HOOK CHURCH NEWSLETTER
Oct 2021
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Contents:
Trials and Character - Paul
Operation Christmas Child 2021 - Shoeboxes
Are they on your mind? - the Persecuted Church - Barbara
Open Air preaching - Bob, Cliff, Rudolf, Lloyd
Introducing the Obefami Family
A farewell interview with Liz, as she goes off to get married.
Coffee Morning - Jenny
Spectrum Group Day Out - Dan
Flower arranging - Gill
Thank you - Rosemary
Trials and Character
In Romans 5v3 we read something strange: “…we also glory in our sufferings”. You what? Why would anyone glory (the Greek word means rejoice or exult) in their sufferings? We may do so because of what we know they produce in us: “because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character…”. God uses our sufferings to produce Christlike character in our lives.
The kind of suffering is not defined and so it may be any kind of suffering we endure. Paul was probably thinking about suffering from persecution; we probably automatically think that suffering refers to our health and well-being. No doubt it does, but we need to widen it. Our suffering can be any kind of difficulty or unpleasantness we go through that causes us physical, mental or emotional pain. This could be an illness, or it could be bereavement, or finances, or family, or career, or education, or relationships, or transport, or just things-annoyingly-breaking-down! Any suffering in any of these areas should produce Christlike character in our lives.
How can we ensure that Christlike character is produced in our lives through any kind of suffering. Three things:
Count any kind of suffering, pain, or annoyance as a trial sent by God. We are so unspiritual in that the first thing we think of when we suffer is not God and the trials he sends us to test our faith, but ourselves and what a pain this suffering is, and how unlucky we are!
During our suffering we should reflect on what God is teaching us through it. This is not easy to do, but we need to make ourselves do it or the suffering will not produce Christlike character but only a moaning, complaining heart within us. I am reading the diary of a Scottish Pastor called Andrew Bonar (1810-1892), and on 26th October 1838 he wrote: “I was thinking over God’s ways with me, and all at once God opened clearly to my view a feature in my character which I had not perceived before.” And as he was reflecting on the trial God had sent him he saw an area in his character that needed developing in Christlikeness.
Make a note (or a journal entry) of the Bible verses, or spiritual songs that God brings powerfully to you to help you during your trial of suffering. Pray those verses or songs into your life for it is by His word that He prunes us so that we would be even more fruitful in our character (John 15v1-4).
Now, I’m not saying I automatically do these 3 things in the trials God sends me, but I should if I want to be more like Jesus.
In His love,
Paul
2. Operation Christmas Child 2021
Even with all the difficulties of 2020, as a church we managed to send 158 shoeboxes plus some that were completed on line to Belarus, Moldova and Albania.
These are a couple of stories from 2 of the countries which received boxes last year.
Belarus - when Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes were handed out to children in an orphanage in Belarus, one of the teachers there, named Galina, was astonished by the love shown by our church partners. “I watched them and thought, ‘Who are these people and where do they get such love and glow from? Why do they do this?’” recalls Galina.
She is grateful for those who packed shoeboxes with such care, to demonstrate God’s love to children in need. “The boys and girls were happy to receive a shoebox. I am so thankful to all those who work in this project, because our children received so much love through these gifts. Every gift is a treasure.”
Philippines - when Angel opened her shoebox, she was overjoyed to find coloured pencils and other school supplies. The 10 year old girl loves to draw and the gift was exactly what her heart desired. After the shoebox outreach event, she was invited to participate in The Greatest Journey at a local church. As Angel studied God’s word and learnt about Jesus, she made the decision to trust Him as her Lord and Saviour.
Angel’s relationship with Christ has transformed her. “God changed my heart from being selfish and dishonest,” she said. “I want to be the kind of child He wants me to be.”
We praise God that since 1993 over 188 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received shoeboxes. In addition, nearly 27 million children have participated in The Greatest Journey.
If you would like to be involved in this Gospel ministry this year there are pre-printed shoeboxes and leaflets available by the welcome desk, if you would like to sponsor a box please see Margaret or Iris. Alternatively, you can pack a shoebox on line by visiting samaritans-purse.org.uk/occ.
