News – Page 6 – Moortown Baptist Church

As MBC approaches its 70th anniversary, we invite you to step back in time and relive our first 50 years

April 11, 2025April 9, 2025 by John Sherbourne

On April 22 1955, at a service held at South Parade Baptist Church in Headingly, forty nine Foundation Members became Moortown Baptist Church.

Fifty years on, and to mark that golden milestone Roger Robson, who in 1955 was just ten years of age researched, wrote and published a compelling account of the first five decades of MBC’s life.

Printed in book form, and also copied to a CD Roger’s work chronicles the comings and goings of five ministers, innumerable officers and deacons plus many of the local, national and overseas projects that MBC had either launched or was heavily involved in.

Below there’s a very short extract from Roger’s book, which we hope will whet your appetite. If it does you can continue reading the entire book by clicking on this LINK.

Barn Dance… never a church to miss out on a celebration, to mark the church’s 70th Anniversary we’re holding a Barn Dance in the building starting at 7pm on Saturday 12th of April. Tickets are free and are available from Shelley, Lesley, Karen or Rachel. So do come along.

I leave you with a quote from that Foundation Service in 1955, when the brand new church was reminded “You are Christ’s Church; you belong to Him; you are not just a voluntary human association, responsible to yourselves alone… What kind of church Moortown is in the future depends on what you are now; how you worship, work and live”.

Shelley’s message highlights the lead up and the celebration of Easter 2025

April 4, 2025 by John Sherbourne

Dear friends

This Sunday at 11am we welcome John Wilson, who served with BMS for 36 years in France, to share with us from Luke 9:51-10:3 and we continue to look at the disciples and the cost of following. There will be a group for our younger friends during the service.

Sunday 13^th April 11am is Palm Sunday all age café church (café church is on the 2^nd Sunday just this month) looking at Luke 19:28-40

Sunday 20^th April 11am Easter Sunday celebration with baptisms, cake and refreshments and Easter egg hunt after the service.

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

Sunday May 4^th all age Café church

Next week

Sunday 6th April 7-8pm Rock solid youth social with pizza

Monday 7th April Beacon warm welcome café 10-12 in the building

(No stepping stones for two weeks)

Tuesday 8th April Tuesday afternoon house group, see Howard Dews.

Wednesday 9th April 1.45pm until 4pm in the music room ‘Calamity Jane’ film with refreshments, All ages welcome. No lunch club today.

Wednesday 9th April the House group who meet in church are having a social at Shelley and Nathan’s house. Talk to Ruth or Andy Berry or Lesley for more information.

Thursday 10th April 2-4pm in church Warm welcome craft group. All welcome, no previous experience necessary but you may also come with your own projects to do or share.

For the other Wednesday night housegroup contact Diane S and for Friday night contact Jonathan or Hilary darling.

The next deacons meeting is the 22nd April at 7.30pm in church. The next church meeting is Tuesday 13th May 7.30pm including deacons elections.

Easter

Please pick up your Easter cards this Sunday to hand out and keep.

No youth group meeting on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday

A special Easter beacon café will be held on 14^th April, 10-11.30 with Easter crafts and snacks! All ages welcome. Beacon has a break on April 21^st.

Wednesday 16^th April Easter worship and prayer in church 7.30-9pm. Some songs to start, time to pray, draw, write, film in your thoughts in a book you can take away about Easter.

Thursday 17th April 2-4pm in church Warm welcome craft group. All welcome, no previous experience necessary but you may also come with your own projects to do or share.

Friday 18^th April 10-11am Good Friday service and reflection in church

Friday 18^th April 2.30pm join with other churches on Alwoodley Green on King Lane for a Good Friday outdoor service (opposite the little Tesco). Feel free to bring a chair and grab a drink. The craft group have kindly been making ‘seed crosses’ that we can give out on the afternoon to help people remember the story of new life in Jesus at Easter.

Sunday 20^th 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.

Wednesday 23^rd April 1.30pm Easter Wednesday worship with communion. (There will be lunch club this day too but anyone can come, even if you are in Lunch Club beforehand).

