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Month: March 2023

Easter 2023

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Dear friends

Here’s a few things going on over the next few weeks. We hope that you and those you are thinking of inviting will join us in our Easter journey. We pray people will hear the good news of Jesus, join in some Easter activities and find a warm welcome.  Please keep an eye on the website or ask if you want to know anything.

Sunday 2nd April

Palm Sunday cafe church for everyone starting at 11am online and in the building

Theme is ‘Journeying with Praise’ with Holy Week crafts looking at Luke 19:28-44.  Art area opening on this day and available throughout holy week when the building is open for those who want to express things in this way. Materials provided although you can bring your own things to use too.

Youth group with an Easter theme meet at 7pm in the church building on Sunday 2nd April

Monday 3rd April

Monday 3rd April is an Easter Beacon holiday all age special, a free warm space cafe for all ages with hot cross buns and breakfast treats.  Seed planting and easter colouring: plant some seeds to take home and watch your food grow! Come along between 10 and 12midday.

Tuesday 4th April

4G Jesus:  Galilee-Gethsemane-Golgotha-Global:

A talk by Haddon Willmer followed by open discussion and refreshments. 

7-9pm   Moortown Baptist Church in the music room.  All are welcome.

Thursday 5th April

Maundy Thursday guided Reflection at 8pm in the building

A guided reflection on the events of Jesus’ last evening with his friends on earth before Good Friday.  This will involve using a few rooms in the church and also the garden if the weather is fine.

Friday 6th April   

Good Friday service for all at 10.30am in the building….this maybe online too, I’ll let you know if we can manage this.

Film showing and tea together on Good Friday

Jacket potatoes, fillings and cake available from just after 5pm until 6pm, film ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (PG rating and lasts just over 2 hours) showing at 6pm.  Come for food and film or you can come just for food or just film.  The film picks up on some Easter themes in an accessible way.

Sunday 8th April

Easter Sunday all age café church together at 11am online and in the building, looking at Luke 24:1-12 with Easter crafts and art area.

Easter egg hunt at 10.40am around the church.  Meet at the front of church at 10.30 for your instructions and then go hunt out those eggs!

If anyone would like to join with others and pray in the garden from 10.15, you’d be very welcome.

No Beacon on bank holiday Monday….but…..

Wednesday 12th April

Warm welcome café (Beacon extra!) with free breakfast pastries and refreshments, 10-12am in the building.  Come and eat, drink, sit quietly, read, chat, play a game. There will be no lunch club on this day.

Sunday 16th April

Service with communion on the theme of Journeying with Jesus at 11am online and in the building.

Drop in Easter reflections, prayer, art

There’ll be some reflections around the building from Easter Beacon on the Monday throughout holy week and maybe into the next week too.  Do drop in when the church is open and take some time for yourself or meet with someone else.  These times are advertised because we know that there will be people in the building at those times so that noone is left on their own.   

The building is open for reflection, prayer, to be, draw, paint next week on…

Monday 3rd April 10am until 3pm

Tuesday 4th April 10am until 12

Tuesday 4th April 7pm until 8pm

Thursday 6th April 6.30pm until 8.30pm

Friday 7th April 10.15am until 12

Wednesday 12th April 10am-12

If you are using the art area.  Please make sure that you leave it in the state you found it.  We’d like to keep the artwork up over the easter period for others to reflect on, but you are also welcome to take it home straight away or at the end. 

If you feel you would like to help with refreshments at café church or help by being in the space whilst the building is open in holy week then do let me or the deacons know.

Other dates to let you know about…

Good Friday 7th April at 2.30pm, there will be an outdoor service on Alwoodley Village Green led by some churches in LS17, all welcome.

Churches together in Otley have put up a large cross, as they usually do on Otley Chevin.  All welcome to visit, walk, sit by and look at the view.  It’s up until the week after Easter.

MBC annual plant sale takes place from 1-3pm on the 13th May at church.

Coronation get together at MBC with lunch for all, music and craft activities on the afternoon of May 7th.  More news to come!

Pentecost Sunday 11am in the building and online on Sunday 28th May with activities for our younger members

Afternoon café church with friends from Caring for life on Sunday 4th June

We can’t do any of this without God’s help and guidance and your support and prayers.  Thank you in advance for supporting and praying for the community at MBC near and far as well as reaching out to others we are yet to get to know.

