Let’s make the most of what we’ve got.

There are a lot of things we can’t do at the moment: we can’t gather together for Church, we can’t visit our family members, we can’t play sport or many other things.

But we can still gather together in a virtual way through YouTube, Zoom, Facebook and phone calls. We can open the Word of God and encourage each other, we can draw near to God in prayer, calling upon the Holy Spirit to be at work in us to make us more like Christ. We can proclaim the good news of Christ in new and creative ways to a world that needs Jesus Christ!

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.”

2 Timothy 2:8-9

We are currently held captive in our homes (sort of), but the Word of God is not, let’s allow the Word of God to do it’s work in our lives, and in the lives of others!

I’m really excited to preach through the book of 1 Samuel with you over the next 8 weeks. I had intended to challenge you all to be regular at Church this term. With many competing priorities in our lives it’s easy to let attendance at Church slip down the priority list (and I notice this happens all too often). But when we do this, we’re not the only ones who miss out. Our brothers and sisters are all the poorer for our absence.

When you are faithful at ‘turning up’ at Church – it has a profound positive impact on your brothers and sisters in Christ. It encourages them. It spurs them on. And it allows you to exercise your gifts in serving them. It also has a profound positive impact on your family members. It says to your children, “Church is a priority, we need to make Jesus our number one!”

So, this term, for everyone who ‘turns up’ every week (which simply means watching along on YouTube during lockdown weeks) I’ll have a chocolate bar reward for you on the final Sunday of term!

Yours in Him,

Ben