Dear friends
Over the last weeks we have been looking at what John called ‘signs’ that point to who Jesus is. He wanted to share these ‘signs’ in order that people may believe who Jesus was. It’s interesting that the first half of John’s gospel details these signs, the second half of the book is given over to the Easter story, which many say is the biggest sign of all, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. You may want to read through the second part of Johns gospel through holy week as part of your own journey, or join with others to read part of it in your housegroups, over zoom or more informally.
Sunday Chapter 12, Monday Chapter 13, Tuesday Chapter 14, Wednesday Chapter 15, Thursday Chapter 16 and 17, Friday Chapter 18 and 19:1-37, Saturday Chapter 19: 38-42, Sunday Chapter 20.
The art workshop takes place today at 1.30pm in the building. We look forward to spending some time playing and reflecting on Easter week using simple art materials and guided by tutor Liz Pattinson.
Holy Week…the week beginning Sunday 29th March
Sunday 29th March 11.00am Exploring God through John’s eyes; perfume and Palm Sunday (John 12 vs 1-19). There is a Sunday school during the message so that our younger friends can explore the story creatively together.
In the evening, Rock Solid Youth Groups meet in the church building – All youth welcome! Talk to Martyn, Ruth, Val, Nathan – 7.00pm – 8.00pm.
Every Sunday a small group meet together to pray, about 10.40am in the music room, for Sunday morning and all that is involved. All welcome to join in prayer.
Lazarus group meet to pray after the Sunday service for half an hour in the corner room. This is for men to gather together, pray and encourage each other and John C is your contact.
Monday 30th March 10-12 Beacon warm welcome café for all. Food pantry available.
Tuesday 31st March Stepping Stones for under-fives and their parents and carers.
Tuesday 31st March in the afternoon, house group in church. See Howard D or Lesley for more information.
Wednesday 1st April Easter Lunch Club for those booked on and the volunteer team. Talk to Rachel B for more information.
Wednesday 1st April Space to worship together with songs and silence. You can draw, write, pray, read, move or just be. 7.30pm – 9.30pm in the Sanctuary. Come for all or part of this. Talk to Andy B, Ruth or Shelley for more info.
Thursday 2nd April Craft group warm welcome space. All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill.
Thursday 2nd April Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley
Friday 3rd April Good Friday Service 10-10.45 in the church building. All welcome
Friday 3rd April Good Friday Half an hour open-air service on Alwoodley Green at 2.30pm joining with other local churches and those who want to pop by. We’ll be by the park. Please bring a fold up chair if you would prefer to sit down.
Saturday 4th April 10-12 Easter café eggstravanza with Easter treats, a quiz, fun crafts including make your own Easter garden! If you are interested in helping or finding out more, please get in touch with Clare T or Lesley. Do drop in and bring people along.
Sunday 5th April Easter celebration service, café cafestyle with Baptism and welcoming new members and refreshments for all starting at 11am. The greatest sign: John 20:1-10. If you can bring a cake to share then can you let Karen or Lesley know please? Thankyou. Egg hunt after the service!
No Rock solid youth groups meet in the evening.
Easter holidays.. from Monday 6th April until Sunday 19th April..
Monday 6th April No beacon cafe today
Tuesday 7th April No Tuesday afternoon housegroup this week.
Tuesday 7th April Deacons meeting and Shelley 7.30pm in the church building.
No stepping stones or lunch club this week.
Diane’s house group don’t meet this week, please check with Ruth and Andy Berry about the other Wednesday housegroup.
Thursday 9th April Craft group warm welcome space. All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill.
Thursday 9th April No Thursday night bible study in the building this week.
Friday 10th March Bible Study in the Music Room 10.00 – 11.00am exploring Ephesians. Speak to Shelley for more information.
Friday 10th March Please check with Lesley or Phil C about whether the Parkinson’s Exercise Class is on this week in the church building 6.30 – 7.30pm.
Friday 10th March No Friday House group at 8pm in Adel. See Jonathan, Hilary, Steve or Helen.