All completed boxes need to be at the church by Sunday 14th November.
3. Are they on your mind?
Why do we need to care about our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith? The Bible tells us that as Jesus suffers, we will also suffer. Many, many, Christians around the world face harassment, imprisonment, torture and death for their faith. The Scriptures say that we should weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.
We may feel that these things that happen to our extended family far away are not our concern, or we are insignificant to be able to do anything. But we can do something to support our brothers and sisters. For example, we can pray either individually or collectively, there are regular meeting arranged for prayer. It is so encouraging when we gather together to pray for those facing persecution. This is what they always ask for. We can support by sending cards to the families of those imprisoned, sometimes we can even send cards to those imprisoned. Addresses can be found on Release International or Open Doors web sites and finally you can also give a donation to either Release International or Open Doors to support their work.
I do hope having read this; it will encourage you to support our Brothers and Sisters who are being persecuted for their faith around the world.
Barbara
4. Open Air
Twice a month on Thursday lunchtime a small group of Hookites go into Kingston Town centre to spread the gospel. The focus of this, is a book table with 3 banner posters on it. We offer booklets, books, tracts, DVDs and C.D.s to anyone who wants them.
In addition to the table we hand out tracts and try to gently engage with the public. One of us will also preach from God’s word.
Giving out the tracts can lead to questions, discussions and the opportunity to share the faith.
All of this has led to some interesting discussions including:
· God is really an alien from outer space,
· some Muslim lads who wanted us to know who Jesus really was in their eyes
· to people who wanted to know more about Jesus
· some wanted to take more information from the book table and this again leads to some good discussions
· How can I get involved?
1. You can pray for us
2. You would be very welcome to join us
Please to speak to Bob, Cliff, Lloyd or Rudolph if you would like to come along.
Blessings, Open Air Team
5. Introducing the Obafemi Family
Myself and Debbie have been married since 2010.
In the year 2008, I, Segun had just finished education at Kingston University and was searching for accomodation after moving out of student accomodation. My search led me to Ronelean Rd in Surbiton where I met and was housemates with Eric Eshun. I needed a church to go to at the time which was close by and Eric invited me to Hook church which was around the corner. This was how I started attending Hook Church and introduced Debbie to Hook when we got married in 2010.
We have been attending for close to 13 years but we both officially became members on 2018.
We are a family of 5, myself and Debbie along with David 10, Faith 5, and Eden 8 months.
We were both part of the Afro Caribbean team and I am part of the Hospitality team.
Hook is our extended family and we really enjoy coming to church to fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Hook.
6. A farewell Interview with Liz
Q: How did you find your way to Hook Church?
A: I’d heard of Hook through Chessington Evangelical church (which I attended as a student during my university holidays) and when I moved back from Oxfordshire to Surbiton in 2003 I wanted to go to a church that was within walking distance of home which was then in Tolworth Rd, under 10 minutes walk from Hook. It was within walking distance for 12 years until I moved 6 miles away!
Q: How long have you been a church member?
A: I turned up in August 2003 and have been a member since 2004 so I’ve been at Hook for 18 years in all.
Q:What ministries have you been involved with?
A: Various things – global vision, frontline ministry, Discovery (11-14) yrs, Spectrum (7-11)yrs, Summer half term camps, welcome desk, prayer ministry, persecuted church, children’s Bible talks, Dadjo Action Team, and probably some other things I can’t remember. Back in 2004 Steve Dennis introduced Postal Bible Club to Hook and I’ve been marking Bible worksheets for UBM ever since. So the people at Hook have inspired me to do things for the Lord outside of the church walls too. I’ve been in the same small group since 2005 which has been a great place to learn, discuss and pray for one another.
Q: What are the things you have learned from your time at Hook that will always stay with you?