70 years of MBC

Saturday 12^th April Birthday barn dance for all ages in church 7pm with live music and a meal. Everyone welcome. Put it in your diary, bring people along. Collect free tickets from Lesley, myself, Karen or Rachel. If you lead a group and know that you have people in the group who want to come, do collect some tickets to give out and let us know the number of tickets taken please.

Tickets are going! If you know you want to come please come and get a ticket. You don’t need to be able to dance, just come along and spend some time together. All friends, family welcome! Tickets are free and includes a meal.

The nearest Sunday to the official ‘beginning’ of MBC is Easter Sunday so we will have extra cake on that day and will thank God for all He has done, what He is doing and what He wants to do as well as for the family of God here in Moortown.

If you have anything that relates to when the church began do pass it on and we’ll share them over Easter.

Have a look on the website to find out the first 50 years here… thanks John S for putting this up.. https://moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk/with-a-barn-dance-beckoning-and-with-mbc-approaching-its-70th-anniversary-we-invite-you-to-step-back-in-time-and-relive-our-first-50-years/

A Thankyou..,

Over £500 was given at the funeral and celebration of life of Gillian at MBC a few weeks ago. David and family would like to say thankyou.

Thanks to those who have been working on the garden and carpark this week in the sunny weather. If anyone wants to help with this do let us know. A reminder that the well loved community plant sale takes place at MBC on 10th May! Talk to Jenny D or Lesley in the office for more information.

Last few things for now…

If you are aged around 11 to 35, have a heart for young people, parent/grandparent/carer, lead them or simply want to pray for them to be encouraged by Jesus and be empowered to share, then on 8th May in the evening at North church there will be a hub night to pray for exactly this! There are hub nights happening all over England, Scotland, wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland over the next few months and this is our nearest. More information to come.

I am having a couple of days off but will be around from next Tuesday afternoon on our journey towards Easter.

Isaiah 61:11 – For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

In Christ

Shelley

Jane Coates – 2 for 1 – Thoughts and Prayers, The Hidden Person of the Heart and Grow your Gift

April 4, 2025March 25, 2025 by Jane Coates

The hidden person of the heart

I am reading through 1 Peter, and in chapter 3 Peter gives his advice to women and men, wives and husbands, about the importance of ‘the hidden person of the heart’ as opposed to concerns about physical appearance and the images that we project to others and to the world. I was rather amused as Peter spoke about the weaving and braiding of the hair, our public image, and being superficially preoccupied with our appearance. It was very early on in my cancer treatment that I chose to have my hair shaved, as the hair loss due to the chemo drugs was an inevitable consequence. But I was prepared for this with the wigs! I have four different wigs and so I can change my image daily if I wish. The short red wig has earned me the name of ‘Rock Chick’ which could not be further from the truth as far as my character and personality are concerned.

Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewellery, or being superficially preoccupied with dressing in expensive clothes; but let it be the inner beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3 v 3-4 AMP

Today, we are told, people are image conscious, guard their self-image, attempt to project a new image through their appearance, speech, behaviour and attitude, and are often over concerned about their body image. Our identity and self-image are extremely important but there is the great danger that the image that we choose to project may become a mask. We need to have a ‘vulnerable trust’ in other people so that we allow them to see the real person that we are. It is good to be open about our weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and struggles and to allow others to see the person inside, but-in a safe way. We also need someone who knows the complete truth! We need that person, friend, confidante or partner with whom we feel safe enough to be honest about ourselves and who we allow to see that ‘hidden person of the heart.’ Phil has walked the cancer journey with me and knows the truth about the hair-and much more besides! The returning hair is grey, thin, curly, untamed and unattractive!

For all of us, there is One person to whom we can safely show the’ real’ person both inside and out and that is Jesus. He knows us anyway and is working to change us into His image. He wants us to be walking billboards, advertisements for Him, and so He is changing us little by little so that we are transformed into His image, His likeness and character. His priority is ‘the hidden person of the heart’ and our spiritual maturity.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3 v 17, 18 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8 v 28-30 KJV

Pray this for our coming week. Sabbath Blessing by Pete Greig.

