Dear Church Friends,
Hello everyone. I see that today’s alternative notices marks 18 months of ANs. It doesn’t seem possible that so many weeks have passed. This Sunday also sees another milestone, as it is one year since the church reopened on 20th Sept following the first Covid lockdown. We had to close again from 8th Nov for four Sundays and then were open from 6th Dec until the end of the month, closing in the New Year, only opening for a service on Easter Sunday. Since 18th April, however, we have remained open and I should like to thank all those who have felt able to attend our weekly services. I must also pay tribute to all the worship leaders who led our worship and renewed our spirits during these weeks and those people who have helped with cleaning, acted as stewards or had any other role to keep us safe during this uncertain period. Thank you.
It is hoped that a fuller, more normal Sunday service will resume in October, Last week I mentioned the need for additional stewards to help ‘meet and greet’ people on a Sunday morning and I should like to thank those who have offered to help, but we still need several more volunteers. Please contact me or add your name to the sheet on the table at the rear of the church if you feel able to help.
The church shop is now open again in the hall after the Sunday service during coffee and Glenys will be pleased to see people. Janet S has a limited supply of Traidcraft items but she can order anything required from the brochures which are available for you to look through.
You may not all be aware that there is a defibrillator in the passage outside the door from the sanctuary to the corridor. It has been there for several years and the battery and pads have recently been replaced.
I am sorry to have to tell you that our former organist Arthur’s wife Marjorie sadly passed away early on Thursday morning. Please pray for Arthur, his daughter, son and families as they come to terms with Marjorie’s passing. The previous week John delivered the retirement card many of you signed in church recently and Arthur would like to thank everyone who signed it and wrote kind messages.
Harvest Sunday on 10th October 2021
In order to make a small display at the front, we will accept non-perishable food gifts, but would, in the main, like to receive cheque/cash donations which will be distributed 50/50 between local families in crisis and overseas aid (or possibly refugees from Afghanistan being housed in the UK). Please put any monetary gifts in a sealed envelope with Harvest Gift written on the front.
Christmas Eve
Even though not many people have indicated they would attend a Christmas Eve Service with communion, it is likely that this will go ahead. It will be confirmed nearer the time.
Ecumenical News
I have been asked to mention that Fairhaven Methodist Church is Open for Prayer 10am-2pm Saturday 25th September. Points for prayer around the theme of harvest.
I read a story of a man who was part of an overseas outreach mission helping villagers in a poor country to recover from some natural disaster. Shortly before he was due to leave the area, a rather fierce looking man approached him and said he wanted to thank him. Anxiously, the man followed the villager to a ruin of a hut, high on a hillside. He was offered a chair in this man’s home and directed to look out at the sun setting on the distant horizon. They watched together in silent awe and admiration. When the sun finally disappeared, the man lit a lamp and explained, “I had nothing else to give you”. God’s natural world provided a gift of wonder and something that touched both men deeply. What a wonderful gift.
Our Worship on Sunday 19th September at 10.45am will be led by Andrew Barratt
Our Worship on Sunday 26th September at 10.45am will be led by Jean Cookson
Our Worship on Sunday 3rd October at 10.45am will be led by Val Atkinson and will include Communion.
Following the funeral of Iris S on Monday, her daughter Beverley has asked me to include the following thank you.
“I would like to thank the many members of the Church, past and present, for their cards, messages and phone calls following the loss of Mum. I have been so touched by the lovely memories you have of Mum and how she in turn touched your lives. Her faith never wavered when times were hard following the loss of Dad and Ian and it was a huge comfort to know her many friends at Church were there to love and support her. My childhood memories are mostly associated with the Church and I am so glad Mum and Dad chose the White Church to be their spiritual home. With love Beverley x”
I AM
Bible Study Sessions
I AM – A Bible study in 8 sessions at 4 locations: Hambleton URC Monday 7pm starting on 4/10/21; Poulton URC Wednesday 7pm starting on 6/10.21; Fleetwood URC Thursday 2pm starting on 7/10/21; Fairhaven URC Friday 2pm starting on 8/10/21. Contact Rev Jim on 07484221809 for further details. Jim encourages people to move around the various locations and meet new people.
Sylvia sent the photo of the baby heron shown above.
Let us pray
Dear Lord Jesus,
We pray for those families known to us who have recently been bereaved. Please comfort them and help them through their grief. May they know the consolation of Your mercy, grace and powerful love. Amen
Please join me in saying the Grace together.
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
