Login

Avatar photoJohn Sherbourne

Advent 3. The pace quickens. Shelley’s update.

by

Dear friends

Katherine May says in her book ‘Wintering’ (not written from a Christian perspective) that communities of spiritual and religious gatherings are ‘awe- inspiring’, ‘elastic, stretching to take in all kinds of people, and bringing unexpected perspectives and insights. We need them now more than ever’.  They challenge us to not stick within tight circles.  This advent, as we move to Advent 3, over half way through our advent journey, we are thankful for the stretchiness of our community and those who provide hospitality, thought and welcome to those who find themselves part of it, even for a short time.

This Sunday we start at 11am for worship together with communion.  There will be a group for our younger friends, looking at Luke 2:8-20.  After the service a small group are going to carol sing at a local home for elderly people and then we have the wreath making workshop 3-5pm.  Rock Solid youth meet 7-8pm in the building.

Please see the website at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk for an update on activities and services.

A couple of things to highlight…

There is a Beacon café at 10-12 as usual on Monday 16th December and a Festive Beacon on 23rd December, when some of our friends from Leeds Jewish Housing association will be coming along and bringing Hannukah snacks along with our Christmas treats.

Next Sunday at 11am we have our all-age nativity service with carols/Christmas songs.  If you want a part, then do let me know, we’d love to have you.  We’ll also be seeing some of our stars from the toddler nativity last week.

No Rock Solid on the 22nd and 29th December and Beacon café takes a break too on the 30th December, back on the 6th January.  If you know someone who is struggling over Christmas do get in touch or let us know.  Food pantry is available if needed but we won’t be running an official session on 30th.

It will be lovely to join together at our All Age Christingle service on Christmas Eve 4.30pm to 5.15pm where there will be oranges with candles and sweets for all.. it’s always a special ‘pause’ moment before the big day and we often have many from our local community and their family and friends. Then we are together on Christmas Day at 10.30 for a short service designed for all ages as we celebrate Jesus on our advent journey together!

In Christ

Shelley

Stepping Stones Nativity… celebration and outreach at its very best!

by

I never can remember who coined the phrase “a picture paints a thousand words” but whoever it was, he or she, was oh so right. 

But if proof were needed these images taken at Sunday’s Stepping Stones Nativity certainly prove the point.

Massive thanks to Diane and all her team, to Rock Solid who played a starring role, to the people who served the refreshments and manned the tech desk – in fact to everyone who either contributed or attended.

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

Steel Crazy get our Christmas programme off to a flying start

by

What better way to begin our Christmas celebrations than by getting together and singing along to a steel band. And that’s precisely what eighty or so people did last Saturday afternoon when Steel Crazy, the group that our Senior’s Worker Rachel plays in visited MBC.

There’s a gallery of pictures below which, simply by clicking on any of the images you download or view.  

 

ENGAGE, the BMS World Mission magazine that reports on the work carried out by its staff and supporters in some of the world’s most troubled regions

by

Once again Engage, the Baptist Missionary Society’s magazine features story after story of the work its workers are “engaged” in across no end of countries.

Via contributions either by or about many of the society’s dedicated workforce we visit India, Thailand, Lebanon, Ukraine, Indonesia and Chad to read first hand about some of the enormous problems that many people of many faiths are facing.

As usual the magazine is accompanied by a prayer guide. In this issue the 24 page guide covers from January to April 2025, and like the magazine itself not only addresses the needs of BMS workers “in the field” but many of the behind the scenes supporters such as trustees, fund raisers, recruiters and the like.  

Of particular interest to us at Moortown Baptist Church is a piece in this issue, on page 19 and headed BMS community. This shows a picture of Mark Hotchkin who, along with his wife Andrea, are medical doctors working in Chad. 

The picture, which you can see below, was taken last year here at MBC and it’s good to know that as a result of an invitation we extended to two of our mission partners, our support for BMS is being featured not just on our website but throughout the entire Baptist community. 

You can sign up to receive your free copy of ENGAGE either through the post or online by speaking with our BMS rep Roger Robson. 

On their retirement tour, BMS missionaries John and Sue Wilson return to MBC; the place it all began over four decades ago.

by

In the 1980’s when young John Wilson started to bring his then girlfriend to MBC, the question on everyone’s lips wasn’t anything to do with grace, peace or even love but… what colour would Sue’s hair be this week. Would it, as Roger reminded us on Sunday afternoon be pink, or maybe even blue?

