Whilst we’re not meeting at church, Young Spirits are sharing videos with us as they work through the Bible one book at a time. This week they’re looking at Isaiah.
Author: monksroadadmin
Resources for Sunday 26th April 2020
As the churches are currently closed due to COVID-19, there are lots of resources being made freely available for people to continue to worship from home. We hope that the following will help you at this challenging time.
- Short vine home service funded by twelvebaskets.
- Service sheet from The Methodist Church.
- Activity sheets from ROOTS.
- Livestream from Wesley’s Chapel (11am).
- Sunday Worship from Swanbank (10:30am).
- Livestream from Methodist Central Hall (11am).
- Livestream from Burton Road Methodist Church (10:30am)
Don’t forget that Young Spirits will also be uploading a video onto our Facebook Page each week, if you want to join them in working their way through the Bible one book at a time. There’s also the Sunday Service on Radio 4 service which begins just after 8am and Songs of Praise is on television.
Friday Connection – 24th April 2020
Welcome to our Sixth Friday Connection – 24th April 2020
Dear Friends it is good to meet together each week in this ‘connection’. As Christians we need to meet together to study the word of God and this week one of the readings we are looking at is Luke 24: 13-35, the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
As we walk along the Christian road we do not know what lies ahead. When we get to the end of the track will we turn left or right? Is there a bend in the road and what is beyond? Is there a hill to climb and what will be seen when we get to the top? Will it be a hard journey or a gentle stroll? Will we meet friends on the way? When we reach our destination will there be a reunion with family and friends and will they have a welcome meal waiting for us?
During the first meal in the Bible in Genesis 3 verses 6 & 7, the woman took some fruit and ate it. She gave some to her husband, and he ate it; then their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked. Death itself was traced to that moment of rebellion– the whole creation is subjected to decay, futility and sorrow.
Luke, echoes that story, in the first meal of the new creation in Jesus – “He took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, then the eyes of both were opened and they recognised him” – Luke 24 verse 31. Death itself is defeated, God’s new creation, brimming over with life and joy and new possibility, has burst into the world of sorrow. The risen Jesus is the sign of this new world. Jesus has gone through death and entered a new world, a world of new and deathless creation.
I wonder if the disciples travelling on the Emmaus Road with that stranger noticed what sort of road they were travelling – was it stony, hilly, a hard climb? I think nothing about the road they were journeying would have been noticed or mattered as they listened to that stranger explaining the scriptures to them, the how, the why and the importance of Jesus and his life, death and resurrection . Can you remember when you first listened to or read this portion of scripture? Did your heart burn and did your imagination run riot as the experience of those disciples, not named and not the ones we know from the bible passages echoed in your life? We are not named in the Bible, though God knows each one of us intimately.
The travellers’ eyes, hearts and minds were opened as Jesus shared a meal with them and broke the bread and suddenly, at the breaking of bread, they knew with whom they had been travelling, that Christ had risen. Their real experience meant they had to turn around and rush back to tell the others what a miracle had happened. Their wonderful experience helps us to believe all that the Bible offers us through Jesus.
We are invited to listen to the exposition of the Bible, to have our hearts burning within us as fresh truth comes out from the pages. Only when we see the Old Testament reaching its climax in Jesus will we understand it.
We too are invited to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread. This is the central symbolic action of all Jesus’ people. Scripture and sacrament go together – we find Jesus in the Bible, in worship, but especially now walking alongside us on our road through life.
With our love and prayers, Terry and Irene
Don’t Foster Misconceptions About Fostering | Guest Post by Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service
We’ve been asked by the Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service if we could share this information with you, in case you or somebody you know may be in a position to consider fostering.
According to the UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, it is estimated that a further 7,220 foster families are needed nationally in the next 12 months alone to care for the increasing number of children coming into care.
This picture is mirrored locally with Lincolnshire Fostering Service actively recruiting foster carers across the county.
Foster carers are needed from all walks of life to meet the diverse needs of the children in their care. Therefore, you can be a foster carer regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status or religion.
Despite this, there are many myths about who can become a foster carer which prevent people from enquiring as they feel they won’t be suitable for one reason or another. Here are some myths that a lot of people think stop them from becoming foster carers and the actual truth.
