Welcome to Longbridge Methodist Church and happy New Year. For many people, the new year presents an opportunity to make a new start, make resolutions and set new goals. This may include trying to stop habits and foods that may affect our health. The new year comes with new dreams, renewal of dreams and the birth of a new hope. Plato once said, "the beginning is the most important part of the work". This year should not just be a year of wishing or talking but instead we must get it done. So, I am calling for action even on small things. Remember a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
It is also that time of the year when we renew our covenant and to some, it may actually be the time to make such a covenant with God Almighty. God says to you and me, "behold I make everything new". As we dedicate or rededicate ourselves during this month, let us be strengthened by the words from a beautiful song penned by Frances Ridley Havergal, which are:
TODAY (Sunday, 13th January) Some of the books from our lending library will be on display in the foyer during coffee time after worship. Do have a look.
FLOWER Rota 2019 Please sign up if you would like flowers arranged in memory of a loved one or to celebrate an occasion.
PASTORAL COMMITTEE A meeting will be held at 7.30 p.m. this coming Tuesday, 15th January. Will all Pastoral Visitors please do their best to attend this important meeting. We urgently need more pastoral visitors, so if you are interested in becoming one and you are a member of this church, please come along to this meeting and/or speak to Elisabeth or Paul.
CRAFT CLUB will meet this coming Wednesday, 16th January in the morning in the Garner Room.
B30 FOODBANK AT COTTERIDGE CHURCH Thank you for your donations to the Foodbank during the last year, but there is a constant need for more supplies of non-perishable food items which are within code. These items are distributed to lots of families in Birmingham who are in great need and have been issued with vouchers. The collection basket is kept in our church foyer. Many thanks for your donations.
CTB45 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
You are invited to join in prayers at the following venues:
Friday, 18th January - 12 noon St. Chad's Church.
Saturday, 19th January - 9.00 a.m. Longbridge Methodist Prayer Breakfast.
Monday, 21st January - 10.00 a.m. Our Lady's Church.
Tuesday, 22nd January - 10.30 a.m. St. Stephen's Church.
Wednesday, 23rd January - 10.00 a.m. St. Leonard's Church.
Thursday, 24th January - 7.00 p.m. Grace Community Church.
Friday, 25th January - 12 noon St. Chad's Church.
TUESDAY, 22nd JANUARY - 11.30 a.m. The Bible Study Group will meet in the chapel for an hour. All welcome.
LADIES' TUESDAY LUNCHEON GROUP 12.45 p.m. Tuesday, 22nd January.
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Sefena Olatunbosun was our church's representative on the local churches Women's World Day of Prayer Committee. The next meeting of this Committee is to be held at Beacon Church Centre on Friday, 25th January at 2.00 p.m. If you are interested in going along to this meeting, which will be finalising plans for the WWDP Service to be held on Friday, 1st March, 2019, please speak to Elisabeth Osborn as soon as possible.
SINGERS WANTED St. Stephen's Church is presenting the Christian musical "Wildfire” on Saturday, 23rd March at 4.00 p.m. If you would like to join as a singer, rehearsals are on Saturdays, 2nd February and 2nd March and pre-performance on 23rd March. If you are interested, please see Hazel by 25th January.
OFFERINGS - December 2018
2nd - £831.59 9th - £647.97
16th - £502.65 23rd - £556.31 30th – £679.54
The average for the first four months of the year was £623.30, against our target of £680 per week.
Benevolent Fund The amount given in November was £12.01.
Action for Children The amount of £229.57 was sent from the Christmas collections and Christmas card donations. Thank you to all who contributed.
TALKING JESUS Beacon Church Centre is running this course with video-based, real-life examples from people sharing faith in everyday life. There is a course booklet with discussion questions and challenges. It runs from 6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on 27th January, 24th February, 24th March, 28th April, 26th May and 23rd June. Perhaps useful to start to fulfil being a church without walls.
VISION DAY A further follow-up meeting of our Vision Day, held last June, will be on Tuesday, 29th January at 7.30 p.m. All welcome.
MONDAY, 28th JANUARY7 7.30 p.m. CTB45 Peace Prayer Group to meet here at Longbridge. All welcome.
SUNDAY LUNCHES will be served in the Coffee Pot on Sunday, 10th February after morning worship. Further details from Cavell Gasteen. Price £7.50.