Anyway, to cut a long story short, more than forty years on from the start of that courtship, John and Sue were back at MBC this last weekend as the final stop on what today’s rock bands would call their retirement tour; a tour specifically mapped out to allow them to personally thank individuals and churches alike for their support. 

With almost a hundred people in the room, following tea and two or three wonderfully led worship songs, Roger  welcomed and introduced John and Sue. 

What followed was not only a fascinating account of many of the projects the couple had been involved in whilst living abroad, but based on Lamentations 3: verses 22 and 23 a brief look at how “the steadfast love of God never ceases,” about hope and about obedience to Jesus. 

It really was a joy to welcome John and Sue back to Moortown. As they now settle into retirement (in what ever form that takes) we hope and pray that their most recent visit won’t be the last we see of them.  

23 November, Shelley looks back on a busy week, and forward towards Christmas.

by

Dear friends

This Sunday is ‘Stir up Sunday’.  It’s a name associated with stirring up all the ingredients of a Christmas cake before the first Sunday of Advent.  However, the name ‘Stir up Sunday’ actually comes from a prayer that is often said in traditional churches on the Sunday before Advent.  The prayer goes like this..

“Stir up O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

In other words,

“Stir us up afresh to seek your will and play our part in bringing the fruit of good works, not because of us but because of you Jesus. Amen”

What would it look like to have our will ‘stirred up’ by Jesus to be more fruitful?  The ingredients of a Christmas cake need to be stirred up for the smells of the fruit and spices can be released and so that the ingredients can be moulded, shaped, and formed.  What is stirring us up lately?  How is this affecting us? Where is God in this?  

On Sunday, there will be time for all ages to consider this in our service at 11am in the building and on YouTube.  There will be a group where children can explore creatively together.  We’ll be continuing with looking at how the story of Ruth points to Jesus and focusing on Jesse who was ‘stirred up’ by God to respond.

In the afternoon at 4pm we welcome Sue and John Wilson over tea as we hear how God is moving in France and how they were stirred up to serve there for 36 years. All ages welcome.  Food and drink are included.  Rock Solid youth group are invited, and Sue and John are looking forward to meeting them so there will be no separate meeting in the evening.

Do come with your questions. 

Here’s what’s coming up in the week…

Monday 25th November 10am-12 Warm welcome space and beacon café.  Food pantry available.

Tuesday 26th November Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers, 10-11.30am

Tuesday afternoon there’s a house group in church.  See Howard Dews.

Tuesday evening 7.30-9pm Deacons and Shelley meeting in church

Wednesday 27th November Lunchclub for those registered and the volunteers.  See Rachel Beedle for more information. 

Wednesday 27th November 6.30pm PACT meeting in church (Policing and Community Together for Moortown ward)  All welcome.

Wednesday evening there’s house group at 7.30pm in church, see Ruth and Andy Berry.  Also, a house group with Diane Sunter.

Thursday 28th November is warm welcome space craft group 2-4pm in church.

Thursday evening there is a bible study with Gareth Gadd at 7pm in church

Friday 29th November there is a house group at 8pm in Adel, see Jonathan and Hilary Darling.

Friday morning at 10am there is a bible study in church.  See Shelley or Lesley if you are interested.

Saturday 30th November at 2pm Christmas Decorations go up in church!  If you would like to help, we’d love to see you.  We’ll be decorating the Christmas tree in café church on Sunday morning.

Sunday 1st December 11am Advent café church, all ages together with fruit, pastries, and drinks.  We start our advent theme ‘Down to earth’ and look creatively at John 1:1-14

Rock Solid youth meet 7-8pm in church

Extra Christmas dates in December…

Saturday 7th December at 1.30-3.30pm “Sing along Christmas carols and festive songs with Steel Crazy steel pan band, festive treats and a fun Christmas quiz.”

Sunday 8th December 11am Service together with children’s group and then at 3pm “Stepping Stones and friends” Christmas Nativity

Wednesday 11th December Christmas Wednesday worship,1.30pm -2pm in the music room with refreshments.

