAN:

The Ashford Theatre are presenting Peter Pan as their pantomime in January 2019. We are planning to book tickets for Friday 25th January and hope that our young people from Friday Youth Night and Top Topics would like to go but we are also opening it up to the whole church as it would be a great evening out for everyone. Tickets are £10 per adult and £8 for children under 12. If you would like to go please add your name to the list on the notice board that Helen will put up today. Further information can be seen on the poster that is on the notice board in the entrance lobby.

Please note: As tickets will sell fast we can only keep the list open until Sunday 5th August so please make sure you sign the list a.s.a.p. to avoid disappointment.

 

WHATS ON THIS WEEK

Tues 31st      10:00 – 14:00   “Open Arms” with Ashford Vineyard

19:00 – 20:30    Worship Practice

Weds 1st       19:30  – 21:00    Home Groups

Thurs 2nd      19::30 – 22:00   East Kent Choir in the main hall

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

19::00 – 10:00   Dave Bilbrough at Aldington

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

10:00 – 16:00    Prayer Conference at Aldington

Sun 5th            10:30 – 12:00   Celebration Service