Do get in touch with myself or the deacons if you want to share anything.  We’ll get back to you as soon as we are able. Lesley our administrator works Monday day, Tuesday day and Wednesday morning.  We have a pastoral team who are available to pray and visit and also a prayer team who are around on Sunday mornings if you want to pray with someone confidentially.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

In Christ

Shelley

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Selfies can’t show the heart – by Gareth Gadd

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“Selfie” is a relatively new word but the main idea isn’t. Many artists, including famous ones like Van Gogh, have painted self-portraits and the first recorded photo self-portrait was created by Robert Cornelius in 1839 using an early photographic process called daguerreotype. It took until 2013 for the word “selfie” to enter the Oxford English Dictionary as term for “a self-image, especially for use on social media”.

A few years ago we went to Venice. It is stunningly beautiful and we had a fabulous time enjoying the sights. What bemused us though were the many thousands of Korean and Chinese tourists that seemed to be posing for selfies – often with not much of Venice in the photos. They could have been anywhere really, and the photographers seemed completely self-absorbed.

A study by University College London discovered that (unsurprisingly) when choosing selfies to post, people choose those that make them look younger and more attractive. They might think that that is all that counts, but how does God see us? God does not look at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart.

One of the Old Testament heroes was King David. We read about Davids’ anointing in 1 Samuel 16. The prophet Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint God’s choice for king (Saul had been the peoples choice). Saul was tall and strong and presumably good looking. Samuel expected to find a similar such person and indeed Jesse bought forward his eldest son, Eliab who was tall, athletic and handsome.

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

In fact, God refused all seven sons paraded before Samuel, so Samuel had to ask Jesse if there any sons left! There was David, but he was out tending the sheep. 1 Samuel says that David was summoned and “he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” 1 Samuel‬ 16:7 (KJV)

Basically, a good looking chap but not of great stature. Yet God had Samuel anoint him there and then in front of his brothers.

David was the major character in one of the most famous stories in the Bible, “David and Goliath”. I don’t recall it being said in the Old Testament, but I could imagine Goliath taking a selfie with the cowering Israelites behind him just across the battlefield. The Israelites looked at the physical size of Goliath and were terrified. Goliath was a mighty warrior and twice the height of a normal man. David was not shaken because God had priority in his heart. He saw Goliath as a single man against a warrior of the living God.

And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 1 Samuel‬ 17: 8 – 10 (KJV)

David knew that these taunts could not go unchallenged. David trusted that God would deliver Goliath to him. God (not David) would defeat Goliath, and all David had to do was trust in the Lord. Neither Saul nor his army were trusting in the Lord in this situation. They let fear seep into their hearts but David knew better and trusted the Lord.

A diminutive shepherd boy defeated a giant. He did not let his enemy put fear into his heart. Again, the Old Testament doesn’t say whether David took a selfie of himself with a defeated Goliath behind him.

God saw Davids’ heart. Davids’ heart was set aside for God and while David trusted the Lord his goals aligned with Gods goals. 

A heart and life set apart for God is what God desires for us. If that is what you want then that is a conversation for you to have with the Lord.

Gareth Gadd

Monday Thoughts and Prayers. Jane’s new book brings all her weekly emails together in one volume

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Ever since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic MBC’s Pastoral Lead Jane Coates has been sending out a weekly email which she entitles Monday Thoughts and Prayers. Initially directed exclusively towards her team over the weeks, months and now years her audience has grown so much larger that now she has taken the decision to bind them all together in one book which she is calling Encounters and Journeys and make them available to us all.  

These are beautifully written, many including songs or hymns and they range in subject matter from last Monday’s Ordinary and Extraordinary via Crumbs under the Table way back to Barnabas the Encourager. 

There is a plentyful stock of these at the back of church so please help yourself. And although Jane is not charging she would if you feel so inclined like to give a donation this will be passed on to Wheatfields Hospice where Jane and Phil’s late daughter Charlotte worked. 

From an ultra wide lens right through to a long range telephoto, following a recent visit to his local photography club Gareth Gadd presents a novel approach to understanding your bible.

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On Friday night I went to my local photography club – it was the first chance I have had this year and it is was already the penultimate session before their year ends. As part of their year-end they had a competition to present three images to tell a story. 

