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Sunday August 29th – David’s focus. 1 Samuel Ch 17, verse 46

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This Sunday we reach the penultimate week our theme on David and Goliath and we will be looking at ‘The Right Focus.’
 
Join us in church from 10.30am for Sunday Café, which includes a Facebook stream at 10.45am hosted by Jan Fennell and then, with the addition of a live “sermon” we will watch our YouTube playlist which has kindly been put together by Adam Argyle.
 
If, however, you cannot make it to the building you can watch all this from the comfort of your home. The links you will need are Facebook live for the welcome and MBC’s YouTube playlist for the prerecorded material.

John Sturges funeral service, available to view here via the MBC YouTube channel

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John Sturges who died on Tuesday 27th July at the age of 81, was a Midlander who converted to being a Yorkshireman in the late 1960’s. Brought up in Birmingham John grew up in a Baptist Church and committed his life to Christ in his mid teens. He also met his future wife Alison in church.

From school John started work as an engineering apprentice and came to Leeds and MBC when he moved to Leeds University as a Metallurgist. He later worked at Leeds Metropolitan (now Beckett) University rising to be a Professor.

Here at MBC John was elected to the Diaconate in 1970 and served for 5 years. He played a notable part in putting the church’s finances on a secure footing and also in the reorganisation of the Sunday School into the Family Church system we are still familiar with. Alison played a leading role in Church Playgroups for pre-schoolers and also in Brownies and Cubs. They were an integral part of the church from the 1970’s onwards and faithful , loyal church members. Sadly Alison died early, ten years ago.

Both John’s professional and Christian interests were broad. As a materials scientist he produced numerous papers and books and was a respected teacher. Latterly he became very involved in issues of sustainability and climate change. In fact on this website you can find a series of articles John wrote about that very subject.

In his late seventies John again served as a Deacon besides continuing to work academically and also volunteering as a counsellor at St Gemma’s Hospice. His long early morning walks were legendary among close friends.

John’s sudden and short illness leading to his death has shocked many and prevented him completing ongoing work. However, he spoke frequently of how blessed he was in life and of his confidence in his faith.

There have been many expressions of love and respect for John in the church. We uphold his daughter Julia, son David and their families before God at this sad time.

Roger Robson

John’s funeral service took place at Moortown Baptist Church  on Monday the 23rd of August and will be streamed live on the Moortown Baptist Church YouTube channel. 

Only a few weeks ago John recorded a series of prayers for our online Church at Home Service. Below you will find a link to the final part of that recording in which he concentrates his thoughts on Moortown Baptist Church.

Sunday August 22. Café Church… week four of our series based on the story of David and Goliath

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On line and in the building…

Once again we begin our Sunday worship at 10.45am from MBC with a live Facebook stream. You can connect to this either HERE or by going to facebook.com/moortownbaptistchurch

Following that those of us that are in church will switch over to MBC’s YouTube channel where together we will watch all our prerecorded material. For those of you viewing at home you can of course watch this where ever you are and when ever you like via the same link.

This week, part four of our look at one of the Old Testament’s best known stories, that of David and Goliath sets the scene for the next week’s finale in which any lingering doubts anyone has about the sword being mightier than the word of God are blown away.  

Safeguarding – connecting well. Session 2, 21 August.

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Just a quick reminder about our second Safeguarding training session which is happening this coming Saturday, the 21st August. It’s 10am for breakfast with a prompt start at 10.15 and anyone who didn’t attend the session on 7th August is invited to join us.
 
We had a lot of positive feedback from the first session and would encourage not just those of you who already volunteers here at MBC to come along but anyone and everyone who is keen to understand what being a “safe church” really means. 
 
If you are planning to attend (from start to finish – 2 hours tops) please could you let us know ASAP by dropping an email to admin@moortownbaptistchurch.onmicrosoft.com That way we’ll know roughly how many pastries to get. 

 

 

 

An update on the use of face masks now we’re in the building more

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In light of the Baptist Union’s most recent guidance we now require, not recommend or suggest but require that for any Service or event taking place inside Moortown Baptist Church anyone attending, unless exempt for proven clinical reasons to wear a face mask. This requirement applies to Sunday services, Lunch Club, Beacon Café, the Thursday Craft Group and Friday Bible Study.

In other words masks, not visors, as the BU say they are much less effective in preventing the spread of Covid-19 can only be removed inside MBC when a person is sitting down and at a safe distance from their neighbour. 

