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Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Steps into a new year.
As we take our first, few steps into this new year, we cannot know what 2025 will hold for us. There may be unexpected joys or trials, new challenges begun, or opportunities missed, dreams realized, or ambitions and hopes lost, new friendships begun, or familiar traditions lost. It may be a blessing and a grace that we cannot know the details as the year unfolds before us. We are asked only to step forward in faith, one step at a time.
I am reminded of the accounts of the Maji, who stepped out on their long and uncertain journey, to find the promised child. The routes and resting places of their journey would be unfamiliar, hazardous at times, and strange. Their journey, with its distances, cost, risks, and the uncertainty of success, was perhaps their daily reality and challenge. There would be moments of confusion, as at Herod’s palace, when they failed to find the expected One, although the star was still present. But despite the hardships, the unexpected, and the uncertainties, they kept travelling towards the child.
So, as we go into this new year, may we be guided by wisdom, courage, compassion, and the light of the Christ child. Let us cherish the joys, learn from the trials, and remain open to the countless possibilities that await us. May we take each step with intention and grace, and may our journey be filled with love, grace, growth, and new possibilities.
“The road is revealed by turns you could not have foreseen.” Jan Richardson
A Prayer for the Year ahead
I arise today
Through a mighty strength:
God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s eyes to watch over me;
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me,
God’s host to secure me.
Through a mighty strength:
God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s eyes to watch over me;
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me,
God’s host to secure me.
(First Millennium – Bridgid of Gael
Jane Coates.
7 January 2025
Shelley’s New Year greetings…
Dear friends
Happy New Year!
Or as Donna Ashworth writes more eloquently..
“…when I say happy new year
I’m really wishing you more happy days
Than sad days
More joy than misery
More laughter than tears
More bravery than fear
And the wisdom to accept that they all belong”
For we know that in the difficult times, God is still good, Jesus is still faithful and Holy Spirit is drawing us close and revealing new treasures (1 Corinthians 2:10). Our hearts go out to people in all parts of the world who suffer, we pray ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven’ and look for ways to act where we are. We also pray for those in our community, praying Gods healing and peace but also continually grateful for all God has been doing over the last year. We may not always know what the next step looks like but we know Jesus calls us to ‘Seek the Kingdom of God first above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’ (Matthew 6:33)
We continue this journey on Sunday at 11am with all age café church looking at Matthew 2:1-12. We have been focusing on a ‘down to earth’ God through advent and how we can be ‘down to earth’ too and we will continue to explore this over the next few weeks as we start the new year. You could say that something that is down to earth is also ‘rooted’. Last week we were reminded of how important it is to be rooted in God and how God weaved hope through generations of those who sought Gods heart above all else despite and through their struggles.
Next week..
Sunday 5th January – rock solid youth 7pm-8pm in church
Monday 6th January – Beacon warm welcome café 10-12midday
Tuesday 7th January – Stepping stones 10-11.30 in church
Tuesday 7th January – housegroup Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday 7th January – Deacons meeting 7.30pm
Wednesday 8th January – lunch club is back, see Rachel Beedle
Wednesday 8th January – 7.30pm housegroup in church
Thursday 9th January – 2-4pm craft warm welcome group in church
Thursday 9th January – 7pm bible study in church
Friday 10th January – 10-11am bible study in church
Friday 10th January – 8pm housegroup
Sunday 12th January – 11am service with group for our younger friends during the talk connected to the theme
Sunday 12th January – 7-8pm Rocksolid youth
Reminder that there’s a church meeting and AGM on 21st January at 7.30pm in church. Thank you for your prayers for the church and its work here in North Leeds and further afield.
Over the next week we’ll have more information about whats happening in the next few months.
Do get in touch with Lesley (office 9-4pm on Monday, Tuesday or 9-1pm on Wednesday), or myself or a deacon or group leader if you have questions about any groups advertised above.
In Christ
Shelley
Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Two posts joined as one
Owing to us taking a Christmas break, this week we have two articles from Jane. The first is called Open Arms.