As I’m sure you’ll all know, there are many different ways of capturing images to tell a story and this is just one way via a sequence of three images – an overview, a midrange one and a close-up. Their brief was:

1.The Overview image. Capture the global aspects of the scene and define the main boundaries; what is in and what is out and their spatial relationships. 2. A Midrange image. Midrange photographs transition the viewer from an “outsider looking in” perspective, to a more involved perspective. And 3 A Close-up image This is a deliberate depiction of the real subject and will be lit to reveal special qualities of the subject and show you something special.

I have tried to apply this to how we should view the Bible and why it matters to us – you may have a different summary – and that is fantastic. Really. So here goes just my interpretation…

1 The overall image The Bible gives us a worldview that answers four huge questions of life: where everything came from, what went wrong, how to fix what went wrong, and what the world will look like when the solution takes hold. So that’s: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. 2. The midrange image is that God re-established mankind’s true destiny on the cross. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) And 3 the close-up image is Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures:(1 Cor 15:3-4)

God loves you and offers you eternal life through his son Jesus. YOU are the subject of His attention.

12th March – news from MBC

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Dear friends

A lot can happen in a week.  Sometimes things can happen that appear connected, even though their timings span over many years. On Tuesday, the Jewish festival of Purim took place followed on Wednesday by International Women’s Day.  Purim is a festival of joy; in the Jewish community centre next door they held a Purim Party!.  At first glance it doesn’t seem a joyful story to remember as it marks the time when the Jewish people were nearly destroyed at the hands of Haman and his followers.  However, Esther who became Queen, bravely spoke out to the King on behalf of the Jewish people and the Jewish people were saved.  Esther sought wisdom in discerning the right thing to do, much of that came from the words of Mordecai who encouraged her to courageously speak out at that time (Esther 4:14).

To speak out or not to speak out has been another topic filling our newsfeeds over the last few days.  As God’s children we are called to speak up against injustice as it says in Proverbs 31:8, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed”.  Again, we need wisdom to discern God’s ways and see things as God sees them, to show compassion and wisdom in our responses.  Some people have been asking ‘What is the church’s response to some of this?’  I’m sharing this statement made jointly from the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union on one issue this week in case you wanted to have a read and a pray.

Response to the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ – March 2023 (jpit.uk)  

Tomorrow we meet in the building and online at 11am for our service together.  There’ll be activities for our younger members during the talk part of the service.  We continue to explore ‘epiphany’ or ‘wow’ moments, but I’ve also been pondering the idea that these wow moments are shared as we journey together.  Like a stone thrown in a lake, the ripples of an individual ‘wow’ moment spreads.  We see this in the gospel stories over the last few weeks.  So, as we journey towards Easter I pray it’s something that we not only notice but we actively look out for, pray for and act on.  With this in mind, the next few weeks go like this…

Sunday 12th March          Journeying with mountain tops and       shadows                    Luke 9:37-50

Sunday 19th March          Journeying with compassion                                                 Luke 13:31-35 (with communion)

Sunday 26th March          Journeying with vision                                                            Luke 9:51-62

Sunday 2nd April              Journeying with praise   (Palm Sunday café church)              Luke 19:28-44

Sunday 9th April               Journeying with joy         (Easter Sunday)                             Luke 24:1-12

Sunday 16th April             Journeying with Jesus                                                             Luke 24:13-35 (with communion)

It would be great if Easter week could be a bit of a journey for us to travel too from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.  If you have any ideas on this can you let me know.  I have a few thoughts that I’ll share by next week.  We are also hoping to put on a talk on the Tuesday and a film with popcorn on the Wednesday as well as a service on Good Friday, a café and some creative activities.

This week we have Beacon café, craft group, warm spaces, Steppingstones and bible studies continuing.  Do ask if you want to know more.  Look at the website too for our latest news at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org,uk

A little bit of good news…we will be providing some accessible cupboards in the building as we have been successful in receiving another £750 Warm Space funding.  Any ideas for other things then let me know! Thank God for all the ways he is supporting the work of the church here at Moortown.  Thanks for all you are bringing too, keep praying and giving into the vision that God has given us.

Trusting in God’s timing  

In Christ

Shelley     

Lunch Club – some terrific feedback from its members

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As part of the grant application process for Lunch Club Rachel Beedle asked members to show what difference it makes to their lives. This is what they said.

