NEWSLETTER. April

Transcription

1 NEWSLETTER April

2 Dear Friends, FROM THE MINISTER S STUDY Apart from jokes about bunnies, there does not appear to be many Easter funnies. So, it s completely unrelated silly one liners to start this month: People used to laugh at me when I would say "I want to be a comedian", well nobody's laughing now. My wife told me to stop impersonating a flamingo. I had to put my foot down. The very first Easter sermon I preached as a minister was based on Mark s account of the resurrection. This passage will come around again this year in our set readings. Mark s account of the resurrection always surprises. Not because of what it says, but much more because of what it does not say. It ends very abruptly (see Mark 16: 1-8). The women go to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus with spices. They are not sure how they will get in and they are surprised to find that the stone has been rolled away. They meet a young man dressed in white who says Jesus is risen, he is not in the tomb. This young man instructs them to go and tell the disciples that Jesus is going ahead of them into Galilee, where they will see him. And that s it! There really is not very much to go on. There is no appearance of the risen Christ, only testimony that Jesus is alive. Indeed, if we look at the original Greek, we find that the very last word of the story is a preposition, for. They were frightened, for. As endings go to the gospel, to the good news of Jesus, it seems somewhat unsatisfactory. This is probably why in later manuscripts scribes added their own ending. Possibly thinking that Mark s original ending had been lost, those who were copying out the gospel, decided to create a new ending based on facts available in the other gospels. Our Bibles will usually recognise this by stating that the most reliable early manuscripts do not have the longer ending, verses I think in my first Easter sermon I reflected on this ending and explained that since it does not really end it serves as a powerful reminder that the story of the risen Jesus was only just beginning that first Easter Sunday 2000 years ago. Jesus is no longer to be found among the dead, he is risen and he is going ahead of us. Christians should always be Easter people, men and women who are always looking forward, who are always thinking about what will come next in their lives. Christians should always be Easter people, who believe there are amazing new stories to be written. Christians should always be Easter

3 people, not defined by the mistakes of our past but the transformation of the risen Christ today and beyond. Christians should always be Easter people, who look at the problems of the world not with despair but with hope and determination. Mark s account ends with the women leaving the tomb trembling and bewildered, and the text says they told no-one. Unlike the woman at the tomb we have had a little longer to get used to this Easter truth. Jesus is alive! As Easter people now it s our turn to write the next bit of the story. Love, peace and joy, Andrew HOLY WEEK MEDITATIONS & SERVICES HOLY WEEK MEDITATIONS Meditations will be held each day from Monday March 26 th Thursday March 29 th from 10.00am 11.00am, starting with refreshments. Throughout the week we will be looking at some key figures involved in the arrest, trial and sentencing of Jesus. As we examine their possible motives for acting as they did we shall observe that human nature still displays the same weaknesses in the 21 st century, and so ask questions about our own motives as Christ s disciples. Meditations: Motives Monday 26 th Val Stone Weakness Tuesday 27 th John Wilson Control Wednesday 28 th Gail Brockway Fear Thursday 29 th Cathy Milne Obedience All are welcome to join these sessions and it is not necessary to be at every one. TENEBRAE SERVICE MARCH 28 TH All are invited to a Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows) on Wednesday March 28 th at 7.00pm. MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE MARCH 29 TH Our Maundy Thursday Service, including a shared meal, will take place on at 7.00pm. 2

4 GOOD FRIDAY Two thousand years ago, on a spring day, at the edge of Jerusalem, Jesus of Nazareth was nailed to a Roman cross and was crucified. That agonising moment has shaped the course of human history and is foundational to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This year we want to provide opportunities for the whole church family to reflect on the events of that first Good Friday am am Good Friday Family Event Share in cross based craft activities, followed by a short all-age service. 3.00pm A time of silence We will read the gospel account of the crucifixion and hold a reflective silence 7.00pm 8.00pm A reflective service Crucifixion was a barbaric punishment. Jesus faced this agony for us. This service will include quite graphic material from The Passion of the Christ film SUNDAY SERVICES FOR APRIL Services are held each Sunday at am and 6.00 pm. Junior (ages 7-11) and Primary (ages 3-7) Sunday School meet at 10.45am (except on Family Service Sunday). Late Risers (11+) meet at 6.00pm. 1 st 6.00am Sunrise Service at Kimberley Cemetery followed by breakfast at Holy Trinity, Kimberley 10.45am Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Easter Day Family Communion 6.00pm Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Holy Communion 8 th 10.45am Mr. Steve Corah 6.00pm Mr. Marc Williamson - Youth Service 15 th 9.00am Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Holy Communion 10.45am Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Family Service 6.00pm Mr. Mark Tennyson 22 nd 10.45am Rev. Helen Penfold - Women s Fellowship Anniversary 6.00pm Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Holy Communion 29 th 10.45am Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Holy Communion 6.00pm Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Cafe Praise

