The Messenger. February Crosby United Reformed Church Eshe Road, Crosby, L23 3AR. Church Secretary: Mrs Ally Matthews

Transcription

1 The Messenger February 2018 Crosby United Reformed Church Eshe Road, Crosby, L23 3AR Church Secretary: Mrs Ally Matthews

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3 Elders Letter When I was asked to do something for the February 2018 Messenger I immediately thought of our weekend in Grange at the Thornleigh Hotel. Ann and I have been to several church weekend but this was one of the best; without a Minister everyone pulled together. A big thank you to Artey, Andy and Keith for providing some great music; to Robert McDonald for his quiz and to Artey, Andy and Caron for providing us with some interesting facts and inspiring worship. Thornleigh was excellent, comfortable bedrooms, good food and lovely views. The general feeling was lets do it again so Artey and I hope to have a meeting soon. Many thanks John Rawsthorne 3

4 News of the Fellowship We continue to pray for John and Anne Rawsthorne, as John continues his recovery. You are always in our thoughts John, and we are also thinking and praying for Anne who has not been very well herself. Gordon Corbet has also had a short spell in hospital which rather ruined his Christmas plans, but I am pleased to say that he is on the mend after a worrying time. We thank God for his care of these two gentlemen. Barbara Philpott had a nasty bout of one of the ghastly viruses which are going around and getting back to her usual self has taken a long time, but now all seems well, Deo Gratis. We continue to think about Elspeth Yule, Joyce Mc Cormack, Betty Shepherd and Ruth Luney who can t be with us on Sundays, but they are in our thoughts and prayers. 4

5 Getting involved sharing your skills your fellowship needs you! Since Robert s retirement everyone has been working extra hard to ensure that everything still runs smoothly and that we continue to grow as a fellowship and not tread water until such a time as a new minister is appointed. We are thankful that so many of the fellowship offer their time and energies throughout the year and we are hoping to open out the opportunity to be more involved in the future. At a recent elders meeting, we discussed and found merit in the setting up of a number of groups to work together in a number of areas. The groups we felt appropriate (although the names may need some work) are: A social and events group A flowers and decoration group A catering group A communications group 5

6 The social and events group would take a lead in planning for the main festivals of the year (for example Easter, Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas) plus any events we put on or take part in such as Heritage Days, anniversaries and social events including the church weekend or variety concerts. The flowers and decoration group is looking for those skilled or keen to get involved with any craft, flower arranging and decoration of the church or hall for events and commemorations. The catering group (which has already got itself organised) will take the lead in planning for and facilitating any refreshments for events in the church calendar or social or other occasions. The communications group will take a lead with church publications, advertising and the dissemination of information to the fellowship and the wider community including the website, twitter, facebook and any other suitable 6

7 platforms including radio and the wayside pulpit. We are looking for interested volunteers who wish to be involved with any (or all!) of the groups you don t have to be good at flower arranging to be a part of the decoration group or a facebook expert to get involved with communications but a willingness to be involved and an interest is all the qualification required. Would you like to be involved? There are sheets on the noticeboard outside The Way where you can show an interest in any of the groups. Your involvement can be as little or as much as you wish for example I couldn t arrange a vase of flowers if I had all the time in the world but I do know how to make felt poppies for the remembrance day displays, so I will be adding my name to the decoration group. So go on, put your name down Ally Matthews 7

8 A round up for In 2017 we raised for Christian Aid. This included Ally's mother's jewellery but not our successful Christian Aid Week door collection which was excellently organised by Liz Hall. Our recent Christmas Coffee Morning raised 126 which will have been doubled by the government scheme which ran for charities over Christmas and New Year. Also in 2017 the Saturday morning Coffee Bar contributed to church funds as well as covering the costs of our Sunday morning teas and coffees and a few other expenses. Traidcraft sales also did well. A total of 1, worth of goods were sold and made a small profit of just over 125. I sent 25 to Traidcraft Exchange, the charitable arm of Traidcraft which will also have been doubled by the government. The remaining 100 went into church funds. 8