‘The company, it’s just a particularly pleasant experience’

‘Comradeship, entertainment, great and cheap lunches, physical activities’

‘Lunch club is one of the highlights of my week. It isn’t only the food which is always very good, it’s the good company of friends, the fun and interesting subjects we discuss. It’s just great, I just love being part of such a lovely group’

‘I like coming to Lunch Club for company and the nice lunch’

‘The Lunch club is excellent. Wonderful food served by volunteers. It is a place full of giving by the volunteers. I can’t praise it enough’

‘Lunch club is one of the highlights of my week, an opportunity to socialise, enjoy a meal with friends and learn new skills. Everyone is encouraged to participate at their own level, adaptations being thought about so that we can all join in. Without Rachel and the volunteers none of this would be possible’

‘Social interaction, exchanging of ideas, tips from others, stimulating activities, fun and games, quizzes to stimulate mental activity. Nourishing food. Opportunity to dress up and make new friends’

‘A nice day out, good company, laughter, a lovely lunch, fun, games. I like to see people and mix with people, it’s a friendly, safe place’

‘Friendship, humour, fellowship, good food’

‘I am in my late eightys and have no family. I don’t walk very well after a bad fall and without the friends I have made joining in MBC activities my life would be very lonely. I hate it when I have blank pages in my diary’

‘Very good meals. I appreciate the effort the cooks and kitchen team put into planning the meals. We have enjoyable games with the efforts of Rachel. We have good fellowship and chats’

‘I look forward to coming to Lunch Club to meet some lovely friends. We play dominoes, have a sing along and quizzes. A lovely warm meal is provided by the volunteers each week which is much appreciated by everyone.’

Well done Rachel and team – this is a wonderful ministry. 

How you can help the BMS Birthday Scheme

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MBC has been an overseas Mission supporting church from its beginning back in 1955. Over the years we, as the church, have sent out people to evangelistic, pastoral, medical and educational service in some of the least evangelised and /or most needy countries in the world. Among them some (Philomena Commons and Roger Robson) are still in membership today, and one couple, John and Sue Wilson, are still working in Pastoral and Youth Ministry in France after over 30 years.

Only a few members have been able to work overseas, but we all can support the work through informed prayer and giving.

This has been done by sending money regularly from the Church’s income and by faithful individuals giving regular or one-off donations. The number of these individuals has declined considerably in recent years. The church’s monthly donation to BMS has inevitably reduced as the effects of Covid and the divisions which happened in lockdown have led to a much smaller membership.

However, the one source of funding which has risen is the BIRTHDAY SCHEME.

This is a very simple idea which we all can take part in because we ALL HAVE BIRTHDAYS ONCE A YEAR!! In fact we encourage folk to reveal the fact in our Sunday services, and reward them with chocolate and a chorus of “Happy Birthday”.

If you join the Birthday Scheme you will receive a Birthday Card, news of BMS’ work, and an envelope/or other methods of making YOUR ANNUAL GIFT TO BMS. You’ll also receive Engage magazine 3 times a year through the post.

All you have to do is give your address and Birthday (NOT your age!) to Roger Robson in church or on 07929100598 or at roger.robson1@ntlworld.com

This is a simple way of making a serious commitment to support the work of the church worldwide and as your response to Jesus’ “ Great Commission” in Matthew 28 v18 – 20 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”

A birthday response, thanking God for another year and being thanked by countless people around God’s world.

Besides our Sunday morning services MBC is now providing two Warm Spaces a week as our Craft Group joins Beacon Cafe in bringing comfort, warmth and cheer

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In conjuction with the Lord’s Pantry – MBC’s stock of food and other essentials that are always available for people who may need them  – we have now been able to open another of our projects, that’s our Thursday afternoon Craft Group as a Warm Space. 

Headed up by Karen Ross and her team this is two hours set aside for people to join us and enjoy a warming cuppa, to sit and chat and who knows maybe even do a bit of crafting. 

Fairtrade Fortnight Monday 27th February to Sunday 12th March

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Over the current fortnight look out for the Fairtrade logo on items in your weekly shop -from coffee & tea to chocolate, flowers, bananas, wine etc.

Our regular MBC Fairtrade stalls ceased more than 4 years ago and sadly Traidcraft – the Christian Fairtrade Pioneer- has ceased trading.

However, Fairtrade is still a vital source of income for many overseas producers and choosing to pay a little extra for a Fair trade product is a way of showing concern for those less privileged than ourselves.

Also this year will be a Fairtrade Café and Stalls on Saturday 11th March at Chapel Allerton Methodist Church Hall. 

All are welcome.

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