Dear friends,
We meet together again tomorrow at 11am in the building and online on our youtube channel for the final part of our walk-through Ezra/Nehemiah. It’s not the end of the story though, and we look forward to continuing to learn and reflect from the last few weeks as we move towards Advent. There will be a group for our younger friends during tomorrow’s service.
As we look to Advent, a time of preparation and expectation you’ll notice a few extra things happening in our church community. These include some things happening next weekend at MBC. Do have a look at the dates below and if you have any questions or you’d like to be involved in different ways do get in touch with the names person below, myself, one of the deacons or Lesley. Cards for Christmas are being printed so you can put them up in your home or give them to someone and they will be available by Wednesday but here is a look ahead for now..
Monday 27th November – Beacon warm welcome café 10-12 midday
Tuesday 28th November – Stepping Stones group for under 5’s and their parents and carers 10-11.30am
Tuesday 28th November afternoon house group in the church building– see Rod/Howard
Wednesday 29th November– lunch club – see Rachel Beadle for more information
Wednesday 29th November – 7.30pm house group in the building and online on zoom. See Ruth /Andy Berry or Shelley
Thursday 30th November – 2-4pm warm space and craft group – all welcome
Thursday 30th November 7- 9pm The Thursday night bible study in the building – see Gareth Gadd
Friday 1st December -No bible study this week with Carol and Robert Owen
Friday 1st December – House group – see Hilary/Jonathan Darling or Helen/Steve Olijnyk
Friday 1st December – Decorate the church for Christmas. 5-8pm All ages welcome for a short time or the whole session to help make the church look Christmassy
Saturday 2nd December – Carnival Christmas: 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Carols and songs with ‘Steel Crazy’ steel pan band, free entry including Christmas refreshments. If you can help with refreshments send Lesley a message at admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk or give us a call/text.
Sunday 3rd December – Café Church at 11-12 midday
Sunday 3rd December – 7-8pm Rock Solid groups for youth in the building
On the 9th December we’ll be showing the film Polar Express in church along with popcorn and hot chocolate. 6-8pm. If you can help with setting up refreshments and clearing away, see Claire Taylor or get in touch with Lesley.
Our ever-popular wreath making workshop will take place on the 16th of December 1-3pm in church, £8 per wreath. Make a note in your diary and book your place with Lesley.
Our all-age nativity service will be on the 17th December. Watch this space…
We’ll be joining together and inviting our community into an all-age Christingle service in candlelight on Christmas Eve afternoon at 4.30pm.
On Christmas Day we will have an all-age worship service together to celebrate Emmanuel, God with us. If you play an instrument or sing you’d be welcome to join in on that day to play the carols.
Do pray about all these events and services and bring your friends, family, neighbours along.
I’m sharing here a prayer from Liz Green, General Secretary for the Baptist Union. You may find it helpful to join in with at this time.
A Prayer for the Israeli and Palestinian People
Lord God,
It is with shock and horror we witness the devastating violence and loss of life in Israel-Palestine over recent days.
We come to you as the source of all comfort
asking that you send your Spirit to surround and uphold
all those who are grieving,
all those who are suffering,
all those in fear,
and all those in captivity.
May the arms of comfort and compassion, overwhelm the arms of war.
We come to you as the source of all peace
asking that you send your Spirit to
strengthen and uphold those pursuing an end to violence,
embolden those with a heart for truth and justice,
and amplify voices of wisdom and restraint.
May the light of peace and reconciliation, overwhelm the darkness of destruction.
We come to you as the source of all hope,
asking that you send your Spirit to bring about a future,
where neighbours embrace despite their differences,
where love conquers hate,
humility surpasses pride,
and where forgiveness is treasured as a fundamental strength.
May the hope of a day when weapons of conflict will be transformed into tools of reconciliation be realised soon,
so there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away. Amen
There are so many things to pray for, but one thing that has struck me this week was to pray for the Al-Alhi Baptist Hospital, reported to be the only functioning hospital in the north if Gaza and already hit by bombs during the current conflict. It is a Christian led hospital, supported by the Diocese of Jerusalem. If you would like to find out more about the hospital and ways if helping, have a look at the link below.
www.dioceseofnorwich.org/news/bishop-of-norwichs-ahli-hospital-appeal/
The Amos Trust also support the hospital and they are visiting different locations in the UK. They come to Leeds on the 5th December. Follow the link below Amos Trust Christmas Tour 2023
A couple of thoughts on Advent…
Find some helpful prayer resources for Advent at Advent Prayer 2023 – 24-7 Prayer International
Or find some Advent reflections/devotional to journey with at Advent Devotionals | Eden Advent Gifts | Eden.co.uk
Finally, it’s a tradition in Sweden that at the start of Advent, a star is placed to hang in a window representing the star of Bethlehem. It’s a symbol of light and hope in the darkness. Maybe we can all try and put one in our windows this advent to help us and those passing by too. We’ll have some paper out at out café church service in case you want to make your own.
In Christ
Shelley
Minister – Moortown Baptist Church