Dear Church Friends,
How are you all this week? The sunshine on Monday, Thursday and Friday should have brought smiles to your faces as spring hastens on its way. I have some news of David Butcher, a former secretary at Lytham URC who will be known to those who joined us from that church. Sadly, he passed away in Cumbria last week and I have sent our condolences and sympathy to his family. Please remember them in your prayers this week.
The Prime Minister has set out the roadmap for the way forward from this stage of the pandemic. It may seem like baby steps and far too cautious for many people, but as with child development, it’s not the speed at which progress is made but the fact that milestones take place in the correct order. We have all heard of the phrase “don’t try to run before you can walk” and that is so important at this time. More and more people are getting vaccinated but as has been said “until everyone is safe, no one is safe.” It has been a long and winding road but the destination is within sight as long as we keep our eyes on the map and don’t go on any detours.
On Friday morning I felt very privileged and blessed to be able to walk along the beach on the most beautiful spring morning. Apart from the cooler temperature and extra clothing, I could have been on a winter holiday abroad walking along a promenade in Spain or the Canaries. The sky was blue, with hardly a cloud in sight; the sea was coming in and at almost high tide, lapping gently at the bottom of the new sea defence steps around Fairhaven Lake; the light breeze felt refreshing but not particularly cold and the whole scenario gave me a feeling of well-being. Nature working its wonders once again as my spirits were lifted and it felt good to be out. Thanks be to God for this wonderful world. Snowdrops and daffodils keep appearing in places I’ve never seen them before, especially alongside the railway line. I wonder how they got there! They are on the other side of the fence within the railway’s property. Days are getting longer and we have so much to thank the Lord for. Rejoice in the Lord.
To a Snowdrop William Wordsworth
Lone flower; hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
Storms, sallying forth from the mountain tops, waylay
The rising sun, and on the plains descend,
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend………….
Nor will I then thy modest grace forget………
I have seen pictures on the internet of this year’s snowdrop display in the grounds of Lytham Hall and they look like an amazing white carpet. These Heralds of Spring are a sight to cheer the heart, reminding us that spring will soon be here. After all it is March 1st on Monday.
Recipe for Good Health (written by someone many years before coronavirus!)
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others.
To lose weight, let go of stress, hatred, anger, discontentment and the need to control others.
For poise, walk with knowledge and self-esteem.
To strengthen your arms, hug at least three people a day. (when permitted!)
Touch someone with your love.
To strengthen your heart, forgive yourself – and others.
Please remember to order your Real Easter Eggs from Janet Sherwood by 14th March.
All the profits made on sales go into buying more eggs for distribution around needy families in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde.
Please support Janet in this initiative; it’s a great form of outreach, evangelism and discipleship.
Eggs are available in dark chocolate (£5.50) and milk chocolate (£4.50) – just call or email Janet on 01253 739195 or [email protected] with your orders and work out between you a suitable way of delivery. The eggs are really thick, luxurious chocolate. They come with a booklet telling the Passion Story. If you don’t eat chocolate then why not buy an egg to be sent to a child who might not otherwise get one?
The Leprosy Mission
This year’s ‘Unconditional Appeal’ is in support of work with Leprosy sufferers in Mozambique.
TLM have circulated the following article specially for inclusion in church magazines and newsletters:
Here is an unconditional love that keeps on giving
Leprosy is a disease often considered confined to Biblical times. But did you know there are almost a quarter of a million new leprosy cases diagnosed each year? Even though there is a cure for leprosy, for every person treated there are a hidden 20 needing the cure. Leprosy hides in remote villages like Namatua, where Zaina lives in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s most northern province. There are no doctors in Namatua, and medical care is scarce. Leprosy is shrouded by fear and misunderstanding, which means people with the disease face extreme discrimination.
For too long, leprosy has disrupted and disabled lives. It has separated loved ones and torn families apart. But through the power of unconditional love, life in Mozambique, is changing.
The Leprosy Mission is raising up people like Zaina to become Leprosy Changemakers, to lead the fight against leprosy. They are part of a sea change, paving the way for a Mozambique free of leprosy and discrimination.