I can’t foster because I work / am unemployed / on a low income.
Whatever your employment status, this is not a barrier to foster. Lincolnshire Fostering Service has foster carers who work full time, some who work part time and some who foster full time instead. There are different types of fostering you can do which can fit around your lifestyle. For example, if you work full time and would love to foster too, Lincolnshire Fostering Service is actively recruiting respite carers who can offer at least 2 weekends a month as well as time during the school holidays.
Only people from particular backgrounds can be foster carers.
All children have different needs, and so foster carers from all different backgrounds and religions are needed to help care for them. Lincolnshire Fostering Service tries to place children with foster carers who are most likely to be meet their needs including any religion or cultural identity. Training around ‘Equality and Diversity’ is also provided to help foster carers provide the most appropriate care for children.
I can’t foster because I’m in a same-sex relationship.
Your sexuality does not preclude you from being a foster carer – what’s important is that you can safely care for a child who may have suffered neglect and abuse. Lincolnshire Fostering Service welcomes enquiries from LGBT+ applicants and has successfully approved a number of same-sex foster carers.
Only people who are married or living together can foster.
Single? No problem! The important thing is that you have a range of life skills and that you think about what support network you have around you in terms of friends and family who can support you with your role as a foster carer.
I’m too old to foster.
It may surprise you to learn that there is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer. Lincolnshire Fostering Service has carers of all ages, some in their 20s and some in their 80s! As long as you over 21 years of age, are fit and well enough to look after the children in your care, and have a genuine desire to make a real positive difference to children’s lives Lincolnshire Fostering Service would love to hear from you!
I can’t foster because I’m a single male.
Many people believe that men can’t foster but this just isn’t true. Both men and women can make great foster carers as each individual brings their own skills and experiences to the role. Lincolnshire Fostering Service has a number of single male carers who have made a real positive difference to the lives of the children in their care.
If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time to find out more. Apply online today at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering or call 01522 554114 for more information.
Young Spirits Reflection on The Song of Solomon
Whilst we’re not gathering at church, Young Spirit have decided to try and join together in reflections using video and social media. This week they are looking at The Song of Solomon.
Resources for Sunday 19th April 2020
As the churches are currently closed due to COVID-19, there are lots of resources being made freely available for people to continue to worship from home. We hope that the following will help you at this challenging time.
- Short vine home service funded by twelvebaskets.
- Service sheet from The Methodist Church.
- Activity sheets from ROOTS.
- Livestream from Wesley’s Chapel (11am).
- Sunday Worship from Swanbank (10:30am).
- Livestream from Methodist Central Hall (11am).
- Livestream from Burton Road Methodist Church (10:30am)
Don’t forget that Young Spirits will also be uploading a video onto our Facebook Page each week, if you want to join them in working their way through the Bible one book at a time. There’s also the Sunday Service on Radio 4 service which begins just after 8am and Songs of Praise is on television.
Friday Connection – 17th April 2020
Welcome to our Fifth Friday Connection – 17th April 2020
As we join together again it is difficult to believe that the coming Sunday will be the fifth Sunday we have been unable to worship together physically. Despite the situation we are still able to speak to each other by telephone and other electronic means and, of course, through our prayers for each other, the situation and our world as all countries work hard to combat this virus.
Are you contagious? Hopefully not with the virus or any other illness but with the Christian Spirit. For us as Christians we need to be contagious so that others can catch the Spirit and know how much God loves them.
The Gospel readings for Sunday are from John 20:19-31 and the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47. As we read these portions of scripture we see how the apostles reacted to the resurrection of our Lord and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
In the reading from John we see that the disciples were locked away and afraid. Although we are locked away and some of us may be wary of how life is going to return to some normality, we know that in God’s plan we are safe. After his resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples and said to them “Peace be with you” and emphasised that by repetition. Even when Thomas doubted because he wasn’t with the disciples at Christ’s first appearance, Jesus came and again reassured him. John tell us of these incidents and says to us today …these things are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in His name.
In the Acts of the Apostles we learn how the apostles lived and how they shared their faith so much so that “…every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”. In this exceptional time when we are separated from each other we still have opportunities to dispense our faith, maybe by encouraging each other in our church family but also by being able to speak to friends who aren’t believers and showing God’s love in our care and concern.
