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Month: December 2024

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Two posts joined as one

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Owing to us taking a Christmas break, this week we have two articles from Jane. The first is called Open Arms. 

When any of our family come to visit us, we normally rush from the house to the driveway to ‘welcome them with open arms.’ The grandchildren are often welcomed with a wide hug or picked up with a swirl around in the air-depending on their size of course. When each of the newborns arrived, we made sure that we visited, either hospital or home, and welcomed each one into our arms with great joy. It is a delight to welcome a new baby into the family.
 
For Simeon, his welcoming of the eight-day old infant Jesus, was a very significant event. It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen with his own eyes the Lord’s Messiah. ‘Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God.’ Luke 2 v 27-28
 
Simeon took the eight-day old baby into his arms, holding him with arms of love and welcome, and again by the Holy Spirit spoke powerful prophetic words, and words of blessing, over the child and Mary, His mother. Simeon praised His God and blessed the young family. “Lord,” he said, “now I can die content! For I have seen Him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Saviour you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and He will be the glory of your people Israel!” Joseph and Mary just stood there, marvelling at what was being said about Jesus.
Luke 2 v 29-33
 
For many individuals and families, 2024 has been a challenging year, but as we look forward to a new year, with whatever it may hold for us, we can be assured that God is faithful and that He holds us securely. He is our refuge, and He does not just hold us in His arms, but He carries us close to His heart.
 
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33 v 27
 
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart: He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40 v 10-11
 
Then Jesus placed a little child among them; and taking the child in his arms He said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming my Father who sent me!” Mark 9 v 36-37
 
And Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10 v 16
 
So, he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15 v 20
 

A Blessing
Bless all who worship You, from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same. Of Your goodness, give us; with Your love, inspire us, by Your spirit guide us; by Your power, protect us; in Your mercy receive us now and always. AMEN

(An Ancient Collect)

 
And the second is… Planting Peace
 
I am very poor at growing anything green. It might be seeds, houseplants, plants for the garden or vegetables. I can succeed with cress and hardy perennials such as lavender, but little else. My father was a member of a horticultural society, and we had a garden and a large allotment which we looked after every weekend, but I am afraid that I did not absorb his many gardening skills. But I am encouraged to be a planter of peace. Our world is a very troubled place and, in 2024 on our screens we have witnessed wars, disasters, heartaches, mental health crises in our young people and much more. So, as we enter a new year, may we endeavour to be planters of peace, whether we feel capable, skilled or woefully inadequate. May we offer love, joy, gentleness, along with peace, as we connect with others in our everyday. Help us to share the peace of the Prince of Peace.
A Prayer for Planting Peace
(In the style of the prayer of St Francis of Assisi)
By Lizzie Ojo Martens
 
Lord as I reflect on the challenges present within my community
As well as my own lived experience,
I ask that you make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is division, let me sow unity.
Where there is stigma, belonging.
Where there is unfamiliarity, awareness.
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Where there is silence or shame, light.
Where there is isolation, inclusion and companionship.
Where there is hopelessness, hope.
O Divine Counsellor, grant that I may not so much seek to be comforted, but to comfort others
And to speak, as to listen.
For it is in giving that we receive,
And it is in your presence that we find peace.
 
For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
    will never end. Isaiah 9 v 6-7 NLT
 
In John 14 v 27 Jesus offers His shalom’ peace. He ‘bequeaths’’ His peace. Just as a rich person would bequeath property or something valuable to someone else, the peace of Jesus is bequeathed to us Jesus offers wholeness, completeness, soundness of spirit, soul and body, and wellbeing. This is His gift to us. Let us share this gift.
 
SONG
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
 
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
 
Songwriters: Jill Jackson & Sy Miller
Let There Be Peace on Earth lyrics © Music Copyright Consultant Grp
 
Jane Coates,  23rd and 30th of December 2024.

ONE MORE SLEEP! MBC’s Christingle Service lights up the darkness

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At 4.30pm on Christmas Eve, and with four red candles casting flickering beams of hope, joy, peace and love our Advent wreath once again took centre stage. 

Before long, however, and one by one these symbols of the tenets of the Christian faith were joined by a hundred or so others as with great care an array of Christingles were lit. 

In recent years MBC’s Christingle Service has become not only one of our most loved and best supported events, but in terms of community outreach a shop window with which people for whom church is the exception rather than the norm can safely engage. 

