InHope Feb-Mar 2013

Feb/Mar 2013 HopeChurchIpswich

InHope

www.hopechurchipswich.net

p7-12 Forthcoming eventsp14 Spotlight on 2013p18 Prayer and Visions Dayp20 Remembering John Biddle

Photo by Rytis Astromskas

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

Welcome to Hope Church Ipswich!We believe that church is about God and His people. We

welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to join us as we celebrate and share God’s love. Whether you are with us for the

first time or have been coming for a few weeks, it’s great to have you with us.

Who We Are. Hope Church is a group of ordinary people of every age and many different

backgrounds. Some have only recently started seeking Jesus while others have been Christians for many years. While still remaining diverse we do have some significant things in common:

• We have found the person of Jesus to be the answer to our deepest needs.• We have become committed both to him and to one another.• We love the Bible and God’s presence and look to experience both whenever we meet on Sundays and in Small Groups during the week.

We are part of Newfrontiers, a growing family of 600 churches on five continents. We are also a member of the Evangelical Alliance UK.

Where We Are Going. We want to build a significant church that demonstrates and declares the certain hope that can be found in Jesus (hence the name), that loves one another and serves the Waterfront community and Ipswich. We are on a big adventure together where ‘every life counts’ and everyone is involved.

WELCOME AREALet’s all be involved...

Join the Involve Team.For details email [email protected]

speak to Justin Smith or Ben Reay.

We all want Hope to be the friendliest and most welcoming church it can be, for everyone who visits to feel loved and part of what we do and for people to be inspired to join us in building a God-glorifying church in Ipswich.

Viisit the Welcome Area on Sundays to do things like:

- sign up for the next Welcome Lunch- find out about Alpha, Tots, Kidz Klub, Oasis, Football or any of our

regular ministries- find your nearest Small Group- get an introduction to someone in the church- buy a recommended book- find out what’s going on

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013AT HOPE ON SUNDAYS

Steve Jay

Steve Jay

Maurice Nightingale

This is our first magazine issue in 2013.

I read recently that the traditional top two New Year resolutions such as ‘quitting smoking’ and ‘getting fit’ have been replaced by modern life changes like ‘reading more’ and ‘saving money’, a study conducted by a large fitness franchise has revealed.

TOP 10 RESOLUTIONS FOR 20131. Read more books2. Save more money3. Lose weight4. Re-decorate house5. Take better photos6. Go travelling7. Sell old stuff I don’t need on eBay8. Buy a tablet9. Organise photos – get them printed, delete poor ones and save good pics10. Volunteer my time or money for charity/social action

Another survey (Statistics Brain) suggests that by the time you read this a third of people have already given up and half will give up after six months.

We are not aiming to add to the New Year reality check that goes on for so many people. In fact we suggest you put aside your concerns to ‘turn over a new leaf’

Elders at :

for a moment and consider the exciting possibility of getting involved with God in something that will not only transform your life but the lives of others, not just for 2013 but for ever!

We are a community being transformed by God. In this month’s magazine we put the spotlight on our vision to increasingly engage with families and the community to see God transform more lives.

Our mini-preaching series ‘Essential James’ teaches us clearly that it’s not the Word of God that transforms us, it is the Word of God put into action by the power of the Spirit in our lives that brings transformation. (James 1:22-25)

Jon Biddle , who sadly died at the start of the year is a great example of the transforming power of God. Jon still struggled with drinking and smoking but he was a transformed man. As we welcomed him into the church family, so his life and his death have touched our lives in so many ways. He is now in heaven – his transformation completed! We miss him… Read his story on p20.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013 AT HOPE ON SUNDAYS

School Years 7-10 (Ages 11-16)We start just before the sermon and finish

around 12:15. Our current series ‘a gospel

for the short attention span’ finds us looking

at all the quick fire action in the book of

Mark and how it is relevant to our day to day

lives. Once a month we are continuing our

‘Grill-a-Christian’ interviews in which our

group get to grill one of our church members

to see how their lives are affected by being a Christian.

School Years7-13 (Ages 11-18)

At various places in Ipswichon Tuesdays we meet to do topical bible studies, have fellowship time, play games and do social events. We have two groups into years 7-9 and years 10-13 to do more age appropriate studies and activities.

Please speak to Jon and Hannah Alston for more details.

