Dear Church family,
I write to you at the end of another week of change for all of us as we enter a period of staying at home. In the uncertain times we face, it is good to remind ourselves of God's steadfast love for us and of the hope we have in Him. I have been reflecting on these themes over the last week and if you haven't had a chance to watch my devotional on Psalm 42 yet you can check that out here. Whilst this virus is not from God, we know that God is working in all things for His good and His purpose. Let's be confident that even as we walk through this God's Kingdom continues to advance across our nation.
Contact Groups
Sign ups are now open for our contact groups. Please sign up for a group here. Feel free to sign up for a group of someone you either know relationally or someone you live near. Our heart is that we remain connected through this time. Do look to connect with people across the church - why not pick up the phone and give someone a call today?
Sundays
Counting those who joined live and those watched later we have had over 400 views of our church meeting last week. It's so great that many are connecting to us. Let's be prayerful that through this season God's Kingdom is advanced through us, and even with people stuck at home many come to faith. Join online this Sunday here.
Offerings
If you regularly give by cheque or cash and would like to continue giving can I encourage you to send cheques to the church offices or give online. Details of how to do this are here.
2 words of encouragement for us as a church
Eddie Richards felt God encouraging us as a church to be mindful of how much news we are taking in and not to give way to panic or fear by many of the messages or bulletins we see. As John writes, 'Perfect love casts out fear'. Let's continue to 'keep ourselves in the love of God' - asking the Spirit to continue giving us confidence, peace and hope.
Sam Kendell had a prophetic picture about a pull-back toy car. He felt God saying this time is a time, when we are not able to meet together physically, that things might feel like they are going backwards, but that God is preparing to propel us forward as a church. This is in keeping with many words we have had as church over the last year about being in a time of preparation for a bigger season ahead. Be encouraged! God goes before us! I'm looking forward to joining with you again this Sunday online!
Every blessing,
Barney
Gateway Church Ashford, is a church in Ashford, Kent, and is part of the New Frontiers movement and within the Catalyst Network sphere.
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