Greetings from the Manse. I hope you had a Spirit filled Easter.
Jesus Christ says “I am the resurrection and the life, anyone who believes in me though he dies, yet shall live.” (John 11:25) Without resurrection, there is no hope and there is no Christianity. It is the singular doctrine that elevates Christianity above all other world religions. The gospel of Easter is “Jesus is Alive”. One preacher said, “Just as the blood pumps life giving blood to every part of the body, so the gospel truth of the resurrection gives life to every other area of the gospel truth. The women who found Jesus having resurrected, went out and told others about the good news and thus witnessing. May you go and tell the good news into the world so that all may be saved.
We are going to have our first face to face AGM in two years due to the covid19 pandemic and I am encouraging you to attend this very important meeting in the life of the church. It will be held on the 8th of May soon after the service. We are also going to host a circuit world church service on the 12th of June 2022 at 6pm. Your presence will be greatly appreciated.
I want to end by thanking Phil for leading us in the ‘God in love unites us’ sessions on the 20th of April where over 20 people in total attended. We have our last session on this topic on the 11th of May at 2pm and then 7.30pm on the same day. All are welcome.
EVERY MONDAY: 7.00 pm – Food Cycle community meal in the Foyer.
EVERY FRIDAY: 9.30 am – A Slimming World group has started at our church. More details from Ruth 07950694953
EVERY THURSDAY: 7.30 pm – The Thursday Fellowship on Zoom took a break over the Easter but will resume on Thursday 5th May. Everyone is welcome to join on Zoom, details as follows:
MONDAY 25 APRIL: 2.30 pm Church and Community Group meets at church. If you would like to join the group, please see Hazel.
THURSDAY 5 MAY – Our church is a Polling Station in the Local elections.
GENERAL CHURCH MEETING: SUNDAY 8TH MAY (DURING THE MORNING SERVICE)
We need more people to offer to be Church Stewards and Congregation Representatives on the Church Council. If you want to know more about these roles, please speak to one of the Stewards.
All existing Stewards and Representatives must be nominated if they wish to continue. Nomination forms are now available on the trolley and should be handed to a Steward by Sunday 1st May.
A reminder that only Church Council members will have a vote on same-sex marriage at our church.
SATURDAY 7 MAY – District Synod at Worcester
CHRISTIAN LITERATURE Elisabeth has re-instated the table for Christian literature in the Foyer. Please take items you would like to read. There is a spare Methodist Prayer Handbook if you would like it – please ask Elisabeth.
COFFEE POT MANAGER Sara is leaving shortly after 2 years with us. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this job, please speak to Barbara Walker or Philip Osborn
EASTER OFFERING
This collection for Mission Funds is organised by Methodist Women in Britain. If you have not made a donation, envelopes are available on chairs and on the trolley.
GOD’S HEART FOR LONGBRIDGE (GHfL) have been offered an amazing opportunity for interacting with people from the community by opening ‘Our Gallery’ as a ‘pop-up shop’ in Longbridge town centre for a period of 6 weeks. Permission has been given to use the premises of the former Thomas Cook Travel Agency next to Specsavers on the High Street from March 22nd to April 30th on Tuesdays to Saturdays, opening hours: 11.00 am to 6.00 pm.
It is hoped that Chaplains, church leaders, members of our congregations, as well as friends who support this initiative will be willing to volunteer in the shop and help in a variety of roles. If you feel able and would like to be involved as a volunteer please see Hazel Atwell.
GOD IN LOVE UNITES US MEETINGS
The second set of meetings facilitated by Rev Phil Hoar will take place on Wednesday 11 May at 2.00 pm and repeated at 7.