Lego Bricks have been used by Christian folk for quite a few years to express how we should build our Christian lives brick by brick. We are called to be faithful so what does that word mean to us each day?

Buildings need upkeep or else we have holes in the roof, doors hanging off their hinges; broken windows, dripping taps, woodworm – so we care for our homes to keep them sturdy and fit to live in. Our faith is like this – if we ignore building on what God wants us to be then our faith will be soft and little use to building God’s kingdom.

In Colossians Paul addresses the Christians there as “Faithful in Christ” but what does that mean for us – can we be addressed as those faithful in Christ by how we live each day? Do we pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances? Are you worthy of respect, sincere and do not pursue dishonest gain? Do we realise that our faithfulness or lack of faithfulness becomes an example to others? What does this word ‘ faithfulness’ means for us?

It shows our loyalty and trust in God’s promises, even when things are difficult or we are faced with temptation; it is a reflection of our relationship with God and how we show our love of Him in all aspects of our lives, in our thoughts, words and actions. The variety of colourful and different sized lego bricks have to be put together in the right order to build a good structure and we in our varied natures, cultures and upbringings need to keep building a strong faith by using the bricks God has given – prayer, thanks, sincerity and love for each
other.

Services in October

Worship at 10:30am

1st – Revd R Mottershead – Harvest Festival Parade
8th – Kate Brumby-Ellis
15th – Own Arrangements
22nd Revd J Matthews – Holy Communion
29th – Revd T M Nowell – Cafe

Dates for your Diary

Mon. 02 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30-noon
Tues. 03 – First Tuesday Circle – 2pm speaker from EDAN
Mon. 09 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30am-noon
Wed. 11 – Church Council – 2pm in church
Mon. 16 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30am-noon
Mon. 23 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30am-noon
Sat. 28 – Coffee Morning – 10-11am
Mon. 30 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30am-noon

We invite everyone to join us at these meetings, you will be warmly welcomed. Monday mornings are open to anyone to bring along their own craft or just come for a chat and a drink. We share a simple lunch from midday and look forward to sharing our time together.

In the colder months we will also invite those who need a warm space in on Monday mornings.

Our First Tuesday Circle has grown out of our Women’s Circle and Men’s group. As members were few at each meeting it was a good idea to join together so that visiting speakers had a good number with whom to share. Please come along to our friendly group and enjoy the speakers we have arranged for the coming sessions. On Tuesday, 3rd October our speaker
will be from EDAN – End Domestic Abuse Now.

As the year progresses we shall hold our Bible studies for the different seasons of the church so look out for the dates of our Advent study.

Environmental Concerns

As we in the rich western world do our part in looking after God’s creation we will have an effect on what else is happening in the world and show that we care about our neighbours in parts of the world suffering the devastating results of earthquake, flood and climate change.

Do not hesitate to tell shopkeepers that plastics need replacing; fashion needs to be fairly made and paid for and water used wisely . Wherever you see something that should be altered for the sake of our environment it is easier than ever with the technology we have to make your views known, so don’t wait if you believe it will improve our world.

It is easy in our comfortable world to sit back and be glad that we are not in suffering parts of the world but this is not what God calls us to. We recently promised in our Covenant service ‘put me to doing…let me be employed by you…’ so live out your faith with confidence and care and work to make a difference.

Lord Jesus, lead us out of apathy. Give us the strength to do what is right and not to leave it to others. Where there is need, guide us towards helping. Let us not sit comfortably while others suffer but disturb us enough to lift our thoughts, prayers and ways to what you would have us say and do, for we know that in your strength and with the Holy Spirit’s power your will can be done and our commitment will be honoured. Amen

Upcoming Events

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Please support the first in our cycle of charity coffee mornings for the MacMillan Cancer Charity. Saturday, 30 September, 10-11am. Come and share friendship and help this cause which affects many families.

Harvest Festival

Celebrate Harvest Festival with us and thank God for all His blessings 10.30am Sunday 1st October – Preacher – Revd Richard Mottershead.

As we have for many years now, we shall be donating to the Community Larder where we can help those in our community who need support. If you are able please bring tins of fruit, rice pudding, tuna, meats – (eg stews, meatballs, curries), hot dogs, peas, carrots, sweetcorn, tomatoes. ‘Weetabix’ or own brand equivalent, other breakfast cereals, instant coffee (small jars), sugar (250g packs), jam, marmalade, lemon curd, pasta sauces, semi-skimmed UHT milk, instant mash, biscuits, puddings, ‘Angel Delight’ and toiletries such as soap, shampoo, deodorants, tissues, toothbrushes & toothpaste and sanitary items.

Christmas Fair

Don’t Forget our Christmas Fair! – Saturday, 25th November. Please bring your friends and family and if you can help with items for the stalls please pass them to us and we shall be most grateful.

Fundraising

Shoeboxes

Our Link to Hope Shoebox appeal will end on the last Sunday of September so we can send on our donations by the beginning of October. If you would like to help, the basket for your monetary gifts is at the front of church near the piano. Our gifts will go to support the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania – all areas which are in need of our love and concern. The scheme ensures no-one is left out as the boxes help entire families and the elderly. Many thanks if you can help.

All We Can

All We Can is the Methodist Relief & Development Fund and rooted in the Christian faith. All We Can is an international development and relief organisation, working to see every person’s potential fulfilled. It works through partnership alongside our global neighbours most impacted by disasters, poverty and injustice to enable flourishing and resilient communities.

Other News

Family News

To all our friends unable to worship with us we send our love & prayers and blessings. Your prayers and support for our church helps all we do in our Father’s name, thank you.

New Phone Number

Please note: Irene & Terry Nowell will NO LONGER have a landline from 20th September. If you need to contact Terry his number is 07579 768910.

