News – Page 27 – Moortown Baptist Church

Another busy week at MBC

May 27, 2023 by John Sherbourne

Dear friends

This Sunday is known to many in the church as Pentecost Sunday, the day when we remember the Holy Spirit joining with the friends of Jesus in a powerful way as they sat together in an upper room. We’ll read about it in Acts 2 of the bible.

When I was younger, I knew the day as Whitsunday and mum and dad bought me and my sister a new dress each. The name Whitsuntide referred to an old medieval holiday, a time when those who were forced to work the land were allowed a time to rest, pause, to ‘catch their breath’. All of us at some time need a time to ‘catch our breath’. Interestingly, the Greek word for Spirit in the new testament part of the bible is ‘pneuma’, often translated as ‘breath’. Amongst all the ups and downs of life, lets take a moment to ask the ‘pneuma’, the breath of God, God with us, the comforter to refresh us again. Let’s remember to ‘take a breath’.

Week of 27^th May…

Sunday 27^th May. 11 o clock Pentecost Service with a group for our younger friends to creatively explore the theme together. Also on our Youtube channel.

Wednesday 31^st May. Beacon warm welcome café. The day has changed from Monday to Wednesday just for this week. 10-12 midday, all welcome, free drinks and breakfast snacks.

There’ll be no Stepping Stones under 5’s group or lunchclub this week (but do come to Wednesday beacon)

I’m not sure which house groups are running this week so if you go to one do ask those who lead it and, in the meantime, I’ll try and find out!

Thursday 1^st June. Warm welcome space and craft group 2-4pm. All welcome.

Sunday 4^th June. café church 11-12midday. This was due to be a service with the local charity ‘Caring for life’ but they are now joining us on a different day. I’ll keep you posted. We’ll still be having café church and we’ll be continuing with our Be transformed theme.

After the service there’s a get together for anyone who is part of the yellow badge prayer team on Sunday mornings or anyone who is interested in finding out what they do and if it might be something they might want to do too. It will be a short informal time to check on how you think it’s going, facilitated by Krys Gadd. Feel free to bring your lunch.

Rock Solid will meet 7-8pm in the church building.

In the future…

Saturday 8^th July 10.00am – 1.30 pm at MBC Self-Care/Wellbeing session

This is for church community including the Pastoral Care Team, Church staff, Seniors Team, befrienders, and anyone giving long term support to a partner or family member in any capacity. This is a relaxed session designed to help us intentionally look after ourselves emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. More information to come. See Jane Coates, Mandy Russell or myself for info.

Saturday 22^nd July. Prayer day including opportunities to join together online and in the building. This day is very much in the planning stages so do let Krys Gadd know if you have ideas.

Saturday 7^th October 10.00am – 1.30pm at MBC. Loss, Grief and Bereavement Awareness Course

This course will be facilitated by a Member of Staff from Care for The Family, a Christian Organisation www.careforthefamily.org.uk Those who might be interested in coming along include the Pastoral Care Team, MBC Leadership and Staff, Seniors Team, House group leaders and toddler group leaders or anyone in the church family who feels that this course would help them support others experiencing loss or grief. Booking a place is encouraged as places maybe limited. See Jane Coates or myself for info.

Church Meeting 7.30pm – 25th May in church and on Zoom

May 20, 2023 by John Sherbourne

Our next Church Meeting is being held at 7.30pm next Thursday the 25th of May both in church and on line.

A link to the Zoom broadcast will be sent out shortly.

Shelley’s update for w/e 21 May

May 20, 2023 by John Sherbourne

Dear friends

I want to thank you all those who came up to the church building and took part in the plant sale, the service on Sunday morning and youth on Sunday night. There is always a great deal of work and prayer behind the scenes to all these things. We put a few posts on social media and chatted to the midweek groups who are part of our wider community and now most of the plants have been taken to a good home and donations given. I am glad I got a few myself!

Tomorrow we meet at 11 for our service in the building online. We will be sharing communion. There is a separate group available for our younger friends during the talk, exploring the theme of hope and prayer visually. We are looking at how our minds are being transformed (Romans 12:2) over the next few weeks and last week looked at hope; the idea that part of having a renewed mind is that we can find hope in difficult times. This doesn’t mean we are always hopeful, but that there is hope for us to access and this renews our thoughts and how we live. We’ll have the same reading as last week from 1 Peter 1:1-12 and I’ll be continuing this theme with you.

All the usual groups are on this week apart from Thursday night ‘bible in 24 hours’ as it’s the church meeting at 7.30. Gareth will be in touch with this group to look at alternative times to get together. All welcome to the church meeting where there will be updates from deacons, myself and other areas of church life. God is guiding us as a church so do share if you have any pictures or words that might help us as we discern all this.

Our month of prayer continues. If you want to be reminded of themes for each day or to join the prayer whats app then do find more information here May Day launches MBC’s month of prayer – Moortown Baptist Church

Next week we meet at 11am again and see afresh what happened at Pentecost. We find another way that our minds are being renewed is to realise that God is faithful and the impossible seems possible.

