BH Bulletin - Sunday 19 April 2020

Thought for the Day by Tim Gage (Curate)

Perseverance in running the race

​ Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. - Hebrews 12:1-2
"By perseverance the snail reached the ark." - C. H. Spurgeon

Perseverance is something that we are having to get used to at the moment under lockdown, particularly as we know we will have to live under it for at least another 2 1/2 weeks. The meaning of this biblical word is to endure with patience, to stand firm and not to let our eyes be taken off our goal.
There is perhaps amongst us much fear in our lack of ability to sustain this kind of posture, with the length of time that it will take for things to return to ‘normal’. 
However, Hebrews 12 makes the case that perseverance isn't only for times of pandemic, but is required for the whole Christian life. We believe we are going somewhere, that we are on a journey that does not end in death. A journey only made possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, something that we are celebrating in this Easter season. 
 
We believe that through his death he has guaranteed us entrance on the other side of the finish line and he is standing there as our pioneer, the one who won our salvation. But also as the perfecter, the one that by his grace helps us to get there too. Early on in lockdown, we were told that our efforts will need to be a marathon, not a Sprint, the same could be said for our faith. God is calling us and at times disciplining us to stay on track, to fix our eyes on Jesus.

Questions for thought:
Is there anything in your life that is causing you to take your eyes off of Jesus? What might you need to do about it?
How can you encourage others to keep on running the race with perseverance?

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What's happening online today at Bishop Hannington

Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 on the website Hebrews 12: 1-17 Tim Gage Preaching
Suitable for everyone with separate children’s activities
Sunday Evening Service at 18:30 on the website 1 Corinthians 15:12-24 Phil Moon Preaching
Suitable for everyone
 
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.  
 
Feast Hangout 8:00-9:30
For Feast people to have a bible study
Message Alex to get involved.  

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​2020 BH Goal – Developing Mental Health Awareness

​In 2020, one of our BH Goals is developing Mental Health awareness. The story so far is that a small number of PCC members have met with Tim to scope out what this might look like in terms of small term and longer-term activities and objectives.
We are already in April, and now, especially due to the additional challenges which the lockdown has caused, we want to move forward quickly and bring to life the most urgent and important activities to support the church family over the coming weeks.
With that in mind, we need your help, please in one or two ways:

1. What ‘lockdown’ specific support would you find helpful from the BH family from a mental health perspective? You might have first-hand experience of specific needs or have some practical ideas to share to help those who are finding it tough.
   
2. Would you be interested in joining our working group to support on a longer-term basis. We’ve got our next meeting via Zoom in the next week or so, and as we’ve lost a couple of members recently, we’re keen to expand and turn thoughts into actions!
   

​For either of these, please drop me an email at: bishophannington@gmail.com
Many thanks.
Giles Cockman

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