Exodus 14​ 
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 
 
The Israelites have got out of Egypt, but within a few days, they find themselves trapped by the Pharoah’s army, with their backs to the sea, facing a scary future.
 
A bit like us, they have abruptly left a way of life they have known for generations, and found themselves in a different and scary place. Their old occupations had gone, their home life had changed unrecognisably, and they were facing life threatening danger.
And in that situation, Moses speaks to them in the words of Exodus 14 v 14. He says “stand firm…the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still”
 
Imagine what it was like in the Israelite camp.  What did it mean to be still? Maybe the young men didn’t have much to do, but the babies still needed feeding, the goats still needed milking, the latrines still needed cleaning!  Not everyone could be still, surely?
 
It’s a bit the same for us now. Some of us find ourselves furloughed and not allowed to work, others are lonely and worried and bored, others are getting out and about, or busy on line, or have their hands full coping with locked down families. But, whether or not we are busy, we are all called to be still.
 
And that simply means, whatever our situation, we stand firm, with stilled hearts before the Lord.  Being still means seeing life in perspective, understanding who God is, and realising that we don’t need to panic like the people of Israel did.
 
For the people of God there is nothing to fear: we can stand. We can do that because the Lord is fighting for us, and he will appear as surely as the coming dawn. Let’s share that great comfort – our hope is not just in the NHS or the scientists, it is in the name of the Lord who brings deliverance.   
​Don

This afternoon (Thursday) is the second Tea and Chat session this week on zoom that anyone can join. The session starts at 15.30pm and anyone who wants to partake will be very welcome.

The easiest way to join this is via the events page  on MyChurchSuite.  If you don't have or are having problems logging into MyChurchSuite please contact the church office [email protected] or 01273 732965. ​

​James 5
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 
Just before lockdown (remember, about 5 years ago!) we were all instructed to wash our hands, and wash them properly. I remember being surprised that I’d been washing my hands wrongly for my entire life! After I was told by friends, people around me, and obviously by the government advice how to properly wash my hands, I started doing it that way, and will continue to do it properly for the rest of my life.
James 4 also tells us to wash our hands, but it’s really a different part of our anatomy that we’re being commanded to clean. We are being given the correct instructions on how to wash our hearts. It’s not with soap and water for 20 seconds. But through submission, resistance, humility, and most importantly, coming to God. That’s how we deeply change our hearts for the better. Submit to God, resist the Devil, and pray in humility and honesty.
I love the way we are told to come to God in grievance, mourning and wailing. To change our joy to gloom. I know I’m definitely guilty of responding to the question “How are you doing?”, insincerely. Simply shrugging off and saying “yeah, not too bad!”. I feel like we sometimes do that with God in prayer. We come to him saying, “everything’s alright, just a couple of things I’d like to pray for”.
But if we’re feeling distressed in our lives, come to God in distress. If we’re feeling sad, come to him in our sorrow. If we’re feeling upset, come to him in our ‘upset-ness’. Mourn and wail all you like. God knows how you feel and he wants to help you. Be real in front of God.
We have plenty of reasons to be in distress at the state of the world right now. Sickness, injustice, violence. When you come to God to pray for those things, it’s okay to let your emotions show. Come near to God and he will come near to you, and as he does you will feel your heart being washed cleaner as you grow closer to God.
​Alex

What’s the difference and how can they help when talking about Jesus to others?
In business, we’re often reminded in meetings or 1-1 conversations to state the purpose at the outset. Are we to debate? That means, defend my point of view to the hilt, go in with the mindset of “I’ve got to convince the other person to my view, or else”, and therefore we can come across like panelists on BBC1’s Question Time. Rather dogmatic!

​Or are we to discuss? This still means being clear about what you stand for, and being confident, but this is combined with showing an identical level of interest in what the other person believes, what their ideas are, or what strategies they have.

