STORMING THE FORTS OF DARKNESS

COMMUNITY CHURCH is time monthly, when we take the church from the building into the community - and seek to make a difference and Be The Light of Jesus. This month (June) we returned to South Ashford, and there we engaged in time storming the forts of darkness on Stanhope, and taking authority in the Name of Jesus. It was a powerful time, as we offered prayers for those we passed, the houses (and those within them) and situations faced, and more. We even had a helpful time talking to the local estate office personnel who invited us to view the new houses!!! After this we spent time enjoying being Church together and being refreshed again, thanks to the warm hospitaility of District Pastor Elsie. We thank God again for this opportunity and pray that we will see knees bowing before God and confessing that He is Lord!

SUNDAY, 29TH JUNE 2008

This morning saw the commissioning of the Adult Ministries team. Two years ago the Leaders were looking to appoint a person to oversight the 20 plus age group, not an easy task as this includes 90+ people. Sara Hayward was appointed to this post and has spent the last two years getting to know all 90+ ladies and gentlemen ! However looking after this many people alone is impossible, so for the last 6 months Sara along with our Senior Leaders has prayed for the right team to assist and support her. So his morning the majority of the team (unfortunately a few could not be there today) were commissioned. Adult Ministries areas of care are Welcome, Men, Women, Africans, Over 60's and Families.
Our All Age Presentation was shared by our Children's Ministries Officer, Clare Hayward, she used all the under 12's to demonstrate that no-one is too small or young to do God's work (Jeremiah 1:6-7).
During the meeting, Captain Sue preached her last sermon at Ashford, and spoke on Being the Light and showing God's love. Sue reminded us of this morning's All Age Presentation and that we had 23 children under 12 at today's service. She challenged us to find ways to penetrate hearts with the Life of Christ as suggested in a book she has read "Changing the World through Kindness". Mark 16:15-18 tells us to go tell the world of God's love, not just the nice, pretty places but ALL the world! God will gve us the strength to do these things. If we fail to do what God has sent us to do we will let the rest of the 'army' done, we all have our part to play. We cannot hide from God (Psalm 139) or Satan, the enemy will find you but Jesus has promised (John 8:12 & 12:46) that he will be our light in the darkness. For the last 5 years we have told ourselves and our community that we are the light. Being the Light is a massive thing it may be hard but it is not impossible.
God IS Love, not like love, not loving, He is Love and our lives should exhibit and reflect that. We are reminded many times in the Bible that we should love our neighbour as ourselves, but if you don't love yourself you can't love others. Everyone is someone! Matthew 10:25-37 tells the story of the Good Samaritan and Captain Sue concluded by reminding us of our need to be a good samaritan:
Practical: Look for the need and help.
Patient: Persevere, don't give up on anyone.
Perceptive: Help others to understand.

BBQ and STRAWBERRY TEA JUNE 2008

On Saturday, 28th June 2008 we were invited to a BBQ and strawberry tea at the home of Bob and Jean Shrubb. Although they have only been worshipping at the Ashford Salvation Army for a few months, they took Captains Ian and Sue's challenge to raise funds for the Salvation Army's Annual Appeal very seriously. For a number of weeks now Jean has been selling her wonderful homemade cards and on Saturday a few of us descended upon their home for a fantastic evening of food, friendship and fellowship. Bob slaved over a hot BBQ, whilst the lovely Jean helped to serve as well as preparing a wonderful Strawberry Tea. They were both helped and supported by ther daughter Michelle. The BBQ and tea was a great success and made a good profit for the Annual Appeal. Thank you and well done to Jean, Bob and Michelle !

FAREWELL TOUR

This time last year, Prime Minister Tony Blair had completed his farewell tour, and his successor took office. Currently our senior leaders are engaging not in tours, but in suppers and open houses, to invite members and friends of the church to come and share sometime with them in their home. Tonight was the first of such events, inviting the youth of the church, and with that the youth mentor as well - many of whom have journeyed together over the last five years, and in that time the youth group was established at the church on a Sunday. A special time was shared, including food and some games.