When any of our family come to visit us, we normally rush from the house to the driveway to ‘welcome them with open arms.’ The grandchildren are often welcomed with a wide hug or picked up with a swirl around in the air-depending on their size of course. When each of the newborns arrived, we made sure that we visited, either hospital or home, and welcomed each one into our arms with great joy. It is a delight to welcome a new baby into the family.
For Simeon, his welcoming of the eight-day old infant Jesus, was a very significant event. It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen with his own eyes the Lord’s Messiah. ‘Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God.’ Luke 2 v 27-28
Simeon took the eight-day old baby into his arms, holding him with arms of love and welcome, and again by the Holy Spirit spoke powerful prophetic words, and words of blessing, over the child and Mary, His mother. Simeon praised His God and blessed the young family. “Lord,” he said, “now I can die content! For I have seen Him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Saviour you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and He will be the glory of your people Israel!” Joseph and Mary just stood there, marvelling at what was being said about Jesus.
Luke 2 v 29-33
For many individuals and families, 2024 has been a challenging year, but as we look forward to a new year, with whatever it may hold for us, we can be assured that God is faithful and that He holds us securely. He is our refuge, and He does not just hold us in His arms, but He carries us close to His heart.
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33 v 27
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart: He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40 v 10-11
Then Jesus placed a little child among them; and taking the child in his arms He said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming my Father who sent me!” Mark 9 v 36-37
And Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10 v 16
So, he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15 v 20
A Blessing
Bless all who worship You, from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same. Of Your goodness, give us; with Your love, inspire us, by Your spirit guide us; by Your power, protect us; in Your mercy receive us now and always. AMEN
(An Ancient Collect)
And the second is… Planting Peace
I am very poor at growing anything green. It might be seeds, houseplants, plants for the garden or vegetables. I can succeed with cress and hardy perennials such as lavender, but little else. My father was a member of a horticultural society, and we had a garden and a large allotment which we looked after every weekend, but I am afraid that I did not absorb his many gardening skills. But I am encouraged to be a planter of peace. Our world is a very troubled place and, in 2024 on our screens we have witnessed wars, disasters, heartaches, mental health crises in our young people and much more. So, as we enter a new year, may we endeavour to be planters of peace, whether we feel capable, skilled or woefully inadequate. May we offer love, joy, gentleness, along with peace, as we connect with others in our everyday. Help us to share the peace of the Prince of Peace.
A Prayer for Planting Peace
(In the style of the prayer of St Francis of Assisi)
By Lizzie Ojo Martens
Lord as I reflect on the challenges present within my community
As well as my own lived experience,
I ask that you make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is division, let me sow unity.
Where there is stigma, belonging.
Where there is unfamiliarity, awareness.
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Where there is silence or shame, light.
Where there is isolation, inclusion and companionship.
Where there is hopelessness, hope.
O Divine Counsellor, grant that I may not so much seek to be comforted, but to comfort others
And to speak, as to listen.
For it is in giving that we receive,
And it is in your presence that we find peace.
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end. Isaiah 9 v 6-7 NLT
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end. Isaiah 9 v 6-7 NLT
In John 14 v 27 Jesus offers His shalom’ peace. He ‘bequeaths’’ His peace. Just as a rich person would bequeath property or something valuable to someone else, the peace of Jesus is bequeathed to us Jesus offers wholeness, completeness, soundness of spirit, soul and body, and wellbeing. This is His gift to us. Let us share this gift.
SONG
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Songwriters: Jill Jackson & Sy Miller
Let There Be Peace on Earth lyrics © Music Copyright Consultant Grp
Jane Coates, 23rd and 30th of December 2024.
ONE MORE SLEEP! MBC’s Christingle Service lights up the darkness
At 4.30pm on Christmas Eve, and with four red candles casting flickering beams of hope, joy, peace and love our Advent wreath once again took centre stage.
Before long, however, and one by one these symbols of the tenets of the Christian faith were joined by a hundred or so others as with great care an array of Christingles were lit.
In recent years MBC’s Christingle Service has become not only one of our most loved and best supported events, but in terms of community outreach a shop window with which people for whom church is the exception rather than the norm can safely engage.
