Login

Month: November 2022

Shelley shares our Christmas plans

by

Dear friends

This Sunday we begin out new Advent and Christmas series called Sky full of Stars.  The lyric is taken from a song by the band Coldplay.   

“Cause you’re a sky, ’cause you’re a sky full of stars
I’m gonna give you my heart
‘Cause you’re a sky, ’cause you’re a sky full of stars
‘Cause you light up the path…

‘Cause in a sky, ’cause in a sky full of stars
I think I saw you…”

There’s something about looking up at the stars and wondering.  Most people wonder. Look up.  What do you see? In the bible, people looked up at the stars and wondered too. These were people who saw the darkness but saw signs of the hope of light.  This Sunday we light the first of our candles on the advent ring as a sign of the light coming into the darkness.  As we get nearer Christmas each week, we will hear about others in the bible who wondered at the stars and saw the light in the darkness. This Sunday we start with Abraham in Genesis 15.  We’ll meet 11-12midday and there will be opportunity for younger members to explore the theme of wonder, the stars and Abraham, creatively. 

We have been looking at the tech issues of last week in relation to the livestream but we hope these will be mended by Sunday.  Then on the 4th December at café church we’ll continue the journey of wondering by looking at a prophet who told about the light coming in the darkness. 

This Sunday we’ll have our MBC Christmas cards and they’ll be available for you to take and to hand to someone who you think might like to come to something at Christmas.

Thanks to those who have offered to volunteer to help with Carnival Christmas, with music, prayer, refreshments, warm spaces and making Christmas cards.  Do get in touch with me, a deacon or someone who leads something in church if you want more information.  We do this together and it’s more fun that way too.  All ages included.  Also for anything else you want to know about, just get in touch.

A little snapshot of the week…

This week we hosted a residents drop in for our local community, we worshiped in Space, we prayed for and discussed worship in services, we drank tea, kept warm and encouraged each other, we played with over 20 families in Stepping stones, we had a full electrical check for the building with improvements suggested, we put up a shelf in the music room, we played games, we cooked meals and sang songs in lunchclub, we spend time together learning about fruitfulness, we read the bible, we looked at contacts lists, we decorated boards, we posted on facebook, we made crafts, we talked, we prayed, we planned, we learned, we emailed, we welcomed… and much more

Please continue to pray for each other and our wider community as we journey in wonder together.

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have set in place;
What is man that You think of him,
And a son of man that You are concerned about him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!”

Psalm 81 

In Christ

Shelley

MBC. It’s official, Beacon Cafe is now a registered Warm Space

by

As Shelley mentioned in her latest email MBC is now registered with Leeds City Council as a Warm Space. Starting small but hopefully growing we are now one of a handful of local churches, community hubs and charities that are offering a warm and friendly space to anyone who feels like popping in to see us.

On Monday mornings we run our Beacon Cafe where you can join us to enjoy free tea or coffee, soft drinks, good company and pastries and fruit. This runs between 9.30am and 12noon. 

You can find out more about Warm Spaces by following this link Warm Spaces (leeds.gov.uk) and more about us and some other local venues HERE. 

PS We have more plug sockets than we know what to do with so don’t forget to bring your mobile phone, we’ll even charge that up for you. 

This Sunday, 12.30pm our second Dementia Friends session

by

The first of MBC’s Dementia Friends training sessions was fascinating. Just 45 minutes long and incredibly accessible, Rachel Beedle steers you through the basics of what it’s like to a) have some form of dementia and b) how to care or befriend someone with dementia. 

The dementia bingo game with which the session starts with is superb as in just ten minutes or so many of the myths  that accompany this disease are either blown away or skillfully unpacked. 

For instance did you know that in total there are more than 100 different forms of dementia? That on average 1 in 14 people will experience some form of dementia, That everyday things like the colour of a toilet seat or the size and shape of a doormat can, to someone who struggles with spacial awareness or colour recognition, prove really difficult. 

Although keen to point out that no two people are ever alike, Rachel describes dementia as like an umbrella under which all these different symptoms shelter, like unpacking a box of Christmas lights and seeing that certain ones flash whilst others don’t, or like having a pair of big bookcases with the most recent memories stacked on top and the whole thing being hit by an earthquake. The result, she says is that the most recent memories fall off first leaving the “reader” with a whole load of memories, feelings and emotions from lower down i.e. from their past. 

The aim of the sessions – the next one will take place here at MBC on November 27th – is to recruit as many Dementia Friends as possible. And this is done by everyone who attends being invited to decide which one of five (you can do more if you like) particular actions you want to focus on. 

If you would like to attend the next session please either leave a message for Rachel or email her on seniors@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk  

As I said at the top this really is a fascinating topic. Don’t miss out. 

