Tilehouse Street Baptist Church, Hitchin

OUTLOOK

Outlook June/ July 2025

Minister's Letter

Dear Friends

I wonder if you can remember the last time you were disappointed? You had hoped … and then those hopes had come to nothing. You were looking forward … and then nothing changed. You should have had … but it never came. I guess most of us could answer that question many times over on all sorts of levels. From the trivial to the traumatic. From (almost) "life’s first cry to its final breath" (thank you Stuart Townend) we will all have known disappointment.

At the risk of using only football analogies (see the April/May issue!) as a life-long Coventry City supporter I have known many disappointments. But none as heart-breaking as being defeated by Sunderland in the second leg of the semi-final of the Championship play-off this season. (Stay with me if this means nothing at all to you; there’s not much more!) We had unexpectedly lost the home leg 1-2 but still had hope when we travelled to the Stadium of Light for the second leg. And in the 76th minute we scored! And the game went to extra time. All to play for and everything to hope for. But then with practically the last kick of the game Sunderland equalised and it was all over. (I wouldn’t have wanted to have been on that supporters’ coach heading back to the Midlands that night). Another season in the second tier of English football awaited. But the new season kicks off on 8 August and once again we have hope!

As we move into June we’re nearing the end of the Easter season at church. Can you remember the disappointment the disciples experienced (alongside a whole host of other emotions) on the day Jesus was crucified? Can you remember how all their hopes had been dashed? But that wasn’t the end, as we know. And so year after year after year countless millions of Christians have shared in the disciples’ joy and delight at the news of his resurrection. But then, just as they were coming to terms with his return he tells them he’s leaving. Again.

At the end of May we marked Ascension Day. Another day of disappointment for the disciples, I’m sure. Despite all that Jesus had taught about his ministry and mission I know I would still have wanted him to stay around. But that wasn’t the plan.

And so we come to the glorious festival of Pentecost. When we celebrate the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all believers. Possible only because Jesus apparently ‘disappointed’ when he returned to be with the Father. And, therefore, we have hope – because of that Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 says: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (NRSV)

Whatever you and I are facing - disappointments, setbacks, changes and challenges - of this we can be sure: we have hope. " … and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:5 NRSV)

This Pentecost and indeed every day we can hold firm to that hope that never disappoints.

Every blessing,

Jane

Easter cross [Sam Hallas]

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