Of course the following day, Christmas Day, we lit the wreath’s centre candle, the Jesus candle, which completed the Advent cycle.
But what we all need to remember now is that as one year makes way for another it is only by igniting or perhaps that ought to be reigniting our own flickering flames – those of hope, joy, peace and love that the true light of the world, Jesus, may shine through.
To view our gallery simply click on any of the images.
It’s Christmas, and MBC’s Nativity Service asks where would we all be without a little bit of chaos?
With the exception of certain elements that are set in stone i.e. a time of prayer, a bible reading and a talk, if anyone were to describe MBC’s 2024 Nativity Service as slick I’d say that to use the word “slick” in relation to the rest of the Service would be an overstatement of near biblical proportions.
Let me explain, and please believe me when I say I’m not being deliberately critical.
Just two minutes before the scheduled start time there was no narrator, or was it Joseph – luckily, which ever it was one was found.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there was no inn keeper to greet them – luckily one was found when Shelley was quick witted enough to dart across from the lectern to fill this small but vital role.
Then there was that precious moment that the angels appeared (one well over 5 foot tall, the other about half her size) which found the one with the dialogue, the small one, jumping up and down to reach the mic.
Finally, when at the very end of the Service we were all invited to stand and sing our closing song, our Worship Leader somewhat sheepishly announced that as he didn’t have another song, why don’t we reprise Hark the herald angels, the last one we did.
Immediately following the Service I heard one person muttering something along the lines of “blimey, that was anything but reverent,” whilst no more than a couple of feet away and topping up his coffee cup another described what he had just seen as… “a blast, uplifting, joyous, inclusive, encouraging and full of truth.”
Regarding how we tell the Christmas story, how we worship, far be it for me to cast an opinion one way or the other. But on Sunday morning, here at MBC, the one thought that stuck in my mind was what was it really like in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born? Was the stable cosy and warm, were there stars in the bright sky and were cattle lowing etc. etc. or was it more like MBC’s Nativity – a much more down to earth affair shot through with its very own catalogue of chaos?
I’ll leave it to you to decide.
Christmas greetings from the First Baptist Church, Cluj, Romania
Dear brothers and sisters,
We wish you blessed holidays filled with peace and joy!
Thank you for all the support you have given this year for the various ministries of our church. We pray that God will reward you and bless the work you are doing in His service!
Thank you for all the support you have given this year for the various ministries of our church. We pray that God will reward you and bless the work you are doing in His service!
Through the support you have provided, you have helped us assist hundreds of people in difficulty by offering food packages and, in some special cases, financial aid.
The Roma church in Florești has also been blessed by the support given to them, as have the young people of the church and many other people.
May God bless you!
”Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14
Below are some messages sent from the people MBC helps to support.
Hello, my name is Filip Bogoșel, I am 19 years old, and I am studying Computer Science, first year. I’m still trying to adapt to the new lifestyle here in Cluj. I am a music lover and in my free time I like playing piano and guitar. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to study in Cluj and I thank you for your generosity!
Hi! My name is Paniță Estera. I’ll be 22 next month and my hometown is Slatina, which is a small town in the south of Romania, aproximately 350km from Cluj. I am a 3rd year dentistry student, at the Univesity of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca. I come from a family of 3, with a younger sister, who’s a preschool teacher since graduating highschool 3 years ago, and a younger brother, a preschooler, only 4 years old. My mom works as a pharmacy assistant and my dad delivers medicine. They’re hard-working, simple people, that made my going to college possible and I love with all my heart.
As for my life in Cluj, i’m glad to have made a few good friends that share my beliefs and to have found a church that preaches the Gospel truthfully. I’ve seen here people my age, that are trully dedicated and have a heart for prayer and serving others, that enjoy studying the Word of God and I am at happy to be able to join them. I hope to come to love God more in the next 3 years and a half i’ll be staying in Cluj. I know God has already blessed me so much and i am thankful that He does so in the most unexpected ways. I thank you too, for being being one of His blessings for me this year! I pray you’ll be blessed as well.
