Dear friends,
Advent is a time of preparation for the arrival of the coming King. It’s a reminder of Jesus first arrival on earth as well as a second arrival that is to come. Stories of advent span the whole of the bible and beyond as we look backwards and forwards at how God loves and moves through time and through people. For those of you who like time travelling stories and films in different time frames, Advent is a good one to wonder about and to think about what God has for us in this season.
So, we start tomorrow with Advent Part 1: Hope and the wonderful plan. We meet at 11am in the building and online and there will be a group for our younger friends to explore the same theme during the message part of the service. The first part of the service will introduce the theme for all. Thankyou to Susan for the advent ring.
In the evening, Rock Solid youth meet at 7-8pm in the building. Thanks to all those leading and praying for our youth groups and families. If you are interested, then do let me or one of the leaders know.
We’ll have the first batch of MBC Christmas cards to give out tomorrow too so do pick one up to keep or give away. All details are now on the website.
The week ahead..
- Monday 1st December 10-12 midday Beacon warm welcome space and café in the building
- Monday 1st December 7.30pm Staff and deacons Christmas get together
- Tuesday 2nd December Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents, grandparents, and carers. See Diane, Hilary, or Lesley for more information.
- Tuesday 2nd December afternoon bible study in church. See Howard or check with Lesley
- Wednesday 3rd December Lunch club for those who attend and volunteers. Speak to Lesley for more information.
- Wednesday 3rd December 7.30pm Hybrid bible study moves to Harewood this week Speak to Ruth or Andy B or Shelley.
- Wednesday 3rd December House group with Dianne. Speak to Diane or ask Lesley or Shelley for more information.
- Thursday 4th December 2.00 -4.00pm Craft group and warm welcome space in church building. Do pop in and say hello. Speak to Karen, Lesley or myself for more information or if it’s something you might be able to join or support as we are looking for helpers.
- Thursday 4th December Bible study at 7pm, see Gareth G or ask Lesley.
- Friday 5th December Bible Study at 10.00am – 11.15 in church. See Shelley for more information.
- Friday 5th December House Group 8.00pm – 10.00 with Jonathan and Hilary D and Steve and Helen O. Do speak to them or ask Lesley or I for more information.
- Friday 5th December Decorate the church at teatime ready for Christmas. If you are around through the week and would like to make the church look Christmassy in anyway then do let Karen, Lesley or myself know as we would love some help.
- Sunday 7th December ‘Christmas café church’ (Advent 2: Hope) 11-12midday followed by a Christmas community café with live music, dance and refreshments 12.45-2.45pm. Kevin Sinfield will be stopping at MBC at about 1.15/1.30pm on his final day of the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge 2025 raising money for those affected by Motor Neuron Disease. Please stay to cheer him in, join the Christmas café, invite some people along, then wave Kevin off as he runs onto Beckett Park University Campus to begin the Leeds Santa Dash. More information here by clicking this link Run For All launches Leeds Santa Dash as final leg of Kevin Sinfield’s 7in7: Together Challenge. There will be extra parking over the road at the nursery, look out for our volunteers in high vis jackets who are here to help and have a plan!
More for Advent and Christmas..
- Wednesday 10th December 1.30-2pm Advent Wednesday Worship
- Sunday 14th December 11 o clock service with communion (Advent 3) and group for our younger friends to creatively explore the theme. There will be an opportunity to sing carols in a local home for the elderly after the service (please bring your lunch if you want to eat in between the service and carol singing to keep your energy up!) Speak to Rachel B or Claire for more information.
- Then at 3-5pm we’ll host a Wreath Making workshop in the Sanctuary. It’s £10 per wreath and everything is provided including natural and non-natural materials, Christmas refreshments and music. Younger children need to be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential. Please contact Lesley in the office admin@moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk Thanks to those who have booked in so far.
- Sunday 21st December is our All Age nativity (Advent 4) 11-12 midday.
- Monday 22nd December Christmas Beacon and warm welcome space with Christmas crafts and snacks for all ages from 10-12midday.
- Wednesday 24th December at 4.30-5.15pm it’s the All Age Christingle Service
- Thursday 25th December 10.30-11.30am All Age Christmas Day Service
- Sunday 28th December 11-12 Service together
If you would like to get involved by doing a reading, saying a prayer, welcoming, helping with refreshments do let myself or Lesley or one of the deacons know or Karen if it’s about refreshments. You don’t need to be in a team yet, just come and have a chat. Or of you aren’t sure have a chat anyway, we’d love to involve you somehow.
We are putting together some hampers again to give to those who use the food pantry at Christmas and to those who we think would appreciate a hamper connected to any group over the Christmas season. We are looking at Christmas themed snacks and food, new woolly socks and hats, shower gel. A few children’s gifts such as stationary, pens. Please place them under the tree on 7th December. We have had a wonderful donation of books from the Little Bookshop in Chapel Allerton. Thanks to Sophie for helping with this.
Do check out the website and face book page to see what’s been going on this week and what’s coming up! www.moortownbaptistchurch.org.uk
Isaiah 9:6-7:”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
In Christ
Shelley Dring
Minister
Moortown Baptist Church