Sunday 12th April 11am Church service. ‘Jesus through the eyes of John: Jesus appears to.. Mary’ John 20:11-18. We welcome friends and leaders from churches in Romania with us here in Moortown, as they share worship, prayer, stories and time with us. If you would like chance to stay for lunch and find out more and catch up with each other, Rod, Karen and Howard are hosting a ‘bring and share lunch’ after the service. Please bring things that can be shared straight away without someone needing to prepare it. Please avoid nuts or fresh cream. Please talk to them if you have any questions.
No Rock Solid youth groups this week.
Monday 13th April 10-12am Easter Beacon café with Easter themed craft and snacks.
Tuesday 14th April No stepping stones but the group are meeting for a tidy up of the creche. If you would like to help, contact Diane or Hilary or let Lesley know.
Tuesday 14th April in the afternoon, house group in church. See Howard D or Lesley for more information.
Wednesday 15th April No lunchclub this week
The Wednesday housegroups meet this evening in church building. Speak to Diane or Ruth and Andy or Lesley or Shelley for more info.
Thursday 16th April Women and girls self-defence class funded as part of the mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund and Leeds City Council Inner North Community Committee with Leeds Jewish Housing Association.1pm-5pm in the sports hall.
See the link here on Instagram To book please contact Lesley or go directly to enquiries@blossom-uk.co.uk Please look at our website about a previous workshop.. Be Well and Be Strong… self defence for women and girls. – Moortown Baptist Church No cost.
Thursday 16th April Craft group warm welcome space. All welcome to come along and chat or to make something or learn a new skill.
Thursday 16th April Bible Study in the Music Room 7.00pm – 9.00pm Speak to Gareth, John C or Lesley
Friday 17th April Bible Study in the Music Room 10.00 – 11.00am exploring Ephesians. Speak to Shelley for more information.
Sunday 19th April 11-12 Church service with a small group for our younger friends to explore the theme together. ‘Jesus through the eyes of John: Jesus appears to.. the disciples’ John 20:19-23 We welcome Helen Harris, Director of Fundraising and Communications for the Baptist Missionary Society who is looking forward to sharing stories of God at work worldwide in our service and linking into our Sunday theme. We will share communion.
Rock Solid youth meet tonight in the building, 7-8pm
Sunday 26th April 11-12 Church Service with a small group for our younger friends to explore the theme together. ‘Jesus through the eyes of John: Jesus appears to.. Thomas’ John 20:24-31
Sunday 3rd May 11am Cafe church with breakfast snacks and refreshments ‘Jesus through the eyes of John: Jesus appears on the beach’ John 20:24-31
Sunday 10th May 11am Church Service with a small group for our younger friends to explore the theme together. ‘Jesus through the eyes of John: Jesus restores’ John 20:24-31
Sunday 24th May Pentecost Sunday service at 11am.
Whole Church meeting dates…
Tuesday 12th May (deacons elections), Sunday 5thJuly (after church) Tuesday 22nd September (AGM), Tuesday 10th November.
Please do pray and ask people who you sense God is prompting you about being a Deacon for the next season of church.
Next provisional date for mission group Tuesday 9th June 2.30-4pm in the church building.
Baptisms and memberships…
We are looking forward to welcoming new members at Easter and celebrating a baptism!
If you’d like to know about membership and joining them then do ask one of us.
Thinking about being baptised but not sure what to do next? Come and talk to me tomorrow or send me a message this week (or ask Lesley to pass on a message and I’ll get back asap!)
A reminder…
Some of the operational team having been working to paint walls and fix areas of the church. We are really grateful for all they do. If you notice something or would like to help with any of this do let Karen know. Also, we have one off things happening around the building, areas of tidying etc, if you have a spare hour you’d be really welcome to come along and help.
Around the city and beyond..
Global Day of Prayer will take place at Leeds Minster (Kirkgate, LS2 7DJ) on Pentecost Sunday, 24th May, 6pm – 8pm. A flyer will follow shortly
Thankyou..
Thank you to those who came to the funeral of Audrey Elise Cooper yesterday. Please continue to pray for Steve and Jane C and their family.
If you would like to know more about any of the groups, getting involved, giving resource/money to support the work at MBC and in the community do ask a deacon, a group leader or myself or send a message to Lesley.
Do check out the website for all the latest news and stories. We are sharing prayers for the middle east, lent and our community on facebook. If you want to join with others to pray or share then do let me know and we can help.
“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)
In Christ
Shelley
Shelley Dring
Minister
Moortown Baptist Church