A Card from Darran

 

You're very welcome Darran!

Do We Think of God

"In all their thoughts there is no room for God."

Can this be said about us? Have we ignored God's goodness? In our thoughts, where is God when we consider:

Creation
The world is a beautiful complex place, I ticate and powerful. Who gets the credit for that? Not God, in the thoughts of the majority of people. So we're told that we're here by accident and no thought that we are incredibly designed. God has made us and doesn't get any credit for it. Imagine we have made something for someone and they ignore the fact that you made it.

Our Behaviour
Does God come into our thoughts when we make decisions in life? Are we tempted to make our own ways in life without a thought of how God sees our decisions or what He wants us to do. Do we plan our lives on Gods Word or on our own desires? A train goes best when it's on the rails, just like we live best when we stay on His path marked out by His Word.

Read Luke 2 v8-20

Christmas
Where is God in our thoughts at this time of year? The Lord Jesus coming was God's most wonderful gift. In the majority of lives, Christmas has no room for God. What an insult to our loving God. How do we treat the Lord Jesus Christ? Is he just a curse on our lips?

In the part of scripture we read, Mary, the Angels and the Shepherds all showed appreciation. They praised God, they visited Jesus and they also spread the Good News with others. It was so important to them. They treasured these things.

Is there room for God in our thoughts and in our lives this Christmas?

Why Jesus was Born[Matthew 1 v18-25]

The birth of Jesus was an exceptional event... born here is both God and Man.

The wedding in Jesus time was very different to today's society. Sadly today it's common for couples to live together before being married, but in Jesus time they first made an unbreakable promise to be married a while even before actually becoming man and wife. Mary had become pregnant in the time between this promise and the marriage. Mary was Joseph's true love and he agonized over this. Believing he had lost his dream marriage partner, he decided it would be the kindest thing to quietly divorce Mary to avoid showing her up in her situation.

But an angel visited Joseph to comfort him that the child was from God, a special child long promised throughout the Bible. There had never been anything like this in history... If anyone other than the angel had told Joseph, no doubt he wouldn't have believed it was true. Suddenly all his dashed hopes were lifted higher than he could imagine. His wife was to bear the Son of God. Mary was pure and good and truly blessed. He could legitimately take her, who he loved, as his wife.

They knew he was going to be a boy, which was impossible to determine in those days, and they knew what they must call him. Joseph was going to be the father figure for this child, the Son of God.

The first Christmas, apart from Jesus death, is the most critical event in history. But still many people find no meaning in it.

• Are you aware that this child is your Saviour?
• Are you aware that you are sinful and spoiled by sin?
• Are you aware of sin's power over you?
• Are you aware of failing to be good, let alone good enough to earn God's blessing?
• Are you aware God is so concerned about you that He gave His Son to be born as a baby into this sinful world in order that He could rescue us from our situation?

If you are aware and want to experiance God's peace, it's wonderful news that God has made that possible by sending Jesus. Do you recognize the coming of Jesus to the world is the best news ever, or are you dead to it and have no care for it?

Cause & Effect - Elements [by Lewis]

Lewis' great new animation!

Good job again Lewis...

Ladies' Carols by Candlelight...

ANOTHER meeting

just for the girls!?!

Carols, Candles & Mince Pies

This Monday evening, 7th December, at 7:30

Cindi from Hayes

Joy & myself went to see Mellow Lane's production of Cindi from Hayes. It was great! We really enjoyed it and laughed the whole way through. The dancing was great too.

It was good to see Jack, Sammi, Billy and Darran on the stage and Ameenah stirring up the audience. Really good job all of you!

[Tim]

Youth Club's Artfor Junior Club

This evening the Youth Club helped the Junior Club by painting the back-drop for their Christmas presentation that will take place on Wednesday 2nd December at 6:30pm. The Youth Club did a pretty good job, don't ya think!

Jesus Promised![Isaiah 9]

From the very beginning of the Bible, it was foretold that someone special was to come.

• Over thousands of years the coming of Jesus was foretold.
• He was the one that was promised even before the world was made.
• He has come to make peace between us and God.
• Jesus came to put things right because it’s obvious things in the world arent right.

