EMMANUEL METHODIST UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ORMSKIRK, LANCASHIRE, L39 2DE

Transcription

1 IN TOUCH Quilt Design Made by the Youngsters of the Church EMMANUEL METHODIST UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, ORMSKIRK, LANCASHIRE, L39 2DE

2 Message from our Minister Dear Friends, I can hardly believe that it is May already. As the saying goes, time flies when you re having fun, and Mark and I are taking such pleasure from being part of the worshipping community at Emmanuel! May is an interesting month! According to the web, May is apparently, somewhere in the world, the national month in which people celebrate their pets. It is also healthy vision month to remind everyone to get their eyes checked regularly and motorcycle safety month. May also marks the end of Spring. And don t forget Star Wars May the fourth (force) be with you! But of course May is a very special month for two other reasons. Firstly it was on Wednesday, May 24, 1738, that John Wesley experienced assurance of his salvation. Wesley wrote in his journal that at about 8:45 p.m. "while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." Then on Thursday, May 25 th, we will celebrate Ascension Day. Ascension Day is the 40th day of Easter, occurring 39 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates Jesus ascension into heaven. 1

3 What is the link between these? Well, when John Wesley edited the Book of Common Prayer for use by Methodists, he deleted nearly all of the Anglicans Holy Days that weren t Sundays, except Good Friday, Christmas Day and Ascension Day. Wesley believed that God has personally reconciled the believer to himself through the atoning life and death of Christ. It is through faith that we receive Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King. As we celebrate the ascension of Christ we acknowledge the reality of the fullness of Christ's reign now and in eternity. And so, following our Easter celebrations we continue to journey in faith with Christ, our Saviour. May we continue to have fun finding continuing renewed ways of sharing our faith, of being Christ s disciples and moving forward as the people God wants us to be. May God continue to bless us all, Sue The Cross With Flowers Outside Emmanuel Church To Mark Easter 2

4 Ormskirk Methodist United Reformed Church exists to promote the worship of Almighty God, to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and, in the power of the Spirit, to serve neighbours in Christ at home and abroad. It seeks to play a part in transforming the unjust structures of society and promoting strong communities based on Christian values. As part of the World Church, it will strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain the life on earth. O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all those who need human love and heavenly Father s care, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and hatred. Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children or straying feet, but rugged enough to turn back the tempter's power. Make it the gateway to Thy Eternal Kingdom, through Jesus If you would like to receive a taped copy of the Sunday morning service, then please contact Ynyr Jones on

5 Services for May 2017 Sunday, 7 th May a.m. The Revd Sue Guénault 6.30 p.m. The Revd Barbara Banton Sunday, 14 th May a.m. The Revd Michael Tindsley - Holy Communion 4.00 p.m. Informal tea service led by Malcolm Roxburgh Sunday, 21 st May a.m. The Revd Sue Guénault - Parade Service 6.30 p.m. The Revd Sue Guénault - Prayer and Praise Sunday, 28 th May a.m. The Revd Geoffrey Farthing 6.30 p.m. Easter Offering Service at Holmes 4

6 IGNITE DATES 21 st May: Ready, Steady, Cook p.m p.m. at Emmanuel 23 rd June: Ruff Wood Games (manhunt) at Ruff Wood, Ormskirk, p..m. 16 th July : Barbecue, music/party to 9.30 at Emmanuel 17 th September: Film Night 7.30 to 9 p.m. at Emmanuel 15 th October: Bowling - time and place to be advised 19 th November: Quiz 7.30 to 9 p.m. at Emmanuel 10 th December: Christmas Party 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. at Emmanuel Stall at Christmas Party to be announced. 5

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8 SUPPORTING CHARITIES THROUGH RECYCLING STAMPS - for Methodist Homes. This is an ongoing collection. Stamps should be trimmed 1/4 inch (not from the postcards) and can be given to Elizabeth at any time. Thank you WOMEN S EVENING GROUP Summer Outing to Llandudno on Wednesday, 5 th July 2017 (Cost: including lunch) (1) Would all WEG Members/Friends who are going on the above outing, please ensure that all monies/menus are passed to Sharon (Tel: ) not later than Tuesday, 16 th May (our AGM). Thank you. (2) A few seats are still available on the coach. If you would be interested in joining us, please contact Sharon on the above tel. no. You would be most welcome. (3) Coach will leave Ormskirk Bus Station at 9.00am returning approx., 5.30pm. 7

9 I think God is a Quilter I think God is a quilter who, with needle and thread, pieces our world from nothingness and gives it form instead. I think we see God s perfect stitches, textured everywhere: in velvet moss, and grainy sand, in silky strands of hair. I think God cuts the pattern from stuff we d throw away, and shows us how to use each scrap in God s own redeeming way. I think quilts paint the lessons God uses just to teach that our pieces and our remnants have kaleidoscopic reach. So, in the life we re living, odd pieces everywhere, let s give them to the Quilter to work into a masterpiece with extra-loving care. (By Anon) Revd. Sue has been moved to present the above poem which relates so well to the picture on the front cover of this In Touch. Many thanks To everyone who knitted Easter chickens, sold chickens or bought chickens in aid of our Church Refurbishment. The sum raised up to date is with a small amount of money still to come in. 8 Barbara.

