Dear Church Friends,
How are you all this week? It is good to see so many of you at our services and we welcome any visitors who have joined our worship in recent weeks. The Autumn equinox occurred this week and it sounds as if we will be saying goodbye to summer this weekend. September has been extremely dry in our area and the gardens are desperate for rain, but I imagine most of us would prefer it to rain during the night.
Further restoration work to the outside of the church is taking place at present as the contractor tries to complete the lime re-pointing to the most vulnerable areas of the walls before colder weather sets in. About a week ago, Sylvia and the ‘Peters’ carried out a water test in both areas of the Sanctuary on either side of the main door, where there has been a problem with water ingress for many, many years. They had an ‘eureka’ moment when they discovered that water was coming in through metal plates put in the walls to cover holes behind them. It is possible that the roof pipes ran through the building at these points in the dim and distant past, with the metal plates fixed to the outside for cosmetic purposes. There may be other similar metal plates with holes behind them and this is being looked into. Sylvia and the Peters are thrilled to have discovered this information and hope to find a successful way to stop this source of water ingress. Thank you for your hard work, diligence and persistence in trying to find the source of this problem over such a long period of time.
Please support the church shop which is open in the hall after the Sunday service during coffee. Glenys will be pleased to help you.
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. The Real Advent Calendar will also be available through Janet. She is co-ordinating the purchase and distribution of the Meaningful Chocolate Company Fairtrade Advent Calendars on behalf of the Fylde Fairtrade Steering Group. They have agreed to support the three organisations that support children on the Fylde coast: Fylde Coast Women’s Aid; Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Homestart and the Children’s Centre at Sydney Street in St. Annes. Janet will be selling the calendars at £3.99.
The Real Advent Calendar is the only one with Fairtrade chocolate, a copy of the Christmas story and also supports charitable projects. The calendar comes with a 24 page Christmas story-activity book illustrated by Martina Peluso. There is a page for every day of Advent and some fun Advent challenges along the way and a line from the Christmas story behind each of the 25 windows. A great way for parents, grandparents and Godparents to share the Christmas story. Please sign the form if you would like to buy one.
Some words by Elizabeth Gozney
Every chapter in life’s journey plays its own important part,
And by trusting in God’s wisdom, hope stays strong within the heart.
There’s a purpose in His planning, guiding us within his way,
And our faith will surely lead us to the promise of each day.
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, with any cheques made payable to ‘Fairhaven URC’, in a sealed envelope with Harvest Gift written on the front.
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.
Our Worship on Sunday 10th October at 10.45am, our Harvest Service will be led by Andrew Barratt. Kevin Morgan will play the organ for our service.
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.
Fylde Arts start their fortnightly afternoon recitals in the White Church at 2pm next Friday 1st October, when the performers will be a cellist and a pianist.
Let us pray
Dear Lord Jesus,
As we start to adopt a more normal pattern of church life, we pray for your guidance during the weeks to come, helping us to discern the best and safest way to move forward with church life.
We remember and pray for those who have been affected by Covid and its after effects. We ask you to give them strength and support through difficult times. Thank you for watching over us and caring for us during the last eighteen months and being with us in our hours of most need. You are our rock and our strength. 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
