HOOK CHURCH NEWSLETTER July 2022

But the very next chapter shows Elijah fearful, cowardly, running away like some Del Shannon protagonist. “Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.’ Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” (1 Kings 19v1-3)

I would have probably done the same as Elijah and out of fear of man (or of woman) ran for my life with the taunts and the jeers of God’s enemies ringing in my ears as I ran. It was understandable that Elijah ran away but probably not right.

And what does God do? He finds Elijah in the wilderness, wanting to die, and then falling fast asleep, emotionally and physically wrecked. But there is no heavy-handed discipline from the Lord. There is no, “pull yourself together man!” “Get a grip!” “Turn it around!” “I expected far better from one of my prophets!” “Get out there and show her what you can do!”

Instead, our Gracious God sends an angel to help Elijah. And Elijah wakes up and finds a ready-made meal, microwaved and ready to eat. How kind of God; how gentle and understanding of Elijah’s emotions.

It is not until 41 days later that our Gracious God makes Elijah face up to what he has done. And even then, the probing questioning is given in a whisper not a shout; in a still small voice, not a bellowing dress down (read about it in 1 Kings 19v4-13).

Oh to be like our Gracious God. Galatians 6v1, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently…”

O Hope of every contrite heart,
O Joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

Love from Paul

2. News from the Persecuted Church

Christians in Nigeria are 46.3% of the population, yet it is No 7 on the Open Doors World Watch List. Christians are in the all areas of Nigeria. The North is mainly Muslim. Christians in the Northern and central belts face having their homes destroyed being beaten and killed.

Some years ago we prayed for the Chibok school girls who were kidnapped in 2014. Many of whom have either escaped or been returned to their families, but there are still many being held prisoners, women who still need our prayers. Girls and women are still being kidnapped from their villages and schools by terrorists’ organisations such as Boko Haram. This happens mainly to Christians but also to other minorities in the area. These kidnapping are occurring on a regular basis.

I would like to give you an example of what is happening in two specific states. In Tara State six Christians were killed and 12 injured in an explosion at a Christian market, the Islamic State West Africa province claimed responsibility for this saying ‘they detonated the explosive at a meeting of infidel Christians’

Fuldani herdsmen’s were among a group who attacked 4 villages Kaduna State in the North, burning down 92 Christian houses and killing 18 Christians. It is reported that the persecution of Christians has greatly increased in recent weeks. It is said the violence against Christians in now spreading south.

What can be done to help?

Open Doors partners in Nigeria are running groups in discipleship and persecution and survival, also giving trauma care and economic empowerment training.

I would like to give an example of what can happen in Nigeria. A student Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu from the Northern State of Sokoto was beaten up, stoned to death and then her body burnt, she had been accused among other things of Blasphemy, because she put on a watsapp group the following; She said, ‘she had passed her exams thanks to Christ’. When pressurised to retract the statement and apologise she declined to do so. Two people had been arrested for the crime, but mobs of Muslims supporters have demanded their release and in the riots that followed 2 churches have been burnt and numerous Christian shops have been looted and destroyed. Christians in the area are asking for people to pray for the family of the young lady.

But what can we do as individuals?

We can pray for our extended family both individually and in groups. Once a month, the church holds prayer meeting for persecuted Christians. We can send cards of encouragement; we can also give financial donations to organizations such as Release International and Open Doors.

Barbara S

3. Wendy’s thoughts…………The Unseen Queen

Whilst watching the Platinum Jubilee programme “The Unseen Queen”, I was struck by just how many references there were to the Queen’s faith, and how many of her other comments held an echo of Bible verses.

In Romans 13, it says that the authorities, that exist, have been established by God, and they are God’s servants for our good.

I hope that these wise words of the Queen, based on the linked Bible references, will do you good.

