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The blessing of the honeycomb – some thoughts from Gareth Gadd

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A couple of weeks ago our Sunday morning Bible reading was an account of Jesus appearing to the disciples. I was particularly drawn to Luke 24:42
 

THE BLESSING OF THE HONEYCOMB

Reading two versions of the Bible together, while following the reading I wondered why the honeycomb was missing from today’s reading. 

Luke 24:42  GNB  They gave him a piece of cooked fish, 

Luke 24:42  KJV  And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 

This is a message inspired by the Holy Spirit for Moortown Baptist Church on the blessing we may have missed.

The honeycomb is a beautiful symbol in Scripture – representing the sweetness, wisdom, and abundant provision found in God’s Word and presence (Psalm 19:10 and Proverbs 16:24). Just as honeycomb nourishes the body with its rich sweetness, God’s truth nourishes our souls, bringing healing, joy, and spiritual vitality. The honeycomb is also associated with enlightenment and renewed strength (1 Samuel 14:27).

Even when it seems like the honeycomb is missing from our daily experience, we can trust that God’s goodness and blessings remain ever-present.

Sometimes, life invites us to seek deeper, to appreciate the richness of His wisdom and love beyond what is immediately visible.

Let us embrace the sweetness of God’s promises, the wisdom that enlightens our path, and the abundant provision that sustains us. 

In every moment, God offers a spiritual feast-full of delight, renewal, and strength-to nourish our hearts and guide us toward a life of harmony and growth.

Remember, the true honeycomb of life is found in God’s enduring presence and the richness of His Word, always available to uplift and inspire us. (Proverbs 5:3 and Song of Solomon 4:11)

Gareth Gadd 

“Share and share a like.” Via email, WhatsApp, Facebook etc. help MBC expand its outreach

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Share and share a like

Did you know that each week, with your help Shelley’s Message, the MBC Newsletter, our live YouTube broadcasts and the numerous Facebook feeds we use, have the wherewithal to reach  literally thousands more people than they currently do.

For example, take for instance the image you see above. Were it not  for us “sharing” a Facebook post and then supplying the YBA (The Yorkshire Baptist Association) with the raw material the wonderful Easter Day service we had here in church would have remained, even locally, our little secret. Then there’s the stories that we’ve recently begun to post on the Alwoodley Ward Residents Facebook page: almost 300 extra likes and/or shares for our Good Friday and Easter Day services.  

So, no matter what you think about social media – whether you  love it or loath it – the one thing you cannot deny is that it neither should not nor cannot be ignored.

You see unlike 2000 years ago when word of mouth and story telling were the order of the day, I believe that today it’s our responsibility to fully embrace today’s technology, and by that I mean that by what ever means possible promote the good news of Jesus.

And that’s why when the News Letter drops into your inbox, or you spot one of our posts on Facebook I urge you not simply to “like” it, but to share it. That way, if enough of us respond not only will MBC’s outreach agenda grow and grow but that old saying… “share and share a like” will take on a whole new meaning.  

  

He is risen! Easter Day at MBC celebrates two baptisms and welcomes a host of new members

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For Anne and Wei Wei (who you see above) April the 20th, 2025 will be a date they remember for the rest of their lives; for that was the day that in front of family, friends and a packed church they were baptised.

There’s a gallery of pictures below taken during the service which we thought you would appreciate seeing, oh and you can also watch it again, in full, on out YouTube channel.

But for everyone who was actually in the room, on the day, no end of still images or “action replays” will ever replace that wonderful feeling that Anne, Wei Wei and indeed the rest of us had knowing that on Resurrection Day 2025 the message of goodness, sacrifice, forgiveness and love that Jesus shared remains as vibrant and as relevant as it was all those years ago.

 

 

ENGAGE… BMS World Mission’s mag takes on a new look

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For those of you that have subscribed to BMS World Mission’s ENGAGE magazine for some time, you’ll immediately notice that the latest issue, number 62, has taken on a whole new look. That’s because it’s changed its format from A4 to what many think is a much more accessible A5.

In fact, accessibility alongside quality are the two things that in her Editorial welcome ENGAGE editor Laura Durrant says she “wanted to maintain.” 

And maintain them she has as once again the magazine travels the globe to report on mission projects both old, new, far and wide. 

Of particular interest to us here at Moortown is a piece on page 4 which under the headline REBUILDING A CHURCH IN THE DESERT tells of the progress made in Bardai, northern Chad, the place our BMS Mission partners the Hotchkins are based, following the damage caused by the catastrophic floods that hit the region in August 2024.  

The magazine and the accompanying Prayer Guide is available free of charge through the post via the BMS website bmsworldmission.org 

Good Friday… two services, one at MBC the other on the Alwoodley Village Green

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Following a short morning service here in church, a number of us moved just down the road to join in the afternoon Gathering to Witness on Alwoodley Green. 

The hundred or so somewhat eclectic congregation for this Good Friday get together was made up of clergy, members, parishioners, park goers and even a couple of dogs from churches and community faith groups right across LS17. 

Throughout the thirty minute service there were hymns, a worship song, meditations, readings, prayers and as a token of love the handing out of seed crosses.  

There’s a gallery of pictures taken at the Gathering in the gallery above. To view them simply click on any of the images. 