10 Boys Brigade recycling Used printer cartridges and old mobile phones. Original manufactured cartridges only but not copies or remanufactured. Please pass your cartridges/phones to Ian Price or place them in the church porch recycle box. For the weekly notices Please me your notices at home, by 9 p.m. Wednesday evening to jackie.a.cann@gmail.com so that I can print on Thursdays. I am usually at home on Wednesday evenings (580270) if you would like to phone 9

11 Great Afternoon on Easter Saturday Passers by were entertained with music, magic acts and free chocolate. Ormskirk and District Churches Together In Ormskirk Town 10

12 EXTRA PAGES A,B,C,D - Page 11 follows Mission and Outreach Forum. Following the success of our prayer open forums, from which we are working on new prayer initiatives for our church community, we are holding two open forums to discuss potential mission and outreach opportunities, including the possible launch of Messy Church in September. The meetings will take place on Monday 15th May at 3.15pm and 8.15pm. We hope that everyone will be encouraged to attend as we continue to explore how we move forward as a Church family. Thank you, Sue Church Meetings Church Annual General Meeting, Sunday 7th May, 12.00pm followed by a Faith Lunch Emmanuel Guild Annual General Meeting, Monday 15th May, 2.00pm Pastoral Visitors Meeting - Thursday 18th May, 7.30pm A

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14 Ign!te is a newly-formed group for year olds, based at Emmanuel Church. All are welcome. Please find us on Facebook or at Activity to enjoy Please see Page 5 C

15 Run by Mark and Alison Taylor:- teams of eight or come along and join others and make up a team then. Numbers are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. The cost is 7 and the contact numbers are: or , or - mamma.taylor@hotmail.com D

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17 TOP RATING FOR LUNCH CLUB AGAIN! The Lunch Club has once again been awarded the top 5-star rating for food hygiene following an inspection by West Lancs Borough Council s Environmental Health Department. It is becoming a pleasing habit and long may it continue. Our grateful thanks go to: Pam Ruscoe, Miriam Edge and Joyce Burrows who plan, prepare and cook all the meals. Cynthia, who keeps the kitchen spic and span. All the servers and washers-up: Bev W., Gill B., Geraldine M., Jean W., Joyce D., Kath C., Elizabeth C, Sylvia T. and Barbaras R. & S. Church members who use the kitchen at other times and help to maintain standards. Roy C., Malcolm A. and Bob E. Who also do a bit in quiet, efficient, unobtrusive ways so typical of men. If you believe this last comment you ll believe anything. 12 Secretary, Bob Edge

18 Jean Ensor Our friend Jean was born on 31st October, 1916 in Bury St. Edmunds into a staunch Methodist family and with her father away serving in the First World War. As the war ended, and the family re-united, they moved several times in the South of England as Jean was growing up. It was there that Jean met her husband Leonard. Soon, the world was at war again and they were married only hours before Leonard was called up. Jean s war service was with the Red Cross where she learned the first aid and nursing skills she was to pass on to others later in her life. With the war ended and Leonard returned safely, they moved North to live in St. Helen s where Leonard set up his optician s practice and where they joined the local Methodist church. There they met the family of the 10-year-old Sylvia Jacquest who became a lifelong friend. There, too, their children David and Jennifer were born. Later they moved to Burscough, where their home in Junction Lane was also Leonard s surgery. As her family grew up, Jean again began working for the Red Cross and was invited to become Commandant. She was instrumental in finding them larger places and arranging the purchase of the Red Cross house on the corner of Stanley Street and Derby Street. There she taught first-aid skills to young recruits and trainers, and co-ordinated much fund-raising over a number of years. Jean also served as a magistrate on the Ormskirk bench for seventeen years, as well as finding time for membership of several other organisations: Townswomen s Guild and Soroptimists among them. As her children grew up and married - David to Susan and Jennifer to Neil - she was blessed with the arrival of five grandchildren: Christopher and Jonathan, Adam, Melissa and Tara and later with five greatgrandchildren. Jean celebrated her 100 th birthday with a lovely family party and then, on the day itself, 31 st October 2016, surrounded by cards and flowers, she received her special card from the Queen. Soon after her birthday she moved to a care home in York to be looked after and to be nearer to her grandchildren. It was there, with Melissa and Tara at her bedside, she slipped away very peacefully on 9 th March. 13