600 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah foretold:

• Something was going to happen in a specific place. The town of Nazareth, Galilee and Jordan. These are places where Jesus lived and taught.
• This person to come would bring light and knowledge of the truth. Jesus came to bring light because He came to put right what was wrong in the world, and in our person lives.
• This person was going to be a male child and be born as a human. Jesus, though conceived by a miracle, was born like you and me. He could be hurt and let down and tempted just like you and me.
• The names this baby boy would be called. This baby is human but more than that He is the Son of the God that made the world. He came to give us peace with God, peace with our conscience and peace between us and men.

This isn’t just a nice story to remember at Christmas but it’s a very real account that we need to take note of. Our life here on earth and our life in eternity depends on it.

If we accept Jesus as He truly is, He will take us into His Kingdom. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by following Jesus.

The Danger of Not Following Jesus[Luke 13 v22]

One of the most remarkable questions asked of Jesus was "Lord are only a few people going to be saved?"

The pharasees said that all the Jews and only the Jews would be saved. Other religious leaders said those that followed their rules would be saved. So people were concerned who actually would be saved. Jesus deliberately avoided being drawn into this discussion but instead turned the question around to each of them and told them never mind how many will be saved, make every effort to ensure YOU enter through the narrow gate!

How do we enter?

Like a turnstile at a football match, entry into heaven is one by one and no extra baggage can be taken. We must be stripped of all our pride. It's not an easy thing to do. We may feel we're good enough as we are and then look to ourselves and not to Jesus. We need to be stripped bare and have our sins exposed to God and ourself. We need to strive to see ourself as we truly are before we can enter Heaven.

Where do we enter?

Jesus is the door. He is the salvation. No other leader or belief system is the way... Jesus alone is the way to Heaven. We must strive to come to that place of faith in Jesus and enter through His door.

When should we enter?

Jesus speaks of a man knocking at the door of a wedding feast but the door is shut and he is outside. There is going to come a time when the door will be shut. We must strive to go through the door now as we may not have another opportunity. There is a day coming when the master of the house can say "I never knew you".

What's the danger of not following Jesus?

Those who don't enter the narrow way will be shut out in the darkness where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth". We must strive to enter the narrow door so we are not shut outside. Those who do enter the narrow way will finally take their place next to God in His glory in His Kingdom.

What will stop us from entering?

Don't forget about your own soul by being distracted by the things going on around you.

Lewis' long lost twin?!

Lewis... Nigel either found your twin brother on the net... or you're hiding your true identity as child actor Ryan Ochoa!?

Group Photo 11/09

Taken as a leaving gift for Joseph on Friday 6th November 2009
Click it to enlarge it!

"This is how it happened..."

To earn points in this game you have to write comments below to make up the story of how your car ended up like this. Every comment earns 5 points!

The rules are:

1. Add your comment to continue the story
2. You can only write one short sentence at a time
3. When someone has added a new sentence you may then add another yourself
4. The comment that finishes the story gets 10 points

Updated rules:

The deadline for finishing this story is Christmas Eve! From today I'm dropping the point score to 1 point per sentence, and the sentence that finally finishes it will get 20 points! If no-one has finished it by 11:59pm Christmas Eve, I'm going to tell you how I think it happened, and give myself 20 points! :-) [Tim]


The story begins: "This is how it happened..."

No game this week, sorry!

Shane Lynch - My Story

Watch Shane’s amazing story and how God flipped this Boyzone singer’s life upside down.

I think there's a problem with the movie clip. Click here to watch it on the original website http://www.premier.org.uk/features/archive/shane%20lynch.aspx

Just Stop & Think!

Watch this...

Ladies' Dinner!

Monday 9th November 2009

7:15pm - Hayes Town Chapel

Announcing a dinner for girls only! ... but that's not even the best part... the best part is that the men will be serving your tables!

Girls, leave a comment, including your name, below if you want us to reserve you a place. Feel free to invite your mums, aunts, friends too. Be sure to include their names in the comment as well.

Veronica's Art!