Sundays

Tuesdays

Or visit:youth4hopeipswich.tumblr.com

Or search Youth4Hope on Facebook for more info

Contact Shaun Clarke [email protected]

Monday 29th July to Saturday 3rd August(back on Sunday 4th)

At the Norfolk show ground, nr Norwich, £150 per child including food and travel (to be confirmed). We will be giving discounts for larger

families and also the option to pay monthly this year.

Do put the dates in your diary. We really hope your children can join us this year. We’re really looking forward to fun times!

2013

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IF YOUR FAITH IS REAL, PEOPLE NOTICE.James offers practical advice for Christian living. First Century Christians were being persecuted, so James’ practical advice was to grow-up and get serious about our faith (1.2-4). If your faith is real, alive and maturing, it will show in your actions. So he looks at what ‘grown-up’ faith looks like.

3 Feb If your faith is real, people notice. James 1



10 Mar Mothers Day


17 Mar Fear

3 Mar Visiting speaker

24 Mar The Heart

31 Mar Easter Celebration

Proverbs continues in April

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ProverbsGrown up Faith

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013 AT HOPE ON SUNDAYS

Orwell Centre Tots

eat crafts sing play noise run ride toys

www.hopechurchipswich.net 01473 233176 114 Fore Hamlet IP3 8AF

only 3 mins walk from Waterfront & University

Orwell Centre Tots




Orwell Centre Tots




Orwell Centre Tots




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We have fun activities between 11.00 and 12.15 for children ages 0 - 11.Please take your children downstairs to the labelled rooms when the announcement is made, sign them in, and come back at 12.15 to sign them out.

BabyBubbles

Genesis to Revelation

The Bible narative in chronological order.Targeted to each age group

Starting April 2013

Bubbles

Splash and Xtreme

Ages 1-3

Ages up to 4

Ages 3-5 School years 1-6

TotsParent And Toddler Playgroup

Parking: Free at rear of Orwell Centre with disabled access.Only 3 mins walkfrom Waterfront & University Contact Elie Ramsey and Angela Ryan01473 233176

£1.50 per session per child.

Mondays (term-time) 10.00 - 11.30 & 11.30 - 13.00Tuesdays (term-time) 10.00 - 11.30 & 13.00 - 14.30 Thursdays (term-time) 10.00 - 11.30

eat crafts sing playnoise run ride toys

School years 1-6

In term time 6.00-7.30pm at the Orwell Centre1st Februay, 15th February,1st March, 15th MarchTable football, DVDs, Competitions, Songs, Pool, Craft, Table tennis, and more! Bring your friends.Optional cost £1

Trevor Ford:01473 233176

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Please check the Hope Church website and facebook page for updates and more information.

Events in Feb & Mar

01473 233176 [email protected] more information visit www.hopechurchipswich.net

At the Orwell Centre, IP3 8AF50p per dayFor school years 1 - 6

Enrolment on Monday 18th Feb 11:00h - 12:00h(places are limited!)

Tuesday 19th - Friday 22nd Feb 10:00h - 12:00h

Tue 19th Febto

Fri 22nd Feb

Reg charity no. 1137936

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mission rescue a4 print.pdf 1 15/01/2013 14:42:33

Mission Resue is set to be a fun-packed week of songs, stories, snacks, silliness and... spies. Yes, spies. Agents M, O, S, E and Z will be leading us undercover to discover clues and piece together what happened in God’s mission to rescue his people from a very stubborn Pharaoh. We’ll also be challenging our agents to undertake some top secret missions of their own. We can’t tell you what they are... you’ll have to become an agent to find out.

At the Orwell Centre,50p per day

For school years 1 - 6

Enrolment on Monday 18th Feb 11:00h - 12:00h limited places!

Tuesday 19th - Friday 22nd Feb 10:00h - 12:00h

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

Events in Feb & Mar

In the annual review we said that during 2013 we’ll be looking at how we can continue to grow the worship team both in number, strength and capability. These are the first exciting events towards this end!

For all church members: We have hired a professional singing teacher to put on a course of singing lessons. We would like everyone in the worship team who sings to attend, and we also want to open the invitation to anyone else in the church that would like to improve his or her singing.

The dates for this course are:Friday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd Marchstarting at 19:45 at The Orwell Centre.Please confirm your attendance by emailing [email protected] by 18th February.

