St David’s Church – Resolven

St. David’s Church will be open between 11.00am and 12.00 noon each Sunday for prayer, please feel free to drop in and offer prayer for whatever is on your heart. I will be there, however, if you just wish to drop your prayer off at the rear of the Church then I shall ensure that your need will be prayed for. if you wish to stay, please don’t feel the need to be there for the full hour. Stay for as long or as short a time as you wish.

HOWEVER, PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE FOLLOWED ALL NECESSARY GUIDELINES, WASHING OF HANDS AND/OR THE USE OF HAND GEL. ALSO THAT YOU ARE IN GOOD HEALTH. SOCIAL DISTANCING SHOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR EVERYBODY’S PROTECTION

Rev’d Andrew J Davies

~ ~ ~ ~

Hello there!!

As you are aware, we are facing some very challenging days ahead of us. At the present moment we are not allowed to get together for worship in our building. So, in order to keep in touch with everyone, I will be sending you some notes of our Sunday Evening worship and also of our Tuesday Prayer meetings.

The Lord is certainly doing a new thing.

May the Lord truly bless you.

 

 

NOTES FOR THIS WEEK BELOW

 

“FEAR NOT” Message 22/03/20

Read this message on Sunday at 6pm and pray. Sing the hymns ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus and Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine’, If you do not know them, sing two hymns you know.

As you are aware, at the present moment we are not able of meeting together in our building because of the circumstances we are living in. However, we must remind ourselves that we are the church of God and not the building itself. It is great to have a building where we can meet together and worship the Lord and hold many different activities that benefit the local community and beyond and at the same time serve as a base where people can learn more about the bible.At the moment in time many people are really distressed and frightened of what is happening, but the word of God to us His children is ‘Fear Not’. The bible has a lot to say about ‘fear’. The first time we read the word ‘fear’ in the bible is in Genesis 9:2; it was about God speaking to Noah; ‘The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth…’. This verse is speaking about the creatures of the earth being subdued by mankind and this is not the ‘fear’ I am talking about. The ‘Fear’ I am talking about is when we face a new situation in our lives and we do not know how to handle it. Something we do not have the human power to control. In this aspect the first time we see the word ‘Fear’ in the bible it is in Genesis 15:2 ‘After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision; “Do not fear Abram. Abram, I am your shield and, your very great reward’. ‘The after this’ the bible is talking about it is some fierce battles Abram fought to set his nephew Lot free. Abram had other many challenges ahead of him and he stepping into the ‘unknown’, it was ‘unknown to Abram but for God, because our God knows everything’.

There are many other verses in the bible about fear, such as ‘Isaiah 41;10 -13; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:13,30 Luke 2:10; Luke 12:7 and many others. Going back to Genesis 15:2 we find another very important promise God gave to Abram; ‘I am your shield, your very reward’.  So, people of God, the Lord is our shield.

Fear it is to have faith in the enemy. The verses above I gave you, the Lord spoke to the people when they were facing a new situation. They were going to walk on unchartered territory and this is the very expression the politicians, doctors, professors are using at the moment ‘unchartered territory’, it is uncharted for them but not for our God. He is our shield, so, fear not.

Fear will cause you anxiety, sleepless nights, sadness, depression etc. Only bad things come with fear, that’s why He tells us ‘Fear not’. You can choose to be a prisoner of your own fear or be free of fear in your own mind and heart.  Of course we need to be wise and cooperate with the authorities as much as we can. We must be an example in our communities. We must be wise but not be frightened, because the Lord is our shield.

We listen to the news or watch the TV to get fresh information, but TV does not build our faith, it is the word of God that teaches us to trust in Him. We believers, we believe and put our faith in God and not in the TV. The TV gives us information but not power, but we know there is power in the word of God.

Do not allow fear to paralyze you or take your inner peace away. It that is happening pray against it. Ask God to fill you with His peace, tell Him you are afraid and ask Him to help you. Let the Lord quieten your emotions and speak tenderly into your soul. When fear grips your heart and mind say it ‘The Lord is my shield and in Him I put my trust’. Pray God’s protection upon you and your family. We are believers we belong to God, no need to live in fear.

God bless – Pastor Fortunato Santos

 

BIBLE STUDY – 24/03/20

Sing hymns ‘Majesty Worship His Majesty / Here is Love vast as the ocean’. Please read John 15:1-17

Every week we are going to have a memory verse ‘This is my command; “Love each other”. John 15:17

Read this Bible Study at 7 pm on  Tuesday and after that pray through the prayer points.

In our Bible Study and Prayer Meeting on Tuesdays, we have been looking at the passage in John 15: 1 -17. Today we come to our last part of this study. Today we are going to be looking at verse 17, which says; ‘This is my command: Love each other’.

This is a very short verse and how timely it is for these uncertain days we are living in at the present moment. It is very easy to love people when things are easy and when we get on with them. However, it is a real test for ‘true love’, when life proves to be a bit more difficult than what we are used to.

When the Lord Jesus spoke these words it was during the Last Passover Meal. He knew the cross was just a matter of hours but the disciples did not know it. The disciples were in a festive mood as they were celebrating the Passover meal together. Jesus knew it was their last Passover meal together but the disciples did not know that. The disciples were going to have a very difficult time ahead of them and the Lord commanded them ‘Love each other’. Love is not a sentimental feeling, love is a moral decision. Love is to do the best for God and my neighbour. Love is not based on feelings, love is to be practical in doing the best for God and those around us.

