Post on 11-Jul-2020
Newsletter JUNE 2020
Serving Jesus Encouraging Discipleship
“He is the Father of us All” Romans 4 v16
Dear Friends,
Is the light at the end of the tunnel beginning to flicker again? As the
government begins to cautiously remove the lockdown restrictions we
must begin to prepare for a new normal.
After the war, rationing remained in place until 1954, so some restrictions
as a result of Coronavirus may remain in place for some time.
However, it gives us an opportunity to look
at ourselves and as church and the way we
do things.
If we think back to the first Pentecost (Acts
2 v 1-21) we read of people in the crowd
hearing Peter in their own language, do we
hear God in our way, through Zoom, Email, TV or the Radio? Do we
need massive buildings in order to worship the God who walks beside
the poor, the homeless, the hungry?
Has the church building just become a place to meet friends which we
could just as easily do in a Café?
If we do feel the need to worship together, do we need at least 5 or 6
separate buildings in a community the size of Louth; St James, St Mary’s,
Holy Trinity, Salvation Army Citadel, Eastgate Union and of course our
own beloved Nichol Hill. Is God trying to teach us again the true meaning
of being his disciple? To love the Lord Your God with all you heart, soul
and mind and your neighbour as yourself.
My friend Rev Andrew Roberts wrote in his book Holy Habits “The call to
Christian discipleship is a call to adventure”. The nurturing role of the ten
holy habits of discipleship as seen in Acts 2 is then explored. The ten
habits are: biblical teaching, fellowship,
breaking of bread, prayer, giving, service,
eating together, gladness and generosity,
worship and making more disciples.
As we come out of lockdown let us not rush back to the old
way of doing things but look at the new opportunities God
has given us to serve him in new ways, with renewed passion
and enthusiasm.
Can we find ways to incorporate the technology we have become used
to into our regular church activities and meetings, while still involving
those that don’t wish to use such things?
God Bless, Mark
God’s vision for our church
You will recall that we met at the end of February to spend a day with Nigel
Pimlott, trying to discern God’s vision for our church, in order to make sure
that our plans for the future would align with God’s plans. Nigel helped us to
think about what was important to us, things we’ve done in the past and what
we might do in the future. We focused on the purpose of the church: what is it
for, why do we exist? Our first challenge following the meeting was to try to
combine everything we’d done into a simple sentence to answer those
questions.
March didn’t turn out quite as expected, but a small group has met together
to progress the work and meet with Nigel again. As is the way with these
things, formulating a sharp and pithy phrase
to express the reason for our existence is
proving tricky, but we are working along the
lines of Reaching out and Bringing Hope:
fundamental to what we do is the desire to
see the lives of others touched and
transformed by God.
Once confirmed, this vision statement will be our touchstone for our plans for
the church, whether we are talking about our activities, our groups, our
buildings or our worship. Once we’ve met (virtually) with Nigel we will be
looking for ways to share the vision and turn it into practical reality.
Chris Rolph
Prayers for June
June begins the day after Pentecost – possibly the most
exciting day of the church’s year. 2000 years ago, after
the first Pentecost, this is what happened:
“All who believed were together and had all things in
common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute
the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much
time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their
food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the
goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their
number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44-47)
It may be hard to translate this into our modern-day circumstances, but let’s
pray that God’s Spirit continues to work through his church, albeit in a
different way, enabling us to worship and serve him with glad and generous
hearts.
God’s Spirit is approaching: through time, across continents, soaring over
creation.
God’s Spirit is speaking: whispering and comforting, roaring and challenging.
God’s Spirit surrounds us: beyond touch, warmly embracing.
God’s Spirit transforms us: making our horizons wider, our faith stronger, our
hopes possible.
Spirit of the living God move among us all,
for you transform us into the people you invite us to be,
for you transform the world into the place you dream it to be.
Make us one in love, humble, caring, selfless, sharing.
Blow among us, Spirit of God,
fill us with your courage and care.
Hurricane and Breath,
take us on a journey of love!
My thoughts on Lockdown
“I am a life-long introvert. Because of that, most elements of the
lockdown have not had such a hard effect on me. My favourite
occupation at any time is reading, so I am able to indulge that to such
an extent that I am catching up on the books I own but have not yet
read, and those I want to re-read (although there will definitely not be
enough time for all of those).
But the lockdown has caused me some problems. Some of you know
that I do not believe in washing the pots until there are no more clean
mugs in the cupboard. But over these last weeks I have found that the
mugs sitting on the side of the sink are pleading to be washed! I have
now succumbed to doing the washing-up at least once a day. I even
get the vacuum cleaner out more often!
In the past I have been told that I am too independent. One family
regularly took me to task for not asking them for help when I obviously
needed it. So, having to rely on someone else to do my shopping…
… !! (many thanks to that person, not least because my shopping lists
demonstrate that people from different parts of England speak
different languages).