Hello,
My name is Samuel DELPHIN, I am from Haiti, and I am 29 years old. I am a first year PhD student at USAMV Cluj-Napoca. Since I arrived in Romania, God has sent me to the Church where I will grow in His Word and where I will feel welcomed. So, since 2022 I became a member of 1 Manastur Baptist Church and I try to involve myself as much as I can in the Lord’s work to Praise Him for all He has done in my life.
I would like to express my gratitude to you for the way you have thought of the young people of Manstastur Church through this scholarship. Thank you very much for this generous financial support which is crucial for me and which has helped me to realize how well the Lord cares for me and has never failed to respond to my needs.
Know that the word thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude to you! May the Lord bless you abundantly and be with you in all that you do.
Thank you so very muchand be blessed!
Samuel DELPHIN
Hello, my name is Izra FINFIN. I have been in Romania for one year, and I am a student at the Faculty of Automation and Computers.
I am a Christian and was baptized in 2022. The Maranatha Baptist Church is the ideal place for me to follow Jesus, our Savior.
Now, I want to sincerely thank you because your support is very helpful for me and for all the other students.
Thank you very much, and may God abundantly bless you.
Sincerely,
Izra FINFIN
Hi! I’m Ilinca Agheniței, a first-year computer science student studying in Cluj. I come from a small village in Northern Romania called Ipotești. Thank you so much for your kindness—it truly means a lot to me. May God bless you!
Hello, my name is Eva Agheniței. I am a second year student in Cluj, studying medicine. I come from Suceava, a city in Northern Romania, close to the Ukrainian border. The church I attend in Cluj, which I chose to attend during university, is Biserica Baptistă Mănăștur. I would like to kindly thank you for your surprise towards us. Your support is greatly appreciated by me and the other students. Merry Christmas.
MBC’s wreath making workshop turns out some wonderful creations
Ok, so maybe we didn’t exactly deck the halls with boughs of holly, but few of the 50 or so people that were present at last Sunday’s wreath making workshop would deny that between 3pm and 5 we came very, very close.
The creativity that each of our guests displayed was quite remarkable. There were wreaths with lights, and wreaths without; there were wreaths with baubles, bangles and beads and wreaths without; there were wreaths weighed down by pine cones, cinnamon sticks and what to me looked like slices of dried up tangerine, and of course there were some without. There was even one wreath that was decorated with strip after strip of cloth. In fact such was the contrast that the only thing this myriad display of eclecticism did have in common was that by the time they were finished what at five to three had started out as a simple 10 inch ring were swathed in enough greenery to cover my back garden.
Away, don’t take my word for it, judge for yourself. There’s a gallery below which you can view by simply clicking on any one of the images.
Oh and again, huge thanks to Shelley who owing to a last minute change of plan suddenly found herself leading the entire session, and of course to those who set up, swept up, washed up and served up refreshments.
If over the holiday period you’ve bought some new furniture, L&MFS will gladly collect your old stuff and give it away to people in need
Currently, with its entire board of trustees now made up of members of Moortown Baptist Church, the Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store is going through a period of change… something you’ll hear much more about in the near future. However, one thing that isn’t changing is the need that many people in our city have for some of the most basic items of furniture.
For this home grown charity, 2025 will mark its 39th year of trading; almost 40 years of service to literally thousands of folk who for one reason or another are far less fortunate than us.
So, if you have bought new furniture: a bed, a sofa, a dining table, chairs, a wardrobe etc. please call us on 0113 2739727 and we’ll be delighted to arrange a convenient collection time ahead of passing your donation on.
Thank you.
MBC’s online newsletter takes a short break
A bit like Santa, by the time Christmas actually arrives those of us that produce our weekly online newsletter are ready for a bit of a rest. That’s why next week, the time between Christmas and New Year although the church website WILL be updated there will be no newsletter.
To those of you who already subscribe to the newsletter we say a huge thank you, and for those of you who don’t, well, you don’t know what you’re missing.
If, however, you do fall into that second category, don’t worry. All you need to do to guarantee your own personal copy is to sign up in the Subscription box that appears on our Home Page, that’s at www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk
After that you can leave the rest to us.