We really want to ensure we get the best value from this investment and hence hope for maximum attendance!

For members of the worship team: We have a worship team meeting on19th March at The Orwell Centre starting at 20:00. This will be to look at some worship strategy and aims for the year and then worship and pray together. I’d encourage everyone in the worship team to attend as we get very few opportunities where we can be all together to seek God’s direction.

Thanks,Mike Jolley

Breakfastfollowed by prayer

Saturday 16th Feb At the Orwell Centre7:00am - 8:00amDonations for food

Breakfastfollowed by prayer

Saturday 20th AprilAt the Orwell Centre7:00am - 8:00amDonations for food

Curry EveningFriday 22nd March At the Orwell Centre8:00pmCost tbc.

Please contactBondi MacFarlane orPaul Savage for more details.

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday 11th MayExtended Day 9.30AM - 3.30PMAt the King’s Centre, Norwich, NR1 1PH

Ladies come and be part of an eciting day of worship, teaching, catching up with friends and being excited by the love of Jesus and God’s plan for our lives in the season we are in!

Please contact Rachel Nightingale for more information.

Sizewell 50’s+ Houseparty

11th - 15th MarchNear Minsmere£104

Must book by 18th February!

Get a booking form from the office or contactNorman & Helen Illsley

[email protected]

Sunday 31st MarchCelebration Service 10.30AMAt The Orwell Centre

A celebration similar to last year with all our friends.

We meet on weekdays for coffee and company at various Mum’s homes (or in a park or a cafe) every now and then. Join our group to keep in touch and find out when the next meet up will be. Request to join on Facebook or contact Elie Ramsay or Julia Jolley. [email protected]

We are appealing for donations of any unwanted or unused quality toys, particually:

Toy Tills, Toy Trolleys, Soldier Figures,Castle Figures, Dolls House Furniture,Puzzles, Flash CardsHowever any toys wouldbe gratefully received

Many ThanksAngela Ryan andElie Ramsey

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013 FEATURES

5-A-SideFootball9pm to 10pm every ThursdayAt Northgate Sports CentreIP4 3DL£2 entry

Speak to PaulGoldring

Regular

Hope Food HamperEvery month we put a food hamper together that goes

out to someone in need.Every 2nd Sunday is the collection for the hamper but you are welcome to bring your contribution all through the month. For more info please speak to Di Majdalani orKev Colbear

Don’t forget you can hear worship songs alongside regular everyday mainstream music as well as New Testament readings and preaches (including teaching from Hope Church) by visiting the link above.

Hope Radio Ipswich

hope-radio-ipswich.playtheradio.com Student LunchesA free hot lunch every Sunday for students who know that any free meal is always a good idea.

Meet after our main Sunday meetings at the Welcome Area.David Sansom

NEW!Prayer EventMonthly on Sunday evenings 7-9pm

February 10th at a venue on the Waterfront

March 17th at a venue in the Town Centre

We will be kicking off our new monthly prayer events with

a focus on the Waterfront. The waterfront encompasses

our building and immediate area – it contains a very mixed

community of the affluent and less affluent, young families and

many cultures. It is a hub of activity, culture and education and

largely represents the aspirations of Ipswich.

We will have a time of worship, seeking God and then pray for

the ministries that serve the community around the

Waterfront, the local small groups, the students and for

us to make an impact in the Waterfront and do it good!

This is for everyone not just those involved in this

area, so come along and join in!

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013FEATURES

Ipswich Soup Kitchen

Each night of the week from 8pm till 9pm, a group of 4 plus people go down to the town centre with sandwiches, soup and drinks for those in need. Hope Church helps out with this on a fortnightly basis, on Saturdays, 4pm—9pm and are currently recruiting volunteers.

Upcoming teams for soup kitchen

16th Feb — Graham & Becky Turrell’s small group2nd Mar — Justin & Nicky Smith’s small group16th Mar — Volunteers30th Mar — 18-30’s small group

Please speak to Colin Smith if you would like to help out in any way.

Events

Oasis Club for over 60s

2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month.At The Orwell CentreInteresting, varied programme including art & crafts, music, games, etc.Chat and make new friends over Tea/Coffee & Cakes.

