Groby United Reformed Church December 2012 & January 2013
Wednesday & Thursday 19 th & 20 th December 2012 7.00pm Groby Community College Tickets: Sue Lawrence-Brooks Tel: 2312866 Adults 3 & Children 1.50
Dear friends, 'Are you ready for Christmas? It's just a friendly opening question, and I've asked it many times myself and when I ask it I really mean: 'Have you wrapped all your Christmas presents?' Or: 'Have you planned who's turn it is to visit who?' But this year I resolve not to ask that question because it makes Christmas seem like some kind of deadline to be met. Which it isn't. Being 'ready for Christmas' is not actually about shopping or inviting the in laws this year. It seems to me that being 'ready' for Christmas is a year round process, and should not be a mad dash we put ourselves through in order to be 'ready' on December 25th. The gift God gives in the birth of his Son Jesus is not dependant on anything being ready except the hearts of those involved. As the story of the birth of Jesus unfolds, we find that it is the unlikely characters that are actually 'ready' rather than those we might have expected. 'He was in the world, and although the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.' (John 1: 10-11) And that pattern continues. Fortunately, God doesn't give gifts just at Christmas - or to our timetable. We may well find this frustrating, but God is his wisdom, knows what he is doing. Our job is to be open to him and the gifts he brings throughout the year. When you think about it, those who were a part of that first Christmas weren't 'ready' in any practical sense. Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptist) was past child bearing age, and her husband Zechariah was really shocked when an angel announced to him that they were going to be parents. Mary and Joseph were not 'ready' to have a baby and the timing wasn't great was it? Engaged to be married, and then having to travel to Bethlehem, and then there is no-where to stay just at the time the baby is ready to be born. 3
They almost certainly hadn't got a lot of baby stuff packed in a donkey's pannier either, and I'm sure that this unplanned birth in a city far from home was not how they planned to start married life! But both Elizabeth and Zechariah, and Mary and Joseph were very ready in another sense because they were ready to respond to God's call even if it 'wasn't convenient' just now! When the angel came to visit, Mary was ready to accept what God was doing in her life regardless of whether it was convenient. Joseph too, when God spoke to him in a vision about the baby on the way, was ready to respond to the challenge and play his part, in spite of the difficulties. The shepherds and the wise men, representing those very much on the 'outside' are also ready to respond to the call of God. We love to have everything planned, we love to be in control, and many of us love to be able to reply 'Yes' to the question about being ready for Christmas when it means that we have wrapped all the presents and invited the in laws this year. But God works to a different timetable and that means being ready to respond whenever he calls, whether we feel ready or not! It can also bring great comfort when our own personal world is rocked by tragedy or illness. God is in control, not us. So I like the fact that Jesus comes into our world irrespective of our plans, and not bounded by our timetables and our shopping lists. Of course the birth of Jesus stops us in our tracks, challenges our ideas, surprises and delights us. But I pray that we will be ready to welcome him into our hearts not just at Christmas, but all year round because that is what matters. Lewis and I are looking forward to celebrating our first Christmas with you and wish you all much joy and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord. With warm greetings in Him, Sue 'And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a Father's only Son, full of grace and truth' (John 1: 14) 4
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you, the church family, for all the prayers, the love, care and concern that was expressed in so many ways while I was unwell. Lewis and I have felt very upheld by your prayers and give thanks and praise to God for the healing and the positive test results. A (belated!!) HOUSE WARMING PARTY Lewis and Rev Sue invite you all to drop in anytime on Saturday 5th January 2013 between 10.00am and 10.00pm to warm their 'new' house. It may be abit of a squeeze, but we would love to see you! FOUND in the church kitchen: a lovely ring. Please contact Rev Sue who is looking after it! THE OVER 60S ART ATTACK The photograph shows a portion of a mural painted by the Golden Oldies at our painting session in November. It tells the story of the nativity and will form part of our Christmas display on the church walls. Job well done, the Sunday Fellowship Folk. 5
