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.