Sunday August 15th and much more

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It’s been great to see so many of you in the building and joining online on Facebook or YouTube with our Sunday get-togethers. On the 15th August, 22nd August and the 29th August we’ll have a playlist of worship put together by friends at MBC that continues our ‘David, after God’s own heart’ theme.  I still have some space if you would like to pray or share something for the 22nd  or 29th so do record something and let me know. If you don’t know what or how to do it or want to chat thoughts do get in touch with me.  I can always record you on my phone at church or somewhere convenient for you. To give you some ideas, I’m wondering if someone could say a prayer, read or take a couple of minutes to share some thoughts on the theme.  It would be great to have a few of these thoughts so try not to assume that you aren’t good enough or no one will want to hear you.  God speaks through all of us.  We can get it uploaded to the right place ready for Sunday.  We would ask if you could get it to me a couple of days before the Sunday as I will need to upload it and send it onto those who technically upload the playlist to youtube.  We are trying to make our playlists all age accessible as much as we can so different faces/thoughts really help. As a reminder, we are looking at 1 Samuel 17 and specifically…

15th August:  ‘the right weapon’

29th August: ‘the right power’

29th August: ‘the right focus’

You don’t need to feel too restricted by this.  Last week in the service we did some ‘praying around the world’ and focused on Afghanistan helped by Phil Commons so if you have a country you would like us all to focus on then let me know and we can do that together.  As we heard on Sunday from Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people”.

We’ll be having a get together in the church building and under the gazebo’s (thanks to those keeping the gazebo’s going for us, it really helps for those who don’t want to come inside).  The get togethers will be at 11am on Sunday 15th, 22nd and 29th August accompanied by individually wrapped breakfast pastries and drinks although do feel free to bring your own if you prefer.  There is paper and colouring things too or you may want to create something as the playlist is played.  There’ll be a facebook live at 10.45am and then the playlist will be played in church as well as being accessible wherever you are, on the Moortown Baptist Youtube channel.

Other things to let you know about…

‘Unlocked’ a movement/dance workshop led by myself will take place in the building 4pm-5pm this Sunday 15th August and at the same time on zoom.  All ages and abilities welcome.  Come and relax, be free and explore your own movement in a safe space.  Zoom details below…

Topic: Creative worship

Time: Aug 15, 2021 04:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84446897321?pwd=bHd3eXVjM0Nna0s4UUlSNkoxbjZNUT09

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA.

Meeting ID: 844 4689 7321

Passcode: 095314

If you are joining on zoom please arrive in the zoom room ten minutes before so that we can start on time.

Most of you will have heard the sad news of John Sturges death a couple of weeks ago.  We will miss him very much but we know he is in glory with Jesus who has guided Him all these years and he is not in pain anymore.  His funeral date has moved to Monday 23rd August at 9am in church.  There will be refreshments under the gazebo after the service. There will be no beacon café on that day.

The thanksgiving service for Irene and Wilf that was due to take place on the 11th September has now been moved to May 7th 2022 so that more people will be able to attend as requested by the family.

I do hope you are all ok.  If you are on holidays, at home or away we trust you are having a good rest.

Do keep in touch and let us know if we can support you with anything at this time or you want to enquire about anything at all.  Our next livestream service will be 5th September but we will have some live elements over the next few Sundays for those in the building so do come along if you can.  We continue to have new people join us each week so do look out for them!

In Christ

Shelley

7th and 8th of August. In church and/or on line, join us as we continue to put #graceandtruth into action

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Dear friends

I hope you are all doing ok.  I wanted to update you on a couple of things going on at MBC over the next couple of days.  It would be great to see you.

Saturday Safeguarding

Just a reminder that Saturday 7th August (tomorrow) we have the first of two sessions focused on being a safe church/relating well.  At 10 o clock there’ll be breakfast pastries and coffee in the Sanctuary and we’ll start the BU safeguarding training film at 10.15 with opportunities to share on what makes a safe/accessible church.  The film has been updated to include help to support people in a pandemic.  We are encouraging anyone to come along as the more people who see it, the better.  If you are already volunteering on any team or thinking about it,  it’s important that you see it.  If you are concerned in anyway about content or being unable to come into the building then do let me know.  If you are shielding it may be possible for you to access it at home.  We’ll let you know the date and time of the second session just as soon as we’ve  arranged it.

Sunday Service 8th August

We look forward to a fifty minute All Age service live in the building this week with live music, art and more, at 11am.  Nathan Dring will be continuing our theme about David when we creatively explore David and the right armour (1 Samuel 17 verses 12-19).  It will be livestreamed on our Youtube channel  from 11am onwards and before that there will be a Facebook live to say hello at 10.45am.  Bring your own drinks if you want them (we aren’t doing a café).  Spaces available outside under the gazebo or in the garden too.

See you all soon

Shelley 

 

Sunday 1st August: At home, on holiday or in church join us for a live Facebook stream, an exciting playlist and for those at MBC a café

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Dear friends

I write to you on a rainy day after a few weeks of gorgeous sunshine…well its good for the plants! I can’t believe its nearly a week since we had our first service in the church building and welcomed many of you to share communion and hear stories of God’s work in Paris from John and Sue Wilson. We had painting, prayers and singing with some of our musicians. This was followed by lunch and a cream tea in the sunshine.  John and Sue shared a verse that they felt was for Moortown Baptist Church at this time and I share it here again in case anyone missed it.

“Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.’ (Lamentations 3:21-24)

So following on from our current theme, we continue with being devoted but focus on someone in the bible known for His devotion in the Old Testament, David. We will look over the Summer at 1 Samuel 17.  You might want to read it in advance or follow up in groups through the Summer. So here’s what the next few weeks look like…

Sunday 1st August – Theme: David and the right place

Sunday café with drinks/cake provided by church from 10.30am -12 midday, including at 10.45 a live 15 minute Facebook stream direct from MBC! Both will be in the main church building and outside with tables and chairs. There’s no gazebo up at the moment as it blew down so bring your brolly if you want to sit outside. Our playlist which if possible we would everyone wherever you are to try and watch together will be on at 11am on the big screen in church and is available via this YouTube link. You don’t need to let us know if you are coming on this occasion; the building had been risk assessed and if it gets too full people will need to wait until others come out or sit outside. However, masks will need to be worn inside whilst you are walking around but can be taken off when you are sitting, eating or drinking.

Sunday 8th August – Theme: David and the right armour (verses 12-19)

All age Sunday Service 11am-12 in church and outside in the carpark, livestreamed.  It’s helpful if you leave a message with Shelley, ILT or Kate if you want to come.  ilt@moortownbaptistchurch.onmicrosoft.com shelley.dring@moortownbapstistchurch.onmicrosoft.com admin@moortownbaptistchurch.com 0113 2693750 (church office)

Sunday 15th August – Theme:  David and the right weapon (verses 33-38)

Youtube playlist and get together…more details to come next week

Sunday 22nd August – Theme:  David and the right power (verse 40)

…more details to come next week

Sunday 29th August – Theme: David and the right focus (verses 41-45)

…more details to come next week

I’ll be in touch next week with all those who have helped before in leading worship/speaking but also if you would like to help with any aspect do let me know.

Update on ILT email from last week

The ILT mentioned a ‘Relating Well’ course in their email sent out last Monday.  There have been some questions around this so here is some information to help clarify.

  • It’s the new Baptist Union Safeguarding training but its all about relating well with others.  Its engaging, accessible, up to date with covid support  (I’ve seen it myself) and includes all the necessary safeguarding information that you need when you volunteer with a church.
  • You may not help with any groups but we are encouraging all who are able to come along on a session as we think it’s really appropriate for MBC right now as it includes loads of helpful thoughts on being a safe church in general.
  • We’ll have breakfast pastries and coffee/tea available for you from 10am and the training will start at 10.15 so that we can finish by 12.15/30. 
  • There’s two identical sessions being run and you only need to do one of them – Saturday 7th August and Saturday 21st August 10-12.30.  Can you leave a message at admin@moortownbaptistchurch.onmicrosoft.com or on 0113 2693750 (church office) to book a session.
  • There will be space to raise questions and our safeguarding officers, some members of the ILT and staff will be there at each session. If questions cannot be answered on the day we will make sure we find out and get back to you.

Take care everyone and looking forward to seeing you soon

In Christ

Shelley

With Jesus front and centre a Service of grace and truth marks MBC’s reopening

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To be honest I don’t think MBC’s first day back in the building could have gone much better. Yes there were technical glitches, like the last minute switch from YouTube to Facebook for the live stream but as someone said “worse things happen at sea.”  But as for the weather, well it too could hardly have been better; a very acceptable 21 degrees Celsius made things very pleasant for the dozen or so who joined the 50 in church and the 25 online from the shade of our gazebos.

And it’s funny, although many might question my choice of adjective how coincidental it was that for the first time in a number of years John and Sue Wilson (our BMS Mission Partners in Paris) were with us ahead of an afternoon in which a further 60 to 70  supported our Romania Support Group’s annual cream tea fundraiser by tucking into scones, jam and of course cream.

The pictures you see in this post are a mix of screenshots taken from the live Facebook stream (this is available to watch 24/7 at facebook.com/moortownbaptistchurch as well as on the MBC YouTube channel) and some camera images kindly sent in by Phil Coates – hence the difference in quality.However, one thing that can’t be called into question is the spirit, the fellowship, the genuine feeling of grace and truth that radiated from 204 King Lane as once more, despite the trials and tribulations of the last 15 months Moortown Baptist Church came together and put Jesus front and centre.

Of course it wouldn’t be MBC or for that matter any other church if following a visit from friends serving overseas we didn’t make an appeal for your support for their ministry.

John and Sue have worked with BMS World Mission for more than 30 years, however, before that John himself was not only a member here at Moortown but between 1981 and 83 he was our first Youth Pastor.

The image you see to the left is the front cover of a BMS 24:7 Partners brochure which when opened up not only tells you more about them and the work they are currently doing in France but also includes a pre-paid return slip through which you can arrange to give a regular amount to support that work. You can also sign up online at www.bmsworldmission.org

If all that sounds a bit complicated an alternative is to speak with Roger Robson and he’ll help you set things up.

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