We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at 11am for Sunday morning worship where we look at the story of Ananias in Acts 9, following on from the last few weeks about hearing from God and following the call…There will be a group for our younger members too.
On Wednesday, as well as it being Valentines Day, the season known as lent begins. It’s a time of about 6 and a half weeks, inspired by Jesus time in the wilderness spent fasting and praying. However you spend your days, in the busyness or quiet, it maybe something you would like to engage in and we’ll be sharing some thoughts on Sundays and throughout lent. In lent, people often talk about giving things up or being mindful of things we hold onto. Paintner, in her book ‘A different kind of fast’ reminds us that the purpose of these acts of letting go “..is always in service of love…. We fast so as to clear space within our minds and hearts and souls to await what holy newness is being revealed to us..”
Now I am revealing new things to you, things hidden and unknown to you, created just now, this very moment..
(Isaiah 48:6-7)
Some dates coming up…
Sunday 11th February – Pastoral team meet up with lunch after church in the building
Sunday 11th February – Rock Solid for young people 7pm-8pm in the building
Monday 12th February – Beacon warm welcome café – free and open to all 10-12midday in the building
Tuesday 13th February – No Stepping Stones this week as its half term but if you can help Diane do some cleaning and tidying then do have a chat with her. They will be in the creche on Tuesday morning.
Tuesday 13th February – House group in the building – contact lesley or one of the deacons
Wednesday 14th February – No lunch club this week. Safeguarding level 1 in church.
Wednesday 14th February – Housegroup in church at 7.30pm See Ruth/Andy Berry or Shelley
Thursday 15th February – craft group and warm welcome space 2-4pm in the church building
Friday 16th February – bible study in church at 10am See Robert or Carol Owen
Sunday 18th February – 11am service in church with group for our younger friends.. with communion
Sunday 18th February – Rock Solid for young people 7pm-8pm in the building
The next church meeting is Tuesday 27th February at 7.30pm
Other things to have a look at…
Leeds Lent Prayer Diary 2024 – Leeds Christian Community Trust (lcct.org.uk)
We have just been accepted as a ‘Place of welcome’. We are already a Leeds City Council welcome space and we meet the criteria for a places of welcome too. This means that following our application form, we are eligible for some more financial funding to support Beacon, craft group and other initiatives that meet the similar criteria. See details here About — Places of Welcome
For those who have or know young people.. you may want to go on this zoom webinar that allows space to discuss big questions of faith
And also a podcast episode for EVERYONE about how God is moving amongst young people in the UK today….
Youth: Help! – 24-7 Prayer International
The 24/7 app lectio is running a lent course entitled ‘wilderness tales’ online.. details here… Lectio 365 – 24-7 Prayer International
The deacons and myself met for an away day and an evening this week to pray, plan, catch up with jobs in church and workshop ideas. We’ll share some of what went on at the next church meeting. Thanks to those praying for us. If you feel you are being called to leadership or you recognise that in someone else do keep praying and share that with a deacon, myself or someone you trust.
In Christ
Shelley
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