Hold on to hope

Dear church family,

In Isaiah 9 (usually read around Christmas time), it says 'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end…'

This hope that Isaiah was prophesying about in a time of turmoil was to be a Saviour that through His rule would bring peace. Later in Isaiah we are shown a vision of a day when the 'wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,' and so on. It is a beautiful vision that the peace this Saviour would bring would extend towards all of creation, animals included, where predators would be at peace with prey.
We are in the time that is often called the 'now and not yet.' On the cross Jesus was victorious over sin and death and yet the world is still in the process of being redeemed. We are in a time of tension where we know one day the whole world will be restored and will be full of peace and light, however that day also can seem far off.

When we look at the news and hear horrific things happening such as in the middle east with the attacks going on, it can often seem overwhelming. However, there is always hope! In these times of turmoil, we hold on to hope for the future but also pray for the reality of today. We pray and seek God for peace in the middle east and we pray for those who have been affected by these attacks. We also pray for the brokenness in that area of the world.
In the now and not yet let us be peacemakers who do not judge situations but get on our knees and pray for the hurting and broken in our world.
With love,

Katie x
 
SUNDAY GATHERING - 10:30AM Join us this Sunday as we begin our series on Church Family. For those who are unable to attend in person please join us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mMICCZUyufM



CALEB RISING What is God calling you to do? Our friends at Gateway are holding a 'Caleb Rising' event. For more information please visit their website: https://gatewayashford.churchsuite.com/events/oxh7lycb




LOVE WILLESBOROUGH MEETING Join us on Wednesday 8th November at 7:30pm for a team meeting as we build up towards blessing our community this Christmas!




Eat Well Spend Less Roadshow | 1st November | Main worship space | 10am-2pm
The 'Real' Meal | 6th November | Woolpack pub (Smeeth/Brabourne) | 7pm
Love Willesborough Meeting | 8th November | Main worship space | 7:30pm
AGM | 9th November | Main worship space
Lead Theology Course | 11th November | 9:30am-1pm
Caleb Rising | 11th November | The Riverside Centre | 10am-3pm


Sparks & Firestarters | Sunday mornings | In the church hall | 0-3 & 4-10 year olds
Blaze | Sunday mornings upstairs in the well | years 6-8
Ignite | Friday | 7-9pm | Main worship space | years 7-13
Furnace | Mondays | 7-9pm | Katie's manse | years 9-13
The Well | Open Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays | 9-12
Love Willesborough Knitting & Crochet | Wednesdays | Main worship space | 7-8:30pm
Renew Wellbeing | Tuesdays in The Well | 2-4pm
Prayer | Before our Sunday service | front of church | 9:45am
Early Morning Prayers | Thursday mornings | 6:30am | Join here: www.willesboroughbaptist.church/prayer