Another magnificent result to our 2023 Harvest Appeal… more carrier bags filled with everything on their wanted list than you could count and in cash terms just a pound or two short of £350. Collectively these will be donated to the two charities you see above – that Caring for Life and the Leeds North and West Food Bank.
Thank you.
Saturday 7th October 10-1.30pm Loss, grief, and bereavement course in the church building led by Care for the family www.careforthefamily.org.uk for all those who would like help to support others going through loss. Limited places available so please book in with Jane Coates or Lesley in the office.
Last week we brought you news of some major financial investments in MBC. They were a completely new sound unit which will not only make serving in but listening to the band an altogher more fulfilling experience. Two was to rip out the old single glazed windows in the Old Church Hall and replace them with new double glazed units. And three was to have new direction signs attached to our walls.
We’ll keep you up to speed with the other developments as they happen but beginning with the smallest above are two of the three direction signs we have alreay had fitted… the big one that looks out over the roundabout is still in production.
This major investment is not simply a flight of fancy for a small number of brilliant musicians, it is an investment in the future of MBC and our aim, with God’s help, to take Jesus way beyond our doors and deep into ther heart of our community.
Dear friends
Just a reminder that we are meeting again this morning at 11 in the building and online to start our new series on Ezra and Nehemiah from the bible. We’ll sing and pray too and there will be some activities for our younger friends.
Following the service we have our short get together about Christmas for anyone who has thoughts on what they would like to do or share. Feel free to bring a sandwich.
Rock Solid for our young people takes place in church 7-8pm tonight.
I have a list of the extra things that are happening over October and November that I will send out tomorrow. Do ask if there is anything you’d like to know about or you have thoughts about.
Last week was a very full week in the life of MBC church. We had the usual activities of Beacon café, stepping stones, bible studies and craft group but also a good church meeting to share some significant things being considered in the church. Thank you for your prayer and involvement in that. For those who have asked questions afterwards I am working my way through and will get back to you by this week. We will keep you updated on the new garden area, new windows and a new sound system across church. More news on how you can be involved soon but please talk to myself or a deacon if you have questions.
Many people joined for Wednesday worship too as they considered Gods promises. Good to remember in all that is happening that God is faithful. Do keep praying for those who are struggling or unwell at this time in our community and your visits to them I know are much appreciated. We also thank God for answered prayers.
Today is the last day to bring your harvest gifts for the foodbank and money for Caring for life as we will be distributing them this week. Geoff has already sent off much of the money given for Caring for life already so he may have an update for us soon. Thank you to all those who have contributed to this on Sunday and throughout the week.
See you soon
In Christ
Shelley
It’s not every Tuesday evening at the start of Autumn that a local church passes what some would describe as two monumental proposals… 1) new double glazed windows in the Old Church Hall, and 2) a complete new sound system in the sanctuary. Add on to that permission to install three new signs to show people exactly where we are and you will see just what a busy night it was.
The first, way overdue, was a plan to replace the very first windows that were introduced to Moortown way back in 1955. When we first opened what we call now the creche room (formally to those of over say 50 the Old Church Hall) was pretty much all we had. In fact that was where we held our Sunday Services. The second was a new all singing, all dancing sound system and control box which we are told can be controlled by an i.pad and will replace the one that has been up and running for more years than most of us can remember. The third, something that in more normal times would have had us all discussing design and layout etc. is simply this… three signs to show people who we are and what we stand for.
But why I hear some of you cry? Why spend all this money when we could give it away to people in greater need?
Well, we reckon that for a church delivering at least 52 Sunday services a year, plus toddlers, plus Beacon, plus Lunch Club, plus bible study and prayer groups, numerous funerals and “live” performances, plus craft groups etc. etc. it’s our duty to deliver not only God’s word but his compassion in the clearest way we can.
Strangely enough, although I’m sure the cynic would assume it’s coincidence these decisions were taken just five days before we begin our new theme and that’s about Ezra and Nehemiah and how God used these two visionaries and rulers to rebuild Jerusalam.
Following a brilliant presentaton from Nathan Dring and Andy Berry the “upgrade to the tech system” passed it’s test with flying colours even if Andy did have to explain “in ear monitors” and the reason for a “screened off drummer” in a bit more detail than Nathan spent unpacking some of the much more simple points.
Add on to all this MBC’s Warm Space agenda and sudden uptake in the Lord’s Pantry and our new contract with 3mobile and you will see pretty soon how and why we believe God is taking us down a particular path and that is outwards and much more into our community.
For the more reserved among us there’s no need to concern yourself about our reserves – these decisions were only taken following a thorough examination of all our finances.
As for the third proposal, the three signs, they do what it says on the tin… they simple signpost people to where we are.
If you were with us last Sunday you will have heard Nathan announce that next week, immediately following our morning Service we will be meeting together to listen to YOUR suggestions to make Christmas at MBC (2023) extra special.
To help he offered us all a simple 4 question paper asking not so much what we would like to see and take part in but what we can contribute.
So thinking caps on – there’s not long now.
If you didn’t get a sheet here are the questions.
This coming Tuesday evening, Sept 19th at 7.30pm there will be a Church Meeting both here in the building and on zoom. Zoom invitations will be sent out on the day so hold on for now.
These are important meetings – please do your best to attend.
Dear friends
Starting this Sunday 17th September to Sunday 24th September we are going to have our Harvest week! Usually we have a harvest festival and celebrate on one morning but this time we are going to take a whole week where you will be able to take part and respond. This will also give some of you time to get things if that helps.
We kick off on Sunday morning at 11am with our Harvest Festival in the church building and online. There will be two options of things to give..
If you have any queries just get in touch!
On Sunday we will be looking at the final part of our Transformation Toolkit from Galatians 6:7-10 but linking it with Harvest. We’ll be sharing some other ‘tools’ that we haven’t yet talked about but also it would be great to hear some of the things that help you. If you would like to share a story on this then get in touch with me, however small it may seem, it may help someone else. Last week we heard about simplicity, sometimes, so we can keep it simple, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less profound or helpful. There will be activities for our younger friends.
There are many missional charities encouraging us to think about the climate crisis at harvest time including the Baptist Missionary Society and World Vision. We will be sharing some of this through the week in our social media. If you have things you want to share in the week to others then do send it to Lesley for email or John for the website.
Harvest is also a time to be thankful. Psalm 100 verse 4 says “Come through His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise”. When we come to God this week we are encouraged to thank Him for who He is and all He has done, is doing and will do in the future. Coming close to God with thanksgiving as we pray means that our attention is first on Him and not straight on us. We recognise we are His children, the sheep of His pasture, it says in psalm 100.
Last week you may remember that there was a lot of news about what is coming up. We’ll send it out again but in the meantime a reminder that after the service on Sunday there will be a short get together about children’s sessions on Sunday’s, Rock solid begins again at 7-8 on Sunday evening, the church meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday and there’s a Wednesday Worship at 1.30pm on Wednesday 20 next week (come at 1pm if you want a tea or coffee) as well as all the usual stuff through the week.
In Christ
Shelley
Believe it or not it’s time for Andrea and Mark’s September Prayer Letter… you can see a high quality version of this by clicking HERE. Roger Robson, our BMS representative sent this through to me only a day or two ago beating my postman by a short head.
As usual the Prayer Letter is full of information about their life in hospital in Chad, in the middle of the Sahara Desert; the three page feature in ENGAGE – the BMS’ quarterly publication is far more official standing alongside some excellent features from all around the world.
As I said earlier my copy of ENGAGE is delivered by my postman whereas the Prayer Letter arrives by e-mail – do you get the link… both are free so sign up for both right now.
