Outlook. Everyday Faith

Transcription

1 Outlook Monthly Newsletter of St Barnabas Parish Church of Linthorpe and Ayresome Everyday Faith Is it possible for the Christian faith to survive and thrive in our world, a world that is often indifferent or even sometimes hostile? What does such a faith look like at home, at work, and in other places where Christ s people find themselves? And what kind of church does it take to sustain that vision? Paul s first letter to the Thessalonians helps us with questions like these. It is probably the first letter Paul wrote to a church. This new church was flourishing in difficult times, but needed guidance in Christian living. Paul is full of love for the Thessalonians, and he is delighted that they are standing firm in the Lord. He writes to strengthen their faith in Jesus and remind them of the instructions he had passed on to them. Before they became Christians, they had been pagans, but Paul helps them to learn the very different way of life that results from leaving idols to serve the living and true God and to understand that holiness does not mean withdrawing from the world but being involved in a new way, marked by faith, love, and hope 1.

2 This autumn in our morning services our teaching series is Everyday Faith. We will be looking at 1 Thessalonians in sermons and life groups and remembering that God cares deeply about the whole of our lives, that our discipleship is lived out day to day, and that what we do is about more than just looking for opportunities to share our faith. Blessing The Backpacks To start the series, we will be blessing the backpacks. Please bring a bag with you on Sunday 9 th September that represents what you do during the week (nappy changing bag, school bag, briefcase, handbag etc.), children and young people too. We will be using it for a prayer activity at 9.30, 11.15am and 6.30pm. #EverydayFaith The Church of England is inviting us this September to discover God throughout the week and make time for Him during our busy lives. Find out more at: ydayfaith 1 1 Thessalonians - Hope and Holiness in a Hostile World by Antony Billington LICC 2017

3 August 2018 Fridays in August an opportunity for outreach into the Ayresome area of St Barnabas parish. Each Friday 20+ children turned up at Ayresome School, ready for fun and food, Bible teaching, games and crafts. This year the theme was Water, stories about Jesus and water/sea. It was very busy but a mixed age team of 20+ worked hard to make sure that everyone was safe, happy and well-fed (thank you to the kitchen team!) At 12 noon the children wer joined by thier parents, grandparents, sibling and some neighbouring families for a nutritious lunch, together with an opportunity to chat to the team and be listened to. On the last Friday before the new term, families from other Feast of Fun projects in the town joined together at St Barnabas for the Big Feast, led by Big KIDS (Sam Durant and Ste Corner). Please pray that children and families will remember the message they heard at Feast of Fun and that many will find their way to First Friday every month at St Barnabas. Ann Watson Ministry Leader for Service

4 Harvest Thanksgiving We will be collecting for the Foodbank at our Harvest Thanksgiving services on Sunday 14th October at 9.30 and a.m., Here is a full list of items needed for the Foodbank: Milk (UHT or powdered) Sugar (500g) Fruit juice (carton) Soup Pasta sauces Sponge pudding (tinned) Tomatoes (tinned) Cereals Rice pudding (tinned) Tea Bags/instant coffee Instant mash potato Rice/pasta Tinned meat/fish Tinned fruit Jam Biscuits or snack bars Lunch Together There will be lunch together in the church hall on Sunday 30th September at pm. Please sign the list in the porch, as it is helpful to know numbers, and bring a contribution to the shared meal. All welcome.

5 Reach out to touch the world this Christmastime No wrapping paper required, ribbon or tags, just knowing that by offering hospitality to a Stranger Soon to Become Friend, the experience will stay with you and your guest long after recycling the wrapping paper, storing decorations and finishing off the cold turkey! Here at HOST UK we offer you the opportunity to engage in an extra special Christmas-time by opening your home to an international student for whom the alternative would be, not only being far from home and loved ones but marking time in lonely halls of residence. HOST UK arranges visits for International students all year round but, as can well be imagined, festive season hospitality is greatly sought after and valued. Our festive season will include the period in the Christmas run up, as well as New Year. Your guest will be someone keen to experience British life with all its special traditions and culture and keen to share those of their home country. Your hospitality will be a unique gift, invariably remembered and treasured. Your gift to each other and to the world will be that of growing friendship, peace and understanding. Please consider this opportunity and remember that if the festive season is difficult for you, we do operate all year round and hosting can become one of your New Year Resolutions! If you should like to know more, please go to our website

6 Seniors Strawberry Tea On Thursday 30th August 110 guests enjoyed the church s fourth annual strawberry tea, otherwise known as the Seniors Summer Spectacular. After a short organ recital by Diane Wood and Keith Watkinson and an amusing soliloquy from Ann Self, as we tucked into sandwiches, home-made scones and cakes, and strawberries donated by a local wholesaler. Then a further contribution from Ann; Alistair Bolton sang to us and rendered a Stanley Holloway monologue in a perfect Lancastrian dialect and Sam Durant, accompanied by his own guitar sang a service of songs spanning the recent decades. Ray Morris concluded the afternoon with a short devotional address. Our thanks to Alistair for master-minding the afternoon and to the hardworking team who prepared and served us a good time was truly had by all. Photo Mehdi Mehrpour

7 Norma Graham Norma Graham, who died on 13th February aged 81, was a remarkable lady, who did not let repeated bouts of ill-health diminish her firm faith or her zest for life. She taught domestic science for 30 years at Kirby College and accounts of her unobtrusive kindness there and elsewhere to any in need sum up a deeply sensitive and caring person. This was matched by an organizational ability, which was the foundation for the continuing success of our annual parish holiday. Her willingness to face any challenge and the courage with which she faced her final illness were truly inspirational. Typically she planned her own funeral to take pressure off others. Her family s moving tributes at the packed service revealed where in human terms her heart lay: their loss is immense and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Baptisms 29th July 12th August 18th August Confirmations 18th August Wedding 26th August From the Registers Theo Thomas Robert Bateman George Lewis Smith Saheb Hajiebrahimi Rahman Jafari Mehdi Mehrpour Saheb Hajiebrahimi Mohammed Izadi Rahman Jafari Mehdi Mehrpour Christopher Towse and Rebecca Jayne Walker Funeral at St Barnabas 25th August Norma Graham aged 81

8 Diary Week beginning 2nd September Life groups meet Monday 3rd September PCC meets, 7.15 pm in the Reid Room Thursday 6th September Friday 7th September Monday 10th September Men s fellowship meets, 2 pm in the narthex First Friday, 5.30 pm in church Week beginning 16th September Life groups meet Monday 17th September Alpha Supper, 7 pm in the Reid Room Thursday 20th September Monday 24th September Men s Fellowship meets, 2 pm in the narthex Alpha Course starts, 7 pm at the Start Studio Friday 28th September Sunday 30th September Lydia Group meets, 2 pm in the Reid Room Lunch Together, pm in the church hall Week beginning 30th September Life groups meet Monday 1st October Thursday 4th October Friday 5th October Men s Fellowship meets, 2 pm in the narthex First Friday, 5.30 pm in church St Barnabas Church Office, 1A St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6JR Phone: office@st-barnabas.net Website: