Dear Church Friends,
Hello everyone. Spring is coming in the church garden. Thank you Janet for your photo of the crocus cross which is coming into full bloom. I think we need something to cheer us up this week. Unfortunately the weather has not been good with three named storms in almost as many days, and the situation affecting the Ukrainian people is a cause for concern. Please pray for those who are affected by Russia’s aggressive attack.
The Joint Public Issues Team of the United Reformed Church, Methodist Church and Baptist Union has issued the following prayer:
God of all,
with alarm and concern we bring before you
the military intervention in Ukraine.
In a world you made for peace and flourishing,
we lament the use of armed force.
We mourn every casualty of this conflict,
every precious life extinguished by war.
We pray comfort for those who grieve
and those who are fearful.
Hear our longing that leaders and nations
will honour the worth of all people
by having the courage
to resolve conflict through dialogue.
May all our human failings be transformed
by your wonderful grace and goodness.
We ask this in the name of Christ,
the author of peace and sustainer of Creation. Amen
Our Worship on Sunday 27th February at 10.45am will be led by Linda Lunn
Bible Readings: Exodus 34: 29 – 35 Page 75 and Luke 9: 28 – 36 Page 867
Our Worship on Sunday 6th March at 10.45am will be led by Val Atkinson and will include communion. To make it easier for the stewards to serve you, please sit in alternate pews.
Our Worship on Sunday 13th March at 10.45am will be led by Stuart Gay
Even though all rules on the wearing of face coverings have been removed, please feel able to continue to wear one if it makes you feel more at ease.
Rev Jim has started the Bible Study Sessions at Kirkham at 1pm; Marton at 3pm and Bispham at 7pm. Each Thursday from 17th February to 24th March.
They will reflect on the Global Pandemic in the context of Jesus’ journey to the cross.
In addition to Jim’s courses, Rev Janet Calderley will be offering a 6 week course entitled ‘Living on the Breadline’ which focuses on poverty, injustice and discrimination. This course will take place at St. Anne’s URC on Monday evenings from 7th March to 11th April at 7.30 pm. Each session will last an hour.
Thank you for your gifts for the Salvation Army’s work with the Refugees/Asylum Seekers. The plastic basket will remain available for any further donations.
The Parkinson’s Support Group meeting is next Tuesday 1st March at 2pm in the hall. Greg Anderton, the Lytham Hall gardener is coming to talk and bringing plants. Members of the congregation are very welcome to attend.
Leprosy Mission Appeal There are envelopes on the back table for any further donations to the Leprosy Mission. Please return them to the basket on that table.
The World Day of Prayer Service will be held at the Drive Methodist Church, St Annes on Friday March 4th at 2pm
Fairtrade News
Fairtrade Fortnight starts on Monday and Janet S hopes to have a raffle, to be drawn at the end of FT Fortnight on the 6th March with proceeds going to Traidcraft Exchange.
All are welcome to a Fairtrade Coffee morning at St John’s Church, Lytham on Saturday 5th March – 10.30 – 12.30pm . A raffle, craft, card and cake stall and a wide range of fairly traded gifts and foods for sale, refreshments . Please support this event. All proceeds to Traidcraft Exchange
As the Church Family Photo Board is out of date, it has been taken down and will be stored in the choir vestry until an up to date one can be produced.
Out of the mouths of babes and children!
I should like to share a story I recently read of a young clergyman who once used the much-loved 23rd Psalm as the subject of a talk to a group of children. There was a lot they didn’t know, he told them. In fact, they were pretty much like sheep themselves and of course, sheep need a shepherd. He then asked the children who they thought the shepherd was, and after thinking about it for a little while, one lad piped up, “Jesus is the shepherd.” The young minister looked taken aback. “Then who am I?” he asked the child. “Oh, you’re the sheepdog,” the boy replied. “There’s only one shepherd.”
Some thoughts from Linda Brown
On dull and wintry mornings, when the duvet feels so warm,
And we pull our curtains back, to see more rain and blustery storms,
Remember dark and dreary days like these will always end.
Just like the difficulties and frustrations life can send
Tomorrow comes another day, and look! – the sky is blue,
The sun is out, the warm spring breeze blows happiness to you.
Let us pray
Dear Lord,
We pray for the people in our congregation who are finding life hard at present. Give them strength to get through dark times and put Your healing touch upon them.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen
God Bless you all. Ruth