May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart and my home.

May God’s image in me be restored and my imagination in God the re storied. May the gravity of material things be lightened and the relativity of time slow down. May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness. May God’s word feed me, and His spirit lead me into the week and into the life to come.

Amen

PLUS – Grow your Gift

We are Legal Guardians and Trustees for a grandson, and we manage the assets and money that were set aside for him many years ago. Everything that we do as Trustees is done for him, and in his, the beneficiary’s, best interests. We safeguard those interests and assets, and we cannot benefit from them in any way ourselves. As Trustees, there are many responsibilities, but everything that we need to do, prioritizes his needs and welfare. So, it was with interest that I read the following verse in 1 Peter declaring that we are trustees of God’s multi-faceted grace and a steward of His gifts.

As each of you has received a gift, a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment, employ it for one another as befits good trustees of God’s many-sided grace, faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favour. 1 Peter v 10 AMP

This verse is so rich in meaning. First, it declares that we each have been given a talent, a specific gift, a spiritual gift, a gracious endowment, that is to be used for the benefit of others. Our Father God has a whole range of wonderful gifts and graces that He grants to believers through His unmerited favour and love. There is no exception. You are gifted and graced with something that He wishes you to use for the benefit of all. It is something that is special to you.

Secondly, we are trustees and faithful stewards of His grace and of the gift, or gifts, that we have been given. I am a trustee of His grace and so my priority is to look beyond myself and outwards towards the other. The needs and welfare of others, and especially those of the household of faith, should be my first consideration even though this may be costly at times. In a simpler translation it says, “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. NLT

If you are not sure as to what your special gift or grace is, then ask a close friend. They will have recognized It, if they know you well. Do not be embarrassed to ask them. We are talking about gifts-something ‘given. Your special gifts and grace are needed in your family, your fellowship, and your community. It is a gift that you have received and so do not hide it away. ‘Grow your gift’ and in this way God’s kingdom will also grow.

PRAY

Father, You are blending us together, for your purpose. Everyone is needed, everyone valued, everyone gifted, everyone included. Help us to recognize the gifts in each other.

Amen

Jane Coates

March/April 2025

Shelley… the next few weeks, MBC’s 70th birthday and of course Easter

March 25, 2025 by John Sherbourne

Dear friends

It was good to come together this last weekend. If you missed the Sunday service it is available on our YouTube channel, just type Moortown Baptist Church into YouTube. Thanks to the team that made this possible. Following on from Sunday, if you feel you want to talk about baptism, membership or anything else at MBC do get in touch with me or a deacon.

Prayer

There are a number of opportunities for focused prayer across the UK right now. A couple of weeks ago we joined with Gather25, highlights are available here Watch the Gather25 Livestream. This Thursday 27^th March, Baptists Together are holding a day of prayer and fasting facilitated by the Fresh Streams team. There will be three focused online sessions throughout the day. Details are here The Baptist Union of Great Britain : Fresh Streams calls Baptists Together to a day of prayer and fasting It’s ‘a time to come together to seek God’s presence and power for mission, discipleship and renewal in our communities’.

Closer to home we have a lent prayer group on WhatsApp at 9pm Sunday, Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays, if you want to join the prayer for half an hour ask Mandy. Krys or Adam.

We are thankful for all of you who pray individually and in groups and with those who come through our doors whether it be Sundays or Mondays or Thursdays…

Some people at MBC have raised to our attention the day of prayer for the law on assisted dying on 25^th March 2025. If you want more information about what the day of prayer is about then have a look at National Day of Prayer against assisted suicide – Evangelical Alliance and https://care.org.uk/ There is an opportunity to join CARE online tomorrow and pray with others.

This week

There are house groups and bible studies on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday evening, Thursday evening, Friday morning and Friday evening. Wednesday evening bible study group in church is not meeting this week. Do get in touch with me, Lesley or group leaders for more information.

Monday 24^th March Beacon warm welcome café 10-12 in the building

Tuesday 25^th March 10-11.30 Stepping stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers.

