BH Bulletin - Friday 20 March

Thought for the day

ISAIAH 40:26-31
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

​Frankly, this is the weirdest time in my life. No-one knows what’s going on, no-one knows what’s going to happen, no-one knows when life can get back to normal. This world has become a scary, anxious, hopeless place to live in the blink of an eye. People are growing tired and weary.
This hopeless world needs to be given hope. This unstable world needs a rock. This sick world needs a doctor. Perhaps now more than ever, the world needs to hear about an everlasting God. A God who doesn’t grow tired(v.28). A God who gives strength to the weary, and power to the weak(v.29). A God who renews the strength of those who put their hope in him(v.31).
So, put your hope in him. When you’re looking around at the horrendous state of the world right now, look up. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens”(v.26). The God who created every star in the sky is still in control, and renewing the strength of those who put their hope in him, giving them meaning and purpose in the face of darkness and terror. God is our only hope, joy and strength in these tough times. And we will soar above these tough times on wings like eagles, we will not grow weary, we will not grow faint(v.31).
We are about to enter into the first weekend in a very long time where no service of any kind will be taking place at Bishop Hannington. The service recording will appear on the website on Sunday but no-one will be at BH on Sunday. I find this properly heart-breaking. But here’s an amazing, comforting reminder from a tweet a friend sent to me earlier this week. 
“For those disappointed about not being at church this weekend; Remember that when the church began at Pentecost, there were no buildings, fancy productions, pews, or spotlights. It was just people, the Holy Spirit, and the glorious gospel. The buildings may be closed, but the church is still alive”.
Alex

Some encouragement

​In trying times, it's good to be encouraged. So here's something from Juan, a Colombian postgrad student, who's been with us since September and has now flown back to Colombia to complete his course:
 
"Finally I found an extraordinary family in God. People from different ages that are in love with our heavenly Father and that testify their faith with their actions. Believers that look for the people with needs and that have a compassionate heart. People that make the living Word of God part of their life and as so, love their father and their neighbour."

That's talking about us. And Feast perhaps in particular.
 Be encouraged!
 ​Phil

What is happening for the Youth at this time

​Lockdown, Praise Up! - Daily Video thoughts from Isaiah
Here's the link to the channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLfW_6eqLlfr82_QD0JVsGw/  
This is aimed at Rooted & KO young people and their families, but all are welcome to join in!
 
Wednesday: BH Youth Live! - 7:30-8:15
For Explorers, Rooted & KO, message Stephen to get involved!
 
Thursday: ROOTED Hangout - 7:00-8:00
For Rooted young people a chance to hangout and chat about how we're doing.
Message Stephen to get involved.
 
Sunday: KO Hangout - 7:30-8:30
For KO young people a chance to chat together after the evening service has gone live and chat about our faith.
Message Stephen to get involved.  

Something for children

​Daily Sing-along with Michael and Mr Grumpy!  This is especially good for children it has bible stories and songs to sing along to.
https://www.facebook.com/michaeljtinker/videos/2695358293910288/?hc_location=ufi