(part of a series of reflections based on the Lord’s Prayer)
His Will, Not Ours
“May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Luke 11:2b)
 
Jesus’ next emphasis on prayer is to focus on God’s will being done – in contrast to our desires.
If we are honest, when we pray these words, “your will be done”, deep down, we are quietly hoping that we can somehow convince God to do what we want! Of course, we are then frustrated and disappointed when God does not answer our prayer (James 4:3).
God will give us what we ask for in Jesus’ name, provided it is something that will bring glory and honour to His name.
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)
Our prayer life, like our Christian lives as a whole, needs to be in full acceptance and submission to God’s will and purposes – no matter the cost. After all, Jesus did the same for us.
““Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”” (Luke 22:42)
 
Prayer
Dear Lord, teach us to pray. To pray, not out of duty, but out of love. To pray, not because it is a chore, but because we can’t help ourselves but to pray. Give us, O Lord, a new love and a new heart to pray – and to understand that accepting Your will is an expression of our wholehearted love for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
​Simon

The Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship are having their Autumn meeting and AGM on Zoom at 12 noon on Thursday 24 September.  Lee Gatiss (Director of the Church Society) will be giving a half hour Bible exposition, after which they will have a brief AGM.

If you'd like to take part in the meeting join with this link. 

​Alternatively the: 
Meeting ID is 844 7435 3478 and the passcode is 523103.  
Phil

​Seeking God’s Will
‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go’ (Psalm 32:8)
Seeking God’s will for our lives is never straightforward. We have a Bible full of people to teach us that lesson – as if we needed it! Having said that, I was once given some advice on ‘Guidance’ that has stood the test of time, and I’d like to share it as a ‘Thought’ for today.
In seeking God’s will, especially in the big things of life, look for these four things:

1. Inner Conviction. A sanctified ‘gut feeling’. The prompting of the Holy Spirit. It’s a kind of ‘cant shake it off’ kind of thing - a God given desire. God never calls us to do things against our will, but He can (and does) change our will to desire the things He wants us to do.
   
2. Outward Circumstances. The Lord has an amazing way of arranging providence to fit in with His purpose and plan for our lives. Like Cinderella’s slipper, the thing He’s calling us to do usually is a good fit to our character, gifting and situation.
3. The Word of God. Is what I want to do in line with the clear teaching of scripture? Has God spoken to me through a particular passage or verse? The Lord will never call you to do something that the Bible forbids.
4. Advice of Godly Christian friends. What do others think of my plans? Share it with them and listen to what they say. Weigh it up prayerfully with the other three things, then trust God to do what He has promised to do ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go’ (Psalm 32:8)

Obviously this is only a guide, but over the years, for me, it has proved to be a helpful one. Always remember that God wants you to do His will far more than you do.
Grace be with you all
Phil

Please click on the link below:
https://mailchi.mp/1b2e3cf71133/noticias-3883474?e=714c4585fc

​Pilgrim by J John
​I recently read this contemporary retelling by Canon J John of John Bunyan’s famous The Pilgrim’s Progress, first published in 1968. J John has an easy read style that brings together all the features of the original. We see Christian as he works through his life towards the Celestial City. The trials and temptations he faced, along with those who seek to discourage him, countered by those who encourage and help him on his way. Many of his experiences and challenges are ones we still face today in our Christian lives. The book helpfully reminds us of our need to remain faithful to our Lord and Saviour.  Well worth a read as a substitute for the original.
JP
Available from Books Alive.  

​An Antidote to Anxiety
 
‘When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul’ Psalm 94:19
Worry, Wealth, and Worldly Pleasures – Three great (potential) enemies of the soul. It’s the first of those that I’d like to ponder in this daily ‘Thought’.
 
We live in a fast-paced, godless, wind-chasing world, that has an epidemic of worry and anxiety. The wise ‘Teacher’ in Ecclesiastes tells us to ‘BANISH anxiety from our hearts’ (Eccl 11:10). The apostle Peter urges us to ‘CAST all our anxieties on Christ’ (1 Pet 5:7). Both are saying the same thing – Get rid of anxieties! But how, you ask? The answer here in Psalm 94 and in 1 Peter is to use the might of Trust. Trusting not in our own ability and inner resolve, but trusting in God’s help and comfort. We are to flood our minds, wash out our worries, with the TRUTH that God cares for us! As believers in Christ, the assurance that God knows our circumstances and genuinely cares about us, brings comfort and consolation.
 