Tuesday 25^th March is the church meeting at 7.30pm in the building. Agenda and papers already out. Contact Lesley in the office or admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk if you missed it. All are welcome to be part of it, voting for members. A zoom link will go out prior to the meeting for those who are unable to make it into the building but want to be involved.

Wednesday 26^th March lunch club, do ask Lesley or Rachel for information

Wednesday 26^th March 1.30-2ish Wednesday worship in the music room ‘act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8)

Thursday 27^th March 2-4pm in church Warm welcome craft group. All welcome, no previous experience necessary but you may also come with your own projects to do or share.

The next deacons meeting is the 31^st March at 7.30pm in church.

Sundays

Sunday 30^th March Service at 11am with group for younger ones, continuing to look together in Luke.

Sunday 6^th April 11am We welcome John Wilson, who served with BMS for 36 years in France, to share with us from Luke 9:51-10:3. There will be a group for our younger friends during the service.

Sunday 13^th April 11am Palm Sunday all age café church (café church is on the 2^nd Sunday just this month) looking at Luke 19:28-40

Sunday 20^th April 11am Easter Sunday celebration with baptisms, cake and refreshments and Easter egg hunt after the service.

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

Sunday May 4^th Café church

Easter

Rock Solid Youth pizza night and social on 6^th April 7-8pm in church. No youth group meeting on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday

Beacon café is on Monday 7^th April, Easter beacon café is on 14^th April, 10-11.30. Beacon has a break on April 21^st.

Wednesday 9th April 1.45 until 4pm in the music room ‘Calamity Jane’ with refreshments, All ages welcome. No lunch club today.

Wednesday 16^th April Easter worship and prayer in church in the evening.. more details to come.

Friday 18^th April 10-11am Good Friday service and reflection in church

Sunday 20^th April 11am Easter Sunday celebration with baptisms, refreshments, and Easter egg hunt after the service.

Wednesday 23^rd April 1.30pm Easter Wednesday worship with communion. (There will be lunch club that day).

70 years of MBC

“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace” (Colossians 1:6)

In Christ

Shelley

Shelley Dring

Minister

Moortown Baptist Church

Jane Coates – Thoughts and prayers – Knitting, Fishing and Connection

March 23, 2025March 18, 2025 by Jane Coates

Knitting, Fishing and Connection

This powerful drawing, top right in the collage above, is by 13 year old Anja Rozen, a primary school student in Slovenia, it is called, ‘we are all connected.’ From 600,000 international entries from children and young people, Anja’s work was chosen as the winning piece, of the International Plakat Miru competition in 2020-2021, illustrating the theme of peace. Anja, an enthusiastic knitter, may have drawn inspiration from her other passion, knitting, for the idea for this striking piece of artwork.

“My drawing” says Anja, “represents the land that binds us and unites us. Humans are woven together. If someone gives up, others fall. We are all connected to our planet and to each other, but unfortunately, we are little aware of it. We are woven together. Other people weave alongside me, my own story; and I weave theirs.”

Her illustration encourages us to be more conscious of our relationships with one another, fostering that sense of community and shared purpose that is so essential in our search for peace and harmony. Anja Rozen may inspire us to safeguard our connections and strive for a more peaceful and cohesive world.

I spotted Anja’s artwork when Nathan’s Sunday morning message, 9th March, about net fishing as opposed to line fishing, was still much in my mind. I could visualize a large group of people, just like those you see in lower section of the collage, holding securely on to their part of the fishing net, not willing to drop their hold of the net’s edge, for fear that the contents could be lost. The net needed to be held firm by each person. Each person is valued and I need to look after the people to my right and left, and they need to look out for me. We are community together and we are looking out for others to come alongside to hold on to the net and to gather in the fish. I need others to strengthen my hands when they become weak, and my grip might weaken. We need the strong people to launch the net. We need those who are wise leaders to read the weather and the water currents, to know where the fish are likely to be, who can interpret the signs and know when to launch, close the net, and secure the catch. We need skilled crafts people to repair the net should it be weak or torn.