13th February12.30-3.30pm. Lunch. Ready, Steady Cook! Guest chef. Cost £527th February2.30-4pm. The Has Beans’ Skiffle Group Cost £2.5013th March12.30-3.30pm. Lunch. Garden Party (wear Sunday hats). Cost £527 March2.30-4pm. Discover history using local newspapers. Cost: £2.50

If you are over 60 why not join us?Book in with Susan Cornish.

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

Key DatesFebruary/March 2013

February

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11-151, 8, 15 & 22

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March

Men’s Breakfast at the Orwell Centre. 7am-8am.

John Biddle’s Funeral. 1.30 at Seven Hill Cremetorium and 3pm at Orwell Centre

Prayer event at a venue on the waterfront. 7-9pm

Kidzklub Half Term Holiday Club at the Orwell Centre. 10am-12pm. For years 1-6.

Sizewell over 50s Houseparty. Book by 18th February.

Singing lessons at the Orwell Centre from 7:45pm.

Men’s curry evening at the Orwell Centre. From 8pm.

Prayer event in the centre of Ipswich. 7-9pm

Easter celebration service. 10.30am at the Orwell Centre.

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

Christmas 2012 and New Year Holiday Events Report by Carol Savage

Hope Church members and friends celebrated the birth of our Saviour with a banquet and Christmas Service and rang in the New Year together with a barn dance.

Changed your email address? Moving house? Did you know that you can keep your contact details up to date on the church website?Step 1 Go to hopechurchipswich.net, click login (top right corner)Step 2 Enter your username and password. [If you don’t know them or have forgotten them contact me to reset them]Step 3 Click on MY AREA – next to CONTACT USStep 4 Select My Details, My ProfileStep 5 Amend your details (you can change personal & contact details, change your privacy settings and even upload a photo of yourself)Step 6 Save changes at foot by re-entering password.Contact Pip: [email protected]

Many enjoyed the banquet,; a traditional feast with all the trimmings and numerous desserts. An exuberant karaoke session followed, accompanied by Jonathan Woodley, Mike Jolley and Maurice Nightingale. Memorable moments included Ben and Rachel Reay’s moving rendition of “All I want for Christmas”, Gary Dean and Rob Wright’s duet of “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas” and everything Jon Alston’s sang!

Hope Church held two Christmas services. The Sunday service was filled with carols and music – an adult and youth choir,directed by Sam Woodley, a children’s choir, and a worship band. On Christmas day, a presentation of “mystery boxes,” opened by volunteers , illustrated God’s gift of His Son Jesus and how all can receive Him by faith. The youth and their leaders presented a unique reading of the nativity with words replaced by well known sweets.

The New Year’s celebration kicked off with trivia, and tablecloth-art, presented by Rachel Nightingale. Maurice pulled out his ‘secret elder skill’ of Barn Dance calling accompanied by Family Woodley; attendees swung their partners around, narrowly missing the infamous auditorium pillars. All enjoyed the Hog-roast and brought in the New Year with a good-olde countdown!

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Our next growth goal is to see the church grow to 200 adult members, not for the sake of numbers but to see more people blessed and transformed by God’s love and knitted into His family. We hope to see this achieved through implementation of our ongoing strategies, particularly:

a. Alpha – the current course is underway and the next planned for January 2014.

b. Focussing on excellent visitor follow-up on Sundays.

c. Implementing a programme of events to which people feel confident to invite their connections and connecting new people thoroughly into small groups, etc.

d. Welcoming new people, inviting them to small groups and to participate in church life. This remains an important part of being family and is for the whole church to continue to embrace.

Please pray for the events and for new people to connect in and feel at home at Hope.

For this issue’s Spotlight, further to the Church Family Meeting and the Annual Review, we wanted to focus on the key elements of the Vision and plan for 2013. As a church we are on a mission to bring the good news of salvation to people, to bring them into a relationship with God and into a church family. This year we are introducing some new ways to increase our Impact in and around Ipswich.

Everyone can be a part of this: firstly, by praying regularly for the points below and, secondly, by considering and praying about where you would like to get involved. We’ve helpfully numbered these for prayer points.

by Julia JolleyVolunteerReview.

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Please pray and think about this in advance of the survey.

Come and join us for these exciting key events.

We are planning a series of monthly Sunday evening church prayer events at strategic locations in and around Ipswich, including the Waterfront, the Town Centre, and Gainsborough. The 1st one will be on the Waterfront on 10th February. See our Events page for more details.