Sunday 15th December at 3pm “Creative wreath making workshop where you will learn how to make your own Christmas wreath to take home, materials and festive refreshments will be provided.  £10 each.  Please invite your friends.  Wreath making is pretty popular, and we provide both fresh foliage and bought decorations for you to use so please book in with Lesley.  For those who haven’t been before we walk through the steps with you so come along and try something new or build on your skills from last year. If you have a favourite pair of scissors/secateurs you may want to bring them along, but we will have some for you to use anyway.”

Sunday 22nd December 11am All age Nativity

Monday 23rd December 10-12 Festive Beacon

Tuesday 24th December afternoon Christmas Eve All Age Christingle at 4.30pm

Wednesday 25th December morning all age Christmas Day celebration at 10.30am

We’ll produce some little Christmas cards this week with some of the services/events on so you can invite others to come along!

Some new advent books to consider for the coming season…

Rediscovering the Magic of Christmas: An Advent Adventure from Genesis to Revelation – 15 Aug. 2024

by John Hayward (Author)

Women of the Nativity: An Advent and Christmas Journey in Nine Stories – 30 Aug. 2024

by Paula Gooder (Author)

Do Not Be Afraid: The Joy of Waiting in a Time of Fear: The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book 2024 – 19 Sept. 2024

by Rachel Mann (Author)

There are photographs on facebook and on our website showing some the events of last week including our interfaith Beacon and Mitzvah Day.  Do have a look on facebook or www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

In Christ

Shelley

The Painting Machine’s art sale combines appreciation of a fine talent with providing vital support for Parkinson’s UK

by

With more than 200 of his artworks on show, the late Ralph Bainbridge’s family really did him proud. 

As oils vide for space with water colours,  and powders and pastels jockeyed for position the eclectic mix of Ralph’s catalogue is truly staggering.

As far as subject matter was concerned, this too was incredible, ranging from a giant, three part city scape of London to a vase containing a single yellow tulip. 

The exhibition cum sale which was held here today (Saturday) at MBC raised several hundreds of pounds much of which Tricia and her family intend to donate to Parkinson’s UK.  

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Jane – Family, family and family

by
We are very privileged to belong to several families. We have our own nuclear family, our son and daughters, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, and several distant relatives. We love them dearly and keep in regular contact as much as possible, even though distance from Leeds can present challenges.
 
We also have our church family at MBC which has become a very significant part of our lives, and particularly very recently. Our Christian family at MBC has begun to feel like a real family. We have felt a deep ’ground swell’ of love developing in our fellowship, which has become almost tangible. One of our newer members calls me ‘sister. ‘There is a sense of a shared awareness of the needs within the congregation and a willingness to respond to those needs practically, prayerfully, with numerous methods of contact, and connection. There is a deep change that has been happening.
 
Then we have our China family. For many, many years we have had connections with key Research colleagues, men and women who are Leaders and senior members of several top Universities and Institutions, in Sichuan, Beijing, and Changchun. Through many years of regular contact, communication, support, visits to China, research exchange visits to Bradford and China, and their visits to our home, we have established a close connection- a family connection. We are regarded as family members, and we know many of them as family. When the news of my illness and surgery was shared with them, they immediately responded with messages of love, concern and even prayers. “Jane is a very important member of our AMRI family, and we are always with you.” When Phil returned from his most recent trip to China, he brought back with him a bag of Chinese medicine and many other personal gifts – tangible demonstrations of their love.
 
Over many years we have connected with some wonderful Christian individuals and families and have become involved with them, their challenges, successes, work and witness. It is a joy and a challenge to know so many people and to stay in connection. Family is about connection-real connection. I am so thankful that I am a part of these different families.
 
So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith. Galatians 6 v 10 GNT
 
A nighttime prayer
The peace of God be over me to shelter me.
Under me to uphold me.
About me to protect me.
Behind me to direct me
Ever with me to save me.
The peace of all peace be mine this night
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
 
Jane Coates.  November 2024

Shelley’s update for w/c Saturday 16 November

by

Dear friends

Here’s a reminder of whats going on this week and some dates to come.

Tomorrow, on Saturday 16th November there will be an Art Exhibition in church 11-3pm with refreshments, all welcome.  It’s called Ralph Bainbridge: The painting machine.  Click on this link for more details. 