I used to play a cooperative game with my school students called ‘the web of strength.’ In this game, everyone stands in a circle and one person starts making a web with a ball of yarn or string. The first person shares a personal strength (e.g., “I’m good at listening”), and throws the ball of string to someone else across the circle. The process continues until everyone has shared a thought or a strength and is connected by the string The end result is a spider’s web of string across the circle. The physical web symbolizes how the students are all interconnected, how they can see their own and others’ strengths and weaknesses and value and support each other.

Connection is vital.

Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4 v 16 NKJV

Jane Coates

March 2025

Shelley’s friendly update for w/c March 16th

March 15, 2025 by Shelley Dring

Dear friends

We are now nearly halfway through lent but there is always still time to dip into something new. Here’s a reminder of some resources that are around…

40 ways to give in lent and a devotional for everyday…

40acts: Do Lent generously

40 things to do in lent for all ages outside

Exploring Lent with Younger Kids – 40 Nature Activities Printable.pdf – Google Drive

40 acts youth wallchart

Youth_Wallchart_A4_Black_and_White.pdf

Leeds lent prayer diary 2025..we have some free paper versions in church for you to pick up.

The lectio 365 prayer app (download on your phone) is doing a lent series now. Do ask if you need a hand with the app.

Some of the church are gathering for a prayer whats app call at 9 o clock pm on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for the world, the church, ourselves. Do ask Mandy, Adam or Krys if you want details.

If you would like to try a group during lent then you’d be very welcome. We learn from each other.

Tomorrow we continue in Luke 6:12-15.

This week..

Sunday 16^th March 11am service with group for young ones and communion

Sunday 16^th March The group who went through the ‘why pray course’ recently with Krys meet tomorrow after church to talk about ‘hearing from God’. Feel free to bring your lunch. Anyone welcome, in the music room for an hour or so.

Sunday 16^th March 7-8pm Rock Solid youth in church

Monday 17th March 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café. *DEFINATELY MONDAY, NOT TUESDAY AS IT SAYS IN MY EMAIL.

Tuesday 18^th March 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and parents and carers

Tuesday afternoon house group, see Howard Dews

Wednesday 19^th March lunchclub, see Rachel B or send a message to Lesley in the office (this week contact me)

Wednesday 19^th 7.30-9pm house group in church, see Ruth/Andy Berry, also one in Alwoodley, see Diane S

Thursday 20^th March 2-4pm warm welcome space craft group in church, see Karen or Diane S

Thursday 7pm bible study with Gareth

Friday 21^st March 10am Bible study in church, any questions, chat with myself

Friday 8pm house group, see Jonathan and Hilary or Steve or Helen

Sunday 23^rd March 11am service with group for younger friends

The next church meeting is Tuesday 25^th March 2025. Agenda came out this week. Do get in touch if you have any questions or AOB.

On Easter Sunday we’d love to baptise those who feel they want to be baptised or feel God is ‘nudging’ them about it. Do get in touch with me if you want a quick chat. Details of Easter week are being arranged. We know that we’ll be meeting on Good Friday too in church and joining with local churches on Alwoodley village green in the afternoon of Good Friday. The egg hunt will also return. Thanks to those offering to put it together. If you would like to contribute anything, then do get in touch.

Lesley and Rachel B are unavailable this week so do get in touch with me, a deacon or relevant group leader for immediate questions. For anything non urgent feel free to contact Lesley on admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk as usual.

“..They pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him…” (Luke 5:11)

In Christ

Shelley

MBC’s Welcome Lunch, in a word… FAB

March 15, 2025March 11, 2025 by John Sherbourne

Many thanks to Claire Taylor for passing on this picture of our Welcome Lunch. Her one word caption… “FAB” says it all.

Thanks also to Mandy and her team for putting the whole thing on but particularly to all who attended.

Krys and Bela report back on their recent visit to a girls refuge in Sri Lanka

March 15, 2025March 11, 2025 by John Sherbourne

Krys Gadd and Bela Singh share their experiences, and in the galleries above and below some of their lovely pictures. (To view these simply open up the gallery by clicking on any of the images)

Bela and I went out in February for 10 days to a refuge run by the Women’s Development Centre in Kandy. The refuge is for girls who have suffered gender based violence and have fled there for safety. Krys has had connections with the charity since 2019 and this was her second visit.

