Dear Church Family,

If living with change is tiring, living with change and uncertainty together is exhausting. And that is what we are dealing with at this stage, 18 weeks into the battle with C-19. We can expect to be weary.

It was tiring getting used to the new lockdown patterns and routines when it started. And cumulatively, it’s yet more tiring, charting our way out of lockdown into the ‘new normal’ now.

Working out which page everyone is on is tiring. Everyone’s circumstances are different – different ages, health, family situations and locations – and it all has to be taken into account. 

God’s word to His weary people facing the exhaustion of exile to Babylon were comforting to them then and also to us now. The Lord says in Isaiah 40:29-31:

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31

It is more important than ever that we set aside time to be with the Lord, who alone can sustain us, weary travellers, through the journey we are all on. 

His promise is that those who do wait for Him shall ‘run’ – be able to meet the exceptional circumstances of life – and ‘walk’ – be able to persevere through the ordinary daily grind of life.

So, guard those precious minutes with Him and His Word each day, and His strength will be sufficient for the needs of each day.

The Keswick Convention talks for adults and kids are a great opportunity to do this – it’s on from 27th-31st July, click here for details.

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church Family,

Hopefully we’re at the end of the beginning – the return to work, where available, and school has begun. But we are not yet at the beginning of the end, with no vaccine yet. The prospect of having to stay alert; adapt to new circumstances; and keep up with the pace of change remains.

All the more important to rest well. God’s pattern of 6 days on one day off is a good one. 

The Lord rested on the 7th day after creating everything. That doesn’t mean He did nothing. He is constantly sustaining all that He has made. Rest is the peace of enjoying our work in God’s creation. 

The seventh day never ended. It is a special gift of the Lord to remind us that we are eternal. A day to step back to see the eternal perspective, and to be with the Lord who was and is and is to come.

The seventh day was given when the Israelites were released from slavery in Egypt. It’s to remind us that we are free not to work.

During the French Revolution, in 1793, France briefly adopted a 10 day week, to deconstruct the influence of Christianity in France. But with fewer days off it wasn’t popular, and Napoleon dropped it seven years later.

How to rest with C-19 around is a challenge. Each day is similar for many of us. These words of Jesus help:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

(Matthew 11:28-29)

Being with the Lord is the best rest available. We were made by Him and for Him. To be with him is rest, even when circumstances are not restful.

Make the 7th Day special – join me and the rest of the HRS family for Online Church at 10:45 Sunday morning on YouTube

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church Family,

Hopefully, we’re at the end of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic – national lockdown has been eased to regional lockdowns; schools are beginning to re-open; economic activity is cranking up; social life in bubbles has begun. There is hope that the worst is over.

The situation was much worse for the Israelites in C8th BC. God had told them through Isaiah that they were about to be ‘carried into exile in Babylon’ where they’d remain for 70 years!

In this dire situation, the Lord had a word of comfort for his people in Isaiah 40 – the focus of our online services for the next three weeks: –

He would deal with the root of the problem: ‘her iniquity would be pardoned’ (v2 – read Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 to find out how …)

‘The glory of the Lord would be revealed’ (v5 – read John 1:14 to find out when …)

‘The word of the Lord would stand for ever’ (v8)

The Lord Himself would ‘tend his flock like a shepherd’ (v11 – read John 10:10-11 to find out who …)

These promises were fulfilled when the Lord brought his people back from exile in Babylon in 539 BC, and when Jesus came 500 years later. 

We’ve seen the fulfilment of his promises then, and we can trust Him to fulfil his promise to return in glory and transform our groaning into the glory he promised his people: 

So with the Apostle Paul we can say:

‘I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us,’

(Romans 8:18)

and keep on loving our neighbours and each other, whatever the shape of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

It’s been said that Christians are short term pessimists, and long term optimists – God is on the throne of the world; and He is good – as we’ve heard from Andrew Sach over last w/end. Do listen to the talks, they are life transforming: 

https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/series/4167

With the lockdown being lifted gradually we’re at a significant point to take stock. UCL’s survey says that one third of us have enjoyed it; generally those living with others on higher incomes: birds singing, roads clearer, life more relaxed, more time for people in the household.

