DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE....

Tonight we remembered the amazing 'supply' that God has given to us and provided for us. We had a good attendance again, and what was more special was those who gathered wanted to gather and expected stuff to happen. We recognised with Ezekeil the new life that flowed into dead places, and how God comes to give us Salvation, Forgiveness, Freedom, Healing, LIFE....and so much more. Many responded to celebrating their Salvation, seeking healing and more. Thank You Jesus

HOPE OF GLORY - SUPPLY

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

Biblical Passages to Read:
Ezekiel 47 & Luke 22: 7 – 38

The blessings that flow through this River, as pictured in Ezekiel for us brings life as we have already reflected, but it also reflects through that life brings fruit. It brings healing and refreshing. It brings renewal and it brings strength. Our God is a God who will supply all our needs.

This time of Easter Meditation reminds us again of all these things. God has done everything for us already, so that we might live. Therefore through the cross we have Salvation – Cleansing – Provision – Healing – Grace – Mercy – Empowering….and that’s just the start of it.

The prophet Isaiah (Chapter 53) reminds us just what Christ has done to supply all our needs:-
He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

In order to go deeper it might well be that we need to come again to this river for sanctification, we might well need to submit, and we indeed need to look to Him who will give us all that we need – whether that today to go deeper we need healing, cleansing, empowering …….

Spend some time considering those things which could be holding you back going deeper, pulling you back from going on and growing.

SUBMISSION

God was gracious to us last evening as about 18 people met together for our Holy Week Meditation. It was an amazing night, and we thank God for all He did among us - and indeed celebrate those people who were opened to Him to allow Him to do His will and purposes among us.

FAMILY OUTING

From time to time we arrange family outings at reasonable costs, to allow opportunity for families and individuals to get away from it all at a price most people can afford. Our next outing is Wednesday 11th April and we will be going to Greenwich in London. There is loads to do in that area, and much of it is free as well! We leave East Stour School at 8.30am and leave London at 4.30pm. We have had a lot of interest in this, and have had to book a larger coach, so we have a few more spaces....so if you could like to come either email susan.woodgate@salvationarmy.org.uk, or 0777 3392046. Sue can inform you of costings etc.

THE HOPE OF GLORY - SUBMISSION

Not my will but Yours

Biblical Passages to Read:
Ezekiel 47 & Luke 22: 42

As we seek to go deeper with God, that means we will be going to places where we have never been before, and even places we may not want to go. Submission is what Jesus teaches us so powerfully through the passage from Luke’s Gospel. This was not what He wanted, and yet through submitting to Gods will and purpose, it brought transformation for all mankind.

Submitting to God is reflected in Ezekiel so powerfully as well – its being willing to go beyond the comfort zone, all we have ever known, but recognising that we need to go at God’s pace. Its not a bad thing to be ankle deep, but it is if there is where we are always staying and being. Sometimes in the new experiences and places God takes us we will find ourselves ankle deep in water, but it should never be the place where we stay forever.

Submission is about giving in – letting God do just what it is He believes in us. He has created us and individually has an amazing plan and purpose for our lives. So, to go deeper, we have to allow Him to clean us up, and then allow Him to bring us to those places, to trust our Leader and to follow. The prophet was led by God, as we read in the very first place, it was not a sending.

Spend some time where you are with God, and how open and willing you are to do His will? God wants to take you to a place you have not been before, and that can be testing us as well. We need to be in the right place for and for Him.

SANTIFICATION

Our first evening of Holy Week Meditations saw about 18 people coming together to reflect on the power of the Cross and the desire that God has for us to go deeper with Him. In this, we need to be prepared to clean up the temple so that there is more and more room for Jesus. During the evening we shared some songs of worship, we opened the Word, and we were able to minister to one another through what God spoke to us in His Word and through spiritual gifts. There is a great expectancy for the rest of the week, and we would sincerely encourage you to invest sometime in your relationship with Him and come and share with us.

DEEPER: SANTIFICATION

This year throughout Holy Week we are exploring the focus - Deeper, looking at the Hope of Glory - a passion for Jesus. Throughout this week we will be printing the study guides being used by members of this church throughout Holy Week and being used in our evening meditations:-

SANCTIFICATION: MY HOUSE WILL BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER

Our main passage for study this week is Ezekiel 47, and this will be married together with words that Jesus spoke during this passion week. Today we also read Luke 19: 45 - 48

The picture of Ezekiel reflects for us the blessings that flow from The Temple, the place where God is. Easter reminds us that God is not hidden by a veil, and we do not need to go to a place to find God, God is among His people, and we are invited to experience Him in our everyday walk of life, and through all the experiences and

situations we will face. The picture of Ezekiel reflects that where the river flowed was life - even to the point of the dead sea, which is so salty that life does not exist there - but the Biblical passage reflects that God often seeks to bring life to those things which look finished with - dead and going nowhere. We have to find that starting point - and that starts with God. To go deeper with God, we need to know God and allow Him to lead and direct us. This is a place that is not just visited just once. This is a place we will need to continually come back to. And, its a place which cleans up the temple and which helps reflect who it is that resides and rules there. We need His sanctification, His Blessing, His Touch. We need to be saturaed with all He has for us, in order to be a reflective Temple of His Power and Glory

Spend sometime considering how this passage reflects your life, and where it is we are robbing God of what is that He wants us to be, and what He wants to do in and through us.

WAYSIDE PULPIT

The following outlines some of the wayside pulpit signs that have been seen in recent years. Maybe God has something to say to us through them?

1. Let's Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game - God
2. C'mon Over And Bring The Kids - God
3. What Part of "Thou Shalt Not..." Didn't You Understand? - God
4. We Need To Talk - God
5. Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer! - God
6. Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage - God
7. That "Love Thy Neighbour" Thing, I Meant It. - God
8. I Love You...I Love You...I Love You... - God
9. Will The Road You're On Get You To My Place? - God
10. Follow Me. - God
11. Big Bang Theory? You've Got To Be Kidding. - God
12. My Way Is The Highway. - God
13. Need Directions? - God
14. You Think It's Hot Here? - God
15. Tell The Kids I Love Them. - God
16. Need a Marriage Counselor? I'm Available. - God
17. Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test! - God

CHURCH HOLIDAY 2008

Announcement has been made of Holiday 2008 which will be held for a whole week from 24th May, which is half term holiday week. In 2008 we will be travelling to South Devon and located in Torquay, staying at the Crofton House Hotel. The holiday costs will include bed, breakfast and evenings meal, full use of the hotels facilities, and travel on a coach (although if you wish to travel on your own that will reduce the costs). With this is also included the cost of days out, which are yet to be announced. For adults this will cost £350, but bearing in mind this covers most things - other than insurance and midday snack, this is still very reasonable. Places have already started going, but this holiday is open to anyone and everyone. For further information, please contact us.

HOLY WEEK STARTS WITH MARILYN BAKER MINISTRIES

Holy Week 2007 started with the weekend visit of Marilyn Baker Ministries, and God blessed us so much. On the Saturday evening Marilyn shared a number of her songs, and her assistant, Tracey shared her testimony. On Sunday, Palm Sunday, our senior leaders were asked to lead worship and Tracey spoke from Acts 3. Being the first Sunday in the month, we shared our family day celebration meal, and this followed with THE EVENT led by Marilyn and featuring Tracey. Many people responded to the opportunity to receive prayer during the day. The pictures show Tracey and Marilyn, and also our children in worship for palm sunday.