Thanks to everyone in MBC (and many other people) for your financial support and encouragement. Bela and I funded ourselves to go to Sri Lanka and all the money raised last year and this has gone to help the girls, either with their day to day living costs or a number of projects that we have started.

Thanks for your prayers. It really made all the difference – no delays, illnesses, mishaps or even insect bites! Which for me is unheard of.

Your money and the donations of others helped not only with the running costs of the refuge but several projects. One weaving project was to make a bag from recycled fabric and another to make reusable nappies for the babies in the refuge. The sewing teacher knows how to make them and will teach the girls how to sew them.

The refuge is a happy place. It is clean and orderly but with very little of the extra stuff that we are used to. It really made me think about what is important in my life and what I spend my money on. One of the pictures in the gallery above is of Chandani, the refuge manager who is also a mother figure to all these lovely girls. She is standing in the television room. As you can see it has a television in it and some chairs.

There’s also a picture of where the girls sleep and to the right you can see some lockers in which they can keep any personal items.

Again, for me this was a sharp reminder that you do not need lots of stuff to feel safe and happy.

It was also so lovely to see some old faces as well as some new ones. The final picture in this gallery shows Bela and I with our translators and the teachers. We had such a warm welcome which involved very sweet tea and some sweet treats.

We had various projects in mind before we arrived. The first success was the bag made out of recycled fabric, woven on the rigid heddle looms Marcia and I sent out in 2020.

Bela taught them how to weave in a different way. Firstly with fabric strips and then on finding some jute string, they tried the technique out on a table mat. I think it looks great and we hope to have the girls producing some of these soon.

Another success, the nappies. Here we have a picture of one of the babies modelling the latest one produced by one of the teachers.

The girls really took to crochet under Bela’s expert tuition. They were all really keen to model the bag they had collectively created

Some of you know about the tea towels. I spotted 15 of these and thought immediately: “These will sell” so I bought them for 300 rupees (under 1 pound) and asked people who would like to buy them for £4? I have orders for 61 and have some new ones coming soon.

We had fun too! Last year in the searing heat I was shattered after 4 days working in the refuge plus another celebratory day. This year I built in a lot more rest time. In fact on one of the days we had off we went to see some elephants in a nearby sanctuary. Also the last couple of nights we stayed near to the airport, and this lovely shot, in fact the last in the gallery was the view just a few feet from my hotel room.

We left Sri Lanka feeling we had really achieved something. I saw the improvements in their use of colour, and the weaving from last year. The girls have stolen my heart; their stories are sad but they have the hope of a future in this refuge. When they leave, they have experienced love and safety. They have had a chance to finish their education and learn some new skills.

Thank you again for supporting them through your donations, items you have bought and most of all your prayers. If you want to find out how you can help by fundraising or if you are considering coming out then please get in touch with Krys.

Krystyna.gadd@icloud.com

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – From Obscurity to Queen

March 15, 2025March 10, 2025 by Jane Coates

From Obscurity to Queen.

As we read through the Book of Esther we detect and feel the hand of God working, even though His name is never mentioned in the text. God’s presence and involvement in the lives and characters of Mordecai and Esther, and in their roles leading to the rescue of the Jewish people, are clearly perceived. Esther, an orphan, had been adopted by Mordecai. ‘Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.’ Esther 2 v 7 NLT Esther was Jewish, not Persian, and therefore had no rightful claims to be considered for what was to be her new role as the Queen of Persia. But the hand of God was with her. After the demise of Queen Vashti, and the decree to find a new queen for King Ahasuerus, Esther was selected to join the young women in the protected harem, as a potential candidate. This might not have been her first choice of career but a clear purpose and plan for her life was slowly working its way out. God was putting her in a position to save her nation.