So, what’s the antidote to anxiety? It’s the comfort (consolation) of God. That will bring (it really will) joy to our souls.
Grace and peace to all
Phil

Dear  all,
Usually in August we escape the heat of Florence and come to the UK and catch up with as many of you as we can. Obviously, this year that's impossible so, instead we are organising some ZOOM meetings starting in September for us to chat online together, We would love to see you and update you.

Here are the first few dates and times. We're going to keep it a maximum of 12 people so we can chat more easily. But, we'll be sending out more dates and times so if you can't make these there will be other opportunities during the autumn. 

Weds 2nd September
Tea at 15:00-16.00

Thurs 3rd September
Drinks and nibbles at 19:30-20:30

Thurs 10th September
Tea at 15:00-16.00

Fri 11th September
Drinks and nibbles at 19:30-20:30

(Come ready with your own refreshments!)

Don't worry if you can't make these dates we'll send out some more soon. 
If you don't have ZOOM it's very simple to set up once you receive the invitation from us.
If you want to join then click below
Click here to sign up now
Hope to see you soon, with our love
 Fran and Martin

God does stuff when we pray.
I know, it's the sort of thing you're supposed to learn in the early days of faith! Yet how quick am I to forget?

So it's been wonderful these last few weeks to be wowed again by that simple truth God does stuff when we pray.
He's not like the unjust judge of Luke 18, the judge who needs to be pestered and nagged and eventually does something - God's not like that!  

v7 Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? - The answer is a massive YES!

v7 carries on Will He keep putting them off? - The answer is a massive NO! 

God is not like the unjust judge. He's our Just Father who loves to hear and answer our prayers.  
 
So pray. Pray lots. Pray big. And expect God to do stuff! 

We've been up in a field near Hassocks running our socially-distanced youth event and we've seen prayer after prayer after prayer specifically answered by our God, I thought I'd share one to inspire you to pray.
- I made a big mistake ordering marquees; ordered ones that were too small and our budget was not looking too healthy for bigger ones...
I was in quite a panic going to sleep on Tuesday 11th August. So Lizzi prayed "Lord give us the bigger marquees at no extra cost." 
On Wednesday 12th August straight after the prayer meeting I got an email from Marquee man himself offering us bigger marquees at the same price.
Thank you God!
God does stuff when we pray.
So get to it! Get praying. 
​

Please come and pray for 30 minutes for all the various vacancies we have in the church. People to operate our video cameras for live streaming our services, Explorers children's leaders, we are looking for 2 new Churchwardens, a new church Treasurer and a PCC Secretary.  Please join the meeting via MyChurchsuite.

The Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship are having their Autumn meeting and AGM on Zoom at 12 noon on Thursday 24 September.  Lee Gatiss (Director of the Church Society) will be giving a half hour Bible exposition, after which they will have a brief AGM.
If you'd like to take part in the meeting please contact the church office for the details.

​ “Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake” Matthew 14:25
I wonder how you felt during this week’s storms. It probably depends on where you were when they were happening: safe and dry inside, aboard a small boat in the sea or battling with a marquee in a field (well done ‘Great Escapees’!)
When we experience difficulties or even disasters in life they can feel like storms that make us fearful, send us off course and maybe threaten our very existence. We can feel battered by test results (medical or educational), relationship conflicts, ill health, stress… the list goes on.
When we turn to God in such circumstances we sometimes want to ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” assuming that difficult circumstances are a punishment or a result of our sin. On occasion they may be and it’s reasonable to examine ourselves and root out sinful or unwise decisions and attitudes. But much of the time, such challenges are not the results of some specific sin but simply part of the ups and downs of human experience.
And God is not absent in our ‘storms’. He hears our prayers, knows our circumstances and is at work in the midst of them. The disciples obeyed Jesus to the letter in Matt 14:22 and yet found themselves rowing for all they were worth against storm winds and buffeted by waves. But in that difficult and dark moment, Jesus came to them. The experience brought them to a new understanding of who Jesus is and what it meant to be his disciple.
Let’s ask God, that in our own ‘storms’ both literal and figurative we may come to know Jesus better and expand our understanding of what it looks like to follow him.