Other matters which have caused me some heartache: too much time
for gardening (I am still not ready for that); only seeing my daughters
on video phone-calls; no live cricket on the TV or radio.
To everyone out there but not allowed out — remember, “you may be
apart, but you are not alone”: to all those who have been able to be at
work — keep it up: and to all those who are doing volunteering work
— THANK YOU”.
God bless you all.
David Fidler
Belated Birthday wishes to 2 of our Friends.
David Fidler who was 80 at the end of April 2020
and Ray Baker who was 60 during the middle of
May 2020. I hope they both made the most of
their special days.
Marjorie Borman celebrates her 80th birthday on
13th June 2020. So Happy Birthday Marjorie from us all.
Church Family Worker
We are delighted that Mark Harrison has been appointed as our Church Family worker, beginning work on 1st May 2020. Those that know Mark will be aware of his energy, ideas, and enthusiasm for the Gospel, and we’re looking forward to seeing this worked out in the life of the church. We defined the role of the Church Family Worker as one which would support church events in order to build relationships with fringe members and occasional visitors, signposting them to relevant activities and groups in order to draw them in and encourage progression from:
Attending to Belonging and Contributing to the church.
It’s exciting to have Mark supporting this work, but important to realise
that he’s there to support our work, not to do it all for us! I’m sure
you’ll join with me in congratulating Mark and praying for God’s
blessing on what he does.
Chris Rolph
Mark Harrison is offering to deliver the following items to anyone you know
who may appreciate them:
Food parcels/hot meals from the Salvation Army
Mindfulness Books which contain puzzles and pictures to colour, always
with a scripture verse and message and Jigsaws.
Please contact Mark directly on mjofmanby@aol.co.uk
This short act of worship has been prepared for you to use as you are unable to attend church. If you are well enough why not spend a few moments with God, knowing that other people are sharing this act of worship with you.
Opening Prayer
As you come to worship you might like to picture a road that you know really well. Is it straight or twisted? Is it smooth or uneven? Is it busy or quiet? Who else uses it? Who have you walked the road with? Hold the picture in your mind while you pray.
As I come before you today God, I bring you my road recognising others are bringing theirs too. For some the road to worship today will have been difficult while for others it has been smooth. For some there will have been twists and turns, for others it may have felt straight and plodding. Some will have walked alone and others with companions. Thank you that you walk each road with us, uniting us as a community of faith wherever we are to the glory of your name. Amen.
Hymn: from list
Let me join my prayers with others today
Loving God, for the times I have seen you journeying with me, I am thankful.
Gracious God, for the times I have seen others journeying with you, I am humbled,
Holy God, for the times I have not recognised your journeying with me, I am sorry.
Forgiving God, thank you for the assurance that you will continue to journey with me.
Living God, in my journey this week help me to see glimpses of your good news so that my heart burns within me. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Luke 24 : 13-35 or from the list
Time to Reflect
Take a time to sit quietly and ask Christ to be present for you in new ways this week.
A time of prayer:
As you prepare to pray, you may find it helpful to reflect on this hymn verse:
‘This, this is the God we adore, our faithful unchangeable friend, whose love is as great as his power, and neither knows measure nor end’ Joseph Hart, Singing the faith 66
Faithful God, you are present in all aspects of life even when people don’t see it. We call on you today to send your Spirit to bring comfort and peace to all who find their path ahead difficult.
We pray for your church and all those seeking ways to be church in these times.
May they recognize your living presence.
We pray for the world and all those seeking to offer leadership in the midst of uncertainty.
May they recognize your living presence.
We pray for all those who suffer at this time in body, mind or spirit.
May they recognize your living presence.
We pray for all who are bereaved whether through the loss of loved ones or the loss of human contact.
May they recognize your living presence.
Merciful God, accept these our prayers today in and through the name of the living Christ.
May we too recognize your living presence in the week ahead and trust in you for all that is to come.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father ……
Hymn: Listen to or read ‘Lord I come to you’ Singing the Faith 471 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6Qtxzd6v
Lord, I come to you, let my heart be changed, renewed, flowing from the grace that I found in you. And Lord, I've come to know the weaknesses I see in me will be stripped away by the power of your love. Hold me close, let your love surround me; bring me near, draw me to your side. And as I wait, I'll rise up like the eagle, and I will soar with you, your Spirit leads me on in the power of your love. Lord, unveil my eyes, let me see you face to face, the knowledge of your love as you live in me. Lord, renew my mind, as your will unfolds in my life in living every day by the power of your love.
Geoff Bullock (b. 1956) A prayer of blessing – adapted from a traditional Celtic prayer
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, The sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the presence of Christ Wherever you are on the road.