​Perhaps we are to simply have dialogue. This means going into a conversation with a mindset of curiosity. I would suggest, to listen much more than we speak, to follow the other person’s line of thinking, not ‘steal the talking stick’ back off them, and give them the oxygen to fully express themselves.

So how does this apply to evangelism and which of these are most suitable when the subject of Christianity comes up in a conversation with a friend or family member who doesn’t (yet) know the Lord Jesus?
Maybe we have the opportunity to ask a question to begin with…
-Do you have any spiritual beliefs?
-Who do you think Jesus was?
-What do you think happens after death?
However, I think we’re sometimes then tempted as soon as we hear an answer, to rush in, in debate mode to correct  – “Ah, no, you’re wrong, because in the Bible it says….”. Our intent is positive, but what impact does it have on the other person? It’s likely to close the conversation down – or even fracture the relationship.
I reckon it’s a good idea to remain in at least discussion mode…
1 Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
“That’s interesting, tell me some more…”
Then, perhaps: “What do you think Christians believe about this?”
Then, at a suitable point in the conversation: “Can I share what I believe as a Christian”. Followed by a Bible verse.
Or continue in dialogue, with a few follow-up questions:
-Where did you first hear about Jesus?
-How have your spiritual beliefs helped you?
-Have you always held that view about death?
 
Now all of these ideas are to provide loose frameworks, rather than ‘word patterns’ for conversations!  And as we pray, before and during these conversations, God will guide us through the Holy Spirit to give us the direction we need – and in which way He wants the conversation to go.
What do you think? Let’s have some dialogue!
​Giles

​Stephen and Lizzi Demetriou will be hosting BH Youth LIVE on YouTube from 7:15-8:15pm tonight. 
Today, we're looking at Self-Control from Genesis 39. Also tonight, Stephen's head will be shaved live on YouTube! (He's not looking forward to it!) If you’re 11-18, come join in the fun! Message Stephen to get involved

​We can now pray in some church buildings. But how should we pray? Jesus says this just before the Lord’s prayer:
 
​“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." – Matthew 6.5-8
 
Jesus tackles two praying sins – hypocrisy and paganism. Do we commit them?
 
Hypocrisy is to do with the motive in our praying. I don’t pray out loud on street corners; and Jesus’ hyperbole doesn’t restrict public praying. Rather, it is getting at the motive, challenging my hypocritical praying, when I “love to be seen by others.”
 
Some examples? What about the quick “arrow” prayer, so that we can message someone, saying, “I’ve just been praying for you…” Isn’t this the same thing? Ouch. Or how about when “pray” in a prayer gathering, but I do so more concerned with how my words sound to the others than with addressing my Father in heaven. Ouch again.
 
Paganism is emptying prayer of its meaning. Jesus calls this babbling. He warns against prayers of many words which lack content. (There’s nothing wrong with praying all night – Jesus himself did it.) Too often, I pray on auto-pilot. Or consider the type of praying which takes a list and says “please bless so and so, etc,” repeating the same thing for each person. It’s empty. Think too of how we can unthinkingly chant the Lord’s Prayer. How ironic. Ouch again.
 
"Hypocritical" and "pagan" wouldn't have been words I'd have chosen, but my Master does, and they challenge me deeply. I need to reflect and think, confess and plead, about my praying. How about you? Father, help us! And he will – especially as we speak to him as our all-knowing, all-caring Father.
​Dave

Just thought I would make you aware of our exciting news - we reopened yesterday on Monday 15th June!  We plan on normal hours - 9.30 until 5.00 every day except Sunday.  Obviously we have had to put a number of things in place to be within the government guidelines, these include the use of hand sanitizers for everyone as they enter the shop, the need for social distancing as customers move around the shop etc.  Since we do not usually have a large number of customers in the shop at any one time I am hopeful that this should be easily managed but we will all need to be patient!  