Someone asked me, ‘Where is your faith that you are closing down the church?’ I think it is a very valid question. We are not closing the church we are closing our building and not because of the fear of the Coronavirus, we are closing the doors in obedience to what the government of our land has requested of us. We are the church of God. If the government had not requested of us to close the doors, we had a ‘plan that was going to be implemented in order for us to keep our doors open’. The government is not asking of us to do something unbiblical, because this we would not have done. The government is under a lot of pressure and they are making some extremely difficult decisions. By cooperating with the government we are showing we are good citizens and at the same time that we care for each other, it is a practical way of showing love.

We have seen through the TV and newspapers how selfish people have been in buying much more than what they need. People are afraid. In 1 John 4:18 we learn ‘Perfect love cast out all fears’. We as believers have a wonderful opportunity of showing perfect love to those are living under fear. Think about this verse (John 15:17) and reflect on it again and again throughout the week. Love for the believer is not an option, it is a commandment from the Lord. Let people around us see that we love them and we care for them.

Prayer points:

People who are unwell: John Jervis, Terry Brock, June Harris, Heather James, Heather Miller, Julie Morgan, Terry Brettle,

Government, NHS staff, Shop Keepers, The Elderly, The Lonely. A vaccine and medication to be found against Coronavirus

Missionaries: Helen Matara, Barbara Knoyle and family, Andy Hutton and family, Silva Family

God bless – Pastor Fortunato Santos

 

 

I work at Resolven Building Blocks and volunteer at the Food Bank and we are absolutely desperate at the moment for donations.

We are now seeing more of a demand for our food bank than ever so we are pleading with our lovely community to please spare what they can. We are desperate for the following items:
Soup, Vegetables, Tinned Meat, Fish, Fruit, Rice Pudding/Custard, Sponge Pudding, Biscuits, Sugar, Instant Mash, Long Life Juice, Jam
 Cat and Dog food, Washing powder, Soap or shower gel, deodorant, shampoo, shaving foam

Please don’t forget if you or someone you know needs a food parcel you can access our food bank Monday-Friday 9-3pm through calling 01639 710076 or message our Facebook page. We are also continuing to offer home deliveries for those who are unable to leave their homes.

Caitlin Gnojek (Assistant Family Development Officer)

 

 

 

Leisure Centres to close among latest Covid-19 changes

19 March 2020

Neath Port Talbot Council is now rapidly implementing service changes to respond to the Government’s Covid-19 strategy in phases and in this release we outline the latest developments relating to our residents.

All leisure centres (and swimming pools) are closing.

The decision has been taken by Celtic Leisure in conjunction with Neath Port Talbot Council in line with Government advice on “social distancing”.

All of our facilities will therefore be closed from this evening, Thursday 19th March, 2020, until further notice.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this closure and thank you for bearing with us during this difficult and unprecedented time, however the health and wellbeing of our customers, staff and community has to remain uppermost in our thoughts.

Also, due to the fast changing situation and the need to react quickly to Government announcements about the coronavirus, Neath Port Talbot Council staff are being redeployed to priority duties. As a result of this, all civic centres (Neath Civic Centre, Port Talbot Civic Centre and the Quays) will be closed to the public from Monday, 23rd March, 2020.

If you require access to a Council service, visit our website www.npt.gov.uk or telephone 01639 686868.

Specific arrangements will be made for a small number of residents who will still need a face-to-face service.  Further service arrangements and updates will be published tomorrow Friday, March 20th, 2020.

The Council has also announced today Neath Port Talbot Schools will re-open next Monday to provide care and recreation for the children of designated essential workers and vulnerable pupils only. See release here: https://www.npt.gov.uk/1410?pr_id=6428

The Council’s Registration Service is continuing to conduct ceremonies at the Register Office and at approved venues across Neath Port Talbot until such time that the advice from Government changes.

In line with Government guidance on social distancing, ceremonies will be restricted to six people – the couple, two registrars and two witnesses. Couples can postpone their ceremony free of charge by contacting the Register Office on 01639 760021 or email: registrars@npt.gov.uk .

This is in line with General Register Office (GRO) UK guidance and a similar approach being taken in other Register Offices.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Social Services Department has put plans in place to protect its most vulnerable residents. In order to safeguard both those who receive care services and staff, necessary changes have been made to the services we deliver.

In accordance with government guidelines on social distancing, all day services will be temporarily closed from Friday 20th March.  Those who receive care services have been asked to call on additional support from friends, family and carers.

To ensure the department’s most critical services are supported, staff have been asked to be flexible in the roles they undertake and will be temporarily redeployed where necessary.

 

Resolven and District Community Library has been informed that all libraries in Neath Port Talbot will be closed from 4pm on March 17th until further notice.

No fines will be issued for books that cannot be returned during this period.

We thank you for your continued support and will update you when we have more information.

 

Non Humphreys

Owing to the ever changing situation regarding the coronavirus, I have had to take the decision to cancel our activities until the outlook becomes a little clearer. Most of our members are over 70 and would be unable to attend in all probability.

 

With great regret,

 

Trefor Jones

 

 

March 5^th was the 60^th wedding anniversary of Duncan and June Davies of Ardwyn Terrace.

 

On March 8^th their son Neil and daughter in law Gillian arranged a surprise afternoon to celebrate their diamond anniversary at the Welfare Hall with family and friends.

 

It was a day of joy and family came from far and wide but those who travelled furthest caused the biggest surprise by travelling from Ireland to wish the happy couple all the very best and reminisce over the many years of friendship they have shared.

There was food and drinks, conversations of old and new memories and there were smiles and songs to make another memorable day for them  in their 60 years together..

Many congratulations to them both on their 21,900 days together and counting

REPORT BY DIANE SIMS