A: One key thing is the importance of incarnational living on my frontline and for me that has been the many hours that I have spent in my workplace. This has been through the emphasis on being able to be used by the Lord in the places where we spend our time (not necessarily in church ministries or church services.) When I first arrived at Hook I was in a state of flux regarding what I would spend most of my days doing but the Lord led me into higher education where He taught me that I can use my brain and gifts for His glory by being a witness for Him amongst mostly people who don’t know Jesus and by bringing in kingdom principles into the workplace, e.g. ensuring there are structures, policies and processes are put in place to help people work more efficiently and effectively or seeing the people around me who might be overlooked. I’ve not been perfect in my attitude to this but its been an encouragement to always have the Lord’s wisdom, grace and forgiveness in my working life.
I’ve also learned of the interdependence we need to have as the family of God. As a single woman for many years I needed fellowship with those who are married and those who might have children. I have really benefitted from relationships in the church with those who been more like mine and with those whose lives look different from mine. I’m grateful for the young people in families ad youth groups over the years whose lives I’ve been privileged to be a part of and who I’ve had opportunity to share my faith and life with.
Q: Any favourite memories from your time at Hook?
A: There are so many! Seeing a marquee upturned by wind and rain on a Discovery/Spectrum Camp and then being wowed (and relieved) by the cook’s team still managed to make us a hot breakfast. Sitting under the stars for a team meeting in Mongo, Chad with the Hook team that went out there in 2014. There has been a lot of laughter through fun in service and hilarious things that children have said: at Spectrum one time I asked the children what all the leaders had in common and one child insightfully called out, “Sin!”
Just for fun…..
Q: What is your favourite colour?
A: Such a difficult question! I love them all, but particularly teal and red.
Q: Your favourite book or author?
A: Another difficult question! Books have always been a part of my life, my mum called me ‘Bookworm’ so it’s hard to choose.
I have a thing for Russian literature and am rather fond of the plays of Anton Chekhov. One of my favourite reads has been Helene Hanff’s ’84 Charing Cross Road’ because it’s a book about books! Currently I’m re-reading Charlotte Bronte’s ‘Jayne Eyre’. If I could only have one book with me if stranded on a desert island it might be something like Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s ‘The Little Prince’ or a cook book with appetising pictures in it so I can dream about food I wouldn’t be abe to cook. Otherwise I’d have to be stranded with a whole library that would sink the island!
Q: Your favourite hymn or spiritual song?
A: I love ‘How great Thou Art’ because it reminds me of God’s creation, of the saving work of His son on the cross, and of a future when we’ll be with Jesus forever. A song that is a great encouragement to me is ‘O Lord my rock and redeemer’ which brings tears to my eyes when I hear or sing it because it reminds me of all the alone times during the first lockdown when all I could do was cling to my Lord and Saviour.
Q: A book you would recommend to read?
A: ‘A passion for the impossible by Miriam Huffman Rockness which is a biography of the 19thC missionary, Lillias Trotter. She gave up a comfortable life in London and promise of fame and ‘immortality’ as an artist to follow the call of God to North Africa to do pioneer work. It’s a great read for anyone who is interested in art, missionary work and insights into Scripture through art and nature.
Q: Name people who have inspired you?
A: Lillias Trotter, Brother Andrew, Christopher J Wright, many of the friends I’ve had in my previous churches and Hook who faithfully try to live lives that are pleasing to Jesus and team members I’ve met from AWM (Arab World Ministries) who have a heart for people in the middle east and North Africa. Tony Hart, creator of Morph because his Art programme on Children’s TV inspired my own artistic interest, even if the drawing I sent in to the TV studio never made it onto ‘the gallery’!
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Running, painting and anything arty, board games (discovered Carcassonne this year and my life will never be the same again), cooking anything and everything, theatre and film, hiking and eating (that’ why I run!)
…….and the serious bit at the end….
Q: What are your future plans?
A: I’m getting married to Alistair in November and moving to West London. We’ll be going to a church in South West London seeing where the Lord and life take us! I’ve started a Senior Administrative job at a theological college where a proportion of the students are training for gospel ministry so this will be my frontline ministry for the current time – it will keep me out of trouble (hopefully!) The combination of a passion for student administration which has been my frontline ministry for the past 15 years (and now in theological education) and for encouraging people in what God has called them to do in their communities and in the wider world is really exciting. It’s sad to leave Hook but I go with a firm foundation in Jesus which has been nurtured by the teaching and fellowship at the church over the years.