5 NUTHALL NEWS PRAYER STREETS Please remember the residents of the following streets in your prayers. Our friends at St. Patrick's Church and the churches in Kimberley are joining with us in this activity. The streets in italics are in Kimberley. April 1 st Philip Avenue & Oak Drive Norman Street & Dorchester Road 8 th Cedarland Crescent & Aldrin Close Stirling Grove & Haydock Close 15 th Blackfriars Close, Bean Close & Harcourt Crescent Flixton Road & Moray Court 22 nd Hatton Gardens, Bishopdale Drive & Temple Crescent Kempton Close & Aintree Close 29 th Cokefield Avenue & Beech Avenue Church Hill & Greens Lane MIDWEEK COMMUNION There will be no Midweek Communion Service in April. The next one will be on Tuesday May 1 st at 12noon. ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING Our Annual Church Meeting takes place on Thursday April 19 th at 7.00pm for fish and chips, followed by the meeting at 7.30pm. A sign-up sheet will be going up in the coffee lounge to order the fish and chips. All members and church friends are encouraged to attend this important meeting when we review the past twelve months and plan for the coming year. BESTWOOD & BULWELL FOODBANK We have taken the following items to the Foodbank over recent weeks. January 9 th 198 items February 27 th 292 items January 23 rd 149 items & 50 March 13 th 144 items February 6 th 266 items Please keep up the good work. 4

6 CHURCH COACH TRIPS 2018 April 14 th June 9 th July 7 th September 15 th November 17 th December 8 th Northallerton & Thirsk Ludlow Liverpool Hunstanton & Norfolk Lavender Cambridge Bourton on the Water & Broadway Adults 16 Concessions 14 Children 10 Contact Norma (0115) LINCS. & NOTTS. AIR AMBULANCE Take Time Together have arranged for a speaker from the above charity to visit us on April 19 th to give us an insight into the valuable and life-saving service they provide. At the same time we are donating our small profits for 2017 to them, as they rely solely on donations to be able to continue their work. We extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join us from 2.00pm to 3.30pm on that day to hear about their wonderful work, and of course enjoy tea and biscuits with us. Sorry to say that Prince William was otherwise engaged but we would love to see as many people as possible join us and make the afternoon a success. Hope you can join us and bring along a friend or neighbour too. SAFARI DINNER Gail and Sandra are organising a Safari Dinner, in aid of the New Kitchen Fund, on Saturday June 30 th starting at 7.00pm. Tickets will be 15 each. Please contact Gail (Brockway) if you would like to purchase tickets or require more information. She would also be delighted to hear from anyone who is willing to host a starter or main course. More details in the May newsletter. Book the date now!

7 CHRISTIAN AID COFFEE MORNING Saturday May 12 th from 10.00am to noon This is our annual event to raise money to support the work of Christian Aid. Please support us by coming on Saturday May 12 th. Please note the earlier date than previous years. The theme of this year s Christian Aid fortnight is: Together we re stronger. We are supporting Christian Aid raise money and act for the world s poorest people. We will be joining in the Big Brekkie by serving bacon butties as well as the usual coffee and cake. We will be very grateful for donations of cakes, tombola and raffle prizes, plus good quality books. A wide selection of greetings cards will be on sale. There will also be children s stalls including games and a children s tombola. If you are able to help on the day please see Ann Pounder or Val Stone. We will also be pleased to accepts donations if you are unable to attend. Thanking you in anticipation of your support for this event. TOILET ALTERATIONS To improve compliance with Safeguarding Regulations and following agreement at Church Council, the gentlemen's toilets are being altered to install cubicles. The work will take place during the Easter holidays and during this time the Ladies' Toilets will temporarily become mixed toilets open to all. If anyone prefers private facilities the Accessible toilet will also remain available. 6

8 BEAUVALE NEWS BEAUVALE EX-MEMBERS ACTIVITIES Our friends from Beauvale are reminded of the following events: Sunday April 8th at 6.00pm Greasley Group of Churches United Service will be held at Newthorpe Baptist Church. This is a Methodist service and will be led by Mr. David Blount. Due to illness and other problems it has been decided to suspend the Beauvale Fellowship for the time being.. CIRCUIT & DISTRICT NEWS TRIVIA QUIZ CHALLENGE 2018 Tuesday March 27 th at 7.30pm at Hucknall Central Methodist Church. Free tea, coffee and cake. How can you resist? Prizes almost worth winning. Maximum 6 persons per team. No entrance charge but there will be a retiring collection for the National Autistic Society. Come on Nuthall, it must be our turn to win! Contact Chris Curtis OPEN GARDEN Monday May 7 th from 2.00pm 5.00pm at the home of Sue and John Hill Rainbows End 26 Awsworth Lane Cossall Notts NG16 2RZ All money raised will be divided between Awsworth Methodist Church and The Daisy Garland charity which helps children with epilepsy. We would like to raise sufficient money for them to buy a night monitor which alerts parents to their child having a seizure. 7