HER FAITH

“Faith, family, and friendship have been, not only a constant for me, but a source of personal comfort and reassurance”

2 Corinthians 1 v 3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

George VI said, “The key to all true progress lies in faith, hope and love” “Let us have no fear of the future, but let us see it as an opportunity and an adventure”

1 Thessalonian 1 v 2-3 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

FAMILY LIFE

“The positive value of a happy family is one of the factors of human existence which has not changed. If I am asked today, what I think about family life, after years of marriage, I can answer with simplicity and conviction- I am for it.” Matthew 1-2 Luke 1-2

MARRIAGE

“This relationship between two people, however deep at the time, needs to develop, and mature, over the passing years. For that, it must be held firm in the web of family relationships.”

1 Peter 3 v 1-7 Ephesians 5 v 22-33 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Prince Philip said, “Tolerance is the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage. By trial, and experience, I think we have achieved a sensible division of labour and have developed a good balance between our individual, and joint, interests.”

Ephesians 5 v 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

CHILDREN

The birth of a baby brings great happiness, but then the business of growing up begins. It is a process that starts within the protection and care of the parents and family, including the older generation. As with any team, there is strength in combination.”

1 Thessolonians 3 v2, 2 Timothy 1 v 5 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

“Often a child’s helplessness, and vulnerability, brings out the best in us. Each one of us has a primary, and personal, responsibility for our own children, the children entrusted to our care, and for all the children in our communities”

Proverbs 22 v 6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

AGEING

“The years have slipped by so quickly. There is no point in regretting the passage of time. Growing older is one of the facts of life and it has it’s own compensations. One of the joys of living a long life, is watching one’s children, then grandchildren. We can’t be certain what lies ahead for them, but we should know enough to put them on the right path. We can do this if we have the good sense to learn from those who have gone before us.”

Proverbs 17 v 6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

“We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love, and then we return home.”

John 14 v 1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

“Good health is a precious gift. There is a traditional proverb, which says “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything” Proverbs 4 v 20-27

COMMUNITY

“People matter, and it is our relationship with one another that is most important. What people are, and what people do, does makes a difference. The joint efforts of people, can defeat the evils of our time” 1 Corinthians 12 v 12-31

“It is not enough simply to do our jobs. Service demands sacrifice”

Romans 12v1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

“We sometimes think the world’s problems are so big that we can do nothing to help. On our own we cannot end wars, or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of 1000s of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.”

1 Peter 4 v 8-11 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

THE WORLD

“We share the same world, but we do not share the same opportunities. A tolerant society actively develops the people who belong to it, and enriches their lives, because it values their diversity”

Philippians 2 v 1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

GRIEF

“We would not grieve if we did not love”

Psalm 34 v 18 The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

“There is no magic formula that will turn sorrow into happiness. I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad.”

Ecclesiastes 7 v 14, “When all your world is torn with grief and strife, think yet- when there seems nothing left to mend, of the frail and time-worn fabric of your life, the golden thread of courage has no end.”

Psalm 46 v 1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Thank you to Wendy H, for your inciteful thoughts and putting them together for our benefit. This is just a selection of quotes and related Bible verses. Maybe more to come at a later date.

4. Church Outing

Didn’t we have a lovely day, the day we went to West Wittering.

So, after a 3 years absence, the day finally arrived with 120 Hookites driving down to the seaside. The age range was 3 months to 80 year olds. We had lunch, cooked by Alan and Sam, of sausages and burgers and a selection of salads.

After lunch, groups dispersed to spend time on the beach, swim or walking, while others just sat chatting to friends.

Eric had a paddle board. The Sapeys travelled down on motor bikes and there were also 4 dogs.

We also celebrated Ken Richard’s birthday.

The traditional football match took place during the afternoon. All too soon it was time to pack up and travel home. Many thanks to the Lee’s and Rigby’s for organizing the day.

Julie F

5. TIMELESS UPDATE JUNE 2022

Timeless, our Seniors Outreach Ministry, has continued to hold monthly events in April, May and June and in April we held a coffee morning with seasonal hot cross buns, which was well attended. We also had an Easter quiz, which everyone enjoyed and a number of us learned some interesting facts about Easter!