I want to talk to God

Prayer is not something said with the faint hope that 'somebody out there' may just hear, and somehow what you've asked for may happen to come true.

Prayer is talking to the Living God - the One who knew you before you were born - in the name of The Saviour who loves you personally, enough to have given His life for yours.

• God wants you to talk to Him.
• God wants you to ask Him for the things you need
• God wants you to share your concerns with Him
• God commands your praise for who He is and what He has done for you

BUT...

The first prayer you will truly pray will be

"Father, have mercy on me, a sinner"

High Point...

(Because no-one entered this last week, we'll keep it running for a second week)

To earn your 30 points this time you need to submit a picture or write a description of the view from the highest place you can get to this week.

You can use a phone camera, a digital camera, a drawing or even paint your picture in words by describing at least 5 things you can see.

Send as many entries as you like. There will be 30 points each for both the highest view point and the most creative entry. 2nd place for each will get 20 points and the 3rd, 10 points. Your entry must be from this week... no holiday snaps or descriptions ;-)

Send your picture or description by either:

• texting to 07525 930 485
• emailing to yc@hayestownchapel.org.uk
• leaving a comment below

We have entries!!!

Beth posted a picture taken from their second storey loft extension:

... then Anna went one better and took this picture from the loft extension standing on the bed! (aparently, though it's a little hard to tell. I guess we'll have to take your word for it Anna)

Can anyone else take a picture from somewhere higher that this?

Shoeboxes in the Making

Don't forget to be collecting the items for your shoebox.

[Details are here]
Only 3 Fridays left!

The Harvest Supper...

You're all welcome to the Harvest Thanksgiving Supper on Saturday 10th (next Saturday) at 6:00pm. There's no cost, just turn up ready to eat... and to be thankful of course :-)

It begins with the main course, all good home made food. Then Aaron Flanagan, who's originally from Ireland, will give a short talk. He's visited us to speak at the church a few times and is really good. After the short talk... desert! Usually LOTS of goooood deserts!

If you would like to come and bring friends or family with you, you MUST let us know before. Leave a comment below with your name and those who you hope to bring.

Shoebox Checklist

[Click here] to look at and print a copy of the checklist you need to include in your shoebox.

Over the coming 3 weeks, collect and buy the items you'd like to add to your shoebox and bring them to club with you until your box is full and ready to send!

If you haven't already made your box, leave a comment below and we will have a box and wrapping paper waiting for you on Friday.

There will be no points awarded for making up a shoebox because this is something you should all do from your own heart and effort without reward to yourself. Gifts mean so much more when they're given expecting nothing in return except the happiness of those who receive your gift... right! :-)

Are you falling or flying?

Remember Joseph's illustration from this Friday's talk...

Trying to live worthy of God before you are right with Him is like a caterpillar jumping off of a leaf and trying to fly before becoming a butterfly.

To be right with God you must be sorry for your sin and ask Him for His forgiveness, trusting in Jesus' death as the punishment for what you deserve.

Life as a believer is not easy, as we heard tonight, there are many difficulties which each believer faces, but those who are saved know the reward is joy and peace unspeakable. A life of purpose that is life lived to the full.

Three difficulties to be prepared for that we learned from Luke 9 v57-62:

• Living life following Jesus will mean going without certain material things
• Jesus must come first in our lives, even above our closest family matters
• There is no looking back to the worldly life you used to lead

[If you have questions, don't let them slip by without being answered]

What you say...

This post is for your comments, thoughts, conversations and questions or just to catch up with us and eachother.

You can sign your comment using your name [comment as: name/URL (leave URL blank)] or if you'd prefer, you can comment anonymously so that no one knows it was you [comment as: anonymous].

This page is always accesible by clicking the "what you say" label at the top left of the home page.

Men's Breakfast...

8-10:30am - Saturday 17th October 2009
Speaker: Ian Smith

Guys... come and enjoy great food for your stomach and even better food for your soul!

On the morning of Saturday 17th October Ian Smith, an ex city banker, will be speaking at the Sudbury Golf course about why he left his wealthy lifestyle to become a preacher of God's Word. As always there will be a full English breakfast and good company to enjoy at this classy venue.

