EAST HILL BAPTIST CHURCH - NEWSLETTER MAY 1998
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5 V 5.
CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH HUMILITY
You have probably heard the story of the emperor who was extremely concerned to impress by the way he dressed. He was taken in by fraudsters who convinced him that they could provide him with special clothing that could only be seen by people who were wise.
Supposedly dressed in these special clothes, he paraded through the street. The crowds had been told that the emperors clothes could only be seen by people who were wise. Unwilling to admit that the emperor had no clothes on, as this would show their lack of wisdom, the watching crowds pretended admiration for the non-existent clothes, until a small boy burst the bubble of illusion; "the emperor has no clothes" he said, the truth was out.
We have a tendency to hide the reality of our life by putting on appearances. Our failures and weakness are things that we do not want the world to see, and so we try to give the impression of being competent, adequate, 'cool' etc. In this way we 'clothe' ourselves. The problem goes back to the garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve, when they had distrustfully rejected God's instructions to them suddenly became aware that they were naked. They were now ashamed for God to see them as they really were, people still have that same sense of shame.
Sadly, religious people often get caught up in this pretence of putting on appearances. The religious people of Jesus' day did it, Jesus called them hypocrites, which means actors. Sometimes churches do it. The church at Laodacia (Revelation ch3) was like that, and Jesus had to tell them that in reality they were "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked". It's our pride that makes us pretend, and sometimes we even deceive ourselves.
The wonder of the gospel, is that there is really no need to pretend. God sees us as we really are and he loves us. He has made it possible for our failures to be forgiven through the death of Jesus on the cross. Take Jesus disciples as an example. Through the experiences of their own failure they knew how pointless and unnecessary pretence is in God's sight.
After the events of Easter they could freely admit that their achievements were not the result of their own power or godliness, but rather evidence of God's power and goodness. Pride had gone from them.
So Peter could write to the christians in his day, "clothe yourselves in humility". It is good advice to you and me, because humility is the clothing that is adequate and acceptable in God's eyes.
Yours in Christ, Peter.
GIVING TO THE CHURCH
Offerings and donations to the church during April amounted to £1355.74. Our target for the month was £800. Thanks to all who gave.
MAY 1998 - PROGRAMME
All services and meetings will be held on our new church premises unless another venue is indicated in the programme below. Rev Peter Neale will be preaching at all services unless an alternative speaker is indicated in the programme.
Sun 3rd 10.30am A Powertul Gospel- Rom 1 vl-17
6.30pm A World Gone Wrong-Rom 1 v18-32
Lord's Supper
Tues 5th 2.00pm Tuesday Fellowship - speaker Miss Boswell
Wed 6th 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
Thur 7th 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
8.00pm Prayer and Fellowship Group
Sat 9th 10.00am Prayer Meeting at Margaret's
Sun 10th 10.30am God is Our Judge- Rom 2 vl-16
6.30pm The Jesus Video
Mon 11th 6.45pm Girls' Brigade
Tues 12th 2.00pm Tuesday Fellowship - speaker Miss Thompson
Wed 13th 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
Thur 14th 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
8.00pm Prayer and Fellowship Group
Sat 16th 10.00am Prayer Meeting at Margaret's
Sun 17th 10.30am Cham Kaur-Mann - Rom 2 v17-3 v8
Lord's Supper
6.30pm Faith in Jesus - Rom 3 v9-31
Mon 18th 5.45pm Girls' Brigade
Tues 19th 2.00pm Tuesday Fellowship - speaker Mr Lane
7.00pm London Baptist Assoc. Assembly at Westminster Chapel SW1
Wed 20th 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
Thur 21st 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
8.00pm Prayer and Fellowship Group
Sat 23rd 10.00am Prayer Meeting at Margaret's
Sun 24th 10.30am Justified by Grace - Romans 4
6.30pm Peace and Joy - Romans 5
Tues 26th 2.00pm Tuesday Fellowship - Speaker Mr. Connington
Thur 28th 8.00pm Prayer and Fellowship Group
Sat 30th 10.00am Prayer Meeting at Margaret's.
Sun 31st 10.30am Pentecost Sunday
6.30pm Speaker to be anounced
JUNE
Mon 1st 5.45pm Girls' Brigade
Tues 2nd 2.00pm Tuesday Fellowship - speaker to be announced
Wed 3rd 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
Thur 4th 10.00am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
8.00pm Prayer and Fellowship Group
Sat 6th 10.00am Prayer Meeting at Margaret's
Sun 7th 10.30am Freedom From Sin - Romans 6
6.30pm Freedom From Law - Romans 7
Lord's Supper
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY - SUNDAY 14TH JUNE
We celebrate our Church Anniversary this year on Sunday June 14th. Our guest speaker for the day will be Rev Ivor Waddelow from Oswestry. Ivor's father, also a baptist minister was converted at East Hill many years ago. Following the morning service there will be a bring and share picnic lunch in the hall downstairs.
TUESDAY FELLOWSHIP ANNIVERSARY
Our ladies will be holding a special anniversary celebration this year on Tuesday June 16th. The guest speaker wil be Mrs Joy Stephens, a number of guests from other churches will be coming for this, and there will be a special tea provided.
CHURCH OUTING - SATURDAY JULY 11TH - 10AM
Don't forget the outing to the Watercress preserved railway on July 11th. The coach tickets will be £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for children. On the way back, we will be stopping for tea at Frimley Baptist Church, and a contribution will be payable for this.
More details available shortly.