We now have access to wifi in the sanctuary linked to our digital health hub project. More news on this on Thursday night. We still need to sort a guest password to make it easier to access but if you want wifi when you are in Beacon, craft group or church on Sundays then do ask Rachel or myself for the current password and we’ll put you in the right direction.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

1 Peter 1:1

In Christ

Shelley

MBC’s Plant Sale

May 13, 2023 by John Sherbourne

MBC’s Plant Sale once again gave us a hint of what in a perfect world our gardens may well look like.

Friends old and new and some folk paying their first visit to Moortown were soon at the tables and the cafe counter snapping up and sampling what we had on offer.

The proceeds of the afternoon were still being counted when this went to press so we’ll bring you the total as soon we can. However, this time it’s going to be a 50/50 split between Caring For Life, and the money we send to Romania to support the work they are currently doing with refugees.

Jenny Dixon and her team did a magnificent job; our thanks to you all.

Shelley’s weekly update

May 13, 2023 by John Sherbourne

Dear friends

It was great to see so many of you last week as we shared worship and lunch on the Coronation weekend. Thanks again to all who planned the activities and helped on the day. For those who missed it we do hope you are ok and if you want to see a few photographs you can find them on facebook and on the website at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk

Last Sunday we introduced a new series called Be transformed. It’s linked to Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at ways in which we can be transformed by Gods Spirit and journeying with Jesus. One of those ways is through God’s hope. We’ll be looking at hope tomorrow and on the 21^st May, both at 11am in the church building and on youtube. If you want to share about what gives you hope, even if its just a sentence or a picture then do feel free to share this Sunday or next Sunday. If you want to talk to me about it then get in touch. A separate group for our younger members will be available again on the 21^st May and the 28^th May during the service. Tomorrow there will be things for all to engage with.

On Sunday evening Rock Solid group for youth meet 7-8pm and then on Monday, Beacon warm space is back. This week at Beacon we welcome friends from Maecare who are going to be available for a chat and to let anyone who wants to know what is available in the community for our older friends.

All our other groups run as usual this week.

Reminder about the church meeting on 25^th May at 7.30pm.

The plant sale is on this afternoon 1-3 with all money raised going to help the link churches in Romania and Caring for Life Caring For Life | A Christian Charity

Two weeks ago Geoff, our treasurer shared about where the money goes when it is given to Moortown Baptist Church. If you missed this or want more information then do get in touch with him.

Our month of prayer continues.. if you want to join in and pray then have a look at May Day launches MBC’s month of prayer – Moortown Baptist Church Its not too late. Thanks to all who pray for others in church and in our wider communities. I am reminded again of 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.”

Pete Greig of the 24/7 prayer movement simply says

“The best bit of advice I ever received on prayer was this: Keep it simple, keep it real, keep it up”

In Christ

Shelley

Andrea and Mark bring us up to date

May 12, 2023 by John Sherbourne

0 423-Hotchkin.pdf (bmsworldmission.org)

Above you will find a link to a PDF showing the latest prayer letter from our BMS Mission partners Andrea and Mark Hotchkin.

As they share their news with us please keep them in your prayers.

Lunch Club hold their very own special coronation party

May 12, 2023 by John Sherbourne

Following on from MBC’s Big Lunch, Lunch Club soon followed on with their own Coronation celebration. Once again as Jean and Rachel show regal attire was the order of the day as members, staff and drivers tucked into a very special afternoon tea.

Anonymous donation pays for solar panels

May 9, 2023 by John Sherbourne

In 1955 the first part of a brand-new church, Moortown Baptist’s, officially opened its doors to the public. Following a long campaign of fundraising and prayer MBC took its place on the roundabout just where King Lane meets Stonegate Road. I say the first part because to the best of my knowledge only what used to be called the Church Hall, now it’s either the room where Stepping Stones meet or the creche room was complete; much more was to follow.

Well this last week, just days after its 68^th anniversary the Church Hall roof has been fitted out with solar panels. A large anonymous donation was earmarked for this project some time a go and now linked up to a number of high-capacity storage units MBC is, in terms of generating its own power well on the road to becoming self-sufficient.

With energy prices soaring the timing of this wonderful donation could not have been more fitting.

Thank you.

The Big Lunch in pictures

May 9, 2023May 8, 2023 by John Sherbourne

I recall Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953 with what to me are clear and quite distinct memories. In truth that’s probably not that accurate as in June 1953 I was 4 years of age – just a month older than the new Queen’s eldest child. What I do remember, though, is a story my dad used to tell for the rest of his long life and that was how on that day being the only TV owners on the street we invited all our family, neighbours and friends to join us as we gathered round this 12 inch bakelite box beaming what to me was magic into the corner of the room. Dad, sadly didn’t see much of it as he reckons that on June 2 he spent at least 3 hours either making rather posh ham sandwhiches or topping up tea cups whilst our guests had a whale of a time.

Last Saturday’s Coronation was very, very different. Wherever you chose to watch it the bakelite box is a thing of the past and has now been replaced with either a giant flat screen or from what I gather the vast majority of those of us under a certain age (not me) will have simply called it up on their digital watch, their mobile, their tablet or a laptop.

Whatever means of communication we used few can deny that those responsible for planning, staging and broadcasting Charles III coronation did a superb job.

