ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH
NEWSLETTER: 21st October 2018
FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

You know, I truly believe that God most of all wants you to know Him – and
enjoy being with Him – more than just about anything else. He loves you so
much and wants to spend time with you on a daily basis. What a privilege!

And then – and only then, for there is no substitute for relationship with
Him – He wants us to generously give of ourselves and of what we have for
the benefit of our spiritual family and our community in which we live. He
wants us to be generous in the giving of our time and possessions.

Paul commends the church of Corinth for their generosity and service in
his second letter to them:

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that
God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe
trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich
generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and
even beyond their ability (2 Corinthians 8: 1-3)”

You have been most generous in your Harvest Offerings that have so
benefited the needy in our area. Now I encourage you to extend your
generosity through the “Shoebox Appeal” that we are going to hear about
today; and then through your volunteering to be part of the Events Team to
arrange our Christmas outreach; and finally through filling out your “2019
service rota” to say how you can serve in the church as we come into the
new year. Please talk to me or one of the other elders if you want to find
out more about how you can serve God amongst us today.

God bless
Peter

TODAY: FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – PATIENCE:
In this very busy world patience is in increasingly short supply – but not when we have the fruit of the Spirit falling from us onto others!
NEXT SUNDAY: “FROM THE ELDERS HEART”
Steve Lynes will be speaking to us about the things the Lord has laid on his heart.
CHURCH WEBSITE, APP & CALENDAR: Many of you are now using the church website, app and calendar and we hope you are finding them useful. Things are still progressing, and you will probably see various changes and new things over the next weeks and months. Please don’t forget, if you have any prayer requests please put them on the app, they will then be approved and sent out to everyone so that we can all respond quickly and knowledgably to them.
MENS EVENTS:
CVM MEN’S TOUR at St Mary Bredin, Canterbury. – Going against the Grain – based on the latest book by Nathan Blackaby. The event on Saturday 10th November runs from 9:15 – 13:00 and costs £10 which includes refreshments.
If you are interested in this event please speak to one of the elders.
CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT FOR MEN; The annual Men’s Conference at Sizewell Hall is from the 15th – 17th March 2019. Please see Dave Proctor for details.
WOMEN’S EVENTS:
LADIES FELLOWSHIP: The next meeting will be on Friday 2nd November and we will be meeting at Diana’s. All ladies welcome.

REFRESH: Saturday 1st December, 10am – 3.30pm. This will be led by Ruthie Gilbert, Lynne Miller and the “Refresh” team.
For further details please see:
www.ashfordchristianwomen.net/events
CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL: The children and young people will be packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (part of Samaritan’s Purse) at the end of this month. There will more information in the services but further details can be got from Linda. Start collecting TODAY items that can be placed in boxes by the young people of the church.
FOODBANK: Please remember the Food Bank when you go shopping.

WHATS ON THIS WEEK
Tues 23rd 10:00 – 14:00 “Open Arms” with Ashford Vineyard
19:00 – 20:30 Worship Practice
Weds 24th 09:30 -10:30 Weightwatchers in the main hall
19:30 – 21:00 Home Groups
Thurs 25th 19:30 – 22:00 East Kent Choir in the main hall
Fri 26th 09:30 – 10:30 Revival Prayer
18:00 – 19:30 Pizza & Hot Topics
Sat 27th 09:00 – 10:00 Park run in Victoria Park
Sun 28th 10:30 – 12:00 Celebration Service
(Tea & Coffee served from 10:00)