Deadline for the November Newsletter – 22nd October

If you have any news to share then please be aware of the above date and let us have your item a few days before.

Download a copy of the PDF

If you would like to download a PDF copy of the newsletter, you can do so here.

As we begin a new Church year ready to serve our Lord and Saviour, what do we need to know or to remind ourselves of? In the book of Jeremiah we are told about the new covenant that God wants to have with his people. God says ‘I will be their God and they will be my people – they will not need to teach their neighbours, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord’, for everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already” (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

Isn’t it wonderful that each one of us can know and have a personal relationship with God that will enrich our life with such joy, love, comfort and peace as we choose to work with God and his son Jesus every day. The point is that we have to choose. When we choose to follow him we find that Jesus had already chosen us before we accepted to be his friends. God freely gave us the best gift we could ever receive in Jesus who came to live our life and die for us, wiping out our sins and giving us eternal life – this is what Christians call GRACE.

As Jesus chose us to be his followers he wants us to be fruitful by spreading His good news and to share his love with all those around us – we need not be concerned about this as, because He has chosen you, he will guide and equip you. Enjoy the new year. We shall be sharing in the beautiful words of the Covenant service on the 10th September as we recommit ourselves to His service.

Services in September

Worship at 10:30am

3rd – Circuit, Bailgate
10th – Revd Nowell, Covenant, HC
17th – Revd Nowell, Cafe
24th – Revd J Matthews

Dates for your Diary

Mon. 04 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30-noon
Tues. 05 – First Tuesday Circle – 2pm speaker Paul Disley
Mon. 11 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30-noon
Mon. 18 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30-noon
Mon. 25 – Craft & Friendship – 10.30-noon

We invite everyone to join us at these meetings, you will be warmly welcomed. Monday mornings are open to anyone to bring along their own craft or just come for a chat and a drink. We share a simple lunch from midday and look forward to sharing our time together.

In the colder months we will also invite those who need a warm space in on Monday mornings.

Our First Tuesday Circle has grown out of our Women’s Circle and Men’s group. As members were few at each meeting it was a good idea to join together so that visiting speakers had a good number with whom to share. Please come along to our friendly group and enjoy the speakers we have arranged for the coming sessions.

As the year progresses we shall hold our Bible studies for the different seasons of the church so look out for the dates of our Advent study.

Environmental Concerns

What can we say about our environment just now as we have seen the devastating effects of climate change throughout the world – floods in China and Bangladesh; lethal fires throughout Europe and America. Our prayers are vital for those areas and peoples in the world suffering such destructive forces.

Not only our prayers are necessary though – our action is key to helping alleviate suffering both here and abroad. Many Christians work hard to re-use, reduce, recycle. We try not to be throw-away families and to teach younger members of our families to care for the environment – though youngsters are often more savvy than we from older generations; as we endeavour not to be profligate with earth’s resources, we try to reduce our use of fossil fuels which warm the climate, we try to limit our water usage and we try to recycle items that can be used again or used by others in a meaningful way. As we become more aware of our damaged planet each small caring action we can take will join with others’ actions and cumulatively have a positive effect.

Lord Jesus, we ask you to instil in us a proper reverence for all that you have made – a genuine respect for all environments and all creatures. Lord, we are in awe of the formidable power of nature, but, in these times, may we also come to comprehend its complex fragility and work towards it’s protection. Help us cultivate a world teeming with life, where a safe enriching environment is abundant enough for all, that God’s love and glory may shine through for generations to come. In your name we pray, Amen.

Upcoming Events

Goodbye and Welcome

There have been changes in our circuit. We have said goodbye to the Revds Alan Swann and David Lawton. This September we welcome our new Superintendent minister, the Revd Richard Mottershead and Deacon Helen Gardner.

Revd Mottershead will look after Central, Nettleham/Scothern and Welton & Dunholme churches as well as the circuit and will be welcomed at Bailgate on 3rd September, 10.30am and Deacon Gardner will work with Moorland Park, Navenby and Skellingthorpe and will be welcomed at a service on Wednesday, 30th August, 7pm at Moorland Park.

We pray for them as they come to work among us and look forward to welcoming the Revd Mottershead to our church on Sunday 1st October when we will celebrate out harvest festival.

We have also said ‘goodbye’ to our Chair of District, Revd Bruce Thompson and welcome our new Chair, the Revd Angela Long.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

As we begin the new Church year, please support the first in our cycle of charity coffee mornings:

Macmillan Coffee Morning – Saturday 30th September, 10-11am

Fundraising

Thank You to Lynne & Mick Breward for opening their garden again for a lovely, fun time which has benefitted church funds by £168. To the helpers and the visitors, thank you for your support. If you weren’t there, where were you? You missed a treat!

Shoeboxes

We have supported the Link to Hope Shoebox appeal for several years now. During Covid we were asked to send monetary gifts so items could be tailored to the needs of recipients. Since then we have been asked to continue this way of supporting the charity. Our gifts will go to the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania – all areas which are in need of our love and concern.

The scheme ensures no-one is left out as the boxes help entire families and the elderly. We need to send our donation by the end of October to ensure the gifts are delivered on time. There is a basket in church for your donations. Many thanks if you can help.

Other News

Family News

To all our friends unable to worship with us we send our love & prayers and blessings. Your prayers and support for our church helps all we do in our Father’s name, thank you.

Deadline for the October Newsletter – 24th September

If you have any news to share then please be aware of the above date and let us have your item a few days before.

Closing Prayer

As we travel through the new Church year:

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will…
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal…
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.

Download a copy of the PDF

If you would like to download a PDF copy of the newsletter, you can do so here.