At a recent HOGS meeting I had a picture of a massive ‘supernatural/spirit’ giant slowly standing up out of the comparatively tiny Orwell Centre building. As he stood up, he towered above all the buildings around us. He started taking

steps towards the waterfront/town but he was slow and seemed to stagger. 2 things struck me: 1 was how, as he slowly pulled himself up to full height, he became very visible to the whole of Ipswich and this area, 2 was how unsteady he was on his feet. I believe this means we should be looking to cover the work we do in prayer and seeking to become spiritually stronger to be able to carry out what God has planned for us. As a part of this we will be extending the Equipping series and introducing the following:

VolunteerReview.

This year we hope to survey and review the church membership about their volunteer involvement in the life of the church: what are peoples’ giftings, are there areas of service they would like to be involved with, what training might be required, etc.?

We want to help everyone “find their fit”. This will also include releasing people from areas they have served in for a long time so they can step into something fresh.

We want to encourage the church to read two books in 2013:If God, Then What? by Andrew Wilson. See Nov-Jan 2012 In Hope for Trevor Stafford’s excellent review.Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero.

We will be encouraging you to sign up to read the booksand have chapter-by-chapter reviews on Facebook, etc.

Monthly Prayer Event.

Monthly Prayer Event.

HCI Book Club.

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This year we want to particularly emphasise the philosophy that HCI is a church that serves the poor, and that a ministry to the poor is not a niche interest for a few but a responsibility of the whole. Steve Jay will take responsibility for raising the profile of our ministry to the poor and creating opportunities for people to serve

As Steve said in the Annual Review – “my passion is to see us at the forefront of changing the face of Christianity in the town, forming strong relationships with church leaders and working with other churches to see the community around us influenced for the gospel by our lives, our stories and by our growing involvement in the town”. The main channels through which we serve the community are:

Heart for Ipswich (70 churches and most of the Christian projects and organisations - started 5 years ago).Town Pastors (7 years on in 9 towns in Suffolk and looking to gear up to go national).Festival Pastors (2 years in Latitude and now Leeds, Welfare Tent, double the size prayer tent, act of Christian worship) leading to involvement in up to 400 UK festivals.Pentecost 2013 (started 3 years ago), In 2013 we will be participating in ‘Carry the Can’ Pentecost - launching a fresh Ipswich Food Bank initiative.Talitha Koum (started 3 years ago) Therapeutic Rehabilitation Centre north of town – HQ in our building.Winter Night (involved in the start last winter 2011) nearly 400 volunteers for 3 and Shelter a half months a year housing the homeless.

We will be adding to this list the Troubled Family Scheme – following much prayer and a prophetic word by Mike Bollinger:

“ I see small armies of people that are infiltrating the community and meeting the needs of members of their neighbourhood and bringing Christ in everyday life to them, drawing out people that are needy and there being just a real harvest of people that are messed up, confused, frustrated with where they are at, and I just believe God’s gonna give you such wisdom to be able to unlock people’s lives, to be able to simplify people’s lives...”. We are looking at pioneering a scheme funded by Suffolk County Council, which involves mentoring specific families in the community, whom the Council and Social Services have been working with and supporting those families through positive change. A number of us met with Suffolk County Council and members of Heart for Ipswich and are forming a team to begin to explore this opportunity.

Please pray for wisdom, a strong competent team to spearhead this project and for favour with the relevant authorities.

Serving our Community.

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Transformed Lives Testimonies.

Watch out for the regular collation and publication of testimonies concerning life transformation – to demonstrate that the impact of all this activity is ultimately transformed lives.

God in

theHot

Seat

Please pray that God will use this to draw many people to Him as we seek to answer questions that are holding them back from God.

Please pray for many more lives to be transformed.Contact the Comms Team if you would like to contribute a testimony.

We are going to Survey Ipswich for answers to “One Big Question”:

If Ipswich could ask God one question, what would it be?The idea is to all be involved in asking our friends, neighbours and workmates what question they would like to ask God as well as using media channels, schools, and our ministries. We will select the most frequently asked questions, and try to provide some answers through media, preaching, coffeehouse events, and so on. Spring Term – prepare and envision church. Summer Term – conduct survey. Autumn Term – present survey results and preach responses.

Serving our Community.