19 Michael and Sylvia led a beautiful service of thanksgiving and remembrance on 30 th March, as Jean s many friends gathered to support her family in celebrating the life of a much-loved and very special lady. We hold David and Jennifer and their families in our thoughts and prayers at this time of parting. Denise Moorcroft Fusion is an Ecumenical Youth Group organised by the Churches Together in Ormskirk. Here is the programme. For more information please see Cheryl or Sue. Aims 1. To bring together teenagers (11-18 years old) from all churches in Ormskirk & surrounding areas for encouragement, fun & friendship 2. To give opportunities for young people to invite friends to join in 3. To encourage and give opportunities for Youth Leaders whose numbers are small. 4. To periodically introduce meaningful Christian input Calendar 2017: Sat May 13 th Manley Mere (Andrew Lea/OCF) Sat Jun 10th Car Rally/Treasure Hunt with families (Sarah) Sun Jul 16 th CLM Sun Aug 20 th Ainsdale Beach with families Fri Sept 8 th Film Christ Church Fri Oct 13 th Laser Quest (Sarah) Sun Nov 19 th CLM Fri Dec 8 th - Christmas Party Event Other considerations: CURIOUS is on every month on the 3 rd CLM for teenagers+ 6 th formers prepare for Uni support event in summer in conjunction with Fusion UK 14

20 TEA SERVICE 4.00 P.M. 14 MAY WITH MALCOLM ROXBURGH LUNCH CLUB Second and fourth Wednesdays of each month J p a p.m. A home-cooked lunch - 2 courses plus drinks Additional drivers and helpers also needed A recent delicious meal was: Steak and kidney pie with carrots and green beans followed by Rhubarb and custard Please contact Bob (576703) or Roy (573372) 15

21 Colour me in AND FILL IN THE MISSING LETTERS Jesus is our SA_I R Line Drawing Could you do a pen or pencil drawing to show anything that Jesus did - such as a miracle, Jesus with his disciples or anything written about him in Bible? If you can do a drawing it might be used on the Colour me in page of a future copy of the In Touch. 16

22 Prayer Chain We have set up an prayer chain. All are welcome to join. The idea is to circulate prayer requests rapidly. Any sent to the prayer chain is automatically sent to all members. Any member of the prayer chain can send an to the chain. If you would like to join the prayer chain just send an to Please say within the who you are if it isn t obvious from your address. If you encounter any problems or questions please see Peter Harrison. The prayer chain has a website which you can find at If you join the group and set up a Yahoo ID associated with your address you will be able to see the message archive showing messages that have previously been sent to the group. Note that it is not necessary to set up a Yahoo ID to join the group you can still send and receive messages without one. Prayer Initiatives Prayers of Intercession In addition to our worship leaders, we would like to invite people to share in the leading of our Prayers of Intercession during worship. If you would like to explore serving our Church community in this way, please speak to Sue. Thank you. Prayer Themes From April we are inviting everyone to focus on a particular prayer theme each month, in our addition to our weekly prayer requests. Details will be published in our weekly notices. 17

23 Saturday Coffee Shop to noon Volunteers wanted for a Few Saturdays per year - Please contact Pat Loch AT EMMANUEL CHURCH Items for the June 2017 edition to arrive by 5p.m. 17 th. May please - to Nigel Cann 24 Dyers Lane, Ormskirk L39 4RW Tel: nglcnn24@gmail.com Closing date for material with photographs (jpg format) one day earlier. 18

24 YOUR ADVERT COULD BE IN OUR 10 MONTHLY COVERING 12 MONTHS EMMANUEL METHODIST CHURCH DERBY STREET 4 cm APPROXIMATELY 6 X 4 CM B/W PER 1 YEAR OF 10 ISSUES. We circulate 400 copies of each edition of the publication and many of the editions are passed around the reader s family. It could be assumed that we have a readership in excess of See you here soon Must be time to advertise via the PLEASE TO nglcnn24@gmail.com 19

25 GHL YOUR DESIGN ENTERTAINMENT Karaoke Disco Parties,Weddings, Functions Ian Tel CAN BE COPIED FROM PDF FILES Apr 2017 The above is the first advertisement we have been pleased to accept and we invite you to place your advertising in the In Touch More details are within this publication. Please for any more detail you may require. 20

26 HALL / ROOM HIRE Langham Hall AT EMMANUEL Is multipurpose and available for hire plus has tables and chairs which can comfortably accommodate approximately 95 people or the tables and chairs can be packed away at one end of the hall giving a large clear area for other activities. In addition we have a wall projector screen ready for your talks and such like in the hall. There is also a kitchen which can be used by arrangement, next to the hall, that is well equipped and for many years has received the 5 star award for hygiene. Lecture room Has seats for some 40 people, is set up with a wall projector screen and is carpeted. Lounge 24 seats are kept in the carpeted lounge which is ideal for a small meeting. Enquiries to:- Lyn Jenkins Or Bill Jones