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Jane Coates. Thoughts and Prayers… How do you wash waterproof socks?

and covered you with the shadow of my hand –
I who set the heavens in place,
who laid the foundations of the earth,
and who say to Zion, “You are my people.”’ Isaiah 51 v 16 NIV
and under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91 v 4 NIV
Shelley’s weekly message flags up MBC’s AGM, plus two special events aimed at anyone with a heart for children’s ministry, or welcoming families with additional needs

Dear friends
We have the theme ‘Rooted’ emerging on Sundays. We’ll talk more about this over time, something to think about. We are taking some time in January to look at the events just after Jesus’ birth to see what God might be saying to us about ourselves, our communities and the wider world. Last week we looked at Matthew 2 and considered what do we choose to follow and what do we choose not to? I wonder if you have given it some time this week to ponder about the things you follow and the things you don’t in order to be healthy as a disciple of Jesus? January is full of ideas on how to start strong, some helpful and some maybe not so but its good to have January as a month to ponder things through and be intentional, not rushing but discerning, writing things down, sharing and praying things over. Tomorrow, we look at the treasures the magi brought and the treasure they found. We start at 11am in the building and on the YouTube channel. There will be a group for our younger friends and we’ll also have some stories shared.
In the evening Rock Solid for youth meets in the building 7pm-8pm.
Most of our groups continue as usual this week apart from Tuesday afternoon housegroup and Wednesday housegroup in the building as they want to allow for people coming to the church meeting on Tuesday evening. Do keep in touch with your group leaders or contact Lesley at the beginning of the week in case there is a change.
Tuesday evening is the Church AGM and church meeting at 7.30pm. It would be great if you can come to this to pray and share and get a feel for what has been happening in the church and what God is doing. We thank God for all those who volunteer in all sorts of ways including all those who are part of this community. There will be a zoom link for those unable to be there. We will send it out next week.
I wanted to let you know that Faith in Kids are doing a few sessions across the country called Raising confident kids in a Confusing world. Its for anyone connected to any child, so you don’t need to be a parent, just anyone with a heart for children right now (parents, grandparent, those who are like parents and grandparents to others, children/youth leaders/helpers…) Its on Thursday January 30th 7.45-9.30 at Gateway Church, St Marks Road, Leeds, LS2 9AF more info here. I’m going so if you are interested let me know. Buy tickets – Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing World (Leeds) – Gateway at St Mark’s Church, St Mark’s Rd, Leeds
There’s also a zoom training session on 28th January for welcoming families with additional needs… Buy tickets – Inspire (Children’s Ministry Leadership Training): Welcoming families with additional needs – Zoom for those involved in this area. I intend to invite Children/youth leaders on your whats apps with some information so I will be in touch this weekend!
Finally this verse from Matthew 5:9 seemed appropriate at this time. Do pray for all who work for peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”
The Baptist Union have released a statement and a prayer that you may want to join with. Click on the link below
Look forward to seeing you tomorrow
Shelley
Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Stop, Stay, Go

All my hopes and fears are in Your hands;
I’m in Your hands.
Where You go, I’ll go; show me the way.
Every step I take be now my guide,
God on my side.
You go before me, You’re there beside me,
And if I wander Love will find me.
Goodness and mercy will always follow.
You go before me, my Guardian.
Today and tomorrow – it’s business as usual, Shelley updates us after a somewhat challenging week
Dear friends
The church building will be open tomorrow for a café style all age service at 11am. There will be drinks available and some time to chat together. A big thank you to those who came down to church today to help with clearing snow and ice, and those who have been monitoring it and working with me through the week. Even if we had decided not to open tomorrow, it was appreciated and it helps us with the groups next week.
A few things to note:
The full car park will not be open tomorrow. The west side of the carpark (the bit that slopes by the creche room) still cannot be used so there will be a small team of people helping people park and move between the cars and building in front of the church and by the entrance and the bins in the available space.
Please use the usual entrance and exits to the carpark.
Please drive slowly.
We don’t want to encourage people to put themselves in unnecessary danger so we have a volunteer who is able to broadcast the service on youtube as usual tomorrow.
Rock Solid youth group is taking place 7-8pm at church tomorrow evening.
Decisions about activities in the week will be made after tomorrow morning.
Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to worshiping together tomorrow.
In Christ
Shelley
After a massive effort, Sunday’s 11am service gets the go-ahead both on line and in the building

After a massive effort by a small army of snow clearers Sunday’s morning service will now take place both online and in the building.
Obviously, with our car park nowhere near as clear as it would normally be we do ask that no matter how you arrive – by car or on foot – you take extra care both where you park and how you walk.
Huge thanks to our intrepid “ice breakers” who incidentally varied in age from their mid teens to their eighties, because without them and their shovels we would have had to cancel our 11am service for a second week running.
Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Steps into a new year.

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.
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.
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)
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
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
Let this be the moment now.
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