As for the Coronation Concert the following evening, that to me was almost beyond description. Ranging from a community choir made of 300 amatuer singers from across the UK to (apparently) the much anticipated rebirth of pop idols Take That. OK so perhaps some of the variety and range was a bit full on but the technical wizardry was at times mesmerizing, in particulat the incredible use of drones.

Sandwiched in between was of course our Big Lunch. Nigh on 100 people, some seemingly determined to eat for a week came together with what little was left being hand delivered to a similar community event on the Lingfields.

Above – without the aid of either drones or lasars you can see a selection of pictures from the event which we hope you all enjoyed.

Running two marathons in three weeks ensures Shelley keeps MBC on the front foot

May 6, 2023May 6, 2023 by John Sherbourne

Dear friends

It feels like a full week.

I sat in the church building on Thursday, and I had a picture in my mind. As I watched people come in and out to vote, some coming to the warm space, some putting up union flags, people fixing on solar panels, people collecting food, putting out chairs, others making crafts, it felt like a lot was going on both physically and spiritually. Praying about it further, the picture that came into my mind was of many coloured threads weaving through from the carpark, through the rooms and down the corridors. I felt each represented a different aspect of life in the country. One thread I saw represented politics, another thread was monarchy, another thread service, another thread compassion. Although we often have many ‘threads’ running through the building, it felt that this week there was more ‘going on’. As we approach Coronation weekend, I am aware that there are many threads influencing our land, some we see and some we simply have a sense of. There are some Christian leaders reminding church again to pray for the land, for King Charles and all those with influence that they may know the truth of Jesus. We pray too for our communities as a church we agree together that we want to see God’s fair rule and reign. We can all pray in different ways, in words, pictures, movement. We pray that God’s kingdom will come, His will be done on earth as in heaven and that He will show us how to be church in this new season.

On Sunday we have an opportunity to come together and worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We’ll meet 11-12 for café church and then we have a coronation lunch together starting at 1pm. We have activities for our younger friends. Food has been arranged but if you want to bring some buns to share or something similar then do bring them on the day. Many times, Jesus shared a meal with friends and strangers so do come along on your own or bring friends, neighbours and family at 1pm.

We start a new series this Sunday. It follows on from our journeying with Jesus and the Ascension last week when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to be with us everywhere. The series is called Be transformed and looks at how the Holy Spirit transforms and renews us. This Sunday Romans 12:1-8 sets the scene.

On Sunday evening there will be Rock Solid for young people 7pm-8pm in the church building.

Other dates to remember…

Monday 8^th May – No beacon café today. Why not give someone a call or meet for coffee.

Tuesday 9^th May – Steppingstones for under 5’s and their carers 10-11.30. Tuesday afternoon house group in the church building.

Wednesday 10^th May – House groups online and in the church building at 7.30pm

(It’s Lunch Club ‘Coronation Special’ today too!)

Thursday 11^th May – 2-4pm drop in warm space in the music room, make crafts, have a coffee and cake

Thursday 11^th May – 7-9pm Bible in 24 hours bible study looking at the whole bible in the church building

Friday 12^th May – 10-11 bible study in the church building

Saturday 13^th May – 1-3pm Plant Sale with refreshments. Refresh your garden, brighten a windowsill, buy a gift and raise money for charity, in the church building.

Sunday 14^th May – Service 11-12pm Be transformed Part 2 looking at 1 Peter 1:1-12

Sunday is also the day of the first Leeds Marathon in years. In previous years, the Leeds half marathon route has passed Moortown Baptist Church but this year its a new route for a new race so it doesn’t come near to the church although it does include Otley Road so may affect those living nearer Lawnswood and Headingley. See rblm-route-map.jpg (4661×3208) (runforall.com)

Monday 15^th May – Warm welcome space/beacon café 10-12. We welcome visitors from MAEcare (Moor Allerton Elderly Care) available for a chat about some of the things that they have going on.

The month of prayer continues through May. Thanks to all who are joining in prayer somehow. Please see the website for topics each day. www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk If you want to join the prayer whats app there are QR codes on the pillars in church to help you join (do ask if that sounds a bit strange or you want help, we are all learning)

Next whole church meeting is 7.30pm on 25^th May in church and online. Agenda out soon. See the deacons or myself if you have something new to bring up.

Other things of interest…

This week the Solar panels and the battery were fitted. Thanks to all who helped with this.

Lunch club received funding to help them continue the great work they do. Thanks to all and pray for Rachel, those who serve and all who come along.

One of our members has asked me to share news about a sunset walk at Temple Newsam House to remember loved ones. It’s in association with St Gemma’s. I have attached a flyer.

You might want to check out Harrogate School of Theology & Mission – Excellent theological and biblical training open to all. (hstm.org.uk). I have been to a number of these in the past. There are visiting speakers and you get breakfast pastries and drinks. The next one is May 13^th where Bishop Rowan Williams will be speaking on ‘A contemplative life and urban mission’. Sometimes there’s a zoom option too. Click on the link or ask me for more information.

We look forward to seeing you over the weekend

In Christ

Shelley

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