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Ever wondered what it might be like to be in the changing room with your favourite sports team as the manager gives his half-time talk, or sit in the recording studio as your favourite singer records their latest song? Ever wanted to be close to the action, at the heart of the matter, in the box seat for the premier event?

Paul tells us that God has “raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” We are sat next to Jesus, as he rolls out his maps and plans, and speaks with urgent excitement about the expansion of his Kingdom across the earth. For us in Ipswich, he is drawing us close, inviting us to be involved in his wider activity beyond our own church community, to make an impact in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, and the nations beyond. Just last month Hope Church Ipswich hosted another Relational Mission Prayer and Equipping event, with over 100 leaders from across our immediate family of churches gathering at the Orwell Centre for two days of friendship, worship, prayer, ministry, equipping, devotional study, and prophetic envisioning.

Mike Betts, who oversees the Relational Mission apostolic team, opened the event with an appeal to be wise stewards of the mission that God has entrusted to us; we don’t want to become a “top down” organisation, but a “bottom up” move of God in our day. Stef Liston (Revelation Church, Camden) led us in a searching appraisal of some recent doctrinal controversy about the Cross and the finished work of Christ, which I’m still trying to figure out for myself! Ben Parish (Lowestoft Community Church) drew us into an intimate time of ministry

Reflecting on the RecentRelational Mission Prayerand Equipping EventBy Maurice Nightingale

concerning a deeper grasp of the full extent of the Father’s love for his children. And Ian Savory (Oak Grove Chapel, Norwich) spoke about Beer Mats Discipleship - a simple tool for helping men (in particular) in discipling one-another by raising important accountability questions to ask one-another when men meet and pray.

We prayed for our nation in the light of the recent European Court judgement that criminalises Christians in the workplace when they exercise objections of conscience if asked to carry out tasks that they feel are contrary to their convictions of faith. We prayed for Kev and Emma Reilly, church planting in Gdansk, and their daughters, as they grieve for the loss of their baby son and brother, Flynn, to Edward’s Syndrome. We prayed with Joop Bakker from Groningen in the Netherlands as he outlined the exciting dreams and plans for growth and planting in that nation. And we prayed with each other that we would more fully enjoy the love of our Father God, and be strengthened for the task and sheer privilege of serving God’s people in a season of expanding adventure.

Exciting days, and such a thrill to be at the centre of this activity here in Ipswich. We were so proud of our church as they served, set-up, set-down, poured coffee, served meals, administrated, parked cars, cleaned up, and all with a smile. Well done to Pip, Ben, Susan and their teams - it was a magnificent effort, and genuinely served the leaders of a multitude of churches across Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, Essex, Cambridgeshire, the Netherlands and beyond, as we seek to work out God’s purposes for us in our day.

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‘Jesus + Nothing = Everything’ draws primarily from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Tullian compellingly shows that the gospel - Jesus’ life, death and resurrection - is not just a gate we pass through to become Christians and then leave behind. It’s a never-ending forest in which we can walk deeper and deeper in pursuit of maturity. This forest, Tullian says, is sufficient to meet our every need. As Christians, seeking fulfilment elsewhere only robs the gospel of its power in our lives.

I was apprehensive about reading this book. I feared the guilt I would feel on discovering all the ways I’d been putting Jesus second in my life. However, I was pleasantly surprised! I experienced

liberation from the pressure to perform, the threat of suffering and the fear of inadequacy. To quote Tullian, ‘I was learning that the freedom God secured for me is not freedom from pain and suffering here and now. Rather, it’s freedom from bitterness, anger, fear, resentment, self-pity, offence and hopelessness in the crucible of present pain and suffering; it is freedom from my burdensome sense of “I deserve better,” the encumbrance of entitlement… That’s real freedom – God-sized freedom!’

by Tullian Tchividjian

Book review by Rachel Reay

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He gave a big wide grin and said he never stopped being thankful to God for giving him the opportunity to help people that were in the situation he had come from.

He gave a big wide grin and said he never stopped being thankful to God for giving him the opportunity to help people that were in the situation he had come from.

In place of our usual God In Action page we want to remember the much treasured John Biddle, who went to

be with Jesus at the age of 46 on January 10th following a massive heart attack. John’s life was a testimony of God in Action; transforming him over the years since he gave his life to Jesus – and now to Glory.

