For the next Newsletter , May 2022, please send contributions to Rosemary B on rosemarybuncehook@gmail.com by **Wed 27th April** .
Thank you
______________________________________________________________________________________
HOOK CHURCH NEWSLETTER
March 2022
_______________________________________________________
Contents:
Think of me- Paul
Operation Christmas Child - shoebox team
Praying and meditating on scripture can improve your health - David T
INTRODUCING… Susan
World Watch List - Bob & Barbara
Book Club - Dave B
Timeless - Noelle
Jesus - our Passover Lamb
Gospel witness in Kingston - Lloyd
Hook Ladies Day - Sat 5th March 2022 - Mobee
Thank you - Rosemary B
“Think of me…”
Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote a lovely song for one of his musicals: “Think of me.” We want people to think of us. We even ask people to do so… “Oh, and… please think of me…” Somehow it is a comfort to know that we are being thought of.
In Psalm 40v17 the Psalmist says,
“But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
We often say to each other in our troubles, “Think of the Lord.” And we should. But the Psalmist says something rather bold here. He is asking the God of all the Universe who has (so to speak) billions of things to think about, to think of him. Little old him. Little old me and you. Lord, think of me.
And He will and He does. In your joy or pain, in your grief or shame, in your success or failure… God thinks of you!
Fearful saint, take comfort from this.
Your servant
Paul
2. Operation Christmas Child
Christmas seems a long time ago now but through the gift of a shoebox opportunities for sharing the gospel continue throughout the year.
This year our boxes went to Liberia, a country where 43% of the population are under the age of 15 years and 50.9% are living below the poverty line. (source – CIA The World Factbook)
Many of the boxes made their way to some of the more remote villages. One of these, Bolo, is only accessible by a 4½ hour walk on a jungle pathway. A local student volunteer went to the village to meet with the local chief. He was pleased by this visit and registered 80 children between the ages of 2 and 14 years to receive OCC shoebox gifts. In order for these boxes to get to the village fifty students from a local university volunteered to carry the boxes from the main road through the jungle. When they reached the village a tarpaulin shelter had been set up for the occasion. The children were delighted to receive shoebox gifts and to hear that God knows every person in Bolo by name. To read more visit the Samaritans purse website – www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/destinations/2021-liberia
The OCC group, which meets throughout the year, have decided to continue to support this very worthwhile ministry. If you would like to join with us you are most welcome.
Join us at our next meeting on Monday, 25th April 2pm, in the Barnabas Room. Also, if you would like to support us by collecting items suitable to go in the shoeboxes throughout the year, we are always grateful of donations, for more details speak to Margaret or Iris.
Please continue to pray for the many opportunities this ministry gives to so many volunteers to spread the gospel in hard-to-reach places.
3. PRAYING AND MEDITATING ON SCRIPTURE CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
strengthen your immune system, enhance memory, reduce stress
Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Gone are the days when gun-shy theologians bowed to the God of science. Reliable scientists are now affirming how ingenious God is and how His principles hold up under the piercing light of scientific scrutiny. Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg MD, who studies the relationship between spiritual phenomena and the brain, has demonstrated that we were designed physically and mentally to interact with God through prayer and Scripture. It’s a known fact that there are centres in the human brain that respond positively to prayer, reading and meditating on God’s word, group worship, hymn singing, and empathy for other people. And Dr Newberg believes that practising a personal religious faith is the most powerful way to maintain a healthy brain. The brain’s frontal lobe is used in focusing attention, rational thinking, and decision making. It responds to prayer and meditation by helping to reduce stress, strengthen our immune system, enhance memory, and increase our capacity for compassion. It helps us ward off age-related brain decline. Prayer and reading Scripture also deactivates areas in the brain associated with anger, guilt, anxiety, depression, fear, resentment, and pessimism. It seems that finally 21stC science has joined ancient Scripture in echoing what the Psalmist said: ‘thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous’ Psalm 139:14 NLT
Can you think of a better reason to ‘let the Word of God dwell in you richly’ Colossians 3:16 KJV submitted by David T
4. INTRODUCING …….. Susan
How many years have you been coming to Hook Church? I have been coming to the church for about 15 years. After many years of the Lord prodding my heart concerning giving my life to Him I found myself at my lowest point ever. I felt I was in the darkest, deepest pit where my only options were to fall even deeper or look up and take hold of the outstretched hand and listen to the voice calling me to trust Him and in due course gave my life to Him. Into the light I came, my Saviour, my friend, who showered me with compassion, forgiveness, mercy and grace. I have never looked back. Once I had become saved, I knew I needed to find a church where I could hear the Bible taught to me, meet other Christians to pray with and sing aloud praises to my wonderful Saviour.