For others there’ve been more down sides: health concerns, family concerns, job concerns, educational concerns, and future concerns.

Whatever our circumstances, hopefully there are good things to give thanks for, from the last 12 weeks – time to reflect; to get more fit; to try new things; to listen to music; to read or catch up with a few films. 

With all of this, as we look ahead to the summer holidays, it is comforting to know that God is at work for the good of those who love Him.

 In Romans Paul says to followers of Jesus Christ:

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with Him graciously give us all things?”

Romans 8:31

However uncertain the immediate future, the long term future is wonderful for God’s people.

The other series to look out for this summer is Christopher Ash on: “Hope in Jesus from the Psalms.” These are premiered between 27- 31 July at the Keswick Convention – see here for further details:

https://vkc.keswickministries.org/

Happy listening,

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church family,

Don’t be anxious about anything??

Three months after lockdown, life is starting to look more familiar again, thankfully. But whatever our situation it’ll never be perfect. There’s always something to fret about.

The apostle Paul had plenty to fret about: he was in prison; under threat of execution, when he wrote:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Amazing isn’t it? Is he for real? Yes – because he was sure God heard his prayers; and 

– That God is in control of all that was happening; 

– That God is calling all the shots in this life;

– That God is using everything in this life for His good purposes.

Could God really be orchestrating everything? The good and the bad? And using it all for His good purposes?

Controversially, Rev’d Dr Andrew Sach argues that the God of the Bible is ‘calling all the shots.’ To engage further this Saturday 27/06 at 9:30 am

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

You may also be interested:

To hear a black preacher’s perspective on BLM here (35 minutes)

https://www.greenwich.church/resources/talk/202846

To think more about JK Rowing and the Transgender debate here (35 minutes)

https://www.thepastorsheart.net/podcast/2020/6/16/jk-rowling-the-transgender-debate-amp-the-christian-response-with-rob-smith

And for family entertainment, how about the film of the world’s second most popular book: Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan?

Watch the trailer below and follow the link below to register for your free viewing before general release in September:

https://www.revelationmedia.com/watchpilgrims/uk/

Dear Church family,

The brutal death of George Floyd, Covid-19, the third anniversary of Grenfell Tower, secondary schools not back till September, health workers, teachers, parents and employees feeling the pressure … there’s plenty of gloomy news around.

There is surprising comfort in the great Bible truth of the “sovereignty of God.” That is the revelation that the God who created everything rules and shapes everything for his good purposes. The Bible tells us that:

God is in control of it all, using it for his good purposes. Even the agonizing death of His only Son was part of His plan, and through it He opened the door to his perfect kingdom where, one day, all these problems will be banished forever – 

2 Peter 3:13 “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”

For more on the “sovereignty of God,” try the links below and join us for our home/away day on the Saturday 27 June (see details below). 

Jason Ward asks the hard question: Why did God allow Coronavirus?

Our children will find this song encouraging:

And, on 27 June, 9.30 am – 12:00 noon Rev’d Dr. Andrew Sach argues, controversially, that God is “calling all the shots” in this world. Further details can be found here.

You’ll be glad you were there if you can make it for our home/away day. Understanding this great Truth is truly life-transforming!

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church family,  

The brutal way in which George Floyd died on the 25th of May shocked the world. Which of us was not horrified?

It has been a profoundly sad fortnight. Demonstrations have spread globally, indicating that this is not just an American problem.

Sometimes the demonstrations have descended into riots threatening the safety of the police, the public, and endangering social order.

Media discussions indicate that racial discrimination is a common experience. There are clear indications that black males in particular have a harder journey than many other groups.

The education statistics illustrate this – boys who are black and white boys from less established households tend to achieve less well academically.

Our community has good race relations thankfully. But isn’t there something in us that finds people who are different challenging? A bit of racism in us all?

Perhaps in this area it might be an idea to go back to the maker’s instructions and remind ourselves that at the beginning

“God created man in his own image,
In the image of God he created him; 
male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27

George Floyd was made in the image of God; he should’ve been treated with dignity and respect; we should treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of colour, class or any other superficial difference.

May God help us to do this, especially in the Church family. He has chosen us to be united in our diversity, the firstfruits of the gathering of peoples from all the nations of the world in heaven, and to be salt and light in his world now.

