“For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also."

(Matthew 6:21)

In last Sunday's sermon, I mentioned that the present crisis is making many of us question aspects of normal life. The most important question we can ask, though, is: "What should be my aim or direction in life?" That is really the key question Jesus is tackling in Matthew chapter 6.

In the first part he challenges those for whom religion is not about seeking God, but trying to look good in front of others. Their treasure - what they valued - was their popularity. That is what they set their heart on. 

In the second part of chapter 6, Jesus questions the wisdom of setting our hearts on wealth, money or possessions, rather than on seeking God and his kingdom and righteousness. What is your 'treasure' in life? What do you value? What have you set your heart on?

Jesus urges us to set our hearts on God alone. For knowing him is the only treasure that will truly last.

This week's email is packed full of information, so do read it all. It includes:

•  Invitations to three Zoom meetings and help to get on Zoom (including a VE day quiz).
  
•  Prayer Requests
  
•  Update on Vanessa's fundraising and help with your mental health
  
•  Three links for you to explore and enjoy.
  

There is something for everyone!

This Sunday's Opener: It would be great to start this Sunday's service with a variety of people saying what is known as the Shema  or The Greatest Commandment (see below).

Please send me videos of you or your family saying this by Saturday lunchtime. You can send it by email, wetransfer.com or Whatsapp (07769 871520). It would be great to have some new people doing this, but regulars are always welcome!

The Shema (Deuteronomoy 6:4-5)

Hear, O Israel,

The LORD our God is the only Lord.

You shall love the LORD your God

with all your heart, with all your soul,

with all your mind and with all your strength. 

Last Sunday: If you missed Last Sunday's talk, Flourishing Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15), then you can  listen or watch here .

As we continue to develop more ways to remain connected during this period of Lockdown it would be good if we could encourage more people to use Zoom. I've prepared this three minute video (click on the picture above) to show how easy it is to join a Zoom meeting for the first time. Here are the three steps:

1.  Click on the link for the meeting at the time the meeting is happening.
2.  (First time only) accept the downloading of the Zoom app by clicking on the link in the browser.
3.  Click 'Join with video' and 'Join with audio', then you should be into the meeting.
   

There are three different meetings that you can join in the next week:

After Church Zoom Meeting (Sunday 11:30am-12:00pm) 

Link to Meeting: 

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5418753952?pwd=V05VNXR0S1FtL1VBSTVkdVl2cDRDZz09

We have been doing this for a few weeks now and last week we had twelve different households join us. This week I plan to experiment with using 'breakout rooms' for some of the time, which is a way of having smaller groups where you can get to know and catch up with people more easily.

One Church, One Prayer, Love Thanet (Sunday 7pm)

Link to Meeting:

https://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/89652117501

This is for all Christians across Thanet to come together in one big church Zoom meeting for prayer.

VE Day Quiz Evening (Friday 7:30pm)

Link to Meeting:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5418753952?pwd=V05VNXR0S1FtL1VBSTVkdVl2cDRDZz09

Friday 8th May is the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and this year it is a Bank Holiday! So, to help mark the occasion I thought it would be good to have a quiz evening on Zoom. We will be able to put people from different households in teams using the Zoom breakout rooms. If you want to put your own team together, then email me before the event with names of who is in your team. I will allocate those who turn up on Zoom who aren't already in a team on the night. Do join us for a fun evening!

Be assured I will do my best to check that people are happy for the requests to be shared before including them.

•  For Nathan Court, who is in hospital at the Royal Marsden with a relapse of Leukemia. 
  
•  For Shirley Crabb who is in a lot of pain, because of the delayed operation on her hip.
  
•  Give thanks that Audrey's sister, Evelyn is now home from hospital, but pray that she will have the care she needs.
  
•  For Joy Smithers. Give thanks that she is settling into the new Care Home in Folkestone and pray that she will be able to regain the mobility she had before her accident.
  
•  For Gordon Warren. They have decided it is not possible for Gordon to have any Chemo at present and it is unclear how serious the cancer is. So please pray for peace and that the cancer is slow growing.
•  For those who have lost loved ones as a result of the Pandemic.
  
• For all NHS staff, paramedics and care home workers. For safety, resilience and strength as they are called on to work harder in these emotionally draining circumstances.
  
• For those feeling lonely, missing the usual visits of family and friends.
  
• For those struggling with mental health, especially in the present circumstances.
  
•  For business, school and other leaders as they prepare and make plans for the future transition out of lockdown.
  
•  Pray for wisdom for the government as they continue to work to provide the necessary equipment and tests and make the best plans for us to come out of lockdown.
  

A prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

Gracious Father,

by the obedience of Jesus

you brought salvation to our wayward world:

draw us into harmony with your will,

that we may find all things restored in him,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Vanessa's Fund Raising for the Food Bank. So far Vanessa has raised a fantastic £1,925 for the Churches Together in Ramsgate food bank. If you want to help push the total above £2,000 then you can still donate. Just click the button below!

Mental Health Text Service
A new text service has been launched across Kent for anyone needing mental health support.

Simply text 'Kent' to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained volunteer. Texts are free on all major mobile networks.

This week we have three different links!

Helping Families cope with the Covid-19 pandemic

Check out this resource for talking to children about the present crisis. It includes worksheets, activities, Bible verses and discussion starters to use with your children.

Many people are spending a lot more time working at home during the lockdown and there are some signs that this will lead to much more time spent working at home in the future. But, 'How do you spot a Christian working at home?' Check out this blog from LICC.

Prom Praise from All Souls (Saturday, 7:30pm on YouTube)

For more than 40 years, Prom Praise has been delighted to bring hope-filled, thrilling music to capacity crowds at the Royal Albert Hall. This year, the world as it is, should be no exception. Never before has it been possible to welcome a limitless audience, no tickets or travel required! Streamed from this page directly into your home!

Don't forget to join us on YouTube this Sunday (Video should be available from 6am on Sunday).

Yours in Christ,

Paul.