9 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY MARCH 26 th 10.00am Holy Week Meditations (see page 2) - 29 th 27 th 10.30am Women s Fellowship Coffee Morning at church hosted by Mrs Beryl Wakefield 27 th 7.30pm Trivia Quiz Challenge at Hucknall Methodist Church (see Circuit News) APRIL 4 th 11.00am Pause for Prayer 10 th 2.00pm Women s Fellowship - Spencer Spooner: Wartime Musical Memories 14 th Coach Trip to Northallerton & Thirsk (see Nuthall News) 19 th 2.00pm Take Time Together (see Nuthall News) 19 th 7.00pm Annual Church Meeting (see Nuthall News) 20 th 11.00am Pause for Prayer 21 st 2.00pm BPFA Jumble Sale - jumble to church on Friday evening or 1.00pm on Saturday, please 24 th 10.30am Women s Fellowship Coffee Morning at church hosted by Mrs. Diana Nicholls 26 th 7.30pm Lord s Prayer Bible Study (final part) at church MAY 1 st 12.00noon Monthly Midweek Communion 6 th 2.00pm pm Open Garden at the home of Sue & John Hill (see Circuit News) 12 th 10.00am Christian Aid Coffee Morning (see Nuthall News) 13 th 7.15pm Finance & Property Committee Meeting in the Coffee Lounge 8

10 DUTIES AND ROTAS FOR APRIL CHURCH FLOWERS April 1 st Val & Ray Stone 8 th Kathryn Blount 15 th Diana Nicholls 22 nd Eileen Henton 29 th Gill Stokes TODDLERS' DRINKS ROTA April 4 th Easter Holidays - 11 th No Toddlers 18 th Sue Pullen & Margaret Wheatley 25 th Marjorie Silverton, Margaret & Mick Sendall COFFEE CORNER April 7 th Blount Family 14 th Jane & Howard 21 st Sylvia & David 28 th Liz & Carl MINISTER Rev. Andrew Charlesworth 2 Fairburn Way, Watnall, Notts, NG16 1GH (Day off Monday) SENIOR STEWARDS Mr. Andrew Tanser ach2804@yahoo.co.uk Mrs. Kirstie Dane SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT Mrs. Josie Wilcock CHURCH / HALL BOOKING CLERKS Mr. David Gorton Mrs. June Gorton june.gorton@btinternet.com CHURCH COACH BOOKING CLERK Mrs. Norma Ellis

11 SUNDAY SERVICE DUTIES FOR APRIL Duty Steward Readers Door Stewards Pianist 1 st B.Langford S. Bowerman W. Green 6.00 S. Pullen M. Silverton L. Reynolds D. & M. J. Wilson Waldram I. & S. Foster J. Wilson 8 th A. Tanser Jean Wilson J. Randall 6.00 J. Dent G. Brockway J. Wilcock S. & A. Nowab D. & K. Blount P. Hindle Youth Service 15 th 9.00 K. Dane H. Gray C. Lovatt E. Horsley Hindson L. Page J. Lander family 6.00 J. Wilson R. & V. Stone B. & B. Watson J. Wilson 22 nd C. Lovatt B. Hardy C. Milne 6.00 J. Dent A. Wilcock K. Blount P. & J. Owen J. Wilson C. & L. Page J. Wilson 29 th A. Tanser R. Foley B. Tantum 6.00 B. Langford D. Pullen S. Tantum G. & J. Heffernan S. Perrett & J. Matthews J. Wakefield J. Wilson Please pass all items for the May newsletter to Cathy Milne, post in the box in the Coffee Lounge or to cathym.milne@gmail.com by April 22 nd, please. 10

12 REGULAR WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Sunday Monday Tuesday 9.00am Holy Communion (3 rd Sunday of the month) 10.45am Morning Worship (crèche for ages 0 to 3) Sunday School (ages 3 to 11) Family Service (3 rd Sunday of the month) 6.00pm Evening Worship Youth Service (2 nd Sunday of the month) Late Risers (ages 11+) 7.00pm Templars Youth Fellowship 7.00pm Ladies Keep Fit 12.00noon Midweek Communion (1 st Tues. of the month) 2.00pm Women s Fellowship (2 nd Tues. of the month) 7.45pm Badminton & Table Tennis Club 8.00pm Wives Group (1 st & 3 rd Tues. of month, in homes) Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7.00am Prayer Meeting 10.00am Nuthall Methodist Church Walking Group (3 rd Wednesday of the month - contact M. Sendall for meeting point details) 11.00am Pause for Prayer (1 st Wed. of the month) 1.30pm Toddlers Group 6.00pm Girls Brigade (Explorers age 5 to 8) 6.30pm Girls Brigade (Juniors age 8 to 11) 6.30pm Girls Brigade (Seniors & Brigaders age 11+) 1.30pm Art Group 2.00pm Take Time Together (3 rd Thurs. of the month) 6.15pm Dance Yourself Fit (2 nd & 4 th Thurs. of the month) 11.00am Pause for Prayer (3 rd Fri. of the month) 5.55pm Boys Brigade (Junior Section age 8 to 11) 6.00pm Boys Brigade (Anchor Boys age 5 to 8) 6.50pm Boys Brigade (Company Section age 11+) 10.00am Coffee Corner - Come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, homemade cakes & a chat with friends A list of House Fellowship and Bible Study groups is available on the noticeboard in the Coffee Lounge