A newsletter has been put together containing a message from Martin, our pastor, as well as various resources and information that might be useful. This week’s edition can be found here.
Heathervale Update – 19th March
This Sunday at 10.30am we are hoping to livestream a service (in our empty church) through Zoom, an internet platform. If all goes to plan we will send out an email to everyone on email giving them instructions on how they can register with Zoom and view a live streaming worship service at 10.30am from Heathervale (only a few people will be in church – Martin preaching, a small number of musicians, someone on sound, someone to film). Please remember that the church is not open this Sunday and until further notice for worship.
For those not able to log in to the livestream service I will be sending out my sermon in writing (please request if you want a copy) and we will be recording the service onto CD/DVD – again please ask Evelyn in the office if you want a copy.
As it is Mothering Sunday this Sunday, please try to remember those isolated at home – please be proactive in phoning or video calling people to stay in touch.
My theme for this Sunday is “Carrying one anothers’ burdens’ from Galatians 6 v 2-10. This is a time for us to look out for one another, to keep in touch using the phone, social media, texts. We can show Christ’s love for one another by listening to someone on the phone, by comforting and encouraging others in their anxiety, by sharing humour with one another, through practical acts of kindness.
We still have the Hope Easter magazines to give out to our local community. We hope to be able to post these through doors with Easter flyers informing people that as a church we will try to serve our local community and invite people to make us aware of any needs they might have and to encourage people to join our live streaming of Sunday services.
Please note that we are regularly updating our website with guidance and prayer ideas and resources from the Baptist Union which provide advice and guidance for us in areas such as guidelines for pastoral care and visiting, keeping in contact through social media and daily updates of prayer resources and daily online videos on a tour of the Bible.
For example yesterday there is new guidance from the Baptist Union relating to marriages and funerals during the Coronavirus crisis.
On the top right button of our website “Coronavirus updates” you can find all the Baptist Union updates and resources.
I hope a number of you are able to join our livestream worship service at 10.30am this Sunday. But let us stay connected and make every effort to keep in contact. Why don’t you pick up the phone to a number of people in the church who are in the over 70s age group and stay connected!!
Lets use this opportunity to be the body of Christ to one another, connected and interdependent members who all need one another. Let us “Bear one anothers’ burdens” – Galatians 6 v 10
Blessings and love to our church family
From Martin and all the leaders”
Additionally, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are calling for a National Day of Prayer this Sunday in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Heathervale Update – 18th March
The latest advice from the government and the Baptist Union is to STOP all Sunday worship gatherings. So all Sunday services and gatherings at church are NOT taking place with immediate effect until further government advice is issued
We will seek to record a sermon and put it online for people to access.
The elders met on Monday night and based on the latest government advice to avoid “non-essential gatherings” we are suspending all Sunday worship gatherings, all small groups, Toddler groups, Messy Church, GB, Coffee stop, Alpha until at least the end of the Easter holidays but this will obviously be reviewed again in line with government advice after Easter. So no groups this week until at least the end of Easter and then review after government advice
Martin Robinson, the Pastor, and Evelyn, our church administrator, will continue to work at the church, so please only contact by phone or email.
MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE – THE SPECIAL CHURCH MEMBERS MEETING HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL JUNE/JULY (DATE TO BE ARRANGED), SO TO BE CLEAR THERE IS NO SPECIAL CHURCH MEETING NEXT THURSDAY MARCH 26th
These are challenging and unprecedented times for all of us. Please stay in contact by phone or other appropriate means with those who are self isolating for health reasons or because they are in a high risk category. Please be aware of the elderly and vulnerable in our church and in our community and let us seek to do what we can practically and spiritually to support. This is an opportunity for us to share the love and kindness of Christ. Please continue to support our local shops in the Broadway who are now going through challenging times financially.
Some Scriptures for us to trust in and act on at this time:-
Galatians 6 v 9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
John 14 v 27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Romans 8 v 14-17
… those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’. The Spirit himself testified with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
With love and Blessings
Martin and the Leaders