I know that some of you have really missed the chance to come in and browse and we have also missed you.  We have some great special offers for when you return including a large range of books at just £1 each! There is the usual large of books, gifts and cards for all occasions The second hand section is also open and is always worth a visit.
Please spread the word about this ...
​We look forward to seeing you soon.
Gillian Carr

This week there will be 2 'lockdown' coffee and chat sessions on zoom that anyone can join.

Tuesday 16 June 10.30
Thursday 18  June 15.30
​
​The easiest way to join this is via the events page  on MyChurchsuite.  If you don't have or having problems logging into MyChurchsuite please contact the church office [email protected] 01273 732965. ​

​Departure Time 
‘The time for my departure is near’ 2 Timothy 4:6
 
The great apostle Paul has reached the end of his life here in 2 Timothy, and he knows it. He had ‘Fought the fight, finished the race, and had kept the faith’ (4:7). Was he feeling morbid and depressed? No, for he was looking ahead to being with Christ. Anticipating with confidence that ‘crown of righteousness’ (4:8).
His whole Christian life had seen him ‘torn’ between the desire to ‘depart and be with Christ’ and to remain as a useful servant to the church (Philippians 1:23-26).
 
The Lord Jesus spoke of His ‘departure’ with Elijah and Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:31). Wouldn’t I have loved to be a fly on that wall!! Peter too talked about his ‘departure’ in 2 Peter 1:15.
 
A time will come for us to ‘depart’ this life. Perhaps a loved one has recently ‘departed’ or maybe, like Paul, you know that the time for your ‘departure’ is near? No one from this life can take that journey with us. But, the Lord has promised ‘I will come and take you to be with me, where I am’ (John 14:3). How wonderful to know that we will have the Lord’s company in the valley of the shadow of death. ‘Fear not, for I am with you’. What blessings we have in this life, in death, and even more so in the life to come. That life we know, is ‘better by far’. 

BH church will be open for private prayer from today.  It will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:00 to 12:00.  On each day there will be 2 sessions: 11:00 to 11:30 and 11:30 to 12:00.  To keep everyone safe, we are strictly limiting the numbers to a few people that can come to each session.  Therefore, to make sure there is room for you, please reserve a place before you come. 
If you are a member of BH the easiest way to reserve a place is through Mychurchsuite (this is because you don't have to fill in your details it knows who you are already) .  If you are not a member of BH then you are very welcome and you can reserve a place through the BH website.  If you don't have an email address then please ring the office (01273 723965) to reserve your place.

​

We often don’t like to be told there is only one way to do things, do we? Whether it’s disregarding the instructions on flat pack furniture or ignoring the recipe in baking a cake, we love to do things how we like.    
 
A common misconception is that we can do God how we like- we can decide how we get to him, relate to him and enjoy him.  As the famous illustration goes, God is at the top of the mountain and  there are many paths that lead to him, so all that matters is walking along the one that suits you- as if choosing religion is like choosing sweets in the ‘Pick n Mix’ section of Woolworths (if you can remember that shop!) 
 
But according to Acts 4:12, there is ONLY ONE way to ‘do God.’  There is ONLY ONE way we can get to him, relate to him and enjoy him.  There is ONLY ONE way we can be saved:
 
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
 
The name being referred to here is the name of Jesus, that is the person of Jesus.  This claim can only be true about Jesus because there is no one else like Jesus.  He is uniquely qualified to be the unique saviour. 
 
For those of us who are trying to do God how we like, on our own terms, we need to hear the implied warning of this verse: to reject Jesus is to reject the ONLY saviour that God has appointed. 
 
For those of us who know this to be true, be encouraged that you are doing the right thing in following Jesus- there is no other saviour!  Keep looking to him today, confident that is it only through the One and Only Saviour that you get to be with God, relate to God and enjoy God, now and forever. 

