Trust in God
Dear Church Family,
I love the story of Samuel. His mother Hannah can't have a child so seeks God in the temple and prays and pours out her soul to God with such fervour that Eli the priest in the Temple thinks she is drunk. God then blessed Hannah with getting pregnant with Samuel. Then Hannah dedicates Samuel to the temple for him to serve there which shows incredible faithfulness to God as at the time he was her only son and she gave him to the service of God. God then blessed her with more children. Samuel grows up in the service of God and in the Temple.
We are told that Eli's sons who are also serving as priests are corrupt and it says, 'Eli's sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.' Eli is told that because of their evil ways the sons will die and their descendants will suffer (if you want more detail read 1 Sam 2:27-36). After that we have the well known story of Samuel hearing God's voice, running to Eli asking what he wants and then after a couple of times, Eli realizing it was God speaking to him (see 1 Sam 3). When Samuel tells God that he is listening God tells him that He is going to do something in Israel 'that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.' God also tells Samuel that the word spoken against Eli will come true and that his family will suffer because of their sin.
The part that always strikes me is Eli's response to the seemingly harsh word God speaks against his family. Eli says, 'He is the LORD: let him do what is good in his eyes.' Imagine God telling you that your children will die and that all your descendants will suffer because of your son's sin - I don't think my response would be that gracious! However, what I respect is that fact that Eli honours God's judgement. The principle I take away from this is that God's judgement is perfect, He knows all and sees all and it is for us to respect His decisions whether they are good in our eyes or negative in our eyes. God is always right, we are often not, and we need the humility sometimes to recognize that.
When we place our trust in God what we are choosing to do is go with His ways rather than our ways even when we don't understand what on earth is going on! God is the only one with access to every aspect of the big picture, we often only see a small snippet. He is the LORD, we are not! So like Eli, we let Him do with is good in His eyes and we trust Him in it.
Lots of Love,
Katie x
SUNDAY GATHERING - 10:30AM Join us this Sunday morning as Thomas continues our Summer for Everyone series with 'That Sinking Feeling'. This means that our children and youth will stay in for the whole service. For those who are unable to attend in person please join us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jm2z9jU_FH4
SELAH In August we like to pause most of our regular activities to provide space and time to breath, rest, reflect and give God space to restore those who serve in many areas across the church. Please check out the 'Regular Events' at the bottom of the weekly update to see what is and isn't running.
THE WELL UPDATE We are excited to announce that The Well will be open again on Tuesday 19th August - Just 4 days to wait! A massive thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have given their time and effort to help make The Well look fresh and beautiful.
VISION LUNCH - Sunday 14th September ⌚ After the service, approx 1pm -The main worship space.
If you are new to our church family, relatively new or if you have been coming a while but you are not yet a member, this lunch is for you! Stay after the service to share a meal together and connect with others, hear more about the vision of the church, what membership is all about and opportunities to get involved, all in an informal setting where you can ask any question you might have. Please sign up on ChurchSuite - there is a limit on spaces so sign up to avoid disappointment! (If you have any dietary requirements can you write them in the notes section).
MID-WEEK DAYTIME SERVICE AT BRABOURNE BAPTIST CHURCH
We would like to start a mid-week, daytime service once a month from September at Brabourne. This is a shout out to everyone who would like to be involved in making this happen. We need hospitality volunteers and those who would like to lead worship or be part of the worship team playing an instrument and / or vocals. If you would like to be part of the team, please contact Paula Chegwin on email: paula@willesboroughbaptist.church. Be part of making this happen!
THE REAL MEAL MEN'S MEAL - Saturday 6th September ⌚ 8:30am @ WBC - Cost: £10
Men, come and join us together for a Real Meal full English breakfast, where Michael Cooper formerly of 'CVM' & 'The Church Army' but now with Samaritans Purse will be sharing about his walk with God while working in the charity sector. There will also be a game to wake us up where 'points mean prizes.' So, spare a couple of hours, bring a mate and come and enjoy a bit of comradeship.
Please sign up via ChurchSuite or speak with Ben Oliver or Mark Giles by the 1st September.
BAPTISM COURSE If you are interested in getting baptised or are curious to see what it is all about about - this course is for you! The course is 3 sessions and they are all on zoom. If you are interested speak to Mark or email him at mark@willesboroughbaptist.church
Tuesday 19th August The Well Reopening | 9am-12pm
Saturday 6th September Men's Meal | 8:30am
Thursday 11th September Power Hour | 8pm
Sunday 14th September Vision Lunch | After the service (approx. 1pm)
Sunday 28th September Immerse | 7pm
Saturday 18th October Paula Chegwin Ordination | 2pm - save the date!
Sparks / Flames / Firestarters | Paused for summer | resumes 7th September
Blaze | Paused for summer | resumes 7th September
Ignite | Paused for summer | resumes Friday 5th September
Furnace | Paused for summer | resumes Monday 1st September
The Well | Closed for renovation until further notice
Crafty Cuppa | Thursday 21st Aug then every other week | In The Well | 2-4pm
Brabourne Craft Group | Paused for summer | Brabourne Baptist Church
Renew Wellbeing | Tuesday 19th August in The Well | 2-4pm
Prayer | Before our Sunday service | front of church | 9:45am - all welcome!
