Afternoon Tea

Friday, August 17, 2018

The first event of our Summer Weekend is the Ladies Afternoon Tea.  Many friends and neighbors were invited as well as some of the women we talked to as we door knocked this week.  Although some of the women who had planned to attend weren't able at the last minute,  we did have
women from Solihull enjoy the afternoon with us.  So the long table where we sat in the Laura Ashley Tea Room at a hotel nearby was full with twenty-six

women, nine of whom were invited by church members.

About half-way through our tea time, Michelle gave a testimony about the Lord's provision for her family during a long period of unemployment for her husband.  She spoke of the many ways that God provided for them financially which included being able to continue lessons for the children in various activities and gifting them with provisions of food or a dinner out or even a gift for others so they could practice hospitality.  She saw God answering prayers and she spoke of growing in her study of the Word during the time of trial.  God was faithful beyond what she could even comprehend and she shared with us thankfulness for His care for her family.

The teas were flavorful, the sandwiches and scones unique, the cakes were saved for last.  We were able to have refills of tea, sandwiches, and scones.  We were also instructed in the English use of clotted cream and jam on scones.  There were lively conversations and comfortable chairs to relax in while enjoying tea.

Nancy read a devotion from Psalm 122 and spoke about the new Jerusalem and what that meant to the Israelites and what it means to us today.  She explained what peace would mean to the children of Israel as verses 6 and 7 tell us to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!... Peace be within your walls. "
She told us to ask ourselves as believers what this Psalm means to us as we think about the new Jerusalem.  Then she asked those who did not identify themselves as believers to ask themselves: how do I approach God?  Do I trust in myself to find peace?  She closed our study with a prayer of praise for God's peace and His Word to His people.

Our tea time ended and we lingered over meaningful conversations.  We don't know what some of the ladies thought about it all, but we are praying that seeds were sown in hearts that are softened.