Of course the following day, Christmas Day, we lit the wreath’s centre candle, the Jesus candle, which completed the Advent cycle.

But what we all need to remember now is that as one year makes way for another it is only by igniting or perhaps that ought to be reigniting our own flickering flames – those of hope, joy, peace and love that the true light of the world, Jesus, may shine through.  

To view our gallery simply click on any of the images. 

It’s Christmas, and MBC’s Nativity Service asks where would we all be without a little bit of chaos?

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With the exception of  certain elements that are set in stone i.e. a time of prayer, a bible reading and a talk, if anyone were to describe MBC’s 2024 Nativity Service as slick I’d say that to use the word “slick” in relation to the rest of the Service would be an overstatement of near biblical proportions.  

Let me explain, and please believe me when I say I’m not being deliberately critical. 

Just two minutes before the scheduled start time there was no narrator, or was it Joseph – luckily, which ever it was one was found. 

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there was no inn keeper to greet them – luckily one was found when Shelley was quick witted enough to dart across from the lectern to fill this small but vital role.

Then there was that precious moment that the angels appeared (one well over 5 foot tall, the other about half her size) which found the one with the dialogue, the small one, jumping up and down to reach the mic.

Finally, when at the very end of the Service we were all invited to stand and sing our closing song, our Worship Leader somewhat sheepishly announced that as he didn’t have another song, why don’t we reprise Hark the herald angels, the last one we did.

Immediately following the Service I heard one person muttering something along the lines of  “blimey, that was anything but reverent,” whilst no more than a couple of feet away and topping up his coffee cup another described what he had just seen as… “a blast, uplifting, joyous, inclusive, encouraging and full of truth.” 

Regarding how we tell the Christmas story, how we worship, far be it for me to cast an opinion one way or the other. But on Sunday morning, here at MBC, the one thought that stuck in my mind was what was it really like in Bethlehem  the night Jesus was born? Was  the stable cosy and warm, were there stars in the bright sky and were cattle lowing etc. etc. or was it more  like MBC’s Nativity – a much more down to earth affair shot through with its very own catalogue of chaos?

I’ll leave it to you to decide. 

Christmas greetings from the First Baptist Church, Cluj, Romania

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Dear brothers and sisters,
We wish you blessed holidays filled with peace and joy!
Thank you for all the support you have given this year for the various ministries of our church. We pray that God will reward you and bless the work you are doing in His service!
 
Through the support you have provided, you have helped us assist hundreds of people in difficulty by offering food packages and, in some special cases, financial aid. 
 
The Roma church in Florești has also been blessed by the support given to them, as have the young people of the church and many other people.
 
May God bless you!
 
”Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14
 
Below are some messages sent from the people MBC helps to support. 
 
Hello, my name is Filip Bogoșel, I am 19 years old, and I am studying Computer Science, first year. I’m still trying to adapt to the new lifestyle here in Cluj. I am a music lover and in my free time I like playing piano and guitar. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to study in Cluj and I thank you for your generosity!
 
Hi! My name is Paniță Estera. I’ll be 22 next month and my hometown is Slatina, which is a small town in the south of Romania, aproximately 350km from Cluj. I am a 3rd year dentistry student, at the Univesity of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca. I come from a family of 3, with a younger sister, who’s a preschool teacher since graduating highschool 3 years ago, and a younger brother, a preschooler, only 4 years old. My mom works as a pharmacy assistant and my dad delivers medicine. They’re hard-working, simple people, that made my going to college possible and I love with all my heart.

As for my life in Cluj, i’m glad to have made a few good friends that share my beliefs and to have found a church that preaches the Gospel truthfully. I’ve seen here people my age, that are trully dedicated and have a heart for prayer and serving others, that enjoy studying the Word of God and I am at happy to be able to join them. I hope to come to love God more in the next 3 years and a half i’ll be staying in Cluj. I know God has already blessed me so much and i am thankful that He does so in the most unexpected ways. I thank you too, for being being one of His blessings for me this year! I pray you’ll be blessed as well.

Hello,

My name is Samuel DELPHIN, I am from Haiti, and I am 29 years old. I am a first year PhD student at USAMV Cluj-Napoca. Since I arrived in Romania, God has sent me to the Church where I will grow in His Word and where I will feel welcomed. So, since 2022 I became a member of 1 Manastur Baptist Church and I try to involve myself as much as I can in the Lord’s work to Praise Him for all He has done in my life.