What led you to the Church? I began praying and asking God to find me a church. I found Hook Evangelical Church in the yellow pages. (phone book which I’m not sure exists now.) On my first visit I sneaked in, sat in the back row at the end seat so that I could make a quick exit if I needed to. You see I was not interested about who went to the church, but what was being preached and very important to me was how the Pastor prayed from their heart, not from reading it from a book, (a certain prayer for a specific Sunday in the religious calendar.) So, there I sat and when we were asked to bow our heads in prayer I did so, but slowly tilted my head upwards and with one eye open observed the Pastor praying and yes, he had his eyes closed, so to me – praying from his heart. It was only then did I acknowledge other people around me who were very friendly and welcoming. So, Hook Church it was for me and I started coming regularly. The next step on my new journey was to be baptised. I resisted for a while thinking it wasn’t necessary. But God through His word convinced me otherwise. I was the oldest by a good many years in the group to be baptised. In a way this was a positive thing as I was able to invite my two granddaughters 7 and 5 years to witness this special day. There was their precious nanny being manhandled by two men who plunged her under the water for people to clap and sing when she came up. Although they are not saved as yet, I pray that what they witnessed that day will remain with them and prod their hearts into questioning what their nanny did and most importantly why!
What ministries are you involved with or have been over the years? I was one of the of the Church Registrars for six years and retired from that last year. I am on the welcome desk which I thoroughly enjoy, greeting and meeting new people. I also help out with the creche rota.
Do you have a favourite hymn? My favourite hymn is What a Friend we have in Jesus. I had this sung at my baptism. True to his word He has been my friend no matter what. I can be cross with Him, shout, cry, laugh and He is always there forever the same yesterday, today tomorrow. What better friend can you have than that.
Do you have a favourite colour? Turquoise and like most ladies I love jewellery.
How do you enjoy your free time? I like to knit and sew, read and watch documentaries on TV. I am slowing getting into gardening although don’t consider myself a gardener, but learning. I am always surprised when some flower or bulb appears that I had forgotten where or when I had planted it.
Are there any things in life that you would like to do? I have always enjoyed music and would love to be able to read music and play the piano. Another thing I have always wanted to do is to be in the front seat (not driving) of a fast-moving train.
One dream I had as a child was to be like a bird and fly high and look down and observe from above. A friend paid for me to taken up in a small plane, harnessed to someone who then leapt from the plane, the parachute deployed and hey ho! I was gliding around for about ½an hour. It was a very exciting experience.
I thank God for leading me to Hook Church and consider people as my family – brothers and sisters in Christ.
I live in a one bedroomed flat in Kingston. Have been married and have a son and daughter. I am still working but making plans to cut my working hours down as I am not getting any younger. Maybe get more involved in the church, visiting and helping those in need via, prayer, shopping etc.
One more thing! My visit to Chad with a team from the church. An experience I will carry with me all my life. What an opportunity to witness first hand. Our visit to the Chadian village where we ladies spent a day with the women folk to watch them cooking, making tea, (with loads of sugar – a treat for the guests) I accompanied one woman to fetch water from the well, carrying the containers back on my shoulders. How we laughed, sang and communicated with them via facial expressions, hand gestures and of course an interpreter. When I returned home to my flat, I felt like I was living in a 5* hotel. Running water, flushing toilet, a spring mattress to sleep on. But these things are worldly things. Most of all is that these people hear the Good News of our wonderful Saviour who on accepting Him are promised eternal life with Him in glory.
So, thank you Hook Evangelical Church for giving me the opportunity to witness first-hand the work being done to spread the Good News via books, tapes and meeting missionaries who have followed their calling to serve God in a foreign land.
Finally, a saying I have on my fridge.
My mind is a garden
My thoughts are the seeds
My harvest will be
Either flowers or weeds
5. World Watch List
In January this year the Worlds Watch List was presented to M.Ps of Britain’s Parliament.
The World Watch List, is a list of 50 countries that have the worst record for their treatment of Christians and other religious minorities. As a church group supporting the persecuted church, we aim to try to have each country adopted by an individual or family to pray for one of these 50 countries. We thank those who already pray for a country.
But as can be imagined this list of countries can change. For example, this year, after many years North Korea has dropped to number 2 and Afghanistan has risen to number 1. This is not because the situation for Christians has improved in North Korea, but the treatment of Christians in Afghanistan has become so much worse. This happens with many of the countries on the list.