To read some further thoughts on this:

Best wishes,

Ian

Dear Church Family,

The VE day celebrations were muted but encouraging in the 8th week of lockdown, that one day hopefully soon, we’ll win the battle with Covid-19.

We as Christians are the ultimate optimists because we can look forward to being part of a world free of viruses and war.

We’re part of the Royal family that lasts!

In our recent Sunday talks from Luke 12 I’ve been very struck by Luke 12v32:

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”

Luke 12:32 (NIV)

We’re the ‘little flock’ in Lk 12:32 – we’re weak and full of failures and foolishness, vulnerable in a hostile world of deadly viruses, yet, amazingly we’ve been given a place in the eternal kingdom of God.

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and death and resurrection. He is no longer going to be with his disciples in person. But they are going to continue the work of building His Kingdom. And He promises to be with them as they go.

What does that look like?

• Having a verse or two in mind to talk about when we talk to another disciple and praying with them at the end of the conversation.
• Talking about something from the Sunday service with neighbours & family (eg Lisa Oakley’s testimony about what it means for a Christian to fear God.)

We live in a time of opportunity; opportunity to serve others and point to our Lord Jesus Christ, and His everlasting Kingdom. Let’s take the opportunity

Your brother in Christ,

Ian

Dear Church Family,

Alongside our anxiety and grief, many of us have been amazed, and humbled, that something as small as the coronavirus can cause so much harm. This article expresses that very well:

“Viruses are among the smallest life forms on our planet. Somewhere between 20–400 nanometres, 100 times smaller than bacteria, and too small to see even with a normal microscope. You’ll need an electron microscope to spot a coronavirus or Covid-19, as we must now call it, like somebody out of Star Wars. But what an impact that infinitesimally small organism has made!

In the space of a few weeks – and with our help of course – it has circled the globe, shut down whole cities and humbled whole countries. Economies are stalling, stocks falling, businesses struggling, travel disrupted, sports events cancelled, many lives lost, and many more put on hold, holidays ending in virtual imprisonment… the list goes on. It really is staggering that something so tiny can have such devastatingly vast consequences.” 

https://www.e-n.org.uk/2020/05/uk-news/as-fear-goes-viral/33c03/

Psalm 8 helps us to put things into perspective. In Ps. 8 David is aware of the majesty of God: He begins and ends the Psalm with the words ‘O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth (v1 & v9).

We can imagine David as a young man, looking after the flock. After eating something at the end of the day, he leans against a rock and looks up into the cloudless Palestinian sky above. Have you ever done that? I’m sure you have, and on a clear night, even in London, the stars are magnificent. All the more out in the countryside. David could have seen 2-3,000 stars that night. He must have been awestruck. From Genesis 1:16 he knew that it was God who had made those stars, and that inspired him to think how great the Lord must be who made that sky. 

As he looked up at the stars and thought about the greatness of the Lord, his heart was filled with the desire to praise the God who made that sky, even in the face of his enemies. He’d have heard from his brothers about the war going on with the Philistines at the time. But he knew that God’s weak people, the ‘children and infants,’ the ‘little ones’ of v2, would silence their much stronger enemies, there in v2, as they turned their gaze away from their enemies, towards the Lord in praise. Because their God was the majestic maker of that night sky, David knew that the Lord was greater than their enemies. Perhaps David would soon be up against Goliath? He must have felt like a helpless infant up against ‘that hairy chested brute as he flexed his muscles and showed off his tattoos’ (Dale Ralph Davis). But knowing the one who made the stars put even this enemy into perspective.

And for us fixing our eyes on the Lord, rather than on the dangers and problems that surround us in this pandemic, gives us the perspective we need. Yes, we lament the devastation of life that this virus causes. Our household, along with many others around the world is grieving. Yet through our sadness and fears we know the Lord, our Lord, is the majestic maker of the stars above. As we continue to praise Him by trusting Him, even this invisible enemy is muted.

So in the week ahead, step back and take a look up into the night sky, and remember the Lord who made it. And for every fearful glance at what is happening, look twice to the majestic Lord who made the stars above, and trust Him.

Your brother in Christ,

Ian