In May we held a seated exercise class and this was led by Kathy, who is a trained physio and a member of the King’s Centre. The exercises were great and stretched out our muscles – Kathy led the class really well and this was followed by some well deserved coffee and danish pastries.

June saw us holding our Summer Lunch. Once again, Carole and her team prepared a delicious salmon lunch, followed by strawberries and cream. We had 29 attendees and the cleaned plates indicated that the food was enjoyed by all!

Our amazing team of volunteers are to be applauded for their loyalty and kindness, generously giving up their time and their provision of cakes and service to these events – THANK YOU.

Our next event will be a coffee morning, due to be held on Tuesday 19th July from 1000 to 1200, please do invite family and friends along for a warm welcome, a cup of coffee and no doubt a piece of delicious cake.

Noelle

6. CFL FUN FUNDAY

(my view from the refreshments table)

There was no doubt about it, Jackie had an idea, in fact she had a vision. A vision of a church filled with lots of activities and people. Sale tables, craft tables, games for the youngsters, teddy bear picnic for the babies and toddlers, face painting for young and old and a cream tea. The aim of the day was to raise funds to help CFL continue their work for the Lord, caring for the vulnerable people in Leeds. I feel this is a big understatement of what CFL does, it is far reaching, caring for people and helping them to live a richer life with their various projects, and their love for the people in their care is beyond measure.

The day arrived. We were ready, the church was ready, would the people come? That was the question. Our prayers were answered. The people came young and old, children with mums and dads and grandparents. At one point the back hall was just filled with so many people busy browsing and buying from the sale tables. More tables were needed to seat everyone for the cream teas. As the afternoon progressed we saw little faces both pretty and scary coming for a drink and a cake having had their faces painted and also some were coming for refreshments after taking part in the various activites in the Sanctuary. I’m sure I haven’t mentioned everything that took place, but my time was pretty well used up serving cream teas and cakes. I never got as far as the Barnabus Room where the Teddy Bears picnic was taking place, but I heard on the grapevine that everyone had a lovely time.

The afternoon finished, and now the clearing up, never a nice job! Wow, just as Jackie said on Sunday morning. The church was busy again with folk clearing up and putting the church back together ready for Sunday morning. As the saying goes, ‘many hands make light work’ comes to mind.

I cannot close without saying a very big thank you to Jackie for having such a large vision and for all the people who helped to make it happen.

Rosemary B

7. Church Camp

On May the 27th 2022, the spectrum Leaders took 14 young people away to Walton Firs Campsite Cobham.

The weekend was full of food, laughter, encouragement and amazing questions asked by the children. The leaders included myself, Luke, Helen, Alan , Dan Brett Carrie , Natasha and Ethan. We were fed by the amazing cooks Kev, Joyce and Mobee, watched over by our amazing night watch people, The Boardman’s, The Moldens and The Neal’s and prayed for by all of you.
As a team we want to say thank you for your prayers, the weekend was sunny, there were no major injuries, and the talks were fabulous. The talks were led by Ade, who engaged the children in such a way that many came out of their shell and there was nothing but smiley faces in the talks. What an encouraging weekend! Praise God!
Please continue to pray for the children, many of them do not have scripture in their houses yet all the children I spoke to, said they had some sort of faith.
Thank you!
Anna P

8. BIBLE PUZZLE

There are 30 books of the Bible hidden in this piece. Can you find them all? Answers in the September newsletter.

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an air plane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it onto some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on it while fishing from his John boat another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend ,was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people however will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them. At the worst research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle the Alpha Delta Phi Lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, the Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this was one of the most difficult they have ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it 2 books are right here in plain view hidden from sight" Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle of names are normal. A chipper attitude will help you to compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

Terry Spiller// Salem Baptist Church submitted Tim Neale

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Thank you once again to everyone who has contributed to this newsletter. The next one is due in September. If you read any good books over the summer holidays, a quick review or just a recommendation is always welcome.

Hook Newsletter 6 - July 2022

contents

FEARFUL ELIJAH AND THE GENTLE GOD