Hebrews 13.3
‘Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering’
As a church we know that this scripture should help us to see the importance of prayer in all we do. When persecuted Christians are able to be visited, they not only ask for prayer to hold their faith strong, but they pray for us who live in countries where we have the opportunity to worship God in freedom, that we do not hold this our freedom and faith loosely.
So, if anyone would like to adopt a country to pray for, please speak to Bob or myself. It would be a real bonus if in this year of 2022, when so many things are happening in the world that causes stress and problems for everyone, that we could have someone praying
Following on from this we have a prayer meeting once a month to pray together for these countries. It is held on the second Monday of the month at 8.00p.m. Currently this is held on Zoom.
We pray for 3 countries and use information from different organizations including ‘Release International’ and ‘Open Doors’. If you would like to come, but feel you cannot commit to attend every month, we hope you will come when you can.
Again, if you would like to come, please contact either Barbara or Bob
6. Book Club
Or, rather: All about reading. And discussing. I don’t know about you but just a few (!) years ago when I was at school, one of the methods of learning that came up – and still, as far as I know, does – was that ubiquitous instruction Read; discuss and for me whether I was going to enjoy what followed rather depended upon the subject matter. If it was a set book, as some were, and I wasn’t a great fan of the book and/or didn’t really understand what the other was saying (or attempting to say) then that instruction to read; discuss filled me with apprehension – I stop short at saying ‘dread’ but it was something that I knew I wasn’t going to enjoy. On the other hand, if it was a book that I enjoyed and I ‘got’ the author, then I rather looked forward to the discuss bit. So that instruction read; discuss was for me a bit of a Yin and Yang. However, I have always been an avid and somewhat precocious reader (my Mum used to boast that I was reading the newspapers by the age of 4, but back then I wouldn’t have had the first clue what ‘precocious’ meant – reading and understanding do not always go together!) and continue to this day to be a bit of a bookworm. The Hook Book Club, therefore, is something I quickly warmed to albeit missing out (for reasons that I couldn’t now explain) the first few and joining on the fourth book.
So how does Book Club work, then? Well, essentially, when we’re coming towards the end of a book we’re reading, suggestions of what book to read next are put forward by the Group and there is then a vote for the next book to read, which when decided upon, each member of the Group purchases a copy (in whatever format each individual member prefers – some have a hard copy, others electronic) and that’s the book we next read and discuss. The subjects of the book vary but, being a Christian Group, will have something to say about faith. For example, the last two were ‘Great Christian Theologians’ (the main influence of a number of Christian theologians over the centuries) and ‘God is not a White Man’ (tackling the theme of racism within the church and generally in predominantly white western society), the book in hand currently (at the time of writing) being ‘Confronting Christianity’ – a book of apologetics covering a number of questions that modern society puts to Christians as arguments against the Christian (and other) faith(s), such as ‘Doesn’t religion cause violence?’ and the current week’s chapter being ‘Hasn’t science disproved Christianity?’. The premise is that we tackle a chapter a week, so it’s not too onerous when fitted in with our personal Bible study and any other reading we have to do for pleasure or work. The discussion on the chapter takes place on Zoom between 0715hrs and 0800hrs on a Wednesday morning so each chapter needs to be read before then and the idea is that we come armed with discussion points – whether that be positive observations, criticisms, questions or personal experience or anecdotes. We try to make as many meetings as we can so we keep up with the book’s content, though there is no three-line whip and you don’t get a ‘black mark’ if you miss (as people sometimes do, usually for work reasons). We are, after all, reading for pleasure and to widen our knowledge, so it’s in our own interest to keep it up.
One of the good things about Book Club is that you are likely to read books that perhaps you wouldn’t normally choose to read and, whether or not you agree with the subject matter, you have the opportunity to listen to the author’s arguments through the narrative and then discuss the content in a safe environment with fellow Christian brothers and sisters. Surprising as it may seem, we don’t always agree on every subject but each argument does at least get a fair hearing and it can surprise you what you learn from each other.
So, yes, it takes effort. But very few good and worthwhile things come without effort.
Read and discuss.
Dave
7. TIMELESS
Our Seniors Outreach Ministry, Timeless, started holding events again in November 2021, once it was felt it was safe to do so and the pandemic had slowed. We started with a coffee morning in November which was well attended and a number of our volunteers kindly provided help with the organisation of the morning and baked some delicious cakes.
This was followed by a Christmas lunch in December, which was a great success. Carole organised the food brilliantly and our amazing volunteers made everything run smoothly. We had 39 guests attend and they all enjoyed the lunch and time together.
