Chris & Barbie's Housegroup

When the Housegroup members were asked what comments they had about the group, the following words were used: "challenging", "welcoming", "growing".

Challenging

In what ways have we been challenged? Well, this past year has predominantly been spent reflecting on messages preached on Sunday mornings - One month to live, Church Matters and the E100 series "The Big Picture". This has given the group opportunity to ask those 'awkward' questions you don't dare stand up and ask during a Sunday service! But also we have been able to discuss how the message applies to our everyday life.

We had the privilege of leading the Good Friday service in April this year (2011). As our E100 studies had been in the Old Testament and the "heroes of the faith", leading up to Christ's death and resurrection, we based the theme around Hebrews 11 . The service included Bible readings, poems, songs - as well as "El Shaddai" sung by Katrina, Debbie and Barbie – all of which prepared us for Communion.

During the summer months last year we covered the subject of "Integrity" with topics such as: keeping commitments; cultivating endurance; practicing self-control; respecting your body; expecting temptation; offering forgiveness; imitating Jesus. Plenty to challenge here!

'Have you got what it takes?' was the question we asked ourselves as we began to tackle the book of Daniel. Familiar Bible stories such as: Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dreams; the Fiery Furnace; the Writing on the wall; Daniel in the lions' den, led into deeper topics around prophecy and the end times. Despite the complexities of the latter chapters, it is so evident that God is Sovereign throughout history which gives us much comfort in the midst of current world events and the days ahead.

Welcoming

Food is always a welcome event in any group, not least the Housegroup! In the summer we held a BBQ where children and young people of group members joined us. We also take the opportunity to invite 'non-group' members to this event. Andrew, Helen and Lois Harwood came along and they now attend our group regularly.

We returned to Esther's college for a meal again this Christmas as we had enjoyed it so much the previous year. And we weren't disappointed: the food was delicious and the company fun, with more of us there this time. We also had the additional pleasure of being waited upon by Esther and her colleagues!

Growing

We are encouraged at the end of each study to pray focusing on the application of the passage. After studying the early church in Acts recently, it was a real blessing to hear individuals pray for the spiritual growth of each other rather than just 'praying for the sick' and physical needs. As we continue to meet together our greatest desire is to be "one in heart and mind" (Acts 4 v 32) so that we grow in our faith and, God willing, see the church grow in numbers as "the Lord adds those who are being saved."

Chris Margetts

Gerald and Erika's Housegroup

Having a written programme is always helpful when writing a report covering a whole year. We completed our studies on Colossians and most of the challenging subjects on the CTA – DVD.

Mission and worship have featured in our meetings and times of communion have continued to be a source of real blessing.

We have followed with interest the various aspects of Joseph and gained inspiration from a life lived in deference to Almighty God.

The E100 series taking us through the Bible is on-going and is enabling us to look at a much wider selection of God's word.

Various members of the group have participated in leading our meetings thereby tapping into our various gifts.

Helen and Andrew Harwood graciously invited us to their home to enable us to get to know them better and we did.

We were sad to say goodbye to Sara and Andy who have moved to a church nearer their home and we miss their input into our meetings. Becky has also moved on, to Swindon no less. We wish each of them God's continued blessing in their lives.

So nothing too exciting to report except that we have a great God who sustains and moulds us into His likeness in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gerald & Erika Belcher

Simon's Housegroup

I thought that I would start this year's House Group Report by looking back to what I wrote 12 months ago. Two things from then seemed quite pertinent to this year:

Firstly, Housegroup has been rather a hit and miss affair over the last year. Illness has affected several members of the group and their families over the last year sometimes meaning numbers are few. However, the prayer and support of the members of the Housegroup has been constant.

Secondly, the Housegroup led the Good Friday service (2010) with the title of 'Its Friday....but Sunday's coming'. The darkest hour is often the one before the dawn etc. Whether 'all in the garden is rosy' or we are 'walking through the valley of despair' we can still sing from our hearts. 'We have a hope that is steadfast and certain' because we worship a God who never changes and can be relied on to see us through to the end every time.