Here are a few memories of knowing him:

You are all welcome at John’s funeral at Seven Hills Crematorium, Nacton.And at the Orwell Centre for a celebration service and refreshments.

John said he always felt a bit different and didn’t really fit in when he was young so he developed a love of animals and gardening. He fell in with the wrong crowd and spent time on the streets.

I remember Colin Smith brought him to the Christmas service in 2009. He came along to all our welcome meals and always offered to help clear up. He went on the Alpha course, which cemented his faith. John did fall off the wagon a few times and Mark Crawley or I would go out looking for him to take him home. He would always sort himself out and come back to church and his cleaning job.

He served at the Night Shelter every Sunday night for 3 months. He had an opinion on everything and was good at keeping me awake! I said to him it was ironic that a few years ago he would have been in the Night Shelter beds and now here he was here looking after them. He gave a big wide grin and said he never stopped being thankful to God for giving him the opportunity to help people that were in the situation he had come from. Steve Jay

I first met John when I started doing the Soup Kitchen. He would be there with his smile and witty put-downs. I always looked forward to seeing him.

John was desperate to give up alcohol and joined The Jesus Army. This gave him a place to go and socialise. When the Jesus Army pulled out of Ipswich, I invited him to Hope Church. He found the welcome great - he joined Mark and Rachael Crawley’s small group and would often go for tea before the meetings. When Sue Harwood retired I encouraged John to apply for the cleaner’s post; he became Susan Cornish’s right hand man and good friend.

When my Sue was due to give birth to Perry and was worried about having surgery, John prayed for a normal delivery. Perry

For someone who had so little to give he gave so much. John will be remembered for a long time.

was born normally and John became His God Father. He always had time for our sons Perry and Jude.John loved his 8 cats and he would go without to make sure they were fed. Although John had nothing he was a generous giver. He helped so many in

the church with gardening and advice - he would be first in to get coffee on and

would be willing to help at any event.

He worried about applying to help with the Night Shelter, thinking that he wouldn’t be accepted, but his help and experiences were invaluable.

For someone who had so little to give he gave so much. John will be remembered for a long time and I know I miss him terribly. Colin Smith

Little JohnLittle John

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Wed 6th February 2013 1.30pm at Seven Hills Crematorium, Nacton 3.00pm at the Orwell Centre

time do you call this then?”

We know that John had some difficult times in his life – but recently he was very much “on the up” - looking forward perhaps to moving this year to somewhere nicer and to getting back into full time work.

The first 5 verses of Psalm 31 somehow seem so appropriate for John:

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue;be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

Now he is delivered, indeed! Mark Crawley

John was a very important part of our Small Group and our lives. His involvement in church life went far beyond his paid employment. He helped on the new members courses, with Alpha and events. In fact whenever there was practical stuff to get done, there was John.

John was also a painter and decorator, an engineer (he did a great job mending my lawnmower), a fantastic gardener - with his allotments (5 at one time) and a tree “surgeon” – lopping branches off my ash tree. He did an incredible amount of work in Len and Ann South’s garden in the autumn. I once mentioned that I wanted to paint the outside of my house – and John would often say to me, “Come on, then - when are we going to paint your house?” We would have done it this year, I am sure.

Although in the saddest of circumstances, it has been a privilege over the last few weeks to meet and get to know some of John’s family. Through them we have learnt a bit more about John’s life prior to his contact with us at Hope. John is known to his family as “Jodie” a name he was given when he was a young lad. After leaving home he had a long-term relationship over many years and was devastated when it ended. He worked for many years in engineering and at one time worked and travelled for an international company.

One of my fondest memories of John recently was when he made me an enormous surprise birthday cake. It was fabulous. He joked that there wasn’t room enough to put all the candles that my (great) age required. That was just typical of his giving and his humour.