There'll be no charge for Youth Club members, but you're welcome to donate anything up to £5 towards the work if you wish.

Attire: Shirt , trousers and shoes - no jeans or trainers!
Meeting at the church at 8:00am

Leave a comment below if you want us to book you a place!

Joseph & Louise won't be with us for much longer...

Sadly we will be saying goodbye to Joseph and Louise as they are moving to a new church at Loughborough, Leicester, towards the end of November, if everything works out as expected.

Joseph was living in Hemel Hempstead and joined Hayes Town Chapel as an Assistant Pastor to work along-side our Pastor Gwynne. Living with the Lodge family, Joseph quickly became a great help and a good friend to us all. The church valued his help so much that they voted for him to become an Elder in the church, taking on the preaching, teaching, visiting and caring for members of the church among many other responsibilities.

Joseph met Louise when she came to the church to visit her family who are members here. Louise and Joseph's friendship grew quickly and they were soon married. They made thier home in Hayes knowing it may be only for a short while.

Needing a more permanent position, Joseph and Louise have been praying and waiting on God for guidance of where they should take on a new work. The church at Loughborough have been without a Pastor for 2 years and after hearing Joseph preach a couple times, have asked if he and Louise would like to take on the Pastoring work of the church there.

Joseph and Louise believe, at this time, that this is where God would like them to be doing His work. So they hope to find a new home in Loughborough and move to work in the church there around the end of November.

Many of you know Joseph and Louise from club and no doubt will miss Joseph's Bible talks and both their part in the games and crafts (especially Joseph's competitiveness in handball!). As a church, Hayes Town Chapel will miss their freindship and support greatly.

We'll keep intouch with them and we pray God's wisdom, guidance and blessing for them in their new home and church at Loughborough.

Quiz Three [30 Points]

Make sure you read the instructions below!


This time I just need a name. This is a quote said by someone quite late on in the Bible. they were talking about their role in Jesus life. But I want to know the name of the Prophet who, hundreds of years before, prophesied these words. The quote is directly from the Bible so you'll quickly be able to find the answer if you search it online.

You only get 30 points if you send your answer using the comment box below, on this blog. Answers on facebook don't count!

Click Comment as: "name/URL" ... be sure to use your name so we know who's answer it is! You don't have to fill in URL.

Carnival Procession Team [July 2009]

Click it for a closer look!

Top 10 Point Scores [Summer Term]

Winners! Billy Bethany Anna David

197 189 183 132

Close but no prize: Lewis Ameenah Robyn Stephen Sara Joel

125 106 82 80 79 64

Well done to you all! We'll announce the prize trip as soon as we have the details. Everyone starts again this Friday with 5 points. Let's see who's coming on the next prize winners trip.

14ft Shark Attacks... A Blessing from God?

Surfing with her best friend, Alana, and Alana’s father and brother, Bethany had been lying on her board between sets of waves. Adorned with a shiny watch, her wrist hung lazily in the water. Suddenly a large gray blur appeared out of the water from her left side. She felt a hard tug and pressure, and immediately the water was filled with blood. She looked down and saw that her left arm was missing all the way to her shoulder. Not feeling pain yet, she called out to Alana that a shark had attacked her.

“Bethany is going to be OK,” shared Bethany’s mom, Cheri, and her dad, Tom. “She said she thanks God that this happened to her so she can tell everyone about Jesus,” they said, choking back the tears. Friends hugged as they listened. Cheri shared how she and her daughter had been praying seriously for several weeks that the Lord would make Bethany’s life count for Christ in a big way.