I would like to express my gratitude to you for the way you have thought of the young people of Manstastur Church through this scholarship. Thank you very much for this generous financial support which is crucial for me and which has helped me to realize how well the Lord cares for me and has never failed to respond to my needs.

Know that the word thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude to you! May the Lord bless you abundantly and be with you in all that you do.

Thank you so very muchand be blessed!

Samuel DELPHIN

Hello, my name is Izra FINFIN. I have been in Romania for one year, and I am a student at the Faculty of Automation and Computers.

I am a Christian and was baptized in 2022. The Maranatha Baptist Church is the ideal place for me to follow Jesus, our Savior.

Now, I want to sincerely thank you because your support is very helpful for me and for all the other students.

Thank you very much, and may God abundantly bless you.

Sincerely,

Izra FINFIN                                                                                                                      

Hi! I’m Ilinca Agheniței, a first-year computer science student studying in Cluj. I come from a small village in Northern Romania called Ipotești. Thank you so much for your kindness—it truly means a lot to me. May God bless you!

Hello, my name is Eva Agheniței. I am a second year student in Cluj, studying medicine. I come from Suceava, a city in Northern Romania, close to the Ukrainian border. The church I attend in Cluj, which I chose to attend during university, is Biserica Baptistă Mănăștur. I would like to kindly thank you for your surprise towards us. Your support is greatly appreciated by me and the other students. Merry Christmas.

 
 

MBC’s wreath making workshop turns out some wonderful creations

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Ok, so maybe we didn’t exactly deck the halls with boughs of holly, but few of the 50 or so people that were present at last Sunday’s wreath making workshop would deny that between 3pm and 5 we came very, very close. 

The creativity that each of our guests displayed was quite remarkable. There were wreaths with lights, and wreaths without; there were wreaths with baubles, bangles and beads and wreaths without; there were wreaths weighed down by pine cones, cinnamon sticks and what to me looked like slices of dried up tangerine, and of course there were some without. There was even one wreath that was decorated with strip after strip of cloth. In fact such was the contrast that the only thing this myriad display of eclecticism did have in common was that by the time they were finished what at five to three had started out as a simple 10 inch ring were swathed in enough greenery to cover my back garden.  

Away, don’t take my word for it, judge for yourself. There’s a gallery below which you can view by simply clicking on any one of the images. 

Oh and again, huge thanks to Shelley who owing to a last minute change of plan suddenly found herself leading the entire session, and of course to those who set up, swept up, washed up and served up refreshments.

If over the holiday period you’ve bought some new furniture, L&MFS will gladly collect your old stuff and give it away to people in need

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Currently, with its entire board of trustees now made up of members of Moortown Baptist Church, the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store is going through a period of change… something you’ll hear much more about in the near future. However, one thing that isn’t changing is the need that many people in our city have for some of the most basic items of furniture. 

For this home grown charity, 2025 will mark its 39th year of trading; almost 40 years of service to literally thousands of folk who for one reason or another are far less fortunate than us.

So, if you  have bought new furniture: a bed, a sofa, a dining table, chairs, a wardrobe etc. please call us on 0113 2739727 and we’ll be delighted to arrange a convenient collection time ahead of passing your donation on. 

Thank you.

MBC’s online newsletter takes a short break

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A bit like Santa, by the time Christmas actually arrives those of us that produce our weekly online newsletter are ready for a bit of a rest. That’s why next week, the time between Christmas and New Year although the church website WILL be updated there will be no newsletter. 

To those of you who already subscribe to the newsletter we say a huge thank you, and for those of you who don’t, well, you don’t know what you’re missing. 

If, however, you do fall into that second category, don’t worry. All you need to do to guarantee your own personal copy is to  sign up in the Subscription box that appears on our Home Page, that’s at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

After that you can leave the rest to us. 

Advent 4. Now it really is feeling Christmassy, Shelley’s update.

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Dear friends

We are looking forward to coming together for Advent 4, our nativity service on Sunday at 11am.  We look forward to some elements from the Stepping Stones nativity on the 8th December led by members of Rock Solid, MBC youth group as well as some additional characters.  If you have mentioned that you want to be in it you are in!  We need you! If you are in the nativity, please arrive between 10.15 and 10.30 so that we have time to put on costumes.  If you want to be in it , including non-speaking parts, just turn up at that time and we’ll put you in!

We’ll have a band to lead our carols that day.

Rock Solid take a break that night.