You may be eating your meals alone, or with one other or with a family. The disciples “…ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God…”. Meals may have become more of an important and enjoyable part of your day as other activities have become curtailed. Thankfulness is part of a Christian life so rejoice in every day, the weather, the jobs that you’ve been able to do because of the lockdown and the food we eat to keep us healthy. While we offer our thanks to God, remember those parts of the world where health services and food are scarce. Consider what we can do to help. There are so many ways and things we have to be thankful for, even in this different and difficult situation.
As you pray each day remember that Jesus is the Christ and through belief in Him we have life in all its fullness. Jesus still leaves his peace with all who believe. Easter is a daily celebration for all his followers.
We send our love and prayers
Terry and Irene
Happy Easter from Young Spirits
Whilst we’re not gathering at church, Young Spirit have decided to try and join together in reflections using video and social media. This week they are celebrating Easter with some Easter Egg “unboxing”.
Resources for Sunday 12th April – Easter Sunday
As the churches are currently closed due to COVID-19, there are lots of resources being made freely available for people to continue to worship from home. We hope that the following will help you at this challenging time.
- Short vine home service funded by twelvebaskets.
- Service sheet from The Methodist Church.
- Activity sheets from ROOTS.
- Livestream from Wesley’s Chapel (11am).
- Sunday Worship from Swanbank (10:30am).
- Livestream from Methodist Central Hall (11am).
- Livestream from Burton Road Methodist Church (10:30am)
Don’t forget that Young Spirits will also be uploading a video onto our Facebook Page each week, if you want to join them in working their way through the Bible one book at a time. There’s also the Sunday Service on Radio 4 service which begins just after 8am and Songs of Praise is on television.
Friday Connection – Good Friday (10th April 2020)
Welcome to our Fourth Friday Connection
Good Friday – On our Walk of Witness this year we shall be travelling together in our hearts and minds as we remember what Jesus did for us on Golgotha.
The cross is where Jesus took our sins away by his willing sacrifice. Good Friday fulfilled all the prophecies about who would be the one true Saviour who would bring peace. Psalm 85 verse 10 says “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other”. Jesus asks for nothing from us except faith – a faith which follows His teachings. Even when Jesus was on the cross and being mocked he asked His Father to forgive those mockers.
He asks us, his followers, to live a life of love and forgiveness as he did. We know that the suffering of Jesus is followed by a glorious resurrection on Easter Day. Hebrews 12 verse 2 asks us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God”; because of Jesus we are blessed and put right with God who reigns with righteousness and peace.
The first disciples were not in a church when they met the risen Jesus – they were at home, behind locked doors, afraid of what the future might hold. Jesus burst through their doubts and fears, and showed them that their lives could have purpose and meaning that they could not know without him, and know his presence and power in their homes and lives and world. This year on Easter Day we will be at home, perhaps feeling unsure about the future – with the risen Jesus we can find a certainty that he will be with us in every part of our lives, no matter what the future may hold – we can still say: the Lord is risen – He is risen indeed! Amen.
See, what a morning, gloriously bright, with the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
folded the grave clothes, tomb filled with light, as the angels announce Christ is risen!
See God’s salvation plan, wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
fulfilled in Christ, the Man, for he lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
… And we are raised with him, death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
and we shall reign with him, for he lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
©Stuart Townend (b.1963) and Keith Getty (b.1974)
Easter Sunday Communion at Home
Why not use this simple communion at 10.30am on Easter Day to bring us together as a church family?
Take a small piece of bread and some juice and say:
Bring bread to the table – Bring the body of Christ
Bring wine to the table – Bring the blood of Christ
Holy God, we praise you. We bless you for creating the world, for your promises to your people, and for Jesus, in whose face we see your fullness.
Born of Mary, he shares our life.
In broken bread he shares his life: with the hungry, the exploited & the poor.
In poured wine he shares his promise: with the oppressed, the hopeless and the excluded.
With thanksgiving we break the bread & lift the cup.
We proclaim Christ’s death & resurrection. We claim the promise of life.
We share the gifts of bread & wine, and share his gifts of love & life in our daily lives.
Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love, that we may serve as your faithful disciples, until we join with all your people around your banquet table. Amen