May 2024 – Page 2 – Moortown Baptist Church

Dear Friends

Half way through the bank holiday weekend for some… and we are pleased to be joining together tomorrow morning at café church where we share breakfast pastries, fruit, drinks and join in worship. We start at 11am for about an hour and it’s designed for all ages together. We’ll be looking at the story of Peter on the beach with Jesus in John 21:4-19.
We will be online on the YouTube channel @moortownbaptistchurch from 11am.

Coming up…

No youth group of beacon café on Sunday or Monday as the volunteers are having a break.

Everything starts again as usual on Tuesday with Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their Carers from 10-11.30am.

Tuesday house group in church in the afternoon, ask Lesley for more information.

Tuesday at 7.30pm Leadership meeting for deacons and Shelley in church.

Wednesday – lunch club – see Rachel Beedle or Lesley in the office for more information

Thursday – warm welcome space and craft group 2-4pm in church – see Karen Ross or Diane Sunter

Thursday 7pm bible study with Gareth Gadd

On Friday there is usually a bible study at 10am in church and a house group in the evening at 8pm in Adel. Talk to Shelley if you want more information, and she’ll point you to the right people.

Sunday 12^th May – service in church at 11am continuing the theme of Resurrection with a small group for our younger friends to explore the theme during the talk.

Please note this is the day of the Leeds Marathon when many will be running to raise money for some great causes. Thanks to those who support me in different ways. The Marathon route does not go past Moortown Baptist Church as it used to in the past, so it should not affect most of you in your usual route to church, however, it may affect some people coming from Horsforth, Cookridge or Adel, as it will go down Otley Road across the Ring Road and the top of King Lane.. you can check the route on the map below.. there is also an interactive map available here.. Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon – 12th May 2024 | Run For All | Run For All

In the evening at 7pm Rock Solid youth groups meet in church.

Wednesday 15^th May is Wednesday worship with the theme of Pentecost. 1.30pm in the music room for about half an hour.

Saturday 18^th May – It’s the plant sale! Come along from 1-3pm and enjoy a hot drink and a cake. Invite your friends. For more information talk to Lesley in the office or Jenny Dixon. Money raised goes to Moortown Furniture Store.

Sunday 19^th May – service in church at 11am continuing the theme of Resurrection and celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit. Including communion and a group for our younger friends to creatively explore the theme.

Rachel Beedle will be running a dementia awareness session after the service on this day for those who have missed it in the past and would like to go. 12.30pm in church.

In the evening, Rock Solid youth groups have a trip to Rock Mass, Halifax.

Thursday 6^th June Moortown Baptist Church is hosting the Local Care Partnership Learning Forum supporting children and young people. More information here. 9-12.30pm LCP Learning Forum – Children, Young People & Families – Events – Universe

Sunday 9^th June is our Baptism Service. Do come and support those from church who are stepping forward in baptism on that day. If you would like to be baptised, then do have a chat with me or get in touch with Lesley, and she will find a good time for us both to sit and have a chat together.

Saturday 22^nd June – Alternative Summer Solstice walk in Ilkley. A chance to walk, chat and pray. More information to come. See Krys Gadd.

Saturday 14^th September – Table Top sale in church in aid of the Sri Lankan women’s refuge in Sri Lanka. More details to come but any questions go to Lesley in the office or Krys Gadd.

If you have any questions or would like an informal chat about anything do get in touch with me or contact Lesley in the office and she will sort out a convenient time.

^“Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.” (John 21:12)

In Christ
Shelley

Shelley Dring
Minister

In the Old testament, David knew that God was compassionate and gracious, and he reflected this in acts of kindness towards others when he became King.

One example of this was that he went out of his way to be kind to Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul and the son of Jonathan. Mephibosheth was a young child when both his father and grandfather died at the Battle of Mount Gilboa. Hearing of their deaths, Mephibosheth’s nurse took him and fled in panic. (2 Samuel 4:4) In her haste, the child fell, or was dropped while fleeing.

After that, he was unable to walk. When he became King, David sought him out and we are told that Mephibosheth “ate at David’s table like one of the King’s sons” (2 Samuel 9 v 11).

Working with clients at St George’s Crypt I have grown to realise the truth that small acts of kindness and compassion can mean a lot to people, but just how much it means sometimes takes me by surprise. This week myself and my student treated a man in physiotherapy who has been homeless on and off for several years. Before leaving I supplied him with a back support which he really needed and which immediately alleviated his pain. To our surprise he burst into tears, overcome by relief and gratitude. The student and I just looked at one another in surprise.

I thought about the incident a lot on my way home, reminding myself again that acts of kindness however small are never wasted. Sir Richard Branson is quoted as saying “Giving people help to get back on their feet won’t change their past, but it could change their future.”

We will continue to work with this man whom God has placed in our path.

Lord, help us not to miss opportunities to be kind to others, and reflect Your compassion and care. Help us Lord to be sensitive to unspoken needs in others, and not to underestimate the depth of emotional pain.

Make us channels of your love for Jesus’ sake. Amen

Shelley – 4 May 2024

Psalm 145 v 8: The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion

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