New Southgate & Friern Barnet (Baptist/United Reformed)

Transcription

1 New Southgate & Friern Barnet (Baptist/United Reformed) Friern Barnet Road Grove Road N11 3EP N11 1LX NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2017 ISSUE 241

2 DIARY FOR FEBRUARY 2017 Wed. 1 st 7.45 pm. Grapevine Thurs. 2 nd 2.00 pm. Women s Club Book Folding 5.20 pm. Beavers (every Thurs. until break) 6.15 pm. Cub Scouts ( ) 7.00 pm. Scouts ( ) Fri. 3 rd am. Parent & Toddlers (every Fri. until break) Sun. 5 th Rev. Bob Allaway am. Morning Worship & Parade Service pm. Church Meeting Tues.7 th 4.15 pm. Rainbows (every Tues. until break) 5.15 pm. Brownies ( ) 7.15 pm. Guides ( ) Wed. 8 th 8.00 pm. Deacons Meeting Fri. 10 th am. Funeral Service for Mr Akrong Sat. 11 th am. Coffee Morning Mission Group Sun. 12 th HALF TERM PATHWAY am. Morning Worship pm. Extra Church Meeting Tues. 14 th 2.00 pm. Friendship Club Wed. 15 th 7.45 pm. Grapevine Thurs. 16 th 2.00 pm. Women s Club Games Afternoon / Beetle Drive Sun. 19 th Sun. 26 th Mrs Diana Bensted am. Morning Worship & Communion Mr Dave Crispin am. Morning Worship No Junior Church Tues. 28 th 2.00 pm. Friendship Club

3 MARCH Wed. 1 st 7.45 pm. Grapevine Thurs. 2 nd 2.00 pm. Women s Club Crochet Bead Necklaces Fri. 3 rd PASTORAL LETTER Women s World Day of Prayer time & venue tba When you read this you might have already heard that the Church Meeting to agree or disagree to call Ruth as our Minister has been changed from February 5th to February 12 th. The reason for this is because our Church Constitution states that for items of special business:- Notice of special business having been given on the preceding two Sundays (para.6). Unfortunately this we omitted to do, so we have to wait the two Sundays before we proceed. I see that the word constitution is another way of saying RULES. We all understand that rules are necessary to allow us to live ordered lives, but as we all know there are good rules, bad rules, and some very silly rules. We as Christians usually try to abide by these directives but we have an added set of rules to obey which can be quite challenging at times even for the most devout amongst us. How many times have we been told what a lot of goody goodies Christians think they are and we are often tested and challenged about our faith? Many do not realise that Christians are flesh and blood like everybody else and still laugh at jokes and yes some might even use strong language. Christians try to follow the best and strongest rules of all delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and we should follow these commandments as laid down (for all men to follow) there are many who do not like any regulations but without it the world would be in chaos. So let us honour His name and abide by his rules. Roger Oram

4 FAMILY NEWS We have recently heard of the death of Mr Akrong. His funeral service will be at the Church on Friday 10 th February at 10.30am. We send our condolences to his family and friends and remember them in our prayers. We also pray for Doreen Gray and her family following the recent death of her brother. His funeral will be on the 30 th January. Please remember all Christ Church members and friends who are unwell including Lily Dawton, Anthea Denham, Iris Farnsworth, Brian Gibbins and Wendy Lynn. PARENT AND TODDLERS ****************** Parent and Toddlers started back the first Friday in the month on a cold, grey day. It has been a very quiet start to the term, with the weather, and lots of coughs and colds going around. The numbers are gradually building and despite the weather outside, the little ones seem in good spirits. We have had a few new parents starting and old ones returning, Anne has been a great help over this past year!!! Very good of her to step in and help while Anthea is not well and I really appreciate her support. As well as her fantastic coffee making skills! Song time still tends to be a highlight, despite my terrible singing! Maybe that's the real reason the numbers are down! Joking apart the little ones are a joy and the parents appreciate a haven from the grey cold days. So it really makes it worthwhile even with the tantrums and tears so early on a Friday. Sara Skinner