On Monday we have festive Beacon Café 10-12midday, do come along and share a Christmas snack. All ages welcome. We welcome friends from the Leeds Jewish Housing Association too who are bringing Channukah snacks. We’ll be giving out the completed festive hampers during the café too. Thanks to those who brought things and those who helped put them together last Monday afternoon. We’ll also have a ‘Christingle table’ where people have offered to help make Christingles.  If you want to come do join in to help.

On Christmas Eve we meet for our all-age candlelight Christingle service at 4.30-5.15.  Then on Christmas Day we meet at the slightly earlier time of 10.30am for about 45 mins/hour for a special all age Christmas Day service where we look back at Advent and forward in thanks at the birth of Jesus.

We meet again on Sunday 29th December at 11am where we continue the theme of Down to earth at our all-age service. 

Then its All-age café church on Sunday 5th January.  There will be no beacon or lunch club on the week beginning the 30th December so do look out for each other.

I have attached greetings from our friends in Romania and a thanks for your prayers and support. This also appears in a seperate post on our website.

I also pass on greetings from Michael and Elizabeth Caddick.  Michael was a minister at MBC and now lives in Cornwall.  Michael says.  

“We assure you of our love at this Christmas time and wish you every blessing in 2025”

There is an area of wall in church now near to the entrance where you can put up a Christmas card to the rest of the church family.  You can include a simple greeting or a prayer for Christmas or something you think would encourage people for now or the new year.  It will stay up until the 6th January.

Look out for the extra lights and greetings on the church building…thankyou

“You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14

Shelley

Merry Christmas… greetings from Florin and Dana Fodor

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Dear Friends, greetings!

In a world of uncertainty, our hope rests in the giver of peace and joy – Jesus. 

May our faith in Him keep us faithful. May your hearts be filled with joy during this Christmas season! Let us pray that we will have a bright 2015.

From Romania with gratitude and love.

Florin and Dana

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers. Perfect timing…

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Perfect Timing
 
Have you ever felt that you have just walked into the right place at the right time and met the right people? The timing feels to be perfect and precise, -as if it was always meant to be.
 
In the narrative of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2 I was challenged by the two elderly prophets, Simeon and Anna. Clearly, their arrival on the scene, just as the family arrived for Jesus’s dedication in the Temple at Jerusalem, was no happenstance. It was no coincidence or just good timing, because they were frequent attenders to the Temple Court. No. These two faithful worshippers were directed by the Holy Spirit to that very point, on that very day, at that very time, when Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus arrived in the Temple Court.
 
The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon and prompted by the Holy Spirit he came into the Temple enclosure at the perfectly planned, precise time. ‘Prompted by the Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple enclosure; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom required by the Law, Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed, praised, and thanked God’. Luke 2 v 27-28 AMP. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Simeon spoke prophetic words over the child, calling Jesus a Light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and God’s salvation. Simeon then addressed Mary with prophetic words. Simeon had been promised, again by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Simeon’s arrival, actions, and words at this point, were all directed by the Holy Spirit. He had waited many years for this precise moment in time.
 
Anna spent her days at the Temple serving and worshiping night and day, with fasting and prayers. But, at the precise time that Simeon was speaking with Joseph and Mary, she came along to that very spot, at that very time to the Temple enclosure. ‘She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she also began thanking God and telling everyone in Jerusalem who had been awaiting the coming of the Saviour that the Messiah had finally arrived’. Luke 2 v 38 TLB.
 
The Message version says, ‘At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.’ Anna sang an anthem of praise to God. Anna had waited patiently for many years for this precise moment in time.
 
Simeon and Anna were two faithful worshippers, filled with the Holy Spirit, waiting for the arrival of Messiah. The Holy Spirit prompted their attendance at the Temple when the timing was perfect. They had listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
 
The Holy Spirit will prompt us too, with His peace, and His Presence. We need to be patient as we wait for God’s perfect time. God is never in a hurry and though the waiting is hard we should not rush on ahead. There may be something that we have longed for, prayed for and we have become impatient and even discontented. But trust His timing. He knows the perfect time.
 
 From long ago no ear has heard and no eye has seen any God besides You, who works for those who wait for Him. You meet him who finds joy in doing what is right and good, who remembers You in Your ways. Isaiah 64 v 4-5NLV
 
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3 v 11
 
PRAY for God’s perfect timing and for patience in the waiting.
 
Jane Coates
16 December 2024

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