ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH

NEWSLETTER: 3rd Feb 2019

       FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

We are very excited to be starting a new “All-age” monthly series today – “The ‘I AM’ statements of Jesus”.

In 1978 (yes…I know…before many of you were even born!) “The Who” recorded a record called “Who are you?” – articulating the question that is directed from us to everyone who we want to know better. And who better do we want to know than God Himself? There is a longing in humanity’s heart to know God – totally understandable because He put this desire in us – because He wants us to know Him.

So, Jesus, wanting us to really know Him, made 7 declarations as to who He was: He said He was “the true vine” (John 15: 1-5), the “way, the truth and the life” (John 14: 6), the “resurrection and the life” (John 11: 25), the “good shepherd” (John 10: 11-14), the “gate” (John 10: 7), the “light of the world” (John 8: 12, 9: 5), and the “bread of life” (John 6: 35-48). And He prefaced each declaration with the words “I AM”.

Over the coming months we shall be looking at each of these in turn and so discovering who He really is and how this knowledge should revolutionise our lives.

And we begin today where it all began…at the “burning bush” when God declared to all mankind who exactly He was…

May God bless us all

Peter

TODAY: All in Service: On the first Sunday of each month we start a new series “The seven “I AM” statements of Jesus.” This month: “I AM WHO I AM” Exodus 3:14

NEXT SUNDAY: A new series begins based on Ephesians 6                                                                   “The Armour of God”

CHURCH VISION 2019: Thank you to everyone who has already returned your Church Vision Questionnaire. If you haven’t done so please give it to one of the elders today if at all possible. We now need to work on collating your responses as quickly as possible.

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 15th February at Zandra’s. A time for ladies of the fellowship to meet with one another for a time of sharing and prayer.

TOILET UPGRADE UPDATE:

1) We are gradually making progress with upgrading the church toilets.

2) We have a design for the new arrangements, and it has been approved.  It provides one uni-sex disabled toilet and two uni-sex normal toilets, all with basins and separate doors from the corridor.

3) It also provides space for a washing machine and tumble dryer, and the possibility of fitting a shower in the future.

4) We now have quotes from 3 builders and the total cost is likely to be between £20,000 and £25,000.

5) We intend to apply for a grant from Ashford Borough Council and may get up to £10,000 towards the cost.

6) Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have no money left in this financial year, so our grant application will be submitted in May 2019, for a decision in July 2019.

7) The Trustees and Elders believe that this will be an important improvement to our church buildings, helping us better serve our members and the community. We will keep everyone informed of progress. Please pray about this significant investment for ACC and especially our grant application to ABC. Also, pray for the Trustees as they decide on which quote to accept.

 

FOODBANK: Please remember the Food Bank when you go shopping.

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

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

19:00 – 20:30  Worship practice

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

19:30 – 21:00   Home Groups

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

Fri 8th              09:30 – 10:30     Prayer

14:00 – 15:00   U3A Singing for Pleasure

19:30 – 21:30   Friday Youth Night

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

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

(Tea & Coffee served from 10:00)