The latter point was driven home with harsh reality last autumn with the passing on to Glory of Maureen Hayward. Maureen was a much loved member and an asset to the group, as well as the church, Ken and the rest of the Hayward family. Her loss was felt acutely by the group and we shared in Ken's pain. Ken outwardly appeared quite calm because, as he said, both he and Maureen had a hope that is steadfast and certain in our Lord Jesus Christ and we could all be absolutely certain that Maureen is now with Him. A song which I played over and over again at the time is called 'All My Tears' and is on an album by Emmy Lou Harris called 'Wrecking Ball'. Although a supposedly secular album, the song (written by Julie Miller) could only have been written by a Christian with a deep faith in their Eternal Saviour.

As long as our lives belong to him, all our tears will be washed away and we have no fear of death. See you in heaven, Maureen.

After Maureen's death the Housegroup appeared to be at a bit of a crisis point. Paul John, recently kicked out of his previous Housegroup by 'girl power' when it became a 'Ladies Group' joined to steady the ship and help us move forward. We have also welcomed Ian and Janet Reynolds to the group and trust that they have settled in to the group and are enjoying fellowship with us. Stephen Mansell has also joined us and we hope that he too feels at home with us. We have already benefitted from Ian's leadership of a couple of meetings. Welcome to you all.

Although still very much a part of this Housegroup, we have seen very little of Ernie and Jess due to Jess's on-going health problems. We have been round there once for a short communion service and will do so again when Jess's health permits it. Ernie and Jess are very much in our prayers each week. So too are the Elders and Deacons who we must continue to uphold and support.

Since the turn of the year we have sporadically been following the Essential 100 readings in tandem with the Sunday morning services. What a truly remarkable book the Bible is. There is such much in it to learn (and re-learn) and despite being made up of two testaments is one book. There is such harmony between the old and new testaments.

I would like to thank all the members of the group, both established members and newer ones for their constant support and prayers. God bless each and every one of you. Thank you.

Simon Birkinshaw

Ladies' Housegroup Report

Our group started the year finishing off the 'One month to live' series (we always seem to be playing 'catch-up'!) and then returned to working our way through Acts. We found that it was good to spend time looking in more depth at passages we thought we knew fairly well. After Christmas we started the E100 readings and have used the Group studies for very profitable discussion. As usual we are behind but we will take time to finish the course (sounds like a Bible verse in Philippians!).

The group has been mainly ladies, augmented by Paul, Alex and Philip - a Scottish man looking for fellowship and the opportunity to re-discover his faith that had wavered. By the end of the summer Philip had gone back to Scotland to live and Alex was working in London during the week so we were again a ladies group with Paul as the only man. During the autumn term a couple more ladies joined the group and after Christmas it was decided that we would continue as a Ladies Housegroup once more (in the meantime Paul has been transferred to Simon's group).

We have had some meals together (usually Chinese in flavour) and have also met with a couple of the other groups during the year. We always take time to share and pray for one another and our families, and this has probably been the most memorable part of our time together as we have encouraged, supported and strengthened one another in the Lord. We have seen some remarkable answers to prayer – as one of our members commented – "it can be dangerous praying" - as God has answered in ways that we could not have 'imagined or thought'. We will continue to show the reality love of God to one another in a very practical way. We have plenty of space for new members who are always very welcome!

Julie John

Terry and Andrea's Housegroup Report

The housegroup continues much as usual with no obvious changes to the setup and people involved. We continue to share the leading of the sessions between those willing to do it and this consists mainly of bible studies and follow ups to the topics covered on Sunday church meetings. We have social evenings, which are in one of the homes or further afield. The housegroup serves as a valuable communications forum and an opportunity to try to understand and support one another.

Terry and Andrea Randall