w w w. p o r t s l a d e - u routlook THE OUTLOOK Portslade United Reformed Church Magazine Part of the Hove and Portslade Pastorate Price 50p

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1 & February 1 w w w. p o r t s l a d e - u routlook c. o January r g. u k THE OUTLOOK Portslade United Reformed Church Magazine Part of the Hove and Portslade Pastorate January & February 2019 Issue No. 781 Price 50p

2 2 January & February Outlook HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019 Dear Friends Thank you for your love, prayer and support, especially at Christmas time. Your prayers enabled me to take the planned service on Christmas Day and now I am fully restored. Do you think that making resolutions really work at the beginning of a New Year? I think we start with good intentions but then we resort to old patterns of behaviour and we settle into our comfortable existence. This year I have decided to complete a diary entry for The reason for this is to see how God is working in my life and be able to use the entries to reflect on God s influence on my life. I know it will be a real discipline to make it work but I need to be able to remind myself about God s blessings, prompts and directives. We all need to deepen our relationships with God, which will ensure that God will be at the forefront of our worship, prayer and service. Our witness will be real and relevant if we put God first in our lives. What would work for you? Try to make a small change to your spiritual development. Read a book of the bible you have never read: start with a small book. Sign up for the URC Walking the way daily readings or Bible reading notes. Pray for a person you care for over

3 Outlook January & February 3 a whole of a month: that will be 12 lives to influence with God s Spirit. Each day mark the day with thanks for a joy we have shared or a challenge we are facing. Use what you think you need to try to get a new perspective on God and God s purpose. When we meet together share what we are each doing to make a difference to your own life, or other lives. This will build our God confidence and we will be able to support one another to be the best we can be for God. Each journey we take in life begins with the first step. Let s see how far God will take us in our commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who need this power in their lives. We can all do a small thing to change ourselves and our outlook and together we will live to the glory of God and God s purpose for all our community. I pray that each of us can begin the year well and live a wonderful year in God s grace and direction. Much love and peace, Sue X 6th January - Epiphany of The Lord Isaiah 60:1-6: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14,: Ephesians 3:1-12: Matthew 2: th January - Baptism of the Lord / Epiphany 1 Isaiah 43:1-7,:Psalm 29: Acts 8:14-17: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

4 4 January & February Outlook 20th January - Epiphany 2 Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 35:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2: th January - Epiphany 3 Nehemiah 8:1-3, ; Psalm 19: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4: rd February - Epiphany 4 Jeremiah 1:6-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 41: th February - Epiphany 5 Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5: th February - Epiphany 6 Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6: th February - Epiphany 7 Genesis 45:3-11; Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38 There are folk who are unwell and suffering with the seasonal ailments we pray for healing for them Families known to us who are going through difficult times please pray for strength and understanding that they may overcome what ever is causing them problems. Give thanks for the not yet friends who visited us over Christmas for our services and Christmas Tree Festival.

5 Outlook January & February 5 Thank you to those who arranged and supported the Christmas Tree Festival by giving their time to welcome folk who visited. It was good to see the church open for folk to drop in. To those who arranged, made and delivered the Christmas Gifts for our neighbours. Give thanks for all those who have started to worship with us regularly. May they continue to feel welcome and included by us all. Rev Sue was unwell in the days leading up to Christmas and it was good to have her back with us on 6 th January when the churches of the Pastorate came together for worship. There was a full church and the fellowship that continued over coffee has given us a good start to the New Year. We look forward to the next time we are all together. Clare and Jayne invite you to join them in the Church at 3pm on Sunday 17 th February. It is an opportunity to spend an hour with someone you care about while enjoying an Afternoon Tea. Why not consider bringing - a friend who you haven t seen for a while; someone who would otherwise not see anyone on a Sunday afternoon; a neighbour; a family member you haven t chatted to for a while! The tea is open to all. There will be a small charge of 3 per person to cover the expenses. But don t let that put you off.