The Proposed January event was cancelled due to the appearance and rise in cases of Omicron, as we thought it best to protect our Seniors from the virus.
In February, when cases dropped again, we held a coffee morning (with cake of course 😊) and we had a talk from the Metropolitan Police. Two ladies and a gentleman from the Safer Neighbourhood Team kindly came along to give us a talk on security in and out of the home and how to recognise and avoid scams. The talk was very informative and appreciated by all.
The next event is a Fish & Chips lunch on 15th March.
8. Jesus – our Passover Lamb
The Passover Lamb is first mentioned in Exodus 12. The final plague was about to come upon the Egyptians, who had enslaved the Israelites and the Pharaoh was refusing to let them go.
To protect the Israelites from this plague, each family was instructed to:
· find a perfect, 1 year old (full-grown) lamb on the 10th day of the month of Nisan.
· They were to inspect it for 4 days
· Then, on the 14th day of Nisan they were to slaughter the lamb, and put blood over their doorposts.
The Angel of Death would ‘pass-over’ these houses, and thus the blood on the doorposts would protect the Israelites from death, and the lamb would take the curse of death on behalf of the Israelites.
The Israelites were to remember this forever – hence the annual ‘Passover’ meal, still celebrated today.
Going on to the Gospels:
There are a number of clues to Jesus being our Passover Lamb.
The first visitors to Jesus were the shepherds of the hills around Bethlehem, who were raising the lambs for the annual Passover celebration. Their new-born lambs were wrapped in special cloths (to keep them pure) and laid in caves. So, following the visitation of the angels, the shepherds rushed off and saw the baby Jesus, wrapped in clothes and lying in, probably a cave, just like their Passover lambs. The shepherds left praising God!
in John 1v29 John-the-Baptist recognized Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’.
At Easter: according to John 12, Jesus arrived at Bethany on the 6th day before Passover (9th day of the month of Nisan). The next day, Jesus travelled into Jerusalem, on what we know as ‘Palm Sunday’ – this day was the 10th day of Nisan, the very day the lambs for the Passover celebration were being brought up from Bethlehem to Jerusalem (in accordance with Exodus 12).
Jesus was inspected, questioned in the Temple for 4 days; just at the time when the Passover lambs were being inspected by the Temple priests.
Then Jesus was dying on the cross on 14th Nisan, just as the lambs were being slaughtered for Passover.
There was another Biblical feast, the Feast of First Fruits (Leviticus 23)– on the first Sunday after day of Passover. This was the day of the Resurrection of Jesus. So, Jesus became the first fruits of the New Testament era.
The Israelites were to remember the Passover forever. Also, the Lords Supper/Communion, which is a small part of the Passover meal, is what Christians celebrate to remember the salvation from death which Jesus brings, as He is our Passover Lamb.
9. Gospel Witness in Kingston
I believe most of the sentiments expressed are representative of the team, but some of them may be my personal opinion.
In a sermon printed in the March 1873 issue of Sword and Trowel, Spurgeon said: “Every Christian here is either a missionary or an impostor.”
Our Kingston evangelism takes place every Thursday (12:00-14:00). It includes preaching by Rudolf and tract distribution by Bob Stoneham, Cliff Thain, and myself. We also set up a book table with books and DVDs. All the material is offered without charge, but we get the recipient to commit to reading the book or viewing the video.
Preaching was introduced only recently when Rudolf Fuller felt God's call to engage in open air preaching, and he is passionate about his ministry. Our prayer is that passers-by will catch some of what is said and that, even if they do not stop to listen, the words will stick in their memory and will be recalled at a later time and speak to their conscience. If a passer-by seeks to engage Rudolf in dialogue, he will summon one of us to respond to that person, so that he can continue with his preaching without interruption. Rudolf is very faithful in presenting the Gospel, but has to be careful to avoid treading on controversial territory.
Occasionally someone will approach the book table to browse. This gives us the opportunity to engage them in conversation, and in the course of the discussion we can suggest a book or DVD that addresses a particular issue. Over the years we have given away a considerable number of books and a few DVDs. A few examples include:
A Meaningful World by Benjamin Wiker & Jonathan Witt,
God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? by John Lennox,
Reinventing Jesus by Komoszewski, Sawyer & Wallace,
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel,
Many of the books are of an apologetic nature. This is important because we live in a post-Christian age in which the Bible is regarded as a book of myths rather than historical narratives. Humanly speaking, this gross ignorance needs to be addressed to open people's minds to the Bible's teaching. This is not to deny that God can directly convict an atheist.
