Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I want to begin by thanking Revd Phil Hoar who took pastoral charge when I was on my Sabbatical. I also want to thank the church leadership and the pastoral team for working so hard in this period.
My trip to Zimbabwe was a huge success. I was able to visit Matthew Rusike Children’s home in Harare where I had time with the staff and the children, visited my home district where we are helping as family and friends in building the District Bishop’s Manse and I then went to my rural church that groomed me from childhood. Even though covid19 has affected most churches in Zimbabwe, most people have not stopped worshipping God. They still attend in high numbers.
Lent 2022 starts on Wednesday, March the 2nd and ends on Thursday, April the 14th. So from Ash Wednesday going on for forty days excluding Sundays, I encourage you to take this time of reflection and faith in a prayerful way. It will be good for you to give up something during this period. We will have lent course every Thursday on zoom from 7.30pm starting on the 3rd of March 2022. Please Join.
May we all pray for those who have been affected by natural disasters, war and pandemics. The Methodist Church has written this prayer for Ukraine and all the countries involved.
Cleopas
Prayer for peace in Ukraine
Holy and Gracious God
We pray for the people of the Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders.
We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear. We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness.
We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.
We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ.
Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine.
And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son.
Lord have mercy.
Amen
EVERY MONDAY: 7.00 pm – Food Cycles have re-started their community meals in the Foyer. Numbers are limited to 20 at present.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 28: 7.30 pm - Resources Group.
THURSDAY MARCH 9 AT 7.30 pm – ‘GOD IN LOVE UNITES US’
Rescheduled special Church Council meeting to discuss whether same-sex marriages should be held at Longbridge. We want to hear the opinions of as many of our members as possible and would encourage you to attend this meeting. If you cannot attend please make comments to your representatives – Anthony Atwell, Jennifer Burke, Barry Jones and Elisabeth Osborn.
MONDAY MARCH 14: 7.00 pm – Worship and Nurture Group
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.
REPLACEMENT OPENING WINDOWS now fitted in the church to aid ventilation. If they are causing excessive draught please tell the Church Stewards.
A NEW BOILER has been fitted in the Hut so all our heating is now provided by environmentally friendly systems.
We welcome the Birmingham Festival Chorus for a choir practice on 2nd March.
THE MEMORIAL BOOK is situated in the display cabinet in the Foyer and the page is turned each day. More names have recently been added by the calligrapher. If you wish to see a particular entry, please speak to Elisabeth Osborn.
ALL NOTICES FOR THE NEXT SHEET (SUNDAYS, 13 AND 20 MARCH) SHOULD BE GIVEN TO REMI OLATUNBOSUN OR SENT TO info@longbridgemethodistchurc.org BY WEDNESDAY EVENING, 9 MARCH.
1654/8 Bristol Road South Rednal Birmingham B45 9TY