“She is the epitome of the

verse that says, ‘I can do all

things through Christ who

strengthens me’”

(Philippians 4:13)

Bethany was invited onto syndicated national talk shows. Celebrity journalists joined camera crews from around the world—everyone wanted to hear from the young girl who had lost her arm but not her courage as she battled back onto the competitive surf scene. An international franchise now features a “Bethany Hamilton” line of jewelry; her biography—which clearly depicts her faith in Christ—made the L.A. Times bestseller list. Although uncomfortable in the media’s spotlight, she has nonetheless used the platform to share that God has a plan for everyone’s life. In 2005, she traveled to Germany to encourage U.S. troops who lost limbs in battle. First, she explains, we must accept the invitation of salvation offered through the death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Bethany said later, “Knowing that God loves me and that He has a plan for my life that no shark can take away is like having a solid rock underneath me. I have a relationship with Christ that keeps me strong and helps me see how good can come out of a bad situation. I think that the reason I have been able to tell my story on TV and in magazines is because God wanted other people to know that He is the Rock that you can build your life on.”

“These days I’m taking my surfing to the next level by starting to compete professionally. My documentary is being seen around the world, and we’re starting on a feature-length theatrical film. My focus this year is to take life one day at a time while getting to know God better!”

Taken from: http://www.calvarymagazine.org/PDF/Issue_34/Bethany_Hamilton.pdf

Rainforest Cause & Effect [by Lewis]

This is an animation that Lewis made a few months ago for a national animation competition called Animation 09. The animation did well and won best use of sound. The animation describes the effects of deforestation on everybody. A simple but very important message! Thanks for letting us post it Lewis. We're looking forward to the next one!

Courage [quote]

It takes courage to hold back from gossip when others about you delight in it. To stand up for an absent person who is being abused. To live honestly within your means and not dishonestly on the means of others. To be a real man, a true woman, by holding fast to your Christian ideals when it causes you to be looked upon as strange and peculiar. To be talked about and yet remain silent when a word would justify you in the eyes of others, but which you cannot speak without injury to another. To refuse to do a thing which is wrong, though others do it. To dress according to your income and to deny yourself what you cannot afford to buy. To live always according to your convictions. - Anonymous

Summer Memories '08 [Thorpe Park]

We took a trip to Thorpe Park late summer '08. The trip included the four high point scorers (Robyn, Lee, Billy and David) and a few of our older members we hadn't seen for a while (Rachel, Daniella, Jade and Ethan). This was a lot of fun... we've gotta do this again some time!

Summer Memories '08 [Littlehampton]

Each year, the church takes a trip to Littlehampton for the day. This time Billy, Shannon and David came along for the trip!

'Slums of India' Evening

Thanks to Sarah for a great evening of learning, experience and fun. We learned what it was like to sleep a family in the tiny space of a common tin hut and line up to collect drinking water. We had a good time making paper bags from newspaper and magazines the way the street sellers do in the slums, we tasted food that would be eaten regularly in the slums of India and had a go at making Indian Tea.

Opening Bible Talks September - December

This is the schedule for the opening talks during the coming months. After each talk has taken place you will be able to click it in the list below to read notes about it's lessons.

Date	Title	Ref.	Spkr.
11 Sep	Who is Jesus Christ	Luke 9:18-27	Graham
18 Sep	The Glory of Jesus Christ	Luke 9:28-36	Joseph
25 Sep	Following Jesus	Luke 9:57-62	John
2 Oct	Jesus' Story of a Foreigner	Luke 10:25-37	David
9 Oct	Jesus Teaches How to Pray	Luke 11:1-13	Pastor
16 Oct	Jesus and the Old Testament	Luke 11:29-32	Graham
23 Oct	Jesus' Story of a Fool	Luke 12:13-21	Joseph
30 Oct	Half Term
6 Nov	Being Ready for Jesus to Come	Luke 12:35-48	John
13 Nov	Jesus teaches About Disasters	Luke 13:1-9	David
20 Nov	The Danger of Not Following Jesus	Luke 13:22-30	Pastor
27 Nov	Jesus Promised	Isaiah 9:1-6	Joseph
4 Dec	Why Jesus was Born	Matt 1:18-25	Graham
11 Dec	Jesus' Birth	Luke 2:1-20	John

Back to Schoo...Youth Club!

We hope you've all had a great summer, and hope too that those of you who took exams got the results you were aiming for.

We're looking forward to seeing you all when Youth Club starts up again on Friday September 11th, 7:30pm.

Enjoy the last week of the holidays!