Enoch...pleased God
 
‘Enoch...was commended as one who pleased God’   Hebrews 11:5
 
What a strange character is Enoch. He only gets a short mention in the bible, yet here he is, making the line-up of ‘Faith’s Greats’ in Hebrews chapter 11. What made him worthy of such a mention? Was it that he was Methuselah’s dad (the bible’s oldest man)? Or perhaps that he was one of the only two who by-passed death? What could it be that caused him to be ‘commended as one who pleased God’? Isn’t that our greatest desire in life – to please God? How did he do it?
 
The BIG clue is that he’s mentioned here in Hebrews 11 – the ‘Faith’ chapter. We also read of him in Genesis 5:21-22 that ‘He walked faithfully with God’. Only Noah and Enoch get that particular credit! He was a man of FAITH. That’s what made him pleasing to God.
 
Are you ‘walking faithfully’ with God? Living a life of trust and joyful obedience? Then be assured that you are living a life that is pleasing to God. Living by faith (in God) is what the Christian life is all about. Pray for deeper, greater and God-given faith for the folks at BH. Then we will all be pleasing to God.

Stephen (BH Youth Minister) has put together a short video about all the things that Rooted and KO have been up to during Lock-down.  Watch and find out.

If you are on the BH electoral role you will find on your MyChurchsuite a church directory. It is great for when you need to contact some one from the church family without having to use an out-of-date printed church directory.  On MyChurchsuite under 'Search for others' you will see a list of all those at BH that have given permission for us to display their details on MyChurchsuite.  Below is a picture of what a demo one looks like. Why don't you log on to your MyChurchsuite and have a look to see what the BH one looks like. If someone's details are not showing then it is because they haven't given us permission to display them.  If not all your details are displayed it is because you haven't given us permission to display them.  We would love everyone to display their details but if you don't want all your details visible it is very helpful to at least have your email address showing. To make your details visible to others click on 'My Details' then click on 'Privacy' and tick those details you would like to be visible.  Any problems please contact the office [email protected]. 

​Please turn to 1Corinthians 1:3. Or 2Corinthians 1:2. Or if the fancy takes you, Ephesians 1:2 or Philippians 1:2. Or the start of any of Paul’s letters to a church. Your choice.
Let’s try Galatians 1:3 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It’s  exactly the same words in every place (OK, slightly abbreviated in Colossians and I Thessalonians), and the greeting is ‘Grace and Peace’.
Seems to me that’s a really good thing to pray for one another, and for others you meet or pass in the street. And this week we’re seeing the truth of ‘Black lives matter’. So this week I’ve made a point of praying grace and peace for all the BAME people I know. And for all the BAME people I pass when out on my bike or walking down the road. Praying that God would pour out his grace upon them so that they may know him and his peace. Praying that God’s peace would rest upon them as the rest of us are finally, we hope, waking up to the smears of incipient racism in our own hearts.
My dear Black, Asian and Ethic Minority friends, neighbours, church family and passers-by: “Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
​Phil

At BH we are running Alpha Sessions online.  Our next sessions are next week on Monday (14.00 to 15.30) and Wednesday (19.30 to 21.00) and will be looking at: 
                       Who is Jesus?
                  Why did Jesus die?
                                                                    How can I have faith?
For more details and to sign up please go to the  BH Website. You can also sign up on MyChurchsuite.

 'I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.'
1 Timothy 2:1-2

It is good to pray for our leaders. Actually, we are biblically instructed to pray for our leaders. 

For what purpose? The concept of praying for our ‘kings’ goes beyond simple politicking, it is not praying for a particular side or party, but rather it is praying that those leaders whom God has appointed to rule during this time would rule with wisdom and authority, with care and respect for the vulnerable and exploited. At the very least it is good to pray for our leaders as fellow human beings, who are broken with sin, facing amplified temptations and all the while battling the physical and mental health toils that the roles bring.
 
For who? Those in authority is quite broad, ranging from MP’s to police and social services, to health care professionals, teachers, councillors and so on.
 
