Author: penny

Church Matters
August 2014 No. 96
May 2011 No. 60

Dear Friends,
Have you ever lost power in a storm?
You flick the switch on but nothing happens—the lights are not working. If you’re like me, you probably flick the switch three or four times in a row really fast, hoping that will make a difference.
But the result is the same...the storm rages and you’re left to ride it out with no power.
Sadly, I think this is an accurate description of how many Christians are living their lives—caught in a storm with no power. No power to hope, no power to pray in faith, no power to encourage others, no power to overcome, and no power to enjoy their lives.
But I have good news for you today. It doesn’t have to be this way. You weren’t meant to go through life miserable, frustrated, defeated and without power.
The POWER OF GOD is available to help you today.
You can find the strength to overcome any obstacle in your life.
You may read those words and think, “There’s no way, Hannah! Not me. Power? Strength? Overcoming? Those are not words that could ever describe my life.”
If you’re more likely to describe yourself as weak rather than a winner—as overcome rather than an overcomer—I CAN UNDERSTAND. There was a time in my life when I would have said the same thing.
I loved God, and I really wanted to have victory, but I didn't know what it meant to be strong in the Lord. No one had taught me how to receive God’s strength and walk in His Power each and every day.
My happiness depended on my circumstances, and as soon as something frustrating
happened, the power would go out. It was like I would flick the switch, but nothing was there. I felt like I had to ride out the storm on my own.
Maybe you know what I am talking about. Perhaps you’re tired today and feel powerless to enjoy your life. The bills are piling up, the children or grandchildren are under
pressure in schools or college, you’re struggling at work, something you hoped for hasn’t
Happened or you’ve received a bad report from the doctor…

Whatever storm you’re facing today, you don’t have to be without the power of God…
God has a gift for you: The strength and power to overcome ANYTHING.
It doesn't matter how bad things look on the outside, God can give you the strength you need to walk through anything you are going through.
The Word of God says;
“...Be strong in the Lord (be empowered through your union with Him); draw your strength from Him (that strength which his boundless might provides)
(Ephesians 6:10)
That’s the key — draw your strength from God! Living a powerful, victorious, overcoming life is not dependent on you. It doesn’t matter how weak or strong you feel. And it
certainly doesn’t matter how good or bad the circumstances are around you.
When you live your life in God’s strength—rather than your own—you’re not going to be defeated. There is no trial, no circumstance, no storm you cannot overcome.
Today, if God is for you, who can be against you. (Romans 8:31)
The Apostle Paul understood this to be true. He went through many storms in his life. Paul was shipwrecked, imprisoned, beaten, doubted, accused and attacked—and all of these things happened while he was trying to serve God.
As you can probably imagine, all of these things left Paul feeling frustrated sometimes. But Paul didn’t focus on his weakness or lack of strength. He didn’t see it as an excuse to give up—he saw it as an opportunity for God to take over.
And that’s what I want to say to you today, I want you to see in your life right now…
When you stop relying on your own strength, God provides you with His strength.
Remember, God never meant for you to live without His love and power. When the storm rages, instead of looking to your own strength, look to God for His.
He will not fail you. It’s His Promise!
May God bless You Today and Forever More.
Love Hannah

August 3rd
11am
Speaker:
Nigel Thomas

August 10th
11am
Speaker:
Rev. Huw George

August 17th
3pm
Speaker:
Alex Mayne

August 24th
11am
Speaker
Melanie Abblett

August 31st
11am
With Communion
Speaker
Mary Campbell

Please stay after the service for light
refreshments and continued fellowship.
All are welcome.

Sunday School runs for all ages every
Sunday.
Please bring your child along for a fun filled hour of fellowship, song and lots of
enjoyment.

This month we have been asked to pray for the following:

Within our Fellowship:- Sheila, Peggy, Blodwyn, Mrs Thorne and our BMS Partners
Grace & Tiab, Shirley, Jack, Sam, Joanne & Family. Matthew (Results this month)

Within our Town:- All of the leaders of our towns Churches & Chapels. Those lay
people who bring God’s word to us.

Within our County:- Revival in Pembrokeshire

Dear Lord,
I give You my hands to do Your work;
I give You my feet to go Your way;
I give You my eyes to see as You see;
I give You my tongue to speak Your words;
I give You my mind that You may think in me;
I give You my spirit that You may pray in me.
Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me—love the Father and love all humankind.
I give You my whole self, Lord, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works & prays in me.
Amen.

Please remember to pen your name to the hymn list rota weekly. Choose your favourite hymns and enjoy them during the
service.
Please pass your choices to Muriel.
Thank You

Please read the notice board and pen your names to the following:
Flower Rota
Communion Rota
Deacons to read when serving for monthly communion.

Sardis Baptist Chapel — Songs of Praise
Sunday August 3rd @ 7pm.
President—Rev Arfon Thomas.
Conductor—Mrs Marion Davies
Many guest artists (Including our very own Matthew Ashton Smith).
Programme £2.
Anyone wishing to attend and may need a lift please see Hannah & Penny
Please make every effort to go along and support Sardis Baptist Chapel.
St. Katharine & St. Peter’s Church — Service of Remembrance
Sunday August 3rd @ 2.30pm.
A service to mark the 100th anniversary of the commencement of WW1.
Matthew Ashton Smith will be playing the last post.
Anyone wishing to attend and may need a lift please see Hannah & Penny.
All are welcome to attend.

Church Contact Details
Deacon & Secretary - Ken Ashton
Email address—kengashton@hotmail.co.uk—Mobile: 07815785432
Deacon / Newsletter & Church Treasurer - Penny Smith
Email address—pjanesmith@aol.com—Mobile: 07760293190
Deacon / Pulpit Secretary/Events/ Sunday School
Hannah Sayers
Email address—hanngerr@yahoo.co.uk– Mobile:07792666510

A Sunday school teacher began her lesson with a question,
"Boys and girls, what do we know about God?
A hand shot up in the air,
"He is an artist!" said the young boy.
"Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked.
"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven...."
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in
another part of the country.
"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.
"Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady
A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly,
"I know what the Bible means!"
His father smiled and replied,
"What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?"
The son replied,
"I do know!"
"Okay," said his father, "what does the Bible mean?"
"That's easy, Daddy," the young boy replied excitedly,
"It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.”