Struthers Pentecostal Church Hyndland

04/09/2026

This weeks word for the week is by Howard Mole.

"Our Father.." Matthew 6 v9

This is something that struck me a number of years ago on one of our Zoom bible studies and specifically relates to the order Jesus asks the Fathers for things in the Lords prayer:

Jesus asks for bread for the body before He asks for sins to be forgiven, through our forgiveness for others whom we need to forgive.

Our "natural " selves would probably expect that we need forgiveness and to forgive before being comforted and being satisfied with food for our bodies? Not with God - like the good Father and Friend that He is, His primary desire is that we are fed and feel satisfied and relaxed, before we seek to put things right.

After busy church weekends or mid-week bible studies and prayer meeting, doing things that allow for rest and recreation - walks in country, reading or whatever your daily bread is - is God's perfect nourishment for our souls, so we can draw near to Christ at the appropriate time and then our debts can be forgiven.

Blessings
Howard

28/08/2026

This weeks word for the week is by Lynne Mellstrom.

He went out, not knowing whither he went."(Heb. 11:8)

Faith does not demand a complete map before taking the first step, it asks only for the willingness to move.
When Abraham walked away from everything that was familiar, he was not guided by clear pathway or a guaranteed happy ending. His security was not anchored in where he was going, but in Who called him to go and trusted with all he had.
Stepping into the unknown can feel disorienting, especially when the destination remains hidden in the fog of unforeseen. And yet the greatest chapters of our growth, purpose, and renewal never begin in comfortable certainty. They begin in the quiet courage of obedience - trusting that the path will reveal itself under your feet, one faithful step at a time.
You do not need to see the whole staircase to take the step. Step forward anyway, trusting that the heavenly Father’s guidance meets you in the motion

26/08/2026

21/08/2026

This weeks word for the week is by Mandy Stinglehammer.

Phi 4:8(NLT)

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

2Cor 10:5b(NIV)

Taking every thought captive

Sometimes this seems a difficult thing to do.

But if you fall into un-Christlike thoughts, thoughts that bring a shadow over your spirit, don’t be discouraged. As soon as you realise it, stop, turn to Christ and ask for forgiveness. I believe the devil at that precise point would try to get us to turn inwards, telling us we’ll never make it, we’re never going to stop doing this; and then negative thoughts come in and we think we are unable to ever stop these thought lines.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. Stop at the crossroads and take the road signposted “Christ”. He is waiting there for us, full of beauty, love. He has forgiven, and has only positive thoughts for our future.

The power of forgiveness will never change.

The power of God’s word will never change.

Mandy

14/08/2026

Word for the week is by Rosie Gaw.

THE DOOR IS OPEN (REVELATION 3:8)
As a church, we have recently come back from our annual conference. It is so easy to focus our attention on God when we are away from the day-to-day cares and responsibilities of our lives. The presence of God at these conferences is so strong that at times it can feel like the veil between Heaven and Earth is thin. However, once we leave the conference and go back to our daily lives, it is all too easy to get distracted and lose our focus on Christ.
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”. This verse reminds believers to focus their hearts and daily priorities on God’s eternal kingdom rather than letting the temporary worries and noise of the world distract them. Many of us have experienced the changing power of God during the summer conference. However, as believers this is just the beginning for us.
Revelation 3:8 says “See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut”. For many people, new doors were opened at the conference. While that is a wonderful experience, God has so much more for us if only we will keep our eyes on Him and seek His face. Let us go deeper into Him.

Rosie

07/08/2026

Word for the week is by Kenneth Gaw.

Three H’s for spiritual success

Humility
Pride and self-confidence are often the most significant barriers to spiritual progress that we face. When we place our faith in our own abilities, rather than God we are really asking for trouble. Here is what Paul says of Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8.
Christian humility does not imply an unhealthy negativity about ourselves. It just means a totally realistic and honest view of every aspect of our lives in relation to God and others. God loves us. Our confidence comes from Him.

Humanity
Treat others as you have them treat you. Every human being is a soul Christ is trying to reach. We shouldn’t be unrealistic about human nature, but just as Jesus is seeking and searching for the lost, so should we be like him in, seeking positive, empathetic relationships where possible with everyone we come into contact with.
Look how Jesus responded to James and John’s anger at a Samaritan village’s refusal to receive them.
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?.” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village. Luke 9:54-56.

Hope
The Gospel is “Good News.” We don’t find much good news on the BBC, Sky, the Times or wherever else we look. The outlook for a Christian, however, is different since we have an eternal calling, an “Anchor” or “Rock” which totally transforms our view of life. Hope is a very weak word in English, but the New Testament concept of hope appears to be much stronger – a realistic, confident, positive expectation of good things to come.
To quote Paul again:
To them [ the Lord’s people] God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27.

31/07/2026

Word for the week is by Jennifer Offord.

Joel 1:14 Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly (atzeret). Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord."



There are numerous examples in the OT of “sacred assemblies” The Hebrew word most often translated as "sacred assembly" or "solemn assembly" is atzeret



It means a closing, restraint, or stopping of regular work for a holy purpose – to focus entirely on spiritual lessons. It refers to special religious gatherings held during or at the end of major festivals. (Strong’s concordance)



In the New Testament, the exact Hebrew concept of atzeret transitions into the Greek word panēguris (a festive national assembly) or ekklēsia (the called-out assembly/church). In the New Testament, sacred assemblies are no longer restricted to specific calendar dates or physical locations in Jerusalem. Instead, every gathering of believers is viewed as a sacred assembly where Christ is present.



Next week we have our annual summer conference. We could call it a solemn assembly – a significant date in our church year. We stop normal work and focus on seeking for God. Let us pray that we will be aware of the presence of Christ and receive a fresh touch of His power.