9 A date for your diary- I will be using the Saturday morning Coffee Bar on February 17th. to hold a Traidcraft Exchange " Big Brew " during the usual 10 till noon time. Jenny Wild Churches Together in Blundellsands There will be a series of Lent study groups to which everyone is invited from all the churches in Blundellsands. At each of these meetings volunteers from the host church will give a short talk on living out their faith and mission in their lives. There will be discussion and refreshments afterwards. Each meeting would be on a Tuesday starting at 7 p.m. The dates are: 20th February at St. Joseph s Catholic Church 27th February at St. Nicholas s Anglican Church 6th March at Crosby Eshe Road United Reformed Church 9

10 20th March at Blundellsands Methodist Church 27th March at Blundellsands Warren Road United Reformed Church When the meeting is at our church, Caron Moores and Norah Hart have volunteered to speak. We are looking for a third person. Each needs only to talk for about minutes. Volunteers or suggestions would be very welcome. Please pass them on to Norah Hart. Snowdrops. Fiesty little sisters, Through the dark dank earth Are slowly rising to the light To welcome life s new birth. Firstly tendril roots are searching, Then tips of steel the soil is piercing Stretching up the budded stem Oh cheering sight, we welcome them. 10

11 Braving freezing ice and blast, Pale frosty sun her beams has cast, On delicate bells of white and green, Shivering gently in winter s keen. Fiesty little sisters, Through the dark dank earth, Have risen now to the light, And welcomed life s new birth. Dilys Susan Corbett 5th January Ministers preaching in February 4 th Rev. Ken Summers 11 th Jean Taylor 18 th Rev Keith Hulse 25 th Dr Norah Hart 11

12 Ladies Fellowship Alternate 2pm 7 th and 21 st February All welcome for tea and a chat Elders serving Communion Elders Serving Communion - February Elders Serving Communion - March Jenny Wild, Maggie Potter Norah Hart, Ann Rawsthorne Elders Duty Rota Feb 4 th Feb 11 th Feb 18 th Elder on Duty/Ministers Elder Reception/Flowers Elder on Duty/Ministers Elder Reception/Flowers Elder on Duty/Ministers Elder Reception/Flowers Norah Hart Ally Matthews Ann Rawsthorne Nancy Walker Joyce Lightfoot Maggie Potter 12

13 Feb 25 th March 4th Elder on Duty/Ministers Elder Reception/Flowers Elder on Duty/Ministers Elder Reception/Flowers Keith Wright Jacqui Irving Jenny Wild Joyce Lightfoot Prayer Diary for February 1 st Pray for the children of Syria 2 nd Pray for all who work in the NHS 3 rd Give thanks for your family 4 th Rev. Ken Summers leads our worship today, pray for him 5 th Pray for the congregations of Churches Together in Blundellsands 6 th Pray for the work of Christian Aid amongst some of the worlds poorest people 7 th Pray for those who live with constant, unremitting pain 13

14 8 th Pray for those who work outside in winter 9 th Pray for the street children of South America 10 th Think today about the children who are in care because of family breakdown 11 th Pray for Jean Taylor as she leads worship today 12 th Give thanks for your good health and pray for those who are not so fortunate 13 th We think today about families who are struggling with debt 14 th Think today about Nour, the little girl we sponsor in Lebanon 15 th Pray for those who have to walk great distances in order to find clean water 16 th Pray for peace in the world 17 th Think today about people who cannot afford to heat their homes properly 18 th Today Rev. Keith Hulse leads our worship, pray for him 14

15 19 th Our elders meet tonight, pray for them, especially the four new members of the eldership 20 th Pray today for all those who are undergoing chemotherapy 21 st Give thanks for the wonderful fellowship we enjoy here at Eshe Road 22 nd Pray for everyone who suffers from mental illness in whatever form 23 rd Give thanks for your friends 24 th Think today about people who are on hospital waiting lists for surgery which has been postponed 25 th Our own Dr.Norah Hart leads worship today, pray for her 26 th Think today about children who suffer any form of abuse 27 th Pray for new mothers as they adjust to a very different life 28 th Pray for all who are deaf or hard of hearing and cannot enjoy the gift of music 15

16 If you would like any information or news adding to The Messenger or our website, please contact Andy or place items in the blue box by February 17th

17 College Road Cycles 177 College Road, Crosby Bikes for all the family Bikes, Service, Repairs, Accessories Fine Food Retailer and Caterers College Road, L23 3DP Tel