April '12 - HOPE news

Roy's thought
Easter was a monumental celebration - Jesus is Alive. Mark’s gospel 1:3 quotes Isaiah: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’. Now is the time for us to take this call seriously and receive God's outpouring on the Church, like at Pentecost. The next few months give the UK Church unprecedented opportunity to put our hope into words and actions – celebrating the Diamond Jubilee with neighbours, drawing families together through summer clubs and festivals, and using the Olympic theme to link community. Let’s pray that God uses this moment to set the Church on fire with love for Jesus, in ways that catch the attention and hearts. Roy Crowne

Stop Press! Diamond Jubilee New Testament - order before Tues 1st May!
Tuesday is the last day to order the special Diamond Jubilee New Testament published by HOPE, with Biblica and the Church of England, on sale in packs of 50 for just 50p a copy! Already nearly a quarter of a million copies have been ordered - perfect to give away at your celebrations and Big Jubilee Lunch. Order your copies now. HOPE Jubilee Resources. Diamond Moment #2 update out soon.

Ignite HOPE in South Wales
Cardiff and the Welsh Valleys will get more than a makeover next week. Over 700 young people from South Wales and beyond, join together for Ignite Hope 2012, 4-7 May. Trained to give an answer for the hope they have in Jesus, they will then back words with action as they take part in 35 community-based projects across Cardiff and South Wales - renovating school grounds, litter-picking, gardening and car washing. Give-away wristbands invite youth to evening events in a massive marquee with cafes, prayer space and an outdoor stage.

Pentecost
Local Pentecost events, including a gathering in Leicester and Pentecost in the Park by HOPE Northampton, will celebrate the birthday of the Church. In many areas Pentecost events take the church outside church buildings and demonstrate unity. Let us know your plans.

The Pentecost Festival is a huge festival based in London, co-ordinated by Share Jesus International (SJI) in partnership with churches and Christian organisations across the UK. Running from the 18-27 May 2012 across central London venues, it attracts thousands of people and showcases the UK’s multi-faceted Church. It all points to Jesus and offers something for everyone of all ages, faith or culture.

Children’s Holiday Clubs
The Olympic Games are the theme for thousands of summer fun days and children’s holiday clubs this year, and there are plenty of resources available to support churches reaching out to local children and families.

Long Crendon Baptist Church held an Easter holiday club in their Buckinghamshire village, with a family fun day finale with inflatables, games, free hot dogs and ice cream. They moved their club from summer to Easter to avoid clashing with the Lighthouse Holiday Club in the region. Children’s worker, Grant Sprately, said: “Lighthouse is strong here and attracts kids from our village. We’re keen to partner with other churches to do more children’s ministry together. We reach more lives, the Gospel wins and the kids win.”

Churches in Thame join forces each summer for a massive holiday week run by 400 volunteers from local churches. Lighthouse Thame use Lord Williams’ Upper School, a local sports and community college, as the venue for action packed days with sports, crafts, sing-songs all focused on helping local children to learn about God’s love for them. Year 7 and above are trained to be next year's helpers. Churches join together for Lighthouse Holiday Clubs

Stanmore Baptist Church, Middlesex, used ‘On Your Marks’ resources from Scripture Union and adapted the material for their club morning programmes. Children’s worker, Joel Botham, said that one child was now fascinated with the Bible – his mother says he's not put it down since they gave it to him. On Your Marks resources from Scripture Union

Barnabas for Children has a range of holiday club titles from John Hardwick and others, available as books or PDF Downloads. Many Barnabas for Children and BRF Holiday Club resources have accompanying music.

HOPE in the Park in Marlow
Racing pigeons carrying prayers will be released as part of HOPE in the Park, run by churches in Marlow on Sunday 20 May. The family fun day, with an Olympic theme, titled ‘Let the flame burn brighter’ includes over 160 local school pupils singing, a circus-skills session and activities for all the family. HOPE in Marlow has developed and brought people and churches together since its launch in 2008.

A fresh take on Harvest
HOPE’s new resources book is out now. HOPE for Harvest helps urban and rural churches to make more of Harvest as a mission moment in the church calendar. With dozens of ideas and practical mission examples, a preface from HRH Prince Charles and contributions from Pastor Agu Irukwu, Abbot Christopher Jamison, Dr Rachel Jordan, Rev Joanne Cox and Mark Greene, plus a four-week Bible Study, it is packed full of harvest-enhancing goodies. Buy your HOPE for Harvest copy

HOPE Invasion in York
More than 70 teenagers from York churches took a message of hope out into their city streets over Easter as part of HOPE Revolution. School lessons, assemblies and creative street evangelism were used to invite York’s young people to a huge festival with popular Christian bands and a Christian message. Young people were then invited to Youth Alpha. Inspiring feedback from youth at HOPE Invasion

Loving Streatham
Streatham Common is the venue for a free Olympic-themed fun day on 14 July to be staged by local churches with support from Fusion to build community atmosphere. Organisers expect more than 1,000 people to enjoy free refreshments and activities at the Love Streatham event.

Prayer and Fasting Weekend in September
HOPE is holding a weekend of prayer and fasting for the UK, from 8-9 September 2012. Book the date and plan to join in prayer with thousands of others around the country as we seek God and intercede for our nation. HOPE Prayer
Prayer for London and 2012 Olympics
London’s Burning is a worship and prayer initiative on Saturday 26 May when 9,000 worshippers will gather to pray, at Pentecost, that people coming to the Olympics will encounter God's love and power. It launches 30 days of 24/7 worship and prayer, which run until the Olympics end on 12 August. Tickets £10. www.londonsburning2012.org.uk

Hope Revolution - New brand
As you can see, HOPE Revolution has a new logo. This re-design links HOPE Revolution visually with HOPE. A full brand pack is available on the website. We have a new HOPE Revolution facebook page and HopeRev_2014 twitter account.

Hope you like our new-look HOPE website too.
God bless you, from the HOPE team.