OUR CHURCH FAMILY WILL PUT SMILES ON THE FACES OF 115 CHILDREN Well done Groby URC and Urban Saints! Together we filled 115 shoeboxes with gifts that will go to children who would otherwise receive nothing this Christmas. Just close your eyes for a moment and picture the smiles of joy on the faces of those children as they receive their gift. Isn t that a wonderful image? I should like to thank you all on their behalf for showing God s amazing love by donating such wonderful gifts, for those who knitted all year round, for those who helped wrap the empty boxes, for those who filled them and for those who donated money to send them to their destination. By doing this you showed God s love in action. May God bless your endeavours and may each child come to know our God for themselves. This photo appeared in colour on each card signed by a child from Y.Church and put into a shoebox. It can also be found as part of the Samaritan s Purse Shoebox Mosaic at: http://www.zumyn.com/mosaicdetails/1340907339/ See if you can find us. 6
TALKING TO GOD ON A TUESDAY An opportunity to spend time together talking to God about our Church One hour of prayer led by Elders 4th December 15 th January 7.30 8.30pm Everyone welcome and everyone important HAPPY BIRTHDAY From your Church Family Liberty Barros 5 on December 1st Alysa Barros 4 on December 24th Maida Platts 1 on December 2th Sean Stuart Wilson 14 on 5 th January Joshua Lomas 14 on 7 th January May the Good Lord Bless you A Host of Angels Festival At St Philip and St James Church, Groby Saturday 1 st December 10.00am-6pm Sunday 2 nd December 12.00 6.00pm Wed and Thurs 4pm-6pm Entry 2.50 Children free Come and see a host of angels created by our Church family and community groups, lit and displayed in the church 7
THE DECEMBER 2012 & JANUARY 2013 DIARY Tuesday 4th 7.30pm Talking to God. One hour of prayer in church Saturday 8th 7.30pm Film and Food for Fellas Sunday 9th 10.00am Family Worship Meeting Jesus Come and See is led this month by our ychurch January 27th All Age Café Style. Sunday 9 th 4.00p. Sunday Afternoon Fellowship Especially for the over 60s All Wrapped Up Carols, talk, mince pies. Everyone welcome. Tuesday 11th Elders Meeting Tuesday December 18th 7.00pm on Stamford Arms Car Park Carols around the Tree with the Ratby Band. A CTG Event Thursday 13 th 10.30am Fair Cuppa Carols at Village Hall Wednesday & Thursday 19 th & 20 th Angel at Large at Groby Community College see notice on page 2 Christmas Eve: 7.15-9.00pm Carols Singing around the Village. A CTG event see Kathy s notice in Contact JANUARY 2013 Saturday 5 th 8.00am January CTG Prayer Breakfast (P&J to lead, URC to feed) Tuesday 8 th Elders Meeting Tuesday 15th 7.30pm Talking to God Thursday 17th CTG Forum Thursday 17th 7.00pm Film & Food For Fellas Sunday 20 th January Deadline for February Contact Tuesday 29 th 7.30pm The Church Meeting a must for Everyone 8
David Bloomfield is our link person with Tearfund. When I wrote to tell him of the harvest service and money raised for Cajamarca, he responded; Thanks so much for updating me on your activities and for your wonderful gift, raised through the harvest lunch. It was a really brilliant way to celebrate harvest as well as raise the profile of those you are connected to in Cajamarca. I know that it will continue to be a fruitful link for all concerned. Praise God that we have this opportunity of being better connected to the communities that are on the receiving end of our prayers and funds. Pastor Jorge is a passionate and motivated church leader in Cajamarca, based in the El Tambo village church with Pastor Eulogio. He reports that they are already seeing the impact of their work with children through the workshops they run which give new skills and confidence. The church sees a vital area of their work as being there when families break apart. They pray for these families, and support them practically, especially the mothers who are often left alone to look after their children. The church is keen to learn from Warmis about what more they can do to help the neediest families both materially and spiritually. They are very excited at the moment as they prepare together for a day of worship, when many churches will go on a march to proclaim the scriptures. Pray for revival among the churches of Cajamarca that they will wake up to their calling to spread Jesus love in word and deed. And as you do, pray for your neighbour and friend in church, that we also may follow their example to realise our Godly calling. Question: what better way could we learn from this Peruvian community but to proclaim the Christmas message in the village through carols on Christmas Eve? If possible, think about joining the carol singers as Groby waits for Christmas Day, using the opportunity to proclaim the scriptures in song about the birth of a Saviour for all mankind. God doesn t mind if your voice is not as angelic as others it s your enthusiasm He s after, and that s what others will notice. Kathy 9