There are a number of very significant roles that we need to fill for BH to be the church we want to be. They include people to operate our video cameras for livestreaming our services, Explorers children's leaders, we are looking for 2 new Churchwardens, a new church Treasurer and a PCC Secretary. As you can see: very significant roles. And ones that we urgently need to fill.
To that end, we're going to pray next Tuesday, 7.30 on Zoom, for just half an hour and just for this matter. Do come; postpone everything else! Just come and pray for this.
And please ask yourself if this could be you. Coud you be our new Treasurer? How about PCC Secretary? Fancy helping with the video cameras? Explorers? What do you think being Churchwarden would involve?
But above all, please come to pray. Next Tuesday 7.30 - 8.00. Join via MyChurchsuite.
Thank you
Phil

A word for the darkest of times 
‘Don’t be afraid, just believe’  Mark 5:36 
In Mark’s gospel chapter 5, Jarius comes to Jesus with a broken heart. His precious little daughter is dying. Having found Jesus, he falls at His feet (v22,23) and pleads earnestly for Him to come and heal her. Hustled and bustled by the huge crowd, it must have been wonderful for Jarius to have caught the Saviour’s attention and eye. Even as he spoke, a woman who had been seriously ill for 12 years was healed, right there in front of him. Then someone else was speaking to Jarius, bearing the worst of news (v35). ‘Your daughter is dead, don’t bother the Teacher any more’. Before Jarius could utter a response, Jesus speaks to him - ‘Don’t be afraid, just believe’ (v36).
What a lesson here for all believers. In the darkest of life’s moments, it’s often Jesus who speaks first! ‘Two things you need to do right now Jarius – Don’t be afraid and just believe! Read the whole story in verses 22-43 to hear the wonderful outcome.
Have you just had some dreadful news? Are you in a dark place right now? Then follow Jarius and come to Jesus. Pour out your heart to Him. Are these words His reply to you? ‘Don’t be afraid, just believe’?
 
Grace and peace be yours in abundance

 A reminder that this Sunday 23 August we are re-starting the 10:00 service in church.  The first service back is going to be the unofficial 6th day of the Great Escape Holiday Club that is happening this week.  It is going to have a youth focus but it will be suitable for all ages and everyone is very welcome to attend.  If you would like to come please sign up in the normal way via MyChurchsuite, the website or if you don't have the internet ring the office. 
If there is no space left in the church then you can watch a live stream of the service.  You can access this in the same way you have accessed the on-line Sunday services.

​“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’?” Isaiah 45:9
 
Even when God says “Woe” to us, it is a gift; a kiss from heaven. For he knows what we don’t know, loves like we can’t understand, and is working behind the scenes in ways that will dazzle us one day.
 
I’m writing this on Thursday 13th and my wife and I are in a state of shock and sadness. Earlier today, my brother in law fell while climbing in the Alps. By this time tomorrow he is expected to have died from his injuries. He leaves a wife and four under-18 children. Thankfully, he and his family are in Christ. He was the senior pastor of a church-planting church in Paris. We’re so sad. We believe God was and is sovereign over this. Therefore, I might think I would run the world better than God.
 
We all have that tendency, at least subconsciously. How foolish! For we’re such a mix of self-serving agendas and godly desires. So imagine how disastrous it would be if you or I could borrow God’s sovereignty for even 15 minutes. Indeed, this is the biggest wrong of our world – that we humans exalt ourselves above God.
 
A potsheard is a fragment of pottery. We are potsherds living among potsherds — mere clay in God’s mighty potter-hands. God’s heart is huge, and his ways are perfect (even when they make us weep). His timetable is impeccable (even though we whine about it). How foolish we are to quarrel with our maker, redeemer, and Father.
 
There is a Day coming when God will put all things right, and make all things new and beautiful. Until that Day, when we vex and carp and rail against the way he wishes to do his job, may God grant us quick repentance and a deep trust. We sure need that right now. But we’re not the only ones.

Matt 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Today at the 9am at BH several people remembered my name and welcomed me with a ‘it’s good to have you here on placement’ Those acts might seem like small things, but hospitality is at the heart of our Christian belief, and what’s more in Matt 10:42 Jesus tells us that an act as simple as giving a cup of cold water is valuable. Jesus is saying that it is not the magnitude of the gift or act of service that is important before God, but the motive – that it is given in his name.
Sometimes we want to do so much, that our heroic act in God’s name must change the world! But to give the smallest cup of cold water is to give life to the person who thirsts, whatever that thirst may be: for hospitality, for shared worship and prayer, for pastoral support. In the giving and receiving, we bear Jesus to one another. No person is too little, in wealth or power, to receive and no gift given in love too small.
Sometimes the smallest gift can be the greatest - because a gift given in Jesus name transforms us. How can you act with the help of the Holy Spirit today to discern and meet the needs of others?