Zaina was shown God’s unconditional love through the kindness of a stranger. Forever grateful, Zaina’s love for others walking the same path as her knows no bounds. She goes the extra mile to find those who are hidden away and fearful so that they too have the freedom of a new life.
Zaina was a young mum when she first noticed discoloured patches on her skin. She didn’t know what they were, but when they became visible to other people in her home village of Namatua, they recognised the signs of leprosy. Because of age-old myths surrounding disease, some of the villagers banished her to the forest, chanting “go to the bush” over and over. Together with her young son, Zaina was forced to live in the forest. If that wasn’t hard enough, a group of villagers came to take her little boy away. Zaina was heartbroken. Hungry and without medicine, her body became increasingly weak.
By the grace of God, a stranger found Zaina in the forest. He built her a hut to shelter from the rain and took her to a health post where her leprosy was cured. Leprosy Changemakers, trained by The Leprosy Mission, were able to go to Namatua and teach the villagers about leprosy and how it is easily cured.
Zaina was able to take back her future into her own hands and is now a thriving member of her community. Determined others shouldn’t have to suffer a similar fate, Zaina has trained as a Leprosy Changemaker. She is able to recognise the early signs of leprosy and has made it her mission to encourage others affected by the disease.
“I say to someone with leprosy that they should take care of themselves,” she said.
“They should take the medication because this disease has a cure. They should bathe, wash their clothes, brush their teeth, and carry on living. They must realise they will get better.”
The Unconditional Appeal sees churches in the UK partner with communities in Mozambique to build community hubs.
A community hub, or a Hub of Hope, gives a beating heart to a village like Namatua, a place from which to lead the fight against leprosy. A place where Leprosy Changemakers, like Zaina, can learn to recognise early symptoms of the disease. Crucially, a Hub of Hope is a place where people affected by leprosy are welcomed unconditionally.
Will you become a Leprosy Changemaker today by sharing Jesus’s unconditional love for people with leprosy?
There is a wonderful opportunity, thanks to UK Aid Match, for your unconditional love to go twice as far. Gifts to The Unconditional Appeal made from 24 January to 24 April 2021 will be DOUBLED by the UK government.
Your gift of £24 will bring the cure to someone with leprosy. So, by giving £24 your gift will be doubled to £48 so two people can be found, diagnosed, and cured.
It costs £70 to train a Leprosy Changemaker to recognise the early signs of the disease. They will act as a supportive friend to travel with to a health post or make contact with a Community Health Worker who can give the cure. So, by giving £35 today, your donation becomes £70, training a Leprosy Changemaker whose love goes on to transform the lives of others.
This is an unconditional love that keeps giving.
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We love because He first loved us.’ 1 John 4:19 (NIV) |
If you would like to support this appeal, please let Linda have your donation by cheque made payable to TLM. She will collate the cheques, so that she can report back to you how much the White Church has raised. She will be sending all the cheques to TLM before Easter. If you need to know how to get your donation to her, just give her a call on 640359. Linda Lunn, TLM Church Representative
Wednesday Morning Partnership Coffee Morning 10:30am 3rd March 2021
Join Zoom Meeting Click this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81166484469?pwd=MEgvU0FlelFlRC9mU0pVUnRhRG5pQT09
Weekly Sunday Worship 28th February 10:30am and 6:30pm
Every Sunday Morning Worship via Zoom at 10:30am
To join us click this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84532128356?pwd=QjRKZW5YVVdvYnBUVC9oNnRRTHZ6UT09
Every Sunday Evening Worship via Zoom at 6:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84659046240?pwd=VkMvV0tGanpNUEE2eDRTejA2VTByUT09
Let us pray
Dear Lord,
Thank you for all the blessings we have received this week. We pray for those who are suffering in any way or facing any challenges and ask You to love, comfort and support them. Grant them your peace and be with them in their time of need. Almighty God, protect, comfort and encourage us all. Be with us and all who need to feel Your love at this time. 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