Original Materials by Rev’d Lorna Valentine, North Bedfordshire Circuit
June Readings and Hymns Suggestions:
June 7th:
Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 4a
Angel voices ever singing (StF 39 or H & P 484)
Matthew 28: 16-20
I, the Lord of sea and sky (StF 663)
June 14th
Genesis 18: 1–15
New every morning is the love (StF137 or H & P 636)
Matthew 9: 35 – 10: 8 (9-23)
Love divine, all loves excelling (StF 503 or H & P 267)
June 21st
Genesis 21: 8-21 Deep in the shadows of the past (StF 463 or H & P 447)
Matthew 10: 24-39
Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult (StF 250 or H & P 141)
June 28th
Genesis 22: 1-14
Captain of Israel's host, and Guide (StF 459 or H & P 62)
We can still pray at home for HOPE 2020
On 20th June, at 20.20 pm for 20 minutes
and join with others at home in prayer.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
THANK YOU
I would like to thank all who have made direct payments into the Church bank
account, set up new standing orders and increased existing standing orders,
while we have been unable to meet for worship.
It is so encouraging to know we have the support to enable us to keep our
finances ticking over until we can open the doors again.
GIFT AID
If any one paying tax is not already on our Gift Aid register, I would be
pleased to ask you to sign a Gift Aid Declaration Form and your giving will be
increased by 25% without any further cost to yourself.
CHEQUES
A few people have asked me about cheques. I am now able to get these into
the bank, so they can be posted through the Church letter box.
The Church bank details are: HSBC, Louth Methodist Church Society
Sort Code 40-30-26 Account 40545341
GENTS TOILETS
Property and Finance committee have given the go ahead to have the Gents
toilets refurbished and work will actually begin on Tuesday, 19th May.
I need to explain that the cost of this work will be met by the Renewal Fund.
This is a restricted fund having mostly come from bequests. This means this
money can only be used for Capital expenditure and cannot be transferred to
the Current Account to pay assessments and general running costs.
Again many thanks for the increased giving.
Nancy Cartwright Church Treasurer, kathryncar@tiscali.co.uk \ 602253
Holy Trinity
God's gracious geometry
< triangle of love >
The above is my attempt at Haiku, a Japanese inspired form of poetry. Haiku
normally consists of three lines of verse, the first and third line containing
words totalling 5 syllables whilst the middle line contains 7. The poem is
meant to be succinct, brief and clear. The last line, often the punch line
summarises and consolidates the previous 2 lines. I am going to invite if not
challenge you to write your own short poem and send it in to be included in
the next newsletter. Ideally it should be on a suitable theme such as the
trinity, summer, lockdown, faith or harvest etc. please send your contribution
either to myself or to Gwenda.
( Please dont worry about counting syllables just be creative.)
Mark j Harrison (mjofmanby@aol.com) Karen Morris – Nanny/Babysitter
• NNEB Qualified Nursery Nurse with experience
• CV and references available on request
• All childcare work up to 16 hrs per week
• Currently volunteering with 321 (preschool group), Rainbows (5-7 yrs) and Messy Church (all age groups). Exalt Team Member
Awaiting DBS for Scouts volunteer (10-14 yrs)
• Louth and surrounding areas
• Full Driving Licence and car
• Home Tel: 01507 607606
• Mobile Tel: 07305 350470
• Also registered on website nannyjob.com As part of sharing my gifts to our church I am happy
to be contacted as an unpaid temporary, emergency nanny
My Dad's bigger than your Dad
My dad cooks spaghetti bolognaise.
My dad cooks a mean roast with trimmings.
My dad barbecues, and his marinated turkey legs are the best.
My dad taught me how to cook a jam roly-poly pudding.
My dad's bigger than your dad.
My dad's bigger than yours.
My dad was a football scout for Derby County.
My dad was a goalkeeper for Leicester City.
My dad was centre forward for Liverpool Football Club.
My dad played football on the local park with me.
My dad's bigger than your dad.
My dad's bigger than yours.
My dad drives the latest BMW saloon car.
My dad drives a Bentley.
My dad flies a Cessna.
My dad taught me how to ride a bike.
My dad's bigger than your dad.
My dad's bigger than yours.
My dad is a landscape artist.
My dad paints portraits of celebrities.
My dad's abstract paintings are exhibited in the Tate Modern.
My dad puts the red on a robin and paints the spots on ladybirds.
My father's is as big as your father.
My Father is your Father too.
Mark j Harrison
Trinity at Work Quiz (source N.I.V. Bible )
To whom was Jesus addressing when he said the following? 'Go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.’ (Matthew 28: 16-20)
In Paul's blessing to the people of Corinth, what are the 3 missing words?
May the ----- of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the ---- of God, and the ---------- of the
Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 14)
When Jesus was baptized by John the Spirit of God descended like a dove. What did the
voice of heaven (God) say? (Matthew 3: 16-17)
In Paul's letter to the people of Rome, he advises if you don’t have the 'Spirit of Christ'
you do not belong to whom? (Romans 8: 9)
In the beginning what was hovering over the waters? (Genesis 1: 1)
What is the outcome if you follow Jude's prescription? (Jude v 20-21)
What are the fruits of the Spirit? (Galatians 5 : 22 )
From whom or what does the psalmist want to escape? (Psalm 139 : 7)
What will the great Shepherd equip us with? (Hebrews 13: 20-21)
In Paul's letter to the people of Ephesus, he writes about the unity in the body of Christ,
how does he instruct us to behave? (Ephesians 4: 1-6)
Prayer, prayer, prayer
I was recently appointed Church Family Worker at Louth Methodist Church (LMC) a
position which I accept as an honour and a privilege, and thank you for your prayers
and support in this matter.
I was meant to take up this appointment on April 1st (April Fools Day, yes God has a
sense of humour), but because of 'Lockdown' it has been a challenging time to fulfil
this role. I want to integrate many of the groups that meet at Nichol Hill and fully
involve them into our church community. I have been busy with Lighthouse as it
became mobile, working with the Salvation Army delivering hot meals, food parcels,
mindfulness books, jigsaws, and clothes etc as the need has arisen. In my spare time
I have learned new ways in communication; no longer do I rely on 2 empty baked
bean cans and a piece of string. I keep in touch with grandchildren on “whatsapp”,
and share with fellow Christians through 'Messenger and Facebook” and 'zoom' into
Exalt. But whatever platform you use to communicate, God is always there, always at
the end of a prayer, and even before you start to pray.
Prayer is the one constant that has kept me going through this coronavirus crisis. I
said at the outset, when I was appointed, I wanted to hold a prayer marathon to know
where God would be leading you and me. In line with our monthly prayers of HOPE
20:20, where we are invited to pray together on the 20th day of each month at 20
mins past 8 in the evening, I am proposing to hold a 20 hour prayer marathon aptly
named 'a prayerathon,' on 20th to 21st of June. The prayerathon will commence on
Saturday 20th June at 13:00pm and finishing at 9.00am the following morning, time to
have some toast before Exalt starts.
I am not sure if 'Lockdown' will have been sufficiently lifted by the 20th but I invite you
to join me for part of the marathon and pray with me, either virtually or if possible at
Nichol Hill. I ask you to share at least a 20 minute slot through the marathon, and it
would be useful if you would let me know prior if you can. On the Saturday evening
(20th) at 20:20 I hope you will be able to join me in prayer as part of the HOPE
initiative.
I am also co-ordinating a prayer chain which prays on a weekly basis for people
known to us, either by personal request or recommendation. We only use first/
Christian names. We share prayer requests by messaging or phoning members and
believe in the power of prayer.
If you wish to join our prayer group, wish to be prayed for or want to join me on the
prayerathon, please don’t hesitate in contacting me. Finally it gets confusing
especially when I'm in the company of the Rev Mark when someone says “Mark,” so I
hope you don't mind calling me Mj instead of Mark.
Mark j Harrison (M j) mjofmanby@aol.com or mob: 07983 385570
Minister: Rev Mark Sherman (Day off: Friday) Tel: 01507 603402 /07815 294407 Email: rev.mark.eastlincs@gmail.com
The Methodist Church in Britain have announced that, with sadness, worship services in Methodist Churches are suspended for the time being
in line with Government guidance. This is in addition to cancelling all social meetings. We will not be meeting in church until further notice.
There are resources for worship on the East Lincs Circuit website: https://eastlincolnshiremethodistcircuit.org.uk/ A new service will be posted every week. You can also use the Circuit Facebook page to stay in touch. Maybe those of you with access to the internet would be able to print these off for those who are not on-line.
If you are self-isolating and experiencing difficulty accessing medicines, food or other essential items, or would just like a chat, we would like to offer our assistance. What should you do? Please call one of the following numbers, or send an email:
Mrs Heather Jeffrey 01507 608769 heather_jeffrey@outlook.com
Rev Mark Sherman 01507 603402 rev.mark.eastlincs@gmail.com
We will then arrange for someone to contact you to find out how we can help.
In addition, we are hoping to produce some worship materials to send out. If you would be interested in receiving these, please leave a message on one of the above numbers.
Pastoral Visitors: Please do not make face to face visits at this time but keep in touch with those on your list by phone. If you have extra time to contact people please let Heather know as we currently have members without a pastoral visitor.
Do remember, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”. (Psalm 46)
DEADLINE for the July/August Newsletter 2020 is Sun 21st June
All information to Gwenda Burgin—tel: 607552 or e-mail
gwenda@burginnet.com or put in the pigeon-hole in the back foyer.