Dear friends
We meet tomorrow at 11am in the building and online as we look at The Church’s mission in Acts: Part 5 is the church on the move. The church became a ‘sent and sending’ church where new communities formed and we’ll look at what that meant both then and now. We’ll look at some of the new churches as examples including the Antioch church in Acts 13. We’ll share communion together and there will be a group for our younger friends to explore the theme together. There is a map that has kindly been produced in the Sanctuary. You can see Paul’s journey’s on there, but you might also see other things you recognise such as holiday destinations, places where letters were sent in the bible. We will have some little pieces of paper so that you can add your own thought or word or sentence or picture on the map if it reminds you of something.
In the evening Rock Solid youth meet at 7-8pm in the building. Thanks to all those leading and praying for our youth groups and families. If you are interested then do let me know.
The week ahead..
Monday 17th November 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome space and café in the building
Tuesday 18th November Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents and carers. See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.
Tuesday 18th November afternoon bible study in church. See Howard or check with Lesley
Wednesday 19th November Lunch club for those who attend and volunteers. Speak to Lesley for more information.
Wednesday 19th November 1.30pm Wednesday Worship for half an hour in music room. Everyone welcome
Wednesday 19th November 7.30pm Bible study in the church building. Speak to Ruth or Andy B or send a message to Lesley.
Wednesday 19th November House group with Diane, ask Lesley or Diane or mention it to Shelley for more information.
Thursday 20th November 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building. Do pop in and say hello. Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support as we are looking for helpers.
Thursday 20th November Bible study at 7pm, see Gareth G or ask Lesley.
Friday 21st November Bible Study at 10.00am – 11.15 in church. See Shelley for more information.
Friday 21st November House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O. Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.
Sunday 23rd November 11am Church service and a group for our younger friends. ‘The Church’s Mission in Acts’. Part 6: For every generation…the story continues
After church on Sunday 23rd the yellow badge prayer group will meet with Krys and Shelley in church for a catch up, learning and pray.
Next few weeks at MBC…
Monday 24th November Andrea and Mark Hodgkins visit Beacon café. They will arrive at about 11am for a coffee and chat. At midday when the café finishes, they will share about the work they have been doing in the last year as Baptist Missionary missionaries in Chad. A light lunch will be provided for all who attend so feel free to come at 12midday until 1 o clock for a ‘lunch and learn’ (or simply stay after Beacon). They will chat for a bit then there will be chance for questions during lunch. All welcome.
Tuesday 25th November Deacons meeting at 7.30pm in the building
Wednesday 26th November is the next Creative prayer art session with Krys and Cas in church at 7pm. Do come along even if you haven’t been before. Materials are provided or you can bring your own. Please talk to Krys if you have questions. Also, the yellow badge prayer team will meet on the 23rd after church too, more information to come.
Around the city…
Tuesday 18th November ‘An evening with Rev John Swales MBE of Lighthouse Church ‘What does it look like to follow Jesus in a world of climate breakdown and fractured society. Prayer stations will offer space for lament and hope. In the chapel at Trinity University Horsforth Campus Creation Groans : Christ Calls Tickets, Tue, Nov 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Advent and Christmas at MBC…
Firstly, thank you to those who have offered to do things at Christmas to help us share the love of Jesus at Christmas together and with our communities. We have mostly finalised the key services and events although there could be one or two more things added. We have a Christmas card being made with our key events on and you will be able to take one to pass on to someone else or to keep in the next two weeks.
Advent Sunday is 30th November where we will start our journey towards Christmas with the theme of ‘Small Wonder’ with an invitation for all to explore the wonder of the first Christmas. Following this we will have…
Friday 5th December.. Decorate the church at teatime ready for Christmas. If you can help, even for a short time then can you let Karen or myself know please?
Sunday 7th December ‘Christmas café church’ (Advent 2) 11-12 followed by a Christmas community café with live music and refreshments 12.45-2.45pm. Kevin Sinfield will be stopping at MBC at about 1.15/1.30pm on his final day of the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge 2025 raising money for those affected by Motor Neuron Disease. Please stay to cheer him in, join the Christmas café, invite some people along, then wave Kevin off as he runs onto Beckett Park University Campus to begin the Leeds Santa Dash. More information here by clicking this link Run For All launches Leeds Santa Dash as final leg of Kevin Sinfield’s 7in7: Together Challenge.
Wednesday 10th December Advent Wednesday Worship 1.30-2pm
Sunday 14th December starts with an 11 o clock service with communion (Advent 3). There will be an opportunity to sing carols in a local home for the elderly after the service (please bring your lunch if you want to eat in between the service and carol singing to keep your energy up!) Speak to Rachel B or Claire for more information. Thanks to those who bought Christmas cards and the craft group who wrote them all to give out at the carol singing.
Then at 3-5pm we’ll host a Wreath Making workshop in the Sanctuary. It’s £10 per wreath and everything is provided including natural and non-natural materials, Christmas refreshments and music. Younger children need to be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential, contact Lesley in the office admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk
Sunday 21st December is our all age nativity (Advent 4) 11-12 midday.
Monday 22nd December Christmas Beacon and warm welcome space with Christmas crafts and snacks for all ages from 10-12midday.
Wednesday 24th December at 4.30-5.15pm it’s the All Age Christingle Service
Thursday 25th December 10.30-11.30am All Age Christmas Day Service
If you would like to get involved by doing a reading, saying a prayer, welcoming, helping with refreshments do let myself or Lesley or one of the deacons know or Karen if it’s about refreshments. You don’t need to be in a team yet, just come and have a chat. Or of you aren’t sure have a chat anyway, we’d love to involve you somehow. We pray we can shine the light of Jesus this Christmas in our community and beyond. We’ll want people to join in the nativity too nearer the time.
Some people want to put together some hampers again to give to those who use the food pantry at Christmas and to those who would appreciate a hamper who we hear about over the Christmas season. We are looking at Christmas themed snacks and food, new woolly socks and hats, shower gel. A few children gifts such as stationary, pens. Please place them under the tree on 7th December.
Do check out the website and face book page to see what’s been going on this week and what’s coming up! If you want to help out in this area of publicity, then do let me know. Thankyou www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Col 4:5)
In Christ
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister
Moortown Baptist Church