Although Rachael would arrive early at church on Monday mornings John would already be there - hoovering away with his usual vigour and, with a twinkle in his eye, he would greet us with something like – “What

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

Mark & Sarah AndrewsThis group is looking to reach out to the Ravenswood area, although we do meet in various locations. We try to make time so the children of the families in the group can be involved. It is usually organised chaos, but we love the mess of growing together and responding to His love. Various Saturdays, Sundays, and some Wednesday evenings.Ravenswood [email protected]

Small Groups

Mark & Rachael CrawleyCome and share the reality of life and faith with some great people. We meet in homes in the central Ipswich area - near to the Hope Church building. There is generally food - its supportive - and fun!Wednesday evenings. All welcome ring or Mark and Rachael Crawleyor by email - [email protected]

Paul & Ali CherryThis small group gathers the great and the good of the hinterland known locally as “Kesgrave”. For “Kesgrave” read “pretty much anywhere you can go east of Ipswich without getting your feet wet”. We meet every Wednesday alternating between “normal” small group meetings and socials. The socials are a mix of men’s evenings, ladies evenings and family events. The venue rotates around people’s houses; the aim being to allow as many people (i.e. those with kids), to make it.Wednesday evenings. Kesgrave / Woodbridge. [email protected]

Ben & Rachel ReayWe are a group of 18-30’s who love getting together to meet with God, develop gifts, and encourage one another through friendship and cake. If you want to study the word, worship God and get to know some interesting characters then you are welcome to join us.Wednesday evenings. Town / Waterfront. [email protected] / [email protected]

Justin & Nicky SmithWelcome to all who live north of Ipswich and would be up for the adventure of community based on friendship, learning to follow Jesus, and baking!Villages North of Ipswich Starting with Saturdays.J: [email protected] N: [email protected]

18-30s

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

Jon & Hannah AlstonYouth4Hope small group is now for 16-18 years olds (yrs 11-13). We will be meeting socially, sharing life, looking into God’s word and praying and supporting each other to grow more like Jesus and put our faith into practice. We would like to invite anyone in this age, at sixth form or college to join us. We will also be linking with the students and 18-30s at times, all very welcome.Tue evenings. Orwell Centre & Cntrl [email protected] / [email protected]

Shaun & Megan ClarkeWe will be meeting to discuss the topics of Sex, Relationships and Identity and how God’s view differs from the worlds view. Including lots of time for Q & A and debate around some of the hot topics. We will also enjoy some food, games and time with each other. We meet fortnightly so do check the schedule to see which weeks we are on.Tuesday evenings Orwell [email protected]

Youth

Jonny & Elie RamsaySince moving to central Ipswich we’ve become very much at home in Hope Church and our town and owe a huge thanks to all of you who have fed, prayed for, and even on occasion housed us. Our aim is to encourage each other to love the Lord & our neighbour through all the challenges of life. We meet on Thursday evenings in the Christchurch Park area and you’re warmly invited to come! [email protected]

David & Emma SansomStudents galore! Students R Us!We love a God who loves Students. So this is about Students then, right?Wednesday evenings. UCS & Orwell Centre. [email protected]

Graham & Becky TurrellWe are an eclectic group of people with wide-ranging backgrounds and interests, careers, and stages of life and it works! We truly seek God’s presence together and dwell there with our worship and prayer. We are friends, meeting in lots of different homes and the general rule of thumb is ‘Don’t be early!’ because we just won’t be ready!Thursday evenings. Ipswich town. [email protected]

Students

Ask someone at the ‘Welcome area’ for information about joining a small group.

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InHope Feb/Mar 2013

Holywells Park

Alexandra Park

MarinaFore Hamlet

Back Hamlet

Foxhall Rd

Cavendish St

Devonshire Rd

Fore StKey St

Star Lane

Grim

wad

e St

Bond

St

St Helens St

The Orwell Centre

UCSOver�owParking

When the Orwell Centre parking is full, please use theover�ow parking at UCS via Cavendish St, Derbyshire Rd, and Back Hamlet

Duke st

01473 233176 o�[email protected]

www.hopechurchipswich.net

The Orwell Centre 114 Fore Hamlet Ipswich IP3 8AF

River Orwell

The Orwell Centre114 Fore HamletIpswichIP3 8AF01473 233176

[email protected]

When the Orwell Centre parking is full, please use the overflow parking at UCS via Cavendish St, Devonshire Rd, and Back Hamlet

If you would like to contribute an article for the next issue please contact Julia: [email protected] and for upcoming events contact: [email protected]

All submissions for the next issue must be received by Tuesday 26th March.

This magazine is produced by the Hope Church Ipswich Communications Team:Philippa Branson, Julia Jolley, Hannah Macfarlane, Ben Reay, Rachel Reay, Carol Savage, Becky Turrel, and Lucy Vines.Thanks to Ryis Astromskas and Rachel Harrison for event photographs.

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InHope Feb-Mar 2013

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