Shelley’s news, 19th November

by

Dear friends

We’ll be together again in the church building and online on the youtube channel at 11am tomorrow for a service with communion and a group for our younger friends and those who want to explore the theme in a different way.  It’s the last of our sessions on ‘fruitfulness’ and tomorrow we’ll be thinking about Growing in God and what healthy growth looks like.  It will be great to see you.

On the 27th November we start our advent journey which we are calling ‘Sky full of stars’ and tracing a journey of light in darkness through the bible towards Christmas.  There will be a full programme going out in the next week with cards for you to give out to others.  It would be great if many of you wanted to get involved in different ways over the advent season so have a look at some opportunities below…

3rd December – 1.30pm in the church building, come and decorate the church ready for Christmas!

10th December – 2-4pm Carnival Christmas, we’ll be welcoming our local community with festive drinks and treats, carol singing with ‘Steel Crazy’ steel pan band and making Christmas crafts.  If you can come along or you have an idea for a fun stall or want to help with refreshments let me or Karen or Lesley know.  You may want to help with singing along to the songs on the day, again do let us know. Even if you normally don’t sing on a Sunday morning in the band, we’d love to have you as part of this.

If you are musical and of any age and want to be involved in playing music at Christmas in some of our services, can you let me or Andy Berry know?  It would be great to have you join at this special time.

On the 17th December we’ll be having a wreath making workshop in church.  The workshop includes everything you’ll need to make a hanging Christmas wreath including festive drinks and a sweet snack.  We’ll be using a mixture of fresh foliage and seasonal objects.  Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Timings, prices and booking details to be advertised next week.

We are a now a registered warm space with Leeds city council from 9.30 to 12.30 every Monday.  If you can help with providing drinks, setting up, being around then do let me, Karen or Lesley know.  Or maybe you have a friend who would like to help with this who isn’t part of the church? It’s a great way to help bring a light to our local community.  Thanks to those who help already.  It maybe that we can do more so do keep talking to me if it’s on your heart to help or lead.

Beacon café takes place during this time and on the 19th December we’ll be doing a special Christmas Beacon with craft activities and Christmas refreshments. We’ll be talking to those who have already shown an interest in Monday mornings to get their ideas on this.

We’ll be producing Christmas cards to hang on the trees for passers by to the church so if you or a group you are part of want to make some then let me or Lesley know.  Its something that was very well received at Easter and last Christmas.  We’ll give you all you need!

Keep an eye on the website for more details on the life of the church at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Couple of other dates this week…

Sunday 20th November – Rock solid for young people in church at 7pm

Tuesday 22nd November – Space – in church from 6.30 for all ages.  It’s a chance to just be in a relaxed atmosphere, bring an instrument, sing along and have a busk, draw, write, pray, read, knit, wave a banner.  With refreshments.

Thursday 24th November – Worship teams get together at 7.30pm in the music room.  We’d love to see you to share some vision, pray, share where we need help and get excited about all God is doing through worship in church.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Col 2:6-7)

In Christ

Shelley

 

SPACE to be – 22 November

by

Just letting you all know that the next SPACE service will be on 22nd November at 6.30 as usual. All ages are welcome to come and sing, play music, pray, draw, dance, or just “be”. 

Andy

BANNERS – it’s your choice

by

Over the last few weeks Rod Russell has been busy thinking up some ideas and having new banners made. There’s a picture of the latest one above.

However, below is a list of suggestions that Rod has come up with for the future and we would like you to select your favourite. 

All you need to do is to select your top three and either speak to John Sherbourne or send an email to johns@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

We’ll do the sums and send your top three off to the printers. 

1.  Walk in the Light of Jesus so your darkness will fade
2.  Do you live by God’s discipline or your own chaos ?
3.  Make life better for SOMEONE  today – and every day
4.  What matters – what you have ? (costs money) or who you are ? (free)
5.  Let love have the last word
6.  Live by truth and honesty with love and kindness – Jesus
7.   Happiness or contentment ?
8.  How will you be remembered ? By your possessions or by your personality ?

It’s an earlier start for Remembrance Sunday

by

Dear friends

This Sunday you are invited to our service in church or online at the slightly earlier time of 10.45 instead of 11am.  This is so that we can observe the 2-minute silence as it is Remembrance Sunday.  We’ll be continuing our theme of Fruitfulness with a special link to remembrance as we think about ‘planting in peace’.  There will be an opportunity to respond creatively to the theme through artwork for all ages.

Then at 4pm we will have a short, simple Service of Remembering in church to remember those who have died. This is not specifically linked to remembering those in a war but for anyone of any age who has been affected by losing someone recently or a long time ago.  There will be an opportunity to light a candle for those we are remembering.   

Things coming up…

Beacon café in church on Monday 10-12midday

Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers 10-11.30ish on Tuesday

Craft group in church at 2pm on Thursday

Bible study at 10 in church on Friday

Please ask me or the Deacons about housegroups.

