BH Bulletin - Friday 9 July 2020

Thought for the Day by Alex Forrest ​(Voluntary Staff Worker) 

Revelation 20:4-6 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
 
 
Recently I’ve been listening to the book of Revelation, read by David Suchet. Massively recommend this way of opening up the last book of the Bible. It really feels like what’s being read is happening right in front of you. As I listened to Revelation 20:4-6, I found it incredibly moving to picture great saints and martyrs of old being elevated to positions of authority in God’s kingdom, reigning with Christ for a thousand years. Especially considering that some of the people who fit that mould came from fairly lowly backgrounds, thinking back to the apostles and those who gave their lives standing up for the gospel during the reformation, many of whom were just your average blokes.  
Obviously, it’s up to God, not us, to decide who sits in those positions, but knowing that ordinary people just like us will reign with Christ for a thousand years. WOW! What an encouragement to live blessed and holy lives that seek to emulate those great saints of old, and ultimately emulate Jesus. But also, to know that we will get to be part of the same kingdom, sharing in the same resurrection as the great heroes of faith that have gone before us, should bring us so much joy. I often wonder what it will be like in Heaven to sit round and chat to Bonhoeffer and Thomas Cranmer. Can’t wait to find out!

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How to book for the new 9am service

​As Phil has already mentioned services are starting again in church with a 9am service on the 12 July.  This will be with a few people who normally attend the 8am service plus a few extras.  For services from the 19 July onward there will be the opportunity for anyone to come but spaces are limited so you will need to book your place.  When the booking opens for a service there will be 30 places available and as people book depending on the size of groups that book more places will be made available.
You can book your place either on MyChurchsuite, the website or if you don’t have internet you can ring the office.  You will need to book a place for everyone in your group that is coming including anyone under 18.  Booking for the service on the 19, 26 July and 2 August will open on Sunday 12 July. After that booking for each service will open 3 weeks before the date of the service.  Booking will close at 12:00 on the Friday before the service.  Please don’t come if you have not booked a place because if we are full we will not be able to let you in. When you book you will receive an email confirming your booking.  This will include some instructions about the service so that we can keep everyone safe.  We would be grateful if you could read them before you come.  This is new for all of us so please bear with us as we get this service up and running.

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