Facebook prayers | Paused for summer | resumes Monday 1st September
Early Morning Prayers | Paused for summer | resumes Wednesday 3rd September *note changed from Thursday morning to Wednesday morning
I love the story of Samuel. His mother Hannah can't have a child so seeks God in the temple and prays and pours out her soul to God with such fervour that Eli the priest in the Temple thinks she is drunk. God then blessed Hannah with getting pregnant with Samuel. Then Hannah dedicates Samuel to the temple for him to serve there which shows incredible faithfulness to God as at the time he was her only son and she gave him to the service of God. God then blessed her with more children. Samuel grows up in the service of God and in the Temple.
We are told that Eli's sons who are also serving as priests are corrupt and it says, 'Eli's sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord.' Eli is told that because of their evil ways the sons will die and their descendants will suffer (if you want more detail read 1 Sam 2:27-36). After that we have the well known story of Samuel hearing God's voice, running to Eli asking what he wants and then after a couple of times, Eli realizing it was God speaking to him (see 1 Sam 3). When Samuel tells God that he is listening God tells him that He is going to do something in Israel 'that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.' God also tells Samuel that the word spoken against Eli will come true and that his family will suffer because of their sin.
The part that always strikes me is Eli's response to the seemingly harsh word God speaks against his family. Eli says, 'He is the LORD: let him do what is good in his eyes.' Imagine God telling you that your children will die and that all your descendants will suffer because of your son's sin - I don't think my response would be that gracious! However, what I respect is that fact that Eli honours God's judgement. The principle I take away from this is that God's judgement is perfect, He knows all and sees all and it is for us to respect His decisions whether they are good in our eyes or negative in our eyes. God is always right, we are often not, and we need the humility sometimes to recognize that.
When we place our trust in God what we are choosing to do is go with His ways rather than our ways even when we don't understand what on earth is going on! God is the only one with access to every aspect of the big picture, we often only see a small snippet. He is the LORD, we are not! So like Eli, we let Him do with is good in His eyes and we trust Him in it.
Lots of Love,
Katie x
SUNDAY GATHERING - 10:30AM Join us this Sunday morning as Thomas continues our Summer for Everyone series with 'That Sinking Feeling'. This means that our children and youth will stay in for the whole service. For those who are unable to attend in person please join us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jm2z9jU_FH4
SELAH In August we like to pause most of our regular activities to provide space and time to breath, rest, reflect and give God space to restore those who serve in many areas across the church. Please check out the 'Regular Events' at the bottom of the weekly update to see what is and isn't running.
THE WELL UPDATE We are excited to announce that The Well will be open again on Tuesday 19th August - Just 4 days to wait! A massive thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have given their time and effort to help make The Well look fresh and beautiful.
VISION LUNCH - Sunday 14th September ⌚ After the service, approx 1pm -The main worship space.
If you are new to our church family, relatively new or if you have been coming a while but you are not yet a member, this lunch is for you! Stay after the service to share a meal together and connect with others, hear more about the vision of the church, what membership is all about and opportunities to get involved, all in an informal setting where you can ask any question you might have. Please sign up on ChurchSuite - there is a limit on spaces so sign up to avoid disappointment! (If you have any dietary requirements can you write them in the notes section).
MID-WEEK DAYTIME SERVICE AT BRABOURNE BAPTIST CHURCH
We would like to start a mid-week, daytime service once a month from September at Brabourne. This is a shout out to everyone who would like to be involved in making this happen. We need hospitality volunteers and those who would like to lead worship or be part of the worship team playing an instrument and / or vocals. If you would like to be part of the team, please contact Paula Chegwin on email: paula@willesboroughbaptist.church. Be part of making this happen!
THE REAL MEAL MEN'S MEAL - Saturday 6th September ⌚ 8:30am @ WBC - Cost: £10
Men, come and join us together for a Real Meal full English breakfast, where Michael Cooper formerly of 'CVM' & 'The Church Army' but now with Samaritans Purse will be sharing about his walk with God while working in the charity sector. There will also be a game to wake us up where 'points mean prizes.' So, spare a couple of hours, bring a mate and come and enjoy a bit of comradeship.
Please sign up via ChurchSuite or speak with Ben Oliver or Mark Giles by the 1st September.
BAPTISM COURSE If you are interested in getting baptised or are curious to see what it is all about about - this course is for you! The course is 3 sessions and they are all on zoom. If you are interested speak to Mark or email him at mark@willesboroughbaptist.church
Tuesday 19th August The Well Reopening | 9am-12pm
Saturday 6th September Men's Meal | 8:30am
Thursday 11th September Power Hour | 8pm
Sunday 14th September Vision Lunch | After the service (approx. 1pm)
Sunday 28th September Immerse | 7pm
Saturday 18th October Paula Chegwin Ordination | 2pm - save the date!
Sparks / Flames / Firestarters | Paused for summer | resumes 7th September
Blaze | Paused for summer | resumes 7th September
Ignite | Paused for summer | resumes Friday 5th September
Furnace | Paused for summer | resumes Monday 1st September
The Well | Closed for renovation until further notice
Crafty Cuppa | Thursday 21st Aug then every other week | In The Well | 2-4pm
Brabourne Craft Group | Paused for summer | Brabourne Baptist Church
Renew Wellbeing | Tuesday 19th August in The Well | 2-4pm
Prayer | Before our Sunday service | front of church | 9:45am - all welcome!
Facebook prayers | Paused for summer | resumes Monday 1st September
Early Morning Prayers | Paused for summer | resumes Wednesday 3rd September *note changed from Thursday morning to Wednesday morning
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