A new series of teaching will begin during our Sunday morning services starting in December, designed to help us understand our opportunities and responsibilities in providing a whole church welcome to visitors, people who are not sure about us, and to each other. Christ welcomed and had time for everyone whoever and whatever they were. We will take a look at Christ s welcome, mainly through Luke, as we examine people s encounter with Jesus in the gospels. In the run up to Christmas we begin looking at the birth of Jesus and how it affected people from many different walks of life. From January to Easter, we look at Jesus the man, and how he dealt with the people he met. There will be opportunity to use material in home groups to help take this teaching to a deeper level. We are hoping that another group will also meet over this period to provide this same opportunity for those not currently in home groups. Please pray for Sue and Kevan as they look at the material and decide how to develop the theme, and for all the other preachers who will be involved in bringing us this important message. In my life I have seen so many things but nothing has touched me as deep inside as when I see Jesus in your eyes In Your eyes (Buddy & Julie Miller) Kathy A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small. - Eva K. Logue 10
Thank You for your 2012 contributions to The deadline for the February edition is: Sunday January 20 th 2013. Please email (preferred) or hand your items to: joyrussell@ntlworld.com or mpstait@hotmail.com Articles always welcome in advance of the deadline. 11 The following verses were sent in a Christmas card last year and Sheila Bailey thought she would share it with you. There is a list of folks I know, all written in a book, and every year at Christmas time I go and have a look. That is when I realise, these names are all a part, Not just of the book they re written in, but of my very heart. For each name stands for someone who has touched my life sometime And in that meeting they ve become the rhythm of the rhyme. I really feel I am composed of each remembered name And though they may not feel the same, My life is so much better, than it was before they came. So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine Of names upon a list, forgotten in between. For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you, It is because you re on that list of folks I m grateful to. Whether I have known you many years or few, In some way you ve had a part in sharing things I do. So every year when Christmas comes I realise anew, The greatest gift that God can give is knowing folks like you.
HELPING HANDS FOR DECEMBER HOLY CRECHE VESTRY COMMUNION 2nd Norma Rachel 9th Joy Hilary & Pat C 16th Kevan Mary Linda & Susie 23rd Dave Stacey & Linda 24th Mark - 25th 30th Mary Kathy -? COFFEE FLOWER ROTA 2nd Ann T & Barbara C Judith Robinson 9th Dave & Hilary David & Sue L-Brooks 16th Kay B & friend? Jill Faulknall & Family} 23rd Jan & Kathy DB Christmas flowers } 30th Sue LB & Hily Hilary & Dave Smith FAIR CUPPA WELCOME 6th Kay & Jill 2nd John & Elaine 13th Violet & Hilary 9th Trevor & Mary 20th Barbara & Anne 16th Kay B & Hily 23rd Don & Pat 24th Sue LB & Joy 25 th 30th Hiscock Family Jean & Sheila CLEANING DETAIL 31 st /1st Ruth, Sue, Ana, Judith 7/8th Kat C, Kay B, Joy & Peter 14/15th Pat S, Linda,& Tim, Kay P 21/22nd 28/29th Jeanette & Barrie, Anne, Hilary Barbara & Hedley, Kathy db, Lynda H Prayer: Don t give God instructions, just report for duty! 12
HELPING HANDS FOR JANUARY 2013 HOLY CRECHE VESTRY COMMUNION 6th Phil Kathy New rota requested 13th Ruth 20th Norma 27th Sarah COFFEE FLOWER ROTA 6th Pat S & Judith Jan White 13th Pat C & Mary P Joan Camp 20th AnnT & Barbara C Rachel & Mark Hiscocks 27th Dave & Hilary Lynda Hawkes CTG FAIR CUPPA WELCOME 3rd New rota requested 6th Sue LB & Ruth 10th 13th Moira & Jim 17th 20th Anne & Barbs 24th 27th Joy & Peter 31st CLEANING DETAIL (Mary Stait) 4/5th Mary S & Dave help needed 11/12th Ruth, Sue, Ana, Judith 18/19th Pat C, Linda & Tim, Kay P 25/26th Jeanette & Barrie, Anne, Hilary A note from Kath Green at Brookvale cottages reads: Thank you all for your kind gift for me and Martin. We were able to send a basket of groceries from the Sunday Afternoon Fellowship Harvest Service to Kath, who keeps a watchful eye on Martin (Moore) and kindly cooks him a hot meal most days of the week. A unanimous decision was taken over the tea and cakes. 13