6 6 January & February Outlook Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Praise the Lord giving thanks for past blessings - hold in prayer Sue,Colin and family, the Elders and the Pastorate. Pray that we as a Church family are open and accepting to all families who pass through our doors. Praise for the outreach by Church folk, delivering small Christmas gifts to the local community - that with God s Grace we will see growth of our youth ministry and congregation. Pray for StoryZone. For the children who may attend and for the adults that lead them. Pray for the young and elderly in the community in foster care, residential and nursing homes, remembering pupils and staff at Peter Gladwin School and residents and staff at Harmony House. Pray for children and families who are already involved with groups running in our church. Give thanks to the Lord for the beauty of our world and all creation - but seek His guidance as we strive not to upset the climate balance through thoughtless actions. Pray for all young people and their families in our local community, may our outreach be appealing to them, to spark their appetite to know Jesus more. Pray for Missionaries ad aid teams where suffering and deprivation persists. Pray that people of all faiths will have a greater understanding of each other. Pray for the GB, both girls and leaders. We pray for more young people to come and join in the activities offered by the leaders.

7 Friday Outlook January & February 7 Pray that God s Holy Spirit will guide our Government regarding Brexit and in other matters working for justice and peace. Pray for the BB, both boys and Leaders that we may be able to encourage new members to join us. Saturday There are many incidents happening around the world - so I leave you to pray for those that have touched your heart on this day. Pray for those who work the children and young people that they may be able reach out to more families through the activities we offer. Is there any area of general concern you would like included in future Prayer Diaries? If so, please contact Pauline May. 18 th 25 th January 2019 The enabling committee of Churches Together in Portslade have arranged the following events during the week. The invitation is open to all to attend any of the events. Saturday 19 th Coffee Morning 10am 12noon at the Baptist Church Monday 21 st CTIP AGM at 7.30pm at URC Tuesday 22 nd Hour of Prayer at 7.30pm at City Coast Wednesday 23 rd Friday 25 th Frugal Lunch at 12noon at the Mass Centre Service at 7.30pm at Church of the Good Shepherd Your support would be much appreciated.

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10 10 January & February Outlook Saturday 26 th January at 6.30pm Teams of 4 or 5 people. Entry Fee 2.50 per team member + the cost of Fish and Chips. Fish and Chip Supper need to be booked in advance All proceeds will go to Church Funds. If you would like to register a team please let Jayne or Clare know ASAP. In this coming year I pray that... God s love will surround you, God s wisdom will guide you, God s word will teach you, And God s ear will hear you. Amen. Please have any articles for inclusion into the March & April magazine to me by Sunday 24th February. Thank you in advance. Despite being small in number we continue to meet every Thursday evening. Since the last time we shared information with you we have been please to welcome Jacob, Freyja and Lilith and just before Christmas we welcomed Melissa back to GB. During November and December we focused on Community for our evening theme. In November we helped to make the bags of

11 Outlook January & February 11 sweets for distribution to our church neighbours. It was good to have Mary and Sue there to help us with this. In fact the bags from the sorting of the sweets, packing and sealing them only took us all about an hour. Definitely Team Work! Later on in the month we started on our major project Homelessness. The leaders felt that this was a subject that fitted in with thinking about the Christmas Story. Our project was to make and fill a gift bag for a homeless person. We decorated small paper carrier bags (like those used for takeaways), made Christmas Cards, collected items such as socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bars of chocolate and tissues which the families donated. The young people all made individual rich fruit cakes which were iced and wrapped. Inside each Christmas card they wrote a personal message. This all came together with support of the parents and we were really please to welcome Steve who oversees the Anti-Freeze Project with Off The Fence. He came along and talked with the young people and answered their questions. It was great to see them all interacting with some really well thought out questions. At the end of his time with us we were able to hand over 16 Christmas Gifts to him to distribute. We ended the term with a Family Christmas Evening where children and parents had a good time together with games and food. Happy New Year to everyone from the members of the Brigades.

