The Broadsheet. United Reformed Church, 77, High Street, Broadway. To know Jesus better, And to make Him better known

Transcription

1 The Broadsheet United Reformed Church, 77, High Street, Broadway To know Jesus better, And to make Him better known

2 Dear Friends The Christian walk includes bewilderment and discouragement, when we feel frustrated about negative circumstances that just won t budge or we are emotionally or physically low; sounds grim, doesn t it! BUT WE DO HAVE CHOICES! We can immerse ourselves in self-pity or we can make a start along a more positive road. In the coming days we will all have to make a choice about our vote in the General Election our vote or choice, however small it may seem to us, will have consequences which affect others as well as ourselves. It would appear that many people in our world today put themselves first how often have we heard the phrase my own personal space as if we had a right to live our lives without thought for how that might affect others. Most recently I have been privileged to worship in other churches, to share time with people outside my own sphere of friends and to cherish open hearts and open minds; socialising in restaurants rather than in people s homes has become very popular, but there is something more intimate about being invited into someone s home. Hospitality is a beautiful gift and in our busy lives its worth prioritizing. We should distinguish hospitality from entertaining; while it is great, if we are able, to prepare a good meal but sometimes just having people round for a cup of coffee (with a chocolate biscuit, of course!) will deepen our relationships beyond brief encounters on Sunday mornings at Church. We are privileged to belong to a warm, hospitable family, but let us not forget that we are commanded to show love in action and in truth. In 1John, Chapter 3 v 24 we read The one who keeps God s commands lives in him and he in them. And this is how we know that

3 he lives in us; we know it by the Spirit he gave us. As we grow together, let us get to know each other better and if inviting someone for a coffee is all it takes to begin to journey along a new road either for ourselves or for another then the reward is great. We all have a choice, whether voting in an election or walking along a new road. Make the choice Pray: My home is yours, Lord. Help me to make wise choices for the blessing of others. Amen. Blessings Joanne In the community, for the community And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere. (Acts 1:8) Let s take a moment to ponder: How do we do this? The UK has just completed its local elections, and is in full stride with its General Election. For weeks the man, woman and child on the street have had microphones thrust in front of them and been asked to say how they feel about particular politicians and political parties. We have heard TV reporters ask What do you think they stand for? Do you believe their promises? Do you think you can trust them? Can you believe what they say? What does their track record tell you? Trust and integrity are often mentioned. They are personal characteristics that are far more believable if demonstrated by action, rather than by

4 words. So, what actions can you think of to be His witnesses and tell people about Christ? And in a believable way? Christian Aid Week has just ended. What better demonstration of large numbers of Christians acting for others rather than themselves? Giving up their time to plan and coordinate, walking from house to house (in the rain) to put leaflets through doors, going back later (in the rain), to knock doors and invite the occupier to donate, never knowing whether they will be rebuffed or encouraged. The text from Acts was the last thing Jesus said to his disciples, and it was on Ascension Day, which this year was Thursday 25 th May. A day when Christians from all denominations in Broadway were being witnesses for Christ including giving their time to help their neighbours at Look After Yourself, the Good Lunch Club, Today s Our Day, helping people to and from home on the Nomads Community Bus, and phoning or calling in on people who are ill or lonely. Being witnesses and telling people of Christ s love by their actions as well as their words. What else can we do? Yours in Christ Mark The Triple B Trio playing at the Games Afternoon in May.

5 Services in June All services start at 10.30am. Everyone is invited to stay for refreshments in the Church Hall after the service Sunday 4th June Sunday 11th June Jo Williamson Michael Payne Holy Communion Sunday 18th June Revd. Richard Becher Sunday 25th June Revd. John Sutcliffe Elders Meeting Monday 5th June Church Meeting Sunday 18th June Birthday Celebrations 7th June Joanne Griffin 9th June Muriel Nelson 20th June Peggy Freeman Michael Payne 23rd June Pat Aberdein 25th June Pam Peters

6 June Duty Elder Joanne Griffin Sunday 4th June Welcome Reading Coffee Flowers Margaret Taylor Wyn Whitten Christine and Frank Waller Mary Acheson arranged By Muriel Nelson Sunday 11th June Welcome Reading Coffee Flowers Joanne Griffin Bill Nelson Muriel and Bill Nelson June Willn arranged by Judith Gibbons Sunday 18th June Welcome Reading Coffee Flowers Roger Harrington Margaret Harrington Pat and Bruce Wallace Susan Nuttall Sunday 25th June Welcome Reading Coffee Flowers Pat Aberdein Judy Aiton Christine Kershaw and Margaret Harrington Wyn Whitten