LADIES NIGHT OUT

Ladies from the church enjoyed a night out to a local eating place. The event also was on the same night as our children ministries officer's 21st Birthday, so it was a double celebration - firstly of freedom from home, and secondly to celebrate with Clare and her family this special milestone in her life. Thanks to Captain Sue for suggesting the event and arranging the night out for us xx

SCHOOL AFTERNOON MUSIC CONCERT

East Stour School permitted us our second annual music concert on Wednesday 25th June, during which the choir sang, the recorders played, and the group attending enjoyed refreshments too. It was a great afternoon and massive thanks to the school

DREAMS AND VISIONS

Dreams and Visions was the focussed for the final DISCIPLE COLLEGE for this term (restarts again in September). Captain Ian, taking his last opportunity to address the disciples of Jesus, spoke on the importance of being open to what God wants, and placing aside the things that we want. Reminding everyone life is about honouring God, we explored how God speaks through dreams and visions, and how it is in the last days that God will pour out on His People so many different gifts and ministries, which have to be embraced and shared. Worship helped us to focus on the Holiness of God, and songs included:- Silenty Now I wait for Thee; open the eyes of my heart, Lord; Holy, Holy; I see the Lord seated on The Throne. Other songs included:- I want to tell you what the Lord has done and Lord, Pour out Your Spirit.

Sometime was given to discuss together what our dreams and visions were for God's Church here in ashford, and these were noted and then prayed over. Time was then given for people to pray togeher, in groups etc, some shared in the love feast, and as the Spirit moved, so people moved.

We thank God for this powerful evening together and for the many who made time to come together. We look forward to seeing us back together in this way on Sunday 14th September, which will be led by our new senior leaders

SUNDAY, 22nd JUNE 2008

On Sunday during our morning celebration meeting we enrolled five more new Junior Soldiers, Captain Susan Woodgate introduced the children and asked them a few simple questions about themselves. The most popular answer to "What do you like to do the most" was "Not a lot"
Captain Ian Woodgate assisted the children to make their Junior Soldier promise. Our 6 older junior soldiers renewed their promises on sunday too, Clare Hayward, Children's Ministries Officer introduced the new and old Junior Soldiers to their prayer partners. The 11 children and their prayer partners knelt to sign their certificates and to pray. The leaders of the church prayed over all the Junior Soldiers.

During the meeting, Captain Ian preached his last sermon at Ashford, and spoke on the Peace of God - encouraging all to know that, experience that, and live in His Peace now and into the future. Taking as his text, Philippians 2, he explored how to know Peace with God we need to have a trust in God (and therefore not worry), we need to have a relationship with God, we need Holy Fire and Passion, and we need to be Living by Faith. Several people responded to the opportunity for prayer after he had spoken, and as we sang It is well with my Soul. We concluded with singing, May the words of my mouth.

KINGDOM KIDS' TALENT SHOW

On friday night at Kingdom Kids they put on a talent show, organised by Junior Soldiers, Ben, Chelsea, Rebbecca and Hannah for all the parents, carers, friends and family to raise money for the Annual Appeal. Their aim was £40, but amazingly they raised £102.00!! This will go towards Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre's aim to raise a total of £6,000 for the annual appeal.It was an amazing night, full of laughter, fun and joy. So many people turned up in support, which was brilliant. All the children and young people were fabulous and there talents were brilliant!!Each team did their part, Yellow Team used puppets to mime to a Queen hit, Blue team made cookies, Green Team acted their version f Cinderella and Red team sang 'Right said Fred (cup of tea)'. Many of the children and young people sang songs from High School Musical and the Kingdom Kids leaders danced to a HSM song.Thank you to all the participants Clare the Children's Ministries Officer, the KK team, the Junior Soldiers and all the Kingdom Kids. Well Done!

GOD'S LOVE

Sunday, 15th June marked the penultimate Disciple College of this term. Those present were overwhelmed by a spirit-filled meeting. We had a time of prayer and sharing. Three members shared that Revival is not just happening in Florida but here in Ashford, our young people and the South Ashford/Stanhope Project are a witness to this.

Please join us for our last Disciple College this term on Sunday, 22nd June at 6pm.