Thanks to all those who have offered to support MBC as a warm welcome space over the Winter.  If you want to help or come or find out more then do let me know. 

Next Sunday 20th November we have communion in church and the service will start at 11am in the building and online.  There will be a group for our younger members or those who want to respond creatively.

Rachel will be holding another dementia awareness session after the service on the 27th November.  It takes 45 minutes and anyone is welcome.  Thanks to those who came along last week.

‘Space’, a time to sing, pray, play music, draw, paint, dance, be…’ takes place this time on a Tuesday night on 22nd November from 6.30pm in church.  Come if you are curious.  All ages are welcome, come for a bit or stay for a few hours.  Hot drinks available. Talk to Andy and Ruth Berry or myself if you have questions.

All musicians and singers involved in leading on Sundays are invited to the music room on 24th November at 7.30 (starting no later than 7.45) for snacks and a cuppa and a relaxed chance to get together as one team to talk all things worship, why we do what we do, what might God want to do, how does musical and creative worship support MBC services and the wider community, how we can work together and what we might need going into the future.

Advent and Christmas plans are being made but if you have any ideas of things you would like to do and contribute to then do speak to myself or a Deacon or someone in leadership. We love to hear your thoughts about sharing the good news of Jesus. 

A few other things to let you know about…

Saturday 10th December 2-4pm.        Join us for ‘Carnival Christmas’ as we welcome ‘Steel Crazy’ steel pan band to lead us in carols and songs, crafts, Christmas snacks and drinks, facepainting, gifts, prayer tree, Christmas story trail and more… let us know if you want to help or have ideas, let your friends and family know..

Saturday 17th December              Wreath making workshop using fresh foliage and found objects…more info to come…

Sunday 18th December                 All age nativity

Saturday 24th December              All age Christingle

More information to come but let’s keep praying, sharing, dreaming, listening…

In Christ

Shelley

Latest news from our BMS Missionaries

by

Following on from their summer visit BMS Missionaries Mark and Andrea Hotchkin, and from France John and Sue Wilson share their latest news. 

There’s a rough copy below but if you want to read the original pdf follow these links. 

For the Hotchkin message visit HERE 

And for the Wilsons go to HERE 

 

Shelley’s message for 6th November

by

Dear friends

I am reminded this week that we have a God who sees us.  It was Hagar in the Old Testament, pregnant to Abram and on a dangerous journey through the desert fleeing for her homeland who was met by the angel of the Lord who “found her” (Genesis 16:7).  The angel tells Hagar what she should do and Hagar, encouraged by these words, calls God ‘El Roi’, the God who sees.  First God sees Hagar (Genesis 16:7-12) and then Hagar sees God (Genesis 16:13-16). Hagar felt God’s compassion for her and trusted God for her present and her future.

We too can call on ‘El Roi’ today and can trust that whatever we have experienced this week, God sees us.  Today you may want to recognise ‘El Roi’ as Hagar did and know His love and hear His words to you.

Tomorrow, we continue in our series about fruitfulness as we look at the fruit of the spirit at café church.  It starts at 11am and is planned to finish at 12. There will be drinks and breakfast pastries/fruit for all.  Thanks to those who have helped set up this week.   You can also join online on the Moortown Baptist Church YouTube channel.  Rachel will be running a dementia awareness training session after the service tomorrow which is open to all.  She can take about 10 at a time so do let her know if you want to join.

Our groups continue to meet next week with Beacon café, house groups (I know we have one in church on Wednesday at 7.30) and there are others.  There’s bible study in church at 10am on Friday. I am working on making groups clearer for people to find out about.  Do get in touch of you want to join a group. Craft group is open to all on Thursday.  Steppingstones and lunch club meet again this week. 

Next Sunday we look at fruitfulness and planting on Remembrance Sunday from James 3:13-18.  There will be a group for our younger members during the talk. The service will start at 11am. 

In the afternoon Shelley will lead a simple short service in church for all who want an opportunity to remember those who they miss who have died.  We will light a candle for each one.  It will take place in church at 4pm. 

On Monday, following Beacon, there is a short get together for anyone wanting to support ‘warm spaces’ in the daytime midweek.  I know this isn’t good for those wanting to help on a weekend or evening (we haven’t committed to this yet) but we thought we’d start somewhere.  If you help with Beacon or have expressed an interest in warm spaces and can make it on Monday after Beacon at 12.30 then come along.  If you come to Beacon feel free to bring your lunch as we chat.  If you can’t make it and want to help on other days, such as contributing to hospitality at café church or other times then can you let me know?  Thanks so much.   

Thanks to all those who attended the church meeting and have contributed to healthy discussions.  We are still replying to people following that meeting.  Thank you for your prayers, patience, and action.

In Christ

Shelley

 

  

Subscribe to the MBC Newsletter

Weekly news and stories about everything that is happening at Moortown Baptist Church

PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com