2nd 10.00am 9th 10.00am 4.00pm 16th 10.00am 6.30pm 23rd 10.00am Meeting Jesus: The Long View Isaiah 9: 1-10 Rev Sue McKenzie Meeting Jesus: Come and See - All Age worship led by ychurch Christmas All Wrapped Up with Revd Sue The Sunday Fellowship followed by mince pies & tea. Meeting Jesus: Getting Ready Luke 1: 1-25; 57-80 with Revd Sue Holy Communion 3SE EXTEND youth focus service in modern worship style at St P & J Meeting Jesus: A close Encounter Luke 1: 26-56 with Mike Furborough Helen Fracchia Media: Kevan YCHURCH Media: Mark Hedley Media: Barry Hedley Media: Tim Humble Beginnings See elsewhere in Contact Worship Group Media: Phil 24th 5.00pm 25th 9.30am 30th 10.00am Christmas Eve All Age Worship The Heart of it followed by mince pies and mulled wine Christmas Day Good News! Come and Celebrate with Revd Sue Promise and Potential Luke 2: 22-40 Revd Sue Connie Media: Tim Hedley & Debbie Media: Tim Karen & Dave L Media: Dave 14
JANUARY 2013 WORSHIP PROGRAMME "I'm not religious, I just love the LORD" (Anon) 6th 10.00am 13th 10.00am 20th 10.00am 6.30pm 27th 10.00am Meeting Jesus: A Journey Matthew 2: 1-12 Kevan Hall All Age Communion Challenge and Choice Luke 3 Revd Sue CTG Service for Christian Unity at the URC with Revd Sue 3SE P&J details t.b.c. All Age Worship Café Style Church With Dave Lomas Worship Group Media: Phil Worship Group Media: Chris Worship Group Media: Barry t.b.a. Media: Alan BIBLE ENCOURAGERS: Thank you all those people who continue to support us by taking the Daily Bible Reading Books. To help with our life journey with Christ, back copies can be found at the rear of the church in the wall bookcase. Our Everyday Life home group recently studied Colossians and having a 2008 back copy really helped. Whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him Col. 3:17 So happy reading everyone in our church family; the scriptures are wonderfully informative and to move us forward, the Bible notes very often give a different perspective. God Bless, Kay Blick & Barbara Lomas. Be inspired by the title that fires the imagination. 15
FOR THOSE IN HOSTELS As we pray for the starving thousands and the wars full of turmoil and strife, do we ever stop to remember the fate of the battered wife? Or the misfits and drunkards, those souls with no hope or no home, Just pause for a moment, I beg you, and pray for the hostels, their home Despised and rejected by many, sorrow and grief all they know, they end up in hostels with nothing, and nowhere else to go. The bruises and wounds on their bodies mere shadows of the pain in their hearts. Thank God for the staff in the hostels who work daily to give them a new start. O Christian believer I ask you, who else do you know just like them? Wasn't it Jesus despised and rejected, forsaken and spat on by men? He also knew grief and deep sorrow that others should find peace again The punishment and death that He suffered was for all of us, women and men. So I ask you with homes and with plenty, do you pass by on the other side? The hostels are full of the beaten by life and those full of pride You say you have nothing to give them; well maybe you haven't its true But time spent in prayer costs you nothing that others might start life anew. From: St Vincent De Paul Society - Book of Pray Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world - stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death - and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem two thousand years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. - Henry Van Dyke 16
Deb s AfricaN Mission Update I have been accepted on the 6 month mission trip to Northern Tanzania, Africa starting in January 2013. I am really excited for what God has in store in this next adventure yet am very aware that time is ticking by & my time in Groby is drawing to a close. I will deeply miss the work & people here but know that God is calling me to something new. I will be having a big leaving do on Saturday 12th January (details to be confirmed) so please keep it free if you can as I would love to see as many of you there as possible. The next few details are just to give you some more information about what I am doing and if you are able to support me in anyway whether financially or prayerfully that would be great! I will have some specific prayer cards nearer the time. So, when I m in Tanzania what actually will I be getting up to... I will be working in a rural community to Build a house and/or church, toilet and water tank Assist teaching health care in isolated villages Assist in an orphanage Learn about rural development in Africa Build relationships with those in the community Help in rural medical clinics Be involved in H.I.V/A.I.D.S. education 17
Learn about other faiths and develop your own Explore remote areas of the Mara region Run a sports club for young people 18