One person can make a difference! We witness Esther’s courage and faith. We witness her willingness to act and to risk her own life. We see her patience in undergoing the twelve months of preparation under the guidance of Hegai, with the careful following of his advice before she is even presented to the king. Her patience, wisdom and integrity, together with her acceptance of advice from Hegai and Mordecai at every step, would lead to the salvation of the Jewish people from a marked destruction. Before Esther goes before the king to plead for her people, she asks Mordecai to arrange for a three day fast and prayer among her people and only then does she act.

Mordecai reminds her that her role and request are so significant, that she may have come to the palace “for such a time as this.”

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4 v 14

Mordecai’s position at court also changed, becoming “ second in rank to King Ahasuerus, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” Esther 10 v 3

Mordecai had worked faithfully behind the scenes-watchful, patient, and without self-promotion and because of this selfless, outward care and concern, was promoted to high office.

The decree concerning the liberation of the Jews became known as “Esther’s Decree,” and the new festival of Purim was established. “These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.” Esther 9 v 28

In the account of Esther, we witness the overarching love and plan of God for His chosen people, for their survival, the preservation of their identity, and in addition, non-Jews turning to the Jewish faith because of all that they have witnessed.

Questions

Do I trust God’s plan for my life?

Do I feel inadequate because of my circumstances, my family, my education?

Can I follow advice?

Can I work behind the scenes, unnoticed?

Can I wait patiently?

Can I work for the care and concern of others?

Jane Coates

March 2025

With the focus on Lent, here’s Shelley’s weekly update…

March 8, 2025 by John Sherbourne

Dear friends

Lent began this week, the period of time 40 days before we celebrate Easter when many in the church choose to observe a renewed focus on God. Our lives get full of all sorts. We carry a lot. Lent has been described as a time to turn away from some things, minimise, clear out so that we can reclaim space for Jesus and all He has for us. Praying, fasting and giving to others all help, but it might also include other things that help us realign such as reading a verse a day, a walk a day, singing a song a day. At the beginning of lent we think about the story of Jesus going into the wilderness; choosing to move away from the busyness and distractions to make space to hear God before he started his teaching, healings and journey to the cross.

Listed below are a few resources you may find helpful. 40 ways to give in lent and a devotional for everyday…

40acts: Do Lent generously

40 things to do in lent for all ages outside

Exploring Lent with Younger Kids – 40 Nature Activities Printable.pdf – Google Drive

40 acts youth wallchart

Youth_Wallchart_A4_Black_and_White.pdf

The lectio 365 prayer app (download on your phone) is doing a lent series now. Do ask me or a Rachel B and we’ll get it sorted for you or point you to someone who can.

If you have something that is helpful do share it with others.

This week looks like this..

Sunday 9^th March 11am service with group for young ones

Sunday 9^th March Welcome lunch for those who feel ‘new’ and want to meet some other people, in church.

Sunday 9^th March 7-8pm Rock Solid youth in church

Monday 10^th March 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome café

Tuesday 11^th March 10-11.30 Stepping Stones for under 5’s and parents and carers

Tuesday afternoon house group, see Howard Dews

Wednesday 12^th March lunchclub, see Rachel B or send a message to Lesley in the office

Wednesday 7.30-9pm house group in church, see Ruth/Andy Berry, also one in Alwoodley, see Diane S

Thursday 13^th March 2-4pm warm welcome space craft group in church, see Karen or Diane S

Thursday 7pm bible study with Gareth

Friday 14^th March 10am Bible study in church, any questions, chat with myself

Friday 8pm house group, see Jonathan and Hilary or Steve or Helen

Sunday 16^th March 11am service with communion and group for younger friends

Just a heads up that the next church meeting is Tuesday 25^th March 2025. Agenda will be out by mid next week. It will include budgets and current priorities. Do pray and keep sharing if you have thoughts on how God is guiding us.

Last Sunday we were reminded of Jesus baptism. On Easter Sunday we’d love to baptise those who feel they want to be baptised or feel God is ‘nudging’ them about it. Do get in touch with me or send a message to Lesley to get hold of me if you want a quick chat.

Last Sunday we connected with Gather25, the highlights are available here if you want to watch again or catch up here Watch the Gather25 Livestream

See you tomorrow

In Christ

Shelley