ASHFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH

NEWSLETTER: 5th MAY 2019

       FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

I feel it is the right time to just review where we “are at” with our “Vision for 2019” now that we have entered into the month of May.

It is a “Vision” that I  AM VERY excited about, a “Vision” that I believe builds upon the great strength that is already present in Ashford Community Church – a real spirit of love and care.

Our “Vision 2019” is to see our church family built up through the “3 Ws” of “Welcome, Worship and Word”: when people who come to our church feel welcomed in, feel cared for once a part of the family, feel that they are being lifted into the very presence of God, and find that they are learning more and more about their Father in Heaven on a week-to-week basis, then they are more likely to be attracted to the God whom we love and more likely to ask to make our church family their spiritual home.

It is not “rocket science”.

For the past 3 months you have received emails of encouragement for making us an increasingly “welcoming” church. Now, for the next 3 months, we shall be focusing on the “worship” aspect of our vision – exploring more deeply how  we can “be still and know that [He] is God” and enjoying more and more just coming into His presence and fixing our eyes on Him. We can talk to you about the importance and deep pleasure of this “till the cows come home” – but, at the end of the day, it is a desire that you have to have – and if you do have it then you SHALL be satisfied.

May God bless us all

Peter

 

TODAY: WE CONTINUE THE “I AM” SAYINGS OF JESUS

This week we look at: “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE” – an “all-in” service.

NEXT WEEK:

We are pleased to welcome our dear family friends Brian and Pat Carter to update us on the essential work of “Open Doors” in supporting the Persecuted Church worldwide.

BIBLE STUDY: Starting on June 28th, from 2.30 to 4.00 pm, there will be a Bible Study group meeting facilitated by Brian & Pat Carter. This will be held at church house. Please let Peter know if you would like to attend.

MARRIAGE MASALA: This will be held on Saturday July 6th and led by Rod & Ruthie Gilbert. There is only space for 12 married couples so let Dorothy know if you are wanting to attend as soon as possible.

SPRING HARVEST 2020: It would be great if a good number of us could go together to Spring Harvest next year. Please speak to Helen if you would like further information regarding the accommodation available and pricing.

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.

CHURCH APP: The Church App is a very useful addition to your phone or tablet and gives easy access to information about the church. All personal information is only accessible with a password so this is only available to authorised members of the church family. If you are unable to download the app you can also access this information from the church website, but again only with a password. Please speak to Gill if you would like to be issued with a user name and password.

LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP: The Ladies Fellowship usually meets fortnightly on a Friday afternoon between 2pm and 3.30pm. The next date will be Friday 10th May, at Diana’s.

PRAYER TABLE:  Don’t forget to look at the prayer table each week and help yourself to any literature that is available. There is a new “Open Doors” Magazine available and also info on how to be part of the 2020 Bible Reading initiative

FOODBANK: There is still a great need in our area to provide food for the Food bank to distribute to those in need. If you can help please place your offering in the box provided.

MEDICAL MISSION: Please also remember to save your used stamps and place them in the box on the prayer table. These stamps raise significant funds for the work of the Medical Mission.

                     WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

 

Tues 7th           11:30 – 14:30  Open Arms

19:00 – 20:30  Worship practice

Weds 8th           09:30 – 10:30   Weight Watchers

19:30 –  21:00   Home Groups

Thurs 9th          19:30 – 21:00    East Kent Chorus in main hall

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

18:00 – 19:30   Pizza and Hot Topics – see Peter for details

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

Sun 12th             10:30 – 12:00   Celebration Service (Coffee from 10:00)

Prayer in the Prayer Room from 10:10