12 12 January & February Outlook This is just a little reminder of the Psalm we wrote together at the Advent Service at the beginning of December: Praise the Lord, O my soul. I wait upon your will, my Redeemer. Praise the Lord, O my soul; Let my whole being bless your Holy name. For the sheer and utter joy of this time; May I praise You with my whole being. Let me never forget what You have done for me. Thank you for your all-encompassing love. I am blessed and everything is blessed, So let me bless Your Holy name. Lord, you are the one and only true God Who can guide my life; You have been good to me all my life. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will wait upon your will, my Redeemer. Be still and know that I am your God.

13 Outlook January & February 13 The next Church Meeting will be held on please make sure you diarise this now as important issues to do with the life of your Church will be discussed. What can I say that I haven't already said!. The Christmas Box campaign was a great success so thanks to you all for your enthusiasm and your kindness and generosity. We took 28 Filled boxes and two carrier bags full of Christmas "luxury" items plus what was in the boxes in the foyer and the vestry. All were very warmly received. Your decorated boxes were appreciated and we were told "we would put a smile on lots of faces this Christmas" what more can we ask? For the current campaign, City Mission are short of tinned meat, eg stews, spaghetti bolognaise, meat pies etc,, and/or tinned ham, corned beef, spam etc. They are also asking for tinned fish as well as Long Life, whole Milk and Pasta and Cook In Sauces. Maybe we could break that down and for the next two weeks, 5th & 12th Jan we could donate, tins of meat or fish. Then the 19th & 26th January, concentrate of the milk and sauces and at the same time continue to fill up the box in the vestry? I know it is a lot to ask but you have already proved you can do so much, so I look forward to seeing how you cope with this latest challenge. I wish you God's continued Blessing in 2019.

14 14 January & February Outlook SUNDAYS 10:15am 11:30am Regular service with Children s Sunday Club (except the 3rd Sunday of the month) Monday 10am - 10:30am 3:30pm Pop in for Prayer Story Zone (Term Time) Tuesday (alternate) 2:30pm Tuesday Fellowship Wednesday 7pm 6:30pm Book Club (every 4th) Harmony Community Choir Thursday 5:30pm 6.45pm 6:30pm 8pm Girls Brigade Explorers Juniors, Seniors and Brigaders Thursday 5:30pm 6.45pm 6:30pm 8pm Boys Brigade Anchors Boys Brigade Juniors Saturday 10:00 am - 10:30am 10:00am 12pm Prayer Group meeting in 52 Come to the hall for tea or coffee and chat The Elders look forward to welcoming you, your family and friends to the worship planned here at Portslade. Sunday 6 th 10:30am Pastorate Worship including Holy Communion led by Rev Sue Sunday 13 th 10:30am Family Worship led by Rev Clare Callanan

15 Tuesday 15 th 2:30pm Fellowship meet Friday 18 th to Friday 25 th Outlook January & February 15 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (See elsewhere for details of meeting and events) Sunday 20 th 10:30am Worship at Hounsom Tuesday 22 nd 3pm Elders Meeting Saturday 26 th 6:30pm Quiz Night and Fish and Chip Supper Sunday 27 th 10:30am Family Worship Tuesday 29 th 2:30pm Fellowship Meet Sunday 3 rd 10:30am Family Worship including Holy Communion led by Rev Sue. Hounsom join us Saturday 9 th 10:30am Church Meeting Sunday 10 th 10:30am Family Worship led by Rev Clare Callanan Tuesday 12 th 2:30pm Fellowship meet Sunday 17 th 10:30am Worship at Hounsom Sunday 24 th 10:30am Family Worship led by Rev Sue Tuesday 26 th 2:30pm Fellowship Meet Sunday 3 rd 10:30am Family Worship including Holy Communion led by Rev Sue. Hounsom join us