The Painting Machine – art sale pays tribute to an extraordinary talent – Moortown Baptist Church

On Sunday 17th November we meet at 11am to share communion, sing, share and look at Ruth 4: 13-22.  There will be a group for our younger friends.  We look forward to hearing in the service about the recent visit to Romania from Bela and Jean.

Rock Solid for young people is on Sunday evening 7-8.00pm in church.

On Monday 18th November it’s Beacon warm welcome café. It’s the end of interfaith week and we have this week invited, along with the support of Simon from Leeds Jewish Housing Association, those from other faiths who meet in the local area to see if they would like to come and share a drink and food. We pray the space will be a welcoming space, where people can get to know each other.  It’s also Mitzvah day, a Jewish led day of social action so Simon has encouraged those Jewish friends he knows and works with to bring food for the café as an action on this day.  If you are free, do come along too as we show hospitality and offer spaces for people to come alongside each other.  We are currently in receipt of funding from the church Urabm Fund to support things like Beacon and craft group.  If you want to know more about the positives of places of welcome, the project they run, then click on the link here Your stories — Places of Welcome

On Tuesday, its Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers, 10-11.30am

Tuesday afternoon there’s a house group on church.  See Howard Dews.

On Wednesday, its lunchclub for those registered and the volunteers.  See Rachel Beedle for more information.  Wednesday evening there’s house group at 7.30pm, see Ruth and Andy Berry.

Thursday is warm welcome space craft group 2-4pm in church.

Thursday evening there is a bible study with Gareth Gadd at 7pm in church

Friday evening there is a house group at 8m in Adel, see Jonathan and Hilary Darling.

Friday morning at 10am its bible study.  See me or Lesley if you are interested.

On Sunday 24th November we have our service in the morning at 11am with a group for our younger friends.

At 4pm on the same day you are invited to come together to meet Sue and John Wilson, BMS missionaries from Paris. It’s designed with all ages in mind around tables with food and drink provided.   Sue and John are retiring from their work in Paris but are coming to share what God has been doing there over the years.  There will be chance to ask questions too so do come along with your questions for Sue and John.  Everyone welcome.

Meeting’s coming up…

Tuesday 26th November 7.30pm Deacons and Shelley meet in church

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Church AGM.  It will be a good time to thank God for all He has done in the year and to pray expectantly for the year ahead!

A little look to Advent and Christmas…

We’ll be producing some cards to give out about Christmas at MBC to help us share the good news of Jesus.  For now here’s some dates for your diary and chance to share with others

Sunday 1st December at 11am Advent café church

Saturday 7th December at 1.30-3.30pm, “Sing along Christmas carols and festive songs with Steel Crazy steel pan band, festive treats and a fun Christmas quiz.”

Sunday 8th December 3pm “Stepping Stones and friends” Christmas Nativity

Wednesday 11th December Christmas Wednesday worship,1.30pm -2pm in the music room with refreshments.

Sunday 15th December at 3pm “Creative wreath making workshop where you will learn how to make your own Christmas wreath to take home, materials and festive refreshments will be provided.  £10 each.  Please book in with Lesley so that we can provide the right number of wreaths and resources.  If you have a favourite pair of scissors/secateurs you may want to bring them along, but we will have some for you to use anyway!”

Sunday 22nd December 11am All age Nativity

Monday 23rd December Festive Beacon

Tuesday 24th December afternoon Christmas Eve All Age Christingle

Wednesday 25th December morning all age Christmas Day celebration

Do continue to check the website www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk or ask a deacon or Lesley in the office or Shelley about anything that is going on so we can point you in the right direction.  There are also information sheets in the foyer of church. 

I have also been asked to pass these onto you…

A job vacancy for a part time admin role with the Yorkshire Baptist Association (click on link)

Admin Job pack 22 October 2024

And a lecture at the Grammar School at 8pm on November 27th organised by the council of Christians and Jews entitled ‘Religion and the Future of Europe’.  Bishop Nick is regularly heard on Radio 2 and 4 and before he became Bishop he worked as a linguist at GCHQ. 

Bishop Nick to give annual Leeds Council of Christians and Jews lecture – Diocese of Leeds

“You have heard that it was said, ‘ Love your neighbour’ and Hate your enemy’.  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

Let us keep responding to Jesus radical call of love in all we do

In Christ

Shelley

.

Subscribe to the MBC Newsletter

Weekly news and stories about everything that is happening at Moortown Baptist Church

PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com