Information

27th July 2020

Guidance for Worshipers

Here is a short summary of the guidance outlining what we are required by the Government to put in place

in order to start meeting together:

1. Before Sunday 2nd August

(1) Please contact Stephen to book your place for Sunday 2nd August

(2) The instructions are clear that if you have been ill / had symptoms of the virus in the 3 to 5 days before the service you should NOT attend!

2. On Sunday

Please do not arrive too early.

(1) Both Car Parks will be open - please park sensibly to comply with Social Distancing.

(2) When waiting outside and when entering the building, please maintain social distancing. Please wear a face covering or shield (visor)

unless there is a medical reason not to do so (as when shopping).

Welcome Team members will supervise and maintain an ordered entry and direct you to your seats – a seating plan is necessary to maintain distancing.

Hand sanitisers will be placed strategically in the building - please use them.

(3) The opportunities to socialise will be outside the building- before you enter and after the service when you leave.

(4) If using the Toilets or you wish to wash your hands then we will work on the basis of - one in / one out to keep the social distancing requirements.

Please maintain social distancing (2 Metres) at all times.

3. During the Service

The service will include the following:

Recorded music / videos for you to join in worship - you might want to stand or raise your hands but - unfortunately no singing.

There will be prayer, Scripture reading, the word (etc.) but no Communion initially, until we have developed a safe way to do it.

There will be the opportunity to give tithes / offerings - but no refreshments afterwards.

4. After the Service

Please leave the building in an ordered way - guided by the welcome team so that safe distancing can be maintained.

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20th March 2020 - Letter from Stephen Anderson

Dear Friends

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I'm writing to you on behalf of the Church Council at this challenging time for us all.

As you well know - the Coronavirus is having a dramatic impact on our local communities, across the country.... and of course the world.

We are all working through what this means for us in our everyday lives as individuals, families and as a Church.

You will have been listening to the guidance from the Prime Minister and his Advisers about the changes we must make to our lifestyles and general day to day activities.These include keeping a safe distance; avoiding meeting in groups, not visiting restaurants etc.

For those people over the age of 70 and those with health conditions then this is even more stringent asking people to remain as much as possible in their homes etc.

The Church Council has been keeping in close communication with other Churches and organisations including the National Leadership of our own denomination

Assemblies of Gods (AoG-UK) regarding what our response should be in relation to our Church here in Bentley.

Our National Leader Glyn Barratt has written to us and the Assemblies of God is following the National Government Guidance together with the Church of England and Methodist Churches.

We are therefore following this guidance and are suspending Church Services and Activities - as are our friends at Mount Hermon Church also.

There will therefore be no Services on Sunday or Wednesday or Friends and Fellowship Club till further notice.

Our friends from St John Ambulance and Dogs Trust who use our Centre are also suspending all activities.

I think that I've managed to speak to everyone (or a member of the family) in the last couple of days but wanted to write to you on behalf of the Church Council to confirm the present arrangements.

I'll be keeping in touch mainly by email ( or telephone/text if required).

I'm looking into the use of the 'ZOOM App' (which Phill has introduced to me) to see if we can keep in touch via the internet.

I'll write to you again very soon about this.

** A number of Church Members have asked me about how they can continue to give their weekly / monthly Tithes, Offerings and Missions donations whilst the Services are suspended.

For those who do not already use a Standing Order I can send you the Church's Bank Details and you can make payments directly into the Account when it is convenient for you. Just contact me and I'll let you have the details.

In my telephone calls to you, I asked if we could do some simple things to stay united in fellowship - for example:

1. On Sunday Morning at around 11.00 am - take simple communion - bread and a drink - and pray together in our own homes - sing a hymn / song if you wish and read a passage of scripture.

As we are united together in fellowship (even though we are not physically together) then I'm sure the Lord will hear us and bless us.

The Scriptures warn us about not gathering together for fellowship and prayer.These are exceptional circumstances and we will do our best to stay close to God.

2. On Wednesday evenings at around 8.00 pm, spend some time in prayer - read some scripture.- play / sing along with a worship song.

Our brother Solomon regularly sends inspirational messages on Whatsapp and he just sent one about 'LOCKDOWN' which we are now experiencing in our Country - I thought it might encourage you.

L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N is a time to:

L - isten to God's voice and reflect.

O - bey His word and His teachings.

C - all on Jesus' name and be calmed.

K - now what is the purpose of all this.

D - well in His secret place. Do not Panic.

O - ffer a prayer for everyone's safety.

W - ait and be patient. This too will pass over.

N - urture our personal relationship with Him.

(Please share with family and friends . God Bless us All - Solomon)

Let us continue to encourage ourselves in Prayer and reading the Word as we look forward to a time of celebration together.

Take care

God Bless You All

Stephen

(On Behalf of the Church Council)

Bentley Pentecostal Church

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19th March 2020 - An Old but Now Relevant Hymn

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast,

And our eternal home:

Under the shadow of thy throne,

Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is thine arm alone,

And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,

Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting thou art God,

To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight

Are like an evening gone;

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away;

They fly, forgotten, as a dream

Dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come,

Be thou our guide while troubles last,

And our eternal home!