A special evening of worship and prayer

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Last Wednesday, mid way through Holy Week we held a special evening of Worship and Prayer.

It was a time, a space, with no boundaries.

It was a time and space to be, to sing, to pray, to draw, to write or simply to think.

Shelley’s Easter message

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Dear friends

The church began this last week with MBC’s joyful 70th birthday celebrations, thanks again to all who helped and came, and then we moved into Palm Sunday’s café church gathering.  We were reminded again of the radical love and humility of Jesus who chose to enter Jerusalem on a young donkey.  Jesus actions were the same as his words. The one who said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all’ (Mark 9:35) was the one who washed his disciple’s feet. So many more things happened in the last week of Jesus life.  I wonder what stands out to you, to us, whether it be your first holy week or something you have been part of for many years?  On Wednesday, and again here in church we were able to share some of this, but I encourage you to find opportunities to share and pray and make a note. And then yesterday we joined in a truly ecumenical, outdoor service in which many if not all the churches and faith groups in LS17 took part.

So, here’s what’s coming up for the rest of Easter..

Sunday 20th April 11am All Age Easter Sunday celebration with baptisms, refreshments, and Easter egg hunt after the service. Please pray for Anne and Wei Wei who will be baptised on Easter Day. 

(Rock Solid youth group has a break this week but is back the week after)

The week ahead

Monday 21st April No Beacon café today (back the week after)

Tuesday 22nd April Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their carers 10-11.30 in church.

Tuesday 22nd April House group in church in the afternoon.  See Lesley or Howard for more information.

Tuesday 22nd April 7.30pm in church Deacons meeting

Wednesday 23rd April Lunch club, see Rachel B

Wednesday 23rd April 1.30pm Easter Wednesday worship with communion, everyone welcome.

Wednesday 23rd April House groups and bible studies on in the evening.  See Andy or Ruth B for bible study in church or Diane S for the Wednesday house group.

Thursday 24th April 2-4pm Craft group welcome space in church, see Karen or Diane

Thursday 24th April 7pm bible study in church with Gareth G

Friday 25th April bible study in church 10-11.15 See Shelley for more details

Friday 25th April 8pm House group see Jonathan or Hilary D

Sunday 27th April 11am Easter Communion.. on the Emmaus Road Luke 24:13-35 with a group for younger ones.

You can still see King of Kings on Good Friday and on bank holiday Monday in selected cinemas.  It’s a film based on the novel by Charles Dickens and starring Kenneth Branagh, Pierce Brosnan and Uma Therman.  See the trailer here  https://youtu.be/HkGZ4ykhYPg 

What else is coming up?

Sunday May 4th 11am All Age Café church

The next church meeting is Tuesday 13th May 7.30pm including deacons’ elections.  A reminder that the last date to nominate a new deacon is Sunday 27th April.  Please email them to Lesley or post paper copies to Lesley’s office.

The plant sale takes place at MBC on Saturday 10th May! There will be an email going out about this next Tuesday.  In the meantime, can you put it into your diary as something to come to or maybe help at?  There will be opportunities for both.  The sale will start at 1pm on the day with set up during the morning.  If you have any boxes or big bags for people to put plants in can you please bring them to Lesley during the week or bring them to church on Sunday and put them in the music room and we will move them through. 

Worship and tech team Play Day on 17th May 10.30-2.30 in church.  This day is for anyone on the tech or worship teams to explore the new sound system and try things out together.  Details have been sent out.  If you are interested in finding out more about the teams or want to be involved, then get in touch with Andy B or myself.

Prayer and worship Day Saturday 7th June Save the date for now…

If you are aged around 11 to 35, have a heart for young people, parent/grandparent/carer, a group leader or want to pray and support them to be encouraged to live a life for Jesus then come along with us to the Send worship night at North church 7-9.30pm on 9th June.  Get Tickets – SEND Experience Night Leeds – North Church  Get your free ticket here, we hope to sort a group visit.  This will be a smaller gathering before a larger gathering at Leeds Arena on November 22nd 2025.

A hope filled Easter to you all

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Easter greetings from the Hungarian speaking church in Cserefalva

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Dear Howard
 
We wish you the blessing of our God for the 70th anniversary of the founding of your church. Let God bless and guide you in the future as He did before. 
 
Thank you very much for your kindness, for your support this year also. This will be a great help for our congregation. 
 
Please forward our greetings to the congregation for the anniversary at Easter. God bless you and the Easter celebration and the Anniversary.
From Reformed Church of Cserefalva.
 
Pastor Márton Előd
 
The picture above shows Pastor Előd with his wife Kinga

MBC’s 70th Anniversary kicks off with a barn dance

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Last Saturday, seventy years on from the service at South Parade that marked the formation of Moortown Baptist Church dozens of our current members came together to mark the occasion with a Barn Dance. 

With a band put together by John and Megan Hornby, and sustained by some wonderful food, our guests had a whale of a time celebrating this memorable milestone.

Sadly MBC stalwart and founder member Joan Baxter (nee Shaw) was away and couldn’t attend, however, Christine Blood, who records show initially transferred from Kings Lynn, was, and she is pictured above with two of our life-long attenders Rod Russell and Roger Robson.

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