7. Coffee Morning
After a long year of lockdown and unable to mix with our church family and friends I am sure it has affected us all in some way, of feeling alone, perhaps even anxious not being able to talk face to face with someone. Well now there is the opportunity to do just that, at a coffee morning that has now been set up each month at 10am. I decided to attend the last one on October 4th in the church building. I arrived to find the new Barnabas Room kitted out with tables and chairs and tables in the Conservatory so nicely arranged that immediately I wanted to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea (if one prefers) with a lovely choice of assorted cakes.
On that morning we had approx. 28 people of all ages, ladies, men, senior folk, middle aged folk and a couple of teens. I was surprised to see a senior lady member come along on her new mobile scooter and parking it just in the right place in the conservatory. This particular member had not been to church for some time and had also incurred an injury to her foot causing her unable to walk far. I knew she felt the loss of being able to get out and meet with people. During her conversation she told me how she relied on the Lord that morning for strength to get out and come and meet with folk at the Church coffee morning. I could tell she enjoyed her chat with other people and she was able to take a look at the work of the newly built rooms to which she observed in amazement. This visit I am sure was a highlight of her day and I am so glad she made that effort to come and join with us. If you feel the need to give it a go just come and you are very welcome to bring along a friend.
Jenny
8. Spectrum Youth Group Day Out
On Saturday 18th September 2021, 12 Spectrum children and 6 Spectrum leaders made their way to Walton Firs Activity Centre in Cobham. It was a joyous sunny day which made the day even better.
We started the time off with a few Walton Firs activities. Firstly, we made our way down to the high ropes. The first high rope section, the children went as high as they could, aiming to reach the top. The second high rope was more of a challenge. With this one, we were aiming to go as fast as each other with a time limit of 3 minutes. See the picture with Daniel to see what it looked like. After we had finished at the high ropes, we then to the blind folded assault course activity. We were in groups of 4 people. The person at the front could see, whereas the other 3 were blind folded and had hands on the shoulders of the person in front. The person at the front then had to guide the group round the assault course to the finish line.
After we had finished the activities, we then went to the entrance area where we had a packed lunch and chatted with each other.
Once we had finished our lunch, we then spent the afternoon on a large patch of grass playing games like giant Jenga and Rounders.
To add to the excitement of the day, whilst we were there, a couple of the leaders went to the reception and booked camp for May 2022.
It was a very fun day out which everyone enjoyed, and we’re all excited about going back there for camp next year.
Dan
8. Hook Mens curry night
at the Red Rose Restaurant, in Surbiton.
A number of men met together to enjoy a curry, time to relax, and a good catch up.
9. Are you able to arrange a bunch of flowers in a vase?
Yes…
…..please think if you would like to join the flower ministry.
Its not too arduous, the flower arrangement lasts for a month, the flowers are artificial so there’s no after-care.
You might think that you have to be a female and over 60yrs to qualify, well the good news is that this ministry is open to everyone no matter of gender or age. Neither do you have to be a florist or a trained flower arranger, its just arranging some flowers in a vase to decorate the church for Sundays.
As with all ministries the more the merrier. If you would like to join this ministry or would like more information, please contact Gill
10. Thank you!
As always, a big thank you to all those who took the time out of busy schedules to contribute to this newsletter. It is a huge encouragement for us all, as we read what some of the people within church have been up to.
The next newsletter will be in January 2022 all being well. Hopefully the various youth ministries will be doing something special for Christmas. It would be great if some of the children/young people would like to write a few lines telling us what their group did.
If you would like to contribute a New Year’s poem, prayer, or some thoughts this is your opportunity and I will be very grateful.
Email rosemarybuncehook@gmail.com by 18th December 2021
P.S if you know someone who would like a paper copy of this newsletter, please let Rosemary know.
We will also have some paper copies available at the Welcome Desk