Bethel family – We wanted to say a massive “thank you” to everyone who has got stuck in to church life in 2022! We have so much to celebrate and thank God for! It’s been an amazing year and he continues to lead us out of dark times as we trust in Him. We’re thrilled to have welcomed new members, friends and followers of Jesus. There’s been so much sacrifice and hard work from our cleaning, youth, children, Messy Church, music, Rock, and Warm Place teams, as well as from those who contributed to decorating, maintenance, pastoral care, prayer, giving, serving and visiting! You have done this without fanfare, often in the background and unnoticed – we are so grateful to you.
We have a number of members who cannot be so involved because of health/care needs – you are precious to us, we love you and we miss you. Thank you for keeping in touch, asking for prayer, continuing to give faithfully and to pray. You are invaluable parts of Christ’s body here at Bethel. Thank you – everyone – for encouraging one another and being such a blessing to us as leaders.
Thrillingly for me, we are growing together in our love and commitment to Jesus and His word. This is how we will flourish and thrive and grow. God’s word and Spirit inspire us to look outwards, to care for others, to bring Christ to a needy world. HE is the head of our church, our foundation, our anchor, our inspiration and our Saviour. It is, in the end, ALL about Him. If you need to prioritise getting into your Bible or stepping up your prayer life this year, talk with Ewan about how we can make that happen. It doesn’t happen alone but in community – that’s why in the year ahead we will be particularly focussing on developing our discipleship, welcome and families work.
Please keep praying for the recruitment of a Families Minister (interviews take place this month), ongoing renovation of the hall and garage, and our finances. Our whole-life worship includes giving, serving and obeying God. In this new year please assess your giving, commit to give generously, cheerfully and regularly by asking God what he wants you to set aside for His work.
We are so excited about what God might do in and through us in the year ahead if we submit to Him! In the year ahead we will be particularly focussing on developing our discipleship, welcome and families work. We are grateful to God for the gospel of grace through which we are united as Christ’s family; and we love God for His grace, kindness, mercy, strengthening, faithfulness and provision to us – as Joyce often reminds us: “God is good, all of the time”.
Many of you still have questions and things to work out from the events of the last year. As always, if you want to talk or pray, or need any kind of support or help, please ask – that is what we are here for. Give this year to Jesus – don’t give up meeting together, don’t neglect prayer and reading your Bible, don’t put him somewhere down the list of ‘things to do’ – live for Him and see how he blesses you. If you have issues, questions or doubts… sort them out with Him now! With love, Ewan and Rach, and the Leadership team
”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