7 What s On? At Broadway URC, 77, High Street, Broadway. WR12 7AL What s On June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 Sunday Service am 4th,11th,18th, 25th 2nd,9th,16th, 23rd,30th 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Games Afternoon 2-4pm 6th 4th Wednesday Neighbours on Line 2-4pm 7th,21st 5th,19th Holiday Threads 2-4pm 21st 19th Thursday Look After Yourself noon 1,8,15,22,29 6,13,20,27 Today s Our Day 2-4pm 1,8,15,22,29 6,13,20,27 Friday PILOTS pm 9,16,23,30 7,14 Holiday Events Nomads Community Bus Launch Lifford Hall, 2-5pm Church Fete on the Small Green 10.00am 2pm Ukulele Band at Today s Our Day URC hall from 2pm 3rd 24th 29th More information Or contact Mark markp.broadwayurc@outlook.com

8 COMING UP TWO FIRSTS Ukulele Band Thursday 29th June at Today s Our Day in URC Hall 2.30pm 3.30pm Why not come at 2pm for tea, coffee, cake,chat (and table games if you like). Band starts at 2pm Just turn up, transport is available, Donations of 2 appreciated. Contact Mark Trip to NEC Birmingham on Friday 30th June Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycraft Exhibition. Travel together on Nomads Community Bus. The Bus leaves Broadway URC at 9.30am and will arrive back 3.30pm approx. Just 14 for a great day out which includes entrance, transport and parking. Book your place with Margaret Harrington as spaces limited Storyteller at Pilots Our friend Donald, of the Silver Bow Band, entertained and amused the Pilots. We look forward to him calling at the Family Barn Dance on 6th October 2017 at Lifford Hall from 6.30 to 10 pm. Save the date now! Mark

9 Evesham Street Pastors On Saturday morning of 24 April we had a very interesting talk organised by the Church in Society Group, by John Darby from the Evesham Street Pastors, which was set up by the Churches in Evesham. The pastors all come from the Churches in Evesham and while they are patrolling they are supported by prayer partners. They are supported by the local police, Wychavon District Council and Evesham Town Council. He explained that Street Pastors are willing to engage people where they are in terms of their thinking and location (where they hang out, on the streets, in the pubs, clubs or at parties. )They patrol in 3s every Friday evening from 9pm to about 3.30am in Evesham town centre. In a typical year they - help bring calm to aggressive situations and support vulnerable people, give out 160 pairs of flip-flops, give out 170 bottles of water, give 50 space blankets, clear away approx broken or discarded bottles or glasses, attend antisocial incidents. They also have about 1500 significant conversations each year. At the end of the talk 50 was raised for the Street Pastors. If you want to know more and would consider being a pastor or a prayer partner or prayer supporter please contact John Darby on Pat Wallace In April 150 was sent from the Emergency Fund to Christian Aid to support work with famine victims in Somalia. Church in Society Committee.

10 The Big Sing I had a very up lifting day last Saturday. After hearing John Darby I then went to the Big Sing at Cheltenham Town Hall. This was part of the Cheltenham Christian Arts Festival. It was wonderful and so inspiring. There was a Big Sing choir and orchestra who made an amazing sound but also plenty of audience participation. The choir had only had 3 practices before the day and included young people. The conductor is responsible for Songs of Praise on the BBC and had composed a couple of the items. The programme was a mix of familiar hymns and some new ones Amazing Grace, To God be the Glory, Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd Webber). I will definitely go again next year and would recommend it to you all. Pat Wallace Signpost Broadway are holding a Summer Fete on the Small Green, Saturday 10th June, 10am 2pm. Please come along for cakes, books, plants, tombola and much more. Church Summer Fayre Can you help set up a few small tables in the morning? Can you provide cakes, books, or local produce? Could you spare an hour to look after a stall? Can you help clear away at the end of the Fayre? If so we need you. Please let Megan know if you are able to help in any way. Remember many hands make light work!!!!

11 Broadway United Reformed Church Summer Fayre Books Local Produce Saturday 24th June Broadway Small Green 10am 2pm Homemade Cakes

12 Broadway United Reformed Church 77,High Street, Broadway, Worcestershire. WR12 7AL Outreach Development Worker Mark Pickering Secretary Booking Secretaries Church address Megan Thomas Margaret and Roger Harrington Articles for the next Broadsheet can be sent to or can be placed in the folder at the back of the Church Closing date for articles is 11th June 2017 REGULAR MEETINGS Monday Broadway and Towerview Playschool 9am 12noon Elders Meeting ( first Monday in the month ) Tuesday Games Afternoon 1st Tuesday each month 2-4pm Tai Chi pm Wednesday Broadway and Towerview Playschool 9am 12noon Neighbours on Line 2-4pm every other week Threads 2pm 4pm 3rd Wednesday of month Music Makers pm Thursday Look After Yourself 10.30am 12noon Today s Our Day 2-4pm Friday PILOTS 6.30pm -8pm Fun and activities in a Christian environment during term time for everyone aged 4-18