We have also given out many booklets, such as “Is It True? The resurrection of Jesus” by Brian Edwards, “Is It True? Evidence for the Bible” by Anderson & Edwards, and evangelistic booklets by John Blanchard.
The most common reaction is indifference. Some would decline the tract with a smile, while others would simply ignore us as they walk past, or assert that they are atheists, or deliberately look the other way.
Some react more negatively by showing their disapproval with a sweeping gesture of the hand. Occasionally, but not often, the reaction takes a more hostile form, like the time when I offered a tract to a young man, who swore at us for everybody to hear. Another example was when Rudolf was setting up his equipment. A passer-by stopped and tried persistently to discourage Rudolf by telling him what he was doing was illegal and the police would stop him. Rudolf simply ignored him and got on with setting up his equipment! On one occasion someone even threatened to call the police to witness him punch Bob on the face! Bob was unfazed, and of course the threat never materialised. On another occasion a loud young atheist shouted angrily at us repeatedly while she was walking by. We could not make out what she was saying. Cliff thought she mentioned the name Satan.
On the whole, I prefer the hostile reaction to indifference. At least it shows what we are doing is having an effect! We will not allow the negative reactions to weaken our resolve.
There is also encouragement. We manage to give out a considerable quantity of tracts, and even have the occasional profitable conversation, often ending with the person accepting a book, and promising to read it. The occasional interest shown at the book stand and the uptake of books is encouraging. We pray that those who receive books keep their promise to read them. We pray that the literature will help those who are seeking, and challenge the unbelief of others who have been brainwashed all their lives into embracing atheism. I feel very much that the agnostic/atheistic public badly needs to be re-educated. That may lay the foundation for a future witness to build on.
We live in perilous times when, not only are virtue and vice turned upside down, but even fact and fiction are turned upside down. This reminds me of the ancient pagan saying “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad”. 2 Thes 2:10-12 says it more forcefully and more fully. How we need to pray that God will cure this madness!
May I recommend the following book:
One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven by Mark Cahill
Lloyd
10. HOOK LADIES DAY - 5TH MARCH 2022
Woke up early Saturday morning, left for the event at 8.45 with seven of us in the car. We got there and found nice pastries, tea and coffee to start with. It was really nice catching up with other women and coming out from our busy lives.
We heard some testimonies from women from church of different struggles they had with the lockdown and the verse that strikes me was from Deut 31 v8 ‘it is the Lord who goes before you He will be with you he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear of be dismayed.’
Becky spoke about encounters with Jesus which included harmony, peace and hope. There were 4 women that Jesus had felt sympathy for and he cared for women’s needs and healed them and had a good relationship with the broken women, He understood them better.
The bleeding woman who touched him in Mark 5 vs21-34 felt shameful and Jesus overcame the shame when He said –‘daughter your faith has healed you go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’
Martha who opened her home and Mary, her sister, chose to listen to Jesus. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and spent time with him. She was not lazy and in those times men were the only ones to sit and listen to Jesus. So, Jesus changed things, in that man and woman could worship Him together. We can be friends with Jesus and Jesus told Martha to come and sit at his feet. God whispered “Be still and know that I am the Lord”.
Mary Magdalene with the angels at the tomb, did not know it was Jesus, God used them for God’s redemption, knowing that we are in a relationship with God the same as men. In the old time we were daughters of Eve, who walked to hide from shame, give birth, bodies broken, work and labour after the sin we did. We learnt that He rescues us from our sin and releases His love to us when we are broken and hurt. God wants a relationship with us so He can restore us and make us new. You are worthy, chosen and loved.
We learnt about: Faith and forgiveness
Love and learn
Praise and proclaim
This all taught us that God is in charge, He will take our sin and shame away. It taught me to turn your eyes upon Jesus for He is the one we can turn to in times of trouble and trusting Him and holding on to Him that He loves us, His name is powerful and wonderful above every other name.
Lunch Time
We then went for a walk by the lakeside
We came back for more testimonies. We then had a prayer time thinking of Ukraine and other suffering countries.
We also had times of worship throughout the day.
Reported by
Mobee
11. Thank you
Well, a bumper copy of the newsletter! Once again, I am very grateful for those who contributed by invitation and to those who volunteered contributions, always very much appreciated.
The deadline for the next newsletter is Wed April 27th. This is after Easter, so if anyone is serving the Lord in any capacity, or attending conferences why not share your experience.
Email me rosemarybuncehook@gmail.com or the tried and tested way - by hand.