LENT

During the 40 days of Lent, Christians remember the time when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for his Father. Generations later we still use this time to reflect upon his journey. The modern hymnwriter Rachel Parkinson wrote: “Lord, save us from the desert” is what we often pray yet cushioned by securities we often lose the Way.”  (© Rachel Parkinson March 2009). She goes on to say that as we are stripped away from the things which bind us God will gently turn our trust away from ourself and bring us to a place where we trust Him for the securities which are eternal. Her hymn seems a fitting reflection in our 21st century lifestyles.

BMS World Mission Day of Prayer

Monday, 13 February,  BMS World Mission have asked us to be with them in prayer for the day.  BMS World Mission send people all over the world to spread the gospel, to bring justice where needed, to bring education where required and to bring healing, setting up clinics and hospitals where there are none.  They also bring relief when disasters happen.

Do pray for the staff at Didcot, in this country as they raised funds for this faith mission which only exists through donations.  Pray for the staff as they provide administration to be able to send workers overseas.  Do pray for the overseas workers and also for the partners in other countries.  Remember this arm, this partner of the Baptist Family.

We’re in print! (again)

If you pop into your local Christian bookshop and browse through the resources, you may notice a few familiar faces.  Our young people feature in the current edition of Scripture Union produced ‘Grid’ magazine.  The magazine is a teaching resource aimed at 11-14 year olds and indeed, is used at Ashurst Drive Baptist Church among our own young people of that age.

This is the second time our young people have featured in the magazine, the first being in 2010.  To the credit of our young people, the team involved in organising the photo shoot told us that we were one of the best groups they had worked with and so we were asked if we would be willing to be used again.  It didn’t take much to persuade the youth (the chance of fame and the promise of pizza just about did the trick!)

If you would like to see the photos, Rosie and Eguolo have kindly put a selection on display in the Grenfell hall.  Please do go and have a look.

Happy New Year

A very happy new year to you from all of us here at Ashurst Drive Baptist Church.  At this time of year, it is a time when many of us look back over the last year; what have been the highlights?  What have we achieved?  What have we not achieved?  Perhaps for you as you look back on 2011, it will be a year of memories you will treasure.  Or perhaps 2011 is a year filled with times you would rather forget.  For many people, a new year represents a time for a new start.  A chance for things to change, to refocus on our goals.

 It won’t have escaped your attention that this year is an important year for London and indeed the UK as we host the 2012 Olympic Games.  Many athletes are training hard and looking forward to the opportunity to compete for Olympic gold at this year’s games.  The apostle Paul used the illustration of an Olympic athlete to speak about the troubles we often face trying to run the Christian race.

Even seasoned athletes have times they would rather forget and so do seasoned Christians.  Paul says:

“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT)

This New Year is a chance to refocus our attention and fix our eyes on Jesus who helps us to run the race well and to win the prize!  May you know God’s peace and his blessing in 2012.

2012

2012 is nearly upon us.  On Sunday we will be wishing each other “Happy New Year!”  As we wish each other this seasonal greeting, let us also pass on to one another the ‘Peace of God that passes all understanding”.  What could be better as we enter

We hope to see you at the Prayer Breakfast on 7th January at 9.00am.

Have a wonderful New Year

Christmas

Have a great Christmas and wonderful New Year with God as your Lord, Saviour and Friend.  Do not forget that there are NO evening services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, only the morning service at 10.30 am.  Also remember to be at the Prayer Breakfast at 9.00 am – 10.30 am on Saturday 07 January where we will seek God for Darren and Ruth and ourselves at ADBC.

Nearly There!

Christmas is only one week away.  How exciting for most of us.  For some Christmas can be a very lonely, cold time of year.  There are many night shelters in existence up and down the country.  At one time Sue and I were involved with a night shelter called Jimmy’s.  Jimmy was a homeless person who lived most of the time under a bridge next to the M11 motorway.  Jimmy had to take you personally to his ‘home’ or else you would have missed it.  When it got really cold Jimmy would go to the night shelter which was run by a Baptist Church in Cambridge.

Sadly Jimmy died in his forties, although he looked a lot older. This was due to his time without a home.  He died on his own, in his ‘home’, and was there for some time before anyone found him. This spoke so much to the staff and volunteers at the night shelter that they named it after him, in his honour.  Jimmy’s also began to operate every night of the year and not just over the winter months.

Do remember those at Christmas who may be on their own – if it is a neighbour, why not invite them around, or go and visit them over the Christmas period. Jesus came to give ‘Peace to all people’.

50% off Sale?

This Christmas we are seeing more sales in the shops than ever before.  Sales use to start on Boxing Day, this year they have already begun!  We know the credit crunch is still biting and shops and shoppers are feeling it even more.

With God there are no sales, the price is always the same – follow me and I will give you eternal life.  This has been gained by the death of Jesus, the baby who was born at Christmas, but who then died on the cross for all of us.

This Christmas may be tough for many with the recession being on, but it is still a time to thank Goid for the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

Death and Taxes

The only two certainties in life are death and taxes.  When writing this, we are waiting for the mini-budget/half-year announcement from the Chancellor about our taxes.  Will petrol go up again?  What about the 50% tax on those who earn over a certain amount – will it change?  We are being told at present that austerity cuts are required, but some still seem to be avoiding the credit crunch with huge bonuses!

However we know that at some time all people will have to face death.  No amount of money can stop this happening.  Is the death with hope or without hope?  As Christians we have that sure and certain hope that when we die we will be with God – we have hope.  It is natural that we mourn the loss of one we loved – Jesus mourned for his friend Lazarus.  So for us, death is a mixture of happiness and sadness.  Sadness because of the hole left by the person who has died, but happiness knowing that a fellow Christian is now with God.

MONEY CONCERNS? NEED HELP?

‘Friends of Signpost’ is a financial counseling service where individuals can come in confidence to gain expert support. We recognise that living in the 21^stcentury can cause many uncertainties and unraveling the web of financial worries can feel isolating. See our web link to find help or email: signpost@adbaptistchurch.org.uk

 

Tools with a Mission – Useful resources around the world

The third group we want to let you know about is hidden behind the scenes and you could walk into the church and probably not know much about it! It is a work called Tools for Mission.  Volunteers collect unwanted tools which are in reasonable conditions for people overseas. These tools are collected all over the UK and sent to countries of the world where people have few tools,  little education and no means of earning a living. This small gift from us can change dependency and aid dependency to self sufficiency. It is good to know that this vital work is going on…..unseen to us, but a life-line to others.

Building relationships of trust

The Church in the Community is an important image for ADBC. It means that it has value in the environment and a voice to be heard. One key work of mission opportunity is the Pre-School which is open every day and also the Tiddlywinks which is a carers and toddler group on Thursdays. This work seeks to build relationship with families. Both groups have a wide range of activities which are varied each week. They are friendly and prove to be a safe environment for parent, carer and child and open to all faiths or no faith. It seeks to be inclusive and values diversity.