And why? So that 'we may live a peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness’. I think this is quite evangelistic; authorities that are operating in a peaceful and just way, enabling God’s people to live godly and holy lives reflects the glories of Christ to the world.
Let’s pray for all those in authority today.
Matt

We have a number of these booklets in the church office. They cover the period June to November 2020 and are a mine of information. If you would like a copy then please let the office know, ([email protected]), and we will arrange for a copy to be delivered.
We also have leaflets covering SGP Ministry Training Courses and Bible Training Courses which start soon. Again if you would like a copy or would like further information please let the office know.

​​Stephen and Lizzi Demetriou will be hosting BH Youth LIVE on the Lockdown PraiseUp Youtube page from 7:15-8:15pm again tonight. They’ll be teaching from the Bible, playing crazy games, and getting the youth involved in mad fun challenges. If you’re 11-18, come join in the fun! Message Stephen to get involved

                   Your word is a lamp for my feet,
                             a light on my path.
                               (Psalm 119:105)
 
The Bible is the world’s most amazing book. It is estimated that more than six billion copies of the Bible have been published since Gutenberg printed the first Bible five hundred years ago. The Bible has been translated into more than two thousand languages (and counting). No other book has even come close to the Bible’s popularity and influence.
​
The Bible is the world’s all-time best seller for one very simple reason: it is God’s book.
God is the author, and we are the audience He wants to reach. This may seem obvious, but authors want people to read their books – otherwise they would not write them! God is no different: He has written the Bible, and He wants us to read it.

But, why a book? Why not some voice commands, or mental telepathy or even skywriting?! Because human language, especially when it is written down, is the most effective and accurate way to communicate. God has chosen to speak to us through words on a page because it is the best way to communicate the details of His message to us.
So, when we read the Bible, we are reading God’s message for us. The Bible is not just an option for knowing God and the secrets of the universe. It is the only way to accurately discover the details of God’s plan for us. For example, the Bible teaches that God created us. We discover that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world so that we could see what God is like in person. Furthermore, we also learn that Jesus is coming back to earth again in the future.

The Bible has all of this – and more! So, let us not delay – let us open our Bibles. And, as we read, let us have an expectation that God will speak to us. Why? Because what God has to say, will change our lives for eternity.
 
Dear Lord, thank you for the Bible. Thank you that it is Your word for us today. Help us to use it, to read it and to have an expectation that You will speak to us through it. May Your word be a light for my path today. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 
Simon

Please click on the link below:
https://mcusercontent.com/86116d136cabe9e59290da9bd/files/0be99931-cc17-4d8c-82ca-7f3ee0f185fd/E_Newsletter_June.pdf
​

​For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrew 4:!2
As I saw a bible being held aloft for the press last week it caused me to reflect on our verse for the year from Hebrews 4:12. Many people regard the Bible as a powerful symbol. For some its power is like that of a good-luck charm as if its very presence on a shelf will ensure safety or prosperity. For others, its power is in the artistry of its language.
However, this verse reminds us that God’s word, recorded for us on the pages or screens of our Bibles, has innate and living power. It is not power that we are free to take and use for our own ends, nor is it a source of handy quotes that we can adapt to mean anything. The power of the Bible is the power of God himself.
​It is a risky business reading it – it may challenge us, unsettle us or inspire us and, if we are willing, it will definitely change us. Failing to read it is even riskier; to hold the word of God in our hand, or in our homes but ignore the message it contains leaves us without excuse before Almighty God. Let’s be people who love God’s word; who listen to it, obey it and live by it.
Catharine Currell

The ​Prayer Meeting is this Wednesday 10 June at 19.30 to 21:00.
This is a great chance for us to get together as a church to pray.  The easiest way to join this is via MyChurchsuite, My Events, The Prayer Meeting and then use the Zoom link to connect. If you aren't on MyChurchSuite yet please email [email protected] for an invitation to join . If you have any other issues please call the church office.