Mission Fund-Raising Saturday 8 th December - 10am-2pm Christmas Craft Coffee Morning Groby URC Hall, Chapel Hill Cakes, Crafts, Cards, Decorations, Refreshments & more... Everyone Welcome We hope to see you there! Friday 21st December Urban Saints Leaders Social including food 6pm-7.30pm Gap Social & Open Fundraiser Event 7.30pm-10.00pm which will include tea, cake & the chance to watch our version of The Weakest Link hosted by our very own Anne Robinson! Held at Groby URC. ALL Welcome. There will be nibbles, & some games for everyone to join in. Entry to watch the show will be 2 & Games will be 1 to play Refreshments are free...we hope to see you there! 1 st December: Deb s Sponsored Grim Challenge 8 miles... crossing water filled ravines, crawling under camouflage netting, trudging through mud fields at a vehicle testing site for the Army... it s going to be cold, wet and very muddy!!!! Please pledge your support by completing the sponsorship form at the back of Church OR you can donate by cash or cheque directly to Deb, or transfer money directly into a Tanzania fund savings account held by my sister Amanda Townsend, Account no. 42094768, Sort Code 30-67-76 19
Prayer Pointers Revelation: Please pray that our final Christmas social together will be blessed abundantly and that everything we have learnt from the book of Revelation can give the bigger picture and purpose to Jesus birth. Pray for fun and laughter and great memories and encouragements. Please pray for Journey to Bethlehem which will be running Thursday 13 th & Friday 14 th Dec with years 3 & 4 of all 3 primary schools in Groby. Pray that this will be a fun and memorable experience for the staff and children involved & will bring the real Christmas story alive with purpose & meaning. Pray for all those involved in running it: acting, setting up or packing down or providing lunch. Pray too for the year 6 Newspaper project which Deb will be running in all primary schools. Pray for God to use these experiences to further His work. Please pray for the Christian Union as they look to do outreach in both their schools (Brookvale & College) to share God s message of why He came. Pray for courage, strength and trust in God to step out in faith and bring Jesus message to their schools. Pray that as the Autumn Term comes to an end at Urban Saints that this will be a special time. Not only for goodbyes and inspired challenge of faith but for new adventures that are about to begin for all involved. Pray for the groups to finish well and to begin well in 2013. Pray for God s protection on the children, young people and volunteers as they come into a time of change. Please pray that on Friday 21st December this will be a night of fun for Gap, Urban Saints Leaders & all those who wish to come along and join in the fun as Tom Pattison prepares a fundraiser event for Deb s mission trip. Pray for laughter and friendship and a deep sense of God s presence and blessing on the evening. Please pray for the new team that will be leading Chattabox next year. Pray for God s provision for all that is needed for this holiday club to bring glory to God. Pray for volunteer teams and children to sign up and that Chattabox 2013 will be life changing and encouraging for all involved. Youth & Children s Work Teams: Please pray for all those involved in Extend activities. Pray for wisdom, strength, guidance, provision and protection as they all come into a time of great change. May they all know God close to them. 20
Groby United Reformed Church Chapel Hill, Groby, Leics. LE6 OFE Minister: Revd Sue McKenzie Tel: 0116 232 1733 E-mail suemcken@gmail.com Secretarial Team: Children/Youth Worker: Mrs. Norma Whittaker Deb Goodhead Tel: 0116 287 6606 Tel: 0116 231 2038 or Email;normawhit4@virgin media.com 077305 96309 Mr. Peter Russell Hall Lettings: Tel: 0116 299 6164 Mrs K Peel Tel: 2250045 Groby URC is a member of the Evangelical Alliance UK. Groby URC website: www.grobyurc.com Sunday Worship 10am: Morning Worship: All Age with ychurch (children s session) Holy Communion as announced. Babies and toddlers can be cared for on Sunday mornings. The church building has a loop hearing system, wheelchair access, disabled toilet and nappy-changing facilities for babies. Home Groups: Wed & Thurs evenings see an elder for details Weekday Activities: Monday: 9.30-11.30am Noah s Ark Club for toddlers and families. Monday: 2.00-4.00pm Painting class for handicapped people. Monday: Urban Saints*: After school to 4.45pm Quest (boys and girls in reception and years 1, 2 and 3) 6.30-7.30pm Genesis (boys and girls in years 4, 5 and 6) 7.45-9.00pm Rock Solid (young people in years 7, 8 and 9) Wednesday: 7.30-9.00pm Revelation (young people in years 10, 11, 12 and 13) Thursday : 10.30-12.00 Noon Fair Cuppa* at Groby Village Hall. Friday 9.30-11.30am CATCH* Coffee and chat (in term-time) Friday: 7.30-9.30pm Gap* (young people in years 10. 11. 12 & 13) Saturday: 8.00-9.00am Prayers in the church hall for everyone *These events come under the umbrella of Churches Together in Groby 21