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LEIGH BAPTIST CHURCH “MESSENGER” OCTOBER 2022
VERNON ST / CHURCH ST . LEIGH. WN7 1BH
Website : www.leighbaptistchurch.org.uk Contact: admin@leighbaptistchurch.org.uk
Pastoral Leader – Val Hulme ( Day Off Fridays)
email : pastoral.leader@leighbaptistchurch.org.uk TEL 07817142192
Check LBC website for updates and info also LBC FACEBOOK page
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 2ndOctober 10:45am: Harvest Service. Val Hulme
Sunday 9th October 10:45am: Deacons
Sunday 16thOctober 10:45am: Worship, Prayer and Bible Study (Bring your own Bible)
Sunday 23rd October 10:45am: Communion Service Val Hulme
Sunday 30th October 10:45am: Rev. Jane Henderson NWBA Regional Minister
Wednesdays 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th October: Prayer Meeting 10:00am – 11:00am
Meet for tea/coffee/chat at 9:45am
Saturday 1st October: Harvest Supper and Social 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 12th October: Deacons’ Meeting 11:30am
Saturday 22nd October: Leaders’ Prayer and Quiet Day 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Advance date for your diary: Wednesday 7th December Christmas Concert by All Singers Great and Small. More details in next month’s Messenger.
Update from the Church and Congregation Meeting
It was agreed that the activities run by the Leadership Team should be paused for the rest of the year to give time for thoughtful prayer and reflection by all. We need to reflect on which activities are in line with our vision and mission statements, which we feel are sustainable, which others may be able to help with and, most importantly, which we feel that God is guiding us to continue with.
The pattern of Sunday Worship has been changed. We will not be holding the All-age Worship in the format that we have been following. Beginning immediately, the pattern will be:
1st Sunday of the month Val Hulme
2ndSunday “ “ “ Deacons
3rd Sunday “ “ “ Worship, Prayer and Bible Study
4th Sunday “ “ “ Communion Service Val Hulme
5th Sunday “ “ “ Informal service (unless there is a visiting preacher)
The informal service gives anyone the chance to bring a favourite Bible reading, or song, a prayer or reflection to share.
The next Church and Congregation Meeting will be on Sunday 20th November and will be the AGM. Please pray about this meeting, particularly the need for the diaconate to be strengthened and for the roles of Secretary and Treasurer to be filled.
Recently, we have had several messages on the theme of gifts and talents, and how God has given us these to use, both within the church and the community, for His glory. How is God prompting you to use yours?
Our Pastoral Leader will be on annual leave from Monday 24th October – Sunday 30th October inclusive.
To raise funds for church, we are selling an A4 size calendar for 2023, costing £8.00. Linda and Sandra have painted the pictures which, with a carefully chosen Bible verse, will illustrate the calendar. Buy one for yourself and consider buying more as they would make ideal Christmas presents. Please place your order with Val as soon as possible, then we can order the correct amount.
Miriam has also been busy, creating Christmas cards, again to raise funds for church. Large cards cost £1.30 with small cards costing 30p. Please see Miriam to purchase.
An example to follow. October 2022.
Although our thoughts are now on more recent happenings, at the time I started to write this message most of us had been taken up with the death of Queen Elizabeth II after a long reign of 70 years.
I admit to having watched all the proceedings on television, beginning with all that took place in Scotland through to the final service in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. The pageantry was something not to be missed, even on such a solemn occasion.
It was remarkable how, in each service held and in many interviews on the television Her Majesty’s faith in God was repeatedly talked about because it had helped her all through her life. Her favourite hymns and Bible readings all reflected various aspects of what she believed. It was said that she knew her Bible and could quote passages of scripture. James 3:13 (NIV) reads, ‘Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.’
V 17: ‘The wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.’
Most of those adjectives have been used to describe the Queen. In her Christmas messages she had always reminded people of the coming into the world of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. It has been said that she began every day with prayer, asking God to guide her. Her wisdom came ‘from above’. That was the secret of her life of service to her people, even from her teenage years, and always with the same devotion to duty, calmness and ease in meeting so many people from all walks of life. I have never forgotten how, as Princess Elizabeth, she smiled at and waved to us, three ten year old girls standing away from the crowds, as she passed in her car on a visit to Durham in 1947.
The Queen sought to follow the example of Jesus Christ who came into the world ‘to serve, not to be served.’ She served both God and her people. Who are we serving? Although we are in a different situation, we have no finer example to follow than that of our late Queen.
More recently we have been preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and the various problems in this country as well as disasters abroad. It is understandable to be worried and upset as we wonder what is going to happen next. Many people are finding that they cannot afford the basic needs of life. Many people in other parts of the world are left with nothing because of disasters and wars. So what can we do in these circumstances? It is important to read our Bibles. In many countries where people have hardly anything, they are crying out for Bibles because they can find the help in Jesus that they need. It holds the words of Eternal Life. If we don’t know what is written in it, how can we understand what it really means to be a believer, to know Christian values and to receive the help from it that we need? Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Let us also follow our late Queen’s example by beginning each day with prayer and by trusting in the God of Love and Peace to guide us and give us strength for that day. If we know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we have the assurance that He is with us at all times, good or bad. We can talk to Him at any time and tell Him our problems and thank Him for blessings received.
Let us also pray
1) for all people who are suffering in any way,
2) for King Charles III and all the Royal Family,
3) for our government and all world leaders, that they may be given wisdom and restraint leading to peace and co-operation.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.”
Psalm 46:1-2 (NKJV) “Be still and know that I am God.” v 10.
May God be with you,
Kathie.