From Sunday 23 August we will be starting a 10:00 service in church, this will be live streamed followed by a short communion service, this part will not be live streamed. This will replace the 9:00 service.  On the 23 the focus of the service will be Young People and the Great Escape Holiday Club which is happening next week. All members of BH are welcome to come to this service but we are giving priority to the families of those young people who attended the holiday club.  As a result any tickets remaining to attend this service will not be available until next  Wednesday 19 August.  Please sign up in the normal way via Mychurchsuite, the website or if you don't have internet you can ring the church office.  You will receive an email confirming your place.

From Sunday 30 August the 10:00 service will be of similar format to the pre-lockdown 10:00 services.  Due to the new regulations the worship songs will be pre-recorded and shown in church and those people in church will not be allowed to sing.  Spaces will be strictly limited so you must sign up to attend a service.  You can sign up via Mychurchsuite, the website or if you don't have internet you can ring the church office.  You will receive an email confirming your place. Tickets will be available from the Sunday a week before the service until 15:00 the Friday before the service.  We are expecting these service to get quite full so please book and don't just turn up.

(part of a series of reflections based on the Lord’s Prayer)
Recognising God
 “[Jesus] said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” (Luke 11:2)

Jesus starts His prayer by establishing to whom we are praying.
Importantly, He says “Our Father”, not my Father. When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, we are spiritually adopted by God and become co-heirs in His Kingdom.
“the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15)

The next emphasis is the holiness of the One to whom we are praying.
God’s name is described as “hallowed”, meaning blessed, sacred, revered and respected above all other names. This ‘hallowed’ status is declared repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments, e.g. 1 Samuel 2:2; 1 Peter 1:16.
​
When we pray, we must recognise our awesome Father God – our prayers reach the very throne of the Most High: the Creator of the Universe! Even more humbling, our “hallowed,” all-powerful God is listening to our prayers.
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Jesus identifies the No.1 prayer priority for Christians everywhere: the return of God’s Kingdom to Earth – and the sooner the better!
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice that He made for humanity, the return of God’s Kingdom is a matter of “when”, not “if.” So, this is not wishful thinking, but rather the pinnacle to human history. This “your kingdom come” was set in motion at Calvary.
The challenge to us today is: Will we be ready when it gets here?
 
Prayer
Dear Lord, teach us to pray. To pray, not out of duty, but out of love. To pray, not because it is a chore, but because we can’t help ourselves but to pray. Give us, O Lord, a new love and a new heart to pray – a new unity for you, a new assurance of what is waiting for us in heaven, and a new heart overflowing in love for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We need your help with the new technology. Sam explains what and why!!!
 Livestream Operators Vid.mov
Please contact Sam on samsarj@gmail.com or Matt Jones on mountjman@gmail.com for more information.
​YOUR CHURCH NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!

​Kindness
 
‘The fruit of the Spirit is.... Kindness’  Galatians 5:22
 
I don’t know about you, but I really appreciate a bit of kindness. It’s a soothing balm on the harshness and digital unreality of 21st century living. Kindness, of course, is a fruit of the Spirit, so we are not talking here of the ‘milk of human kindness’. Rather, for believers, it’s a supernatural kindness, whose source is not the human heart, but the heavenly one. Nor are we just talking about acts of kindness. Yes, they are part and parcel of Christian living, but we are talking also of the way and manner in which those acts are done. Heavenly kindness is sincere and genuine – it’s the real thing. Heavenly kindness is full of pleasantness, goodness, gentleness. It’s a kind act done in a kind way – it’s lovely.
So, dear brothers and sisters, let’s keep in step with the Spirit, and let’s make a deliberate effort today to show kindness. When someone calls, emails, visits, or when we meet people in the shops or office. Let’s give them a taste of the sweet fruit that God is producing in our lives. 'Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’ (Col 3:12).

Please note that the church will not be open for prayer on Friday 14th August due to the funeral of Mavis Hayman.  More details about the funeral to follow.