5 WOMEN'S CLUB The temperature was 5⁰ outside and 15⁰ inside the church parlour on 19th January but we were warmer than Anne and Steve when they visited Iceland in November. Anne worked with Robert Mapara using the laptop for a visual tour of southern Iceland near the capital Reykjavik. The countryside has little foliage without trees. The hills are covered with lava from the eruption in 2014 of the volcano in the glacial Vatnajökull. In Reykjavik they saw the Hallgrimskirkja Church built in 1945 but it looks futuristic, like a rocket and at 15 metres high can be seen from anywhere in the city. They also visited the geysers that shoot hot spouts of water, and the waterfalls from which the hydroelectricity supplies most residents with inexpensive hot water, heating and electricity. Anne and Steve enjoyed a dip in the outdoor heated waters of the renowned Blue Lagoon water park that gives out a faint sulphur odour and is known for its exfoliating treatment with the application of the silica mud to your skin. Eating meals in their hotel was recommended as food is very expensive. To anyone tempted to do this trip there was a lot of walking but the sightseeing is totally free. Additional facts for you: 1. Temperatures in Summer average 2⁰ to 15⁰ and in Winter -5 to An island north west of Scotland with a population of Iceland 332,190 compared with London's 8.6 million 3. The Game of Thrones was filmed in Iceland 4. Cost of living is expensive at 1,000 Kr = Mainly secular, the state church is Lutheran although Catholic and Christian minorities exist. Our next session is on 2nd February when we will do a Folding Book craft to make a candle. (You need to bring a paperback book of 200 avge pages). Come in from the cold and enjoy some warm company. Jane Gibbins

6 FRIENDSHIP CLUB It only seems a little while ago when we were celebrating Christmas and the New Year but already we have had our two meetings in January. We joined together on the 10 th when we had a Welcome Back afternoon and talked of the things we had enjoyed over the festive period. Jean having spent some time with her sister in Cornwall and others welcomed in the New Year by watching the Firework Display on the television (at least we were in the warmth and comfort of our homes). On the 24 th we brought along pictures of pets, which included cats, and dogs, a horse, an adopted donkey and a calendar of a Street Cat named Bob, with a different picture for each month. We also had a newspaper cutting which told the story of how Bob, an injured cat was taken in by James Bowen when he was at his lowest ebb and how the cat actually rescued him and restored his life. This story has been made into a film and is in cinemas now. Unfortunately Iris wasn t able to be with us as she was unwell but hopefully she will be back when we meet again at 2pm. on the 14 th February, St. Valentine s Day and on the 28 th, Shrove Tuesday. Please join with us in the Parlour if you can. Gladys Townsend **************** The next meeting of the Newsletter Committee will be held at 39 The Ridgeway, London N11 at 8pm. on Thursday 16 th February Please let us have your material for the March Newsletter by Sunday 12 th February.

7 WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT One could easily assume what Jesus meant when he said I am the life in John 14:6, was limited to abundant living here on earth if we believe in Him. However, 1 John 5, makes it clear that it includes everlasting life. What a great gift! Considering we simply need to repent form our sins (Acts 3:19), accept and believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Do not tarry my friends, believe in the only name that assures you of eternal life. It s also a great comfort to know that all our loved ones who accepted and believed in Him, are enjoying a great eternity and that we ll see them again by believing this simple truth. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 1 John 5:5, Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. Ola Lawal ********************* FINANCE FOR APRIL nd JANUARY 2017 Cash 4, Envelopes 7, ,696.33

8 WOMEN S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER (INTERNATIONAL AND INTERDENOMINATIONAL) Press Release Am I Being Unfair to You? On Friday 3 rd March over 5,000 services will be held in the British Isles on the theme of Am I Being Unfair to You? The Christian women of the Philippines wrote the service and it has been translated into 1,000 different languages and dialects, to be used, throughout the whole world, on Friday 3rd March, starting at sunrise over the island of Samoa and continuing until sunset off the coast of American Samoa. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan - named locally as Yolanda struck the Philippine islands in the western Pacific Ocean. This is mentioned in the service but you will also hear the stories of a girl, a mother and an older woman, recounting their situations and their hopes and fears. The service focuses on the Bible story of the workers in the vineyard: Matthew 20 v There is a reflection on the artwork designed by Rowena Apol Laxamana - Sta.Rosa. It is very thought provoking and illustrates contrasting scenes. Why not find out more about the theme, the Philippines and the service? The Day of Prayer is not just for women. Everyone is welcome to attend the service. To find out further information, resources and services near to you, please visit the WWDP website Note: Details of time & venue for our local service have still to be announced.