We continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols. We resume serving refreshments after service from Sunday 5th December. Thank you to all those who have volunteered to go on the Coffee Rota. Further volunteers are welcome.
If waiting for refreshments, please proceed into the Foyer area after service and queue (with face covering on and observing the usual safe distance) to be served at the counter. You can remove your face covering once seated. Please wear your face covering while moving around.
Well, here we are! There are three things to reflect upon. We are already at the start of the second quarter of the Connexional year, Christmas is just a few weeks away and we will be celebrating the New Year of 2022, God willing.
As we journey along this advent, I encourage you to take a moment of stillness and silence as a means of preparation for the birth and coming of the Messiah. You need to explore on what is silent and ‘un-silent’ about the Christmas story?
A Posada Journey
Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born has been celebrated in Latin American countries with the festival of ‘Las Posadas’ (Spanish for the inns). This process around the neighbourhood is a reminder of the struggle Mary and Joseph faced in finding anywhere comfortable so stay so that Mary could deliver her baby.
We, the Methodist churches and LEPs in the Blue Mission and Ministry team are joining the journey. Mary and Joseph are traveling around our churches and the Birmingham Chinese Church will bring the Posada to LMC where it will spend one week. May we welcome our siblings with joy and happiness.
The 1st of December has been set apart as the World Aids Day. May we support the National Aids Trust as they work towards stopping new cases of HIV, securing the rights of people living with HIV, and fighting HIV stigma and discrimination. As we mark 40 years since the first reported cases of HIV related illnesses and deaths, we can see how far we have come since the times when being diagnosed with HIV was a death sentence. May we continue supporting this worthy cause.
I want to wish you a merry Christmas filled with love, spreading kindness and cheer.
A big welcome and carols bonanza is set to be held at our church on the 12th of December 2021, invite a relative or a friend and do not forget the strangers as well.
Cleopas
EVERY MONDAY: 7.00 pm – Food Cycles have re-started their community meals in the Foyer. Numbers are limited to 20 at present.
There is the choice of having a set of envelopes, making a monthly standing order, a regular payment by bank transfer, or cash.
Please place your offering (cash or envelope) in the plate provided at the exit as you leave after the service.
The church account: Sort Code is 403807, account no 51375369, Bank HSBC. Thank you.
CHRISTMAS CARDS/ ACTION FOR CHILDREN Friends are invited to send one Christmas card to the whole church family rather than individual cards and then make a donation to Action for Children, which works tirelessly with vulnerable children and their families and has been supported by the Methodist church for very many years. (Further details may be obtained from Evelyn Jones). The cards will be displayed on a church notice board and a box for donations will be available in the Coffee Pot. Many thanks.
JMA (Junior Mission for All)
Many thanks to everyone who supported the recent JMA sale when we raised well over £100.
ALL WE CAN
The amount given was £1,497. Thank you for your contributions
ALL NOTICES FOR THE NEXT SHEET (SUNDAYS, 19 and 26 DECEMBER) SHOULD BE GIVEN TO REMI OLATUNBOSUN OR SENT TO info@longbridgemethodistchurc.org BY WEDNESDAY EVENING, 15 DECEMBER.
1654/8 Bristol Road South Rednal Birmingham B45 9TY