ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH

NEWSLETTER: 5th August 2018

       FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28)

Welcome to the summer season at ACC. As I wrote to you last week,  I believe that it is right – as far as possible – to make this a month of rest; a time for restoration; a time for peace; a time to breathe in deeply. Let us listen to our bodies; let us listen to the sounds of nature around us; but most of all, let us listen to the still, small voice of the Spirit of God speaking within us.

Services will be shorter this month, house groups will be social occasions. Let us take hold of what we heard last Sunday. Let us “practice hospitality”. May this be a month of relaxing together, talking together, getting to know each other together, spending time with each other together.

May the air that we breathe be the Holy Spirit. May the daily bread that we feast on be His Holy Word.

It has been a very busy year so far: we have focused in our teaching on our place in Christ and our following of Christ; we have changed the name of the church; we have seen a new website up and running; we have focused on prayer and evangelism. After the summer season I believe it will be a time for moving out into our community, taking the hospitality and love of God out to them, through us. So, let us rest now and prepare for the work that is to come.

God bless you all

Peter

 

TODAY: SOLOMON – SUMMER SEASON ALL-IN SERVICE

Starting today and carrying on throughout August our services will be all age services. They will be shorter than normal thus allowing more time afterwards to enjoy spending time in fellowship after. Please don’t rush off after the services and instead use the extra time to get to know one another better. The messages will be based on the life of Solomon.

Part 1: God chose Solomon – God chose YOU!

NEXT SUNDAY: SOLOMON – ALL-IN SERVICE

Part 2: The wisdom of Solomon – and us!

LADIES FELLOWSHIP: Regular meetings have now stopped for the summer, however there may be some social gatherings in August and, if so, dates and venues will be announced. Our regular meetings will recommence on Friday 7th September.

NEW CHURCH WEBSITE: The new church website has now gone live! It is still a work in process, so you will notice things that may need updating or changing and much of this will happen very soon. Please let Peter or Gill know if you have any comments or ideas for future updates.

The website address is    ashfordcommunitychurch.com

YOUTH WORK:  During August the Friday Youth Groups will be taking a break

HOME GROUPS: Normal house groups will not meet in August. Please check with Peter, Jim or Alasdair for details of meetings and venues,

REVIVAL PRAYER: During August we will still be meeting on Friday mornings but we will be “Prayer Walking” around the neighbourhood. Please join us and walk – or stay in the church to pray.

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 Hot 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.

IMPORTANT Please note: As tickets will sell fast we can only keep the list open until Sunday 5th August, that’s TODAY so please make sure you sign the list before you leave today as Helen will be booking this week.

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.

WHATS ON THIS WEEK

Tues 7th        10:00 – 14:00   “Open Arms” with Ashford Vineyard

19:00 – 20:30    Worship Practice

Weds 8th       9:30 -10:30      Weightwatchers in the main hall

19:30 – 21:00    Home Groups Socials

Thurs 9th      19::30 – 22:00   East Kent Choir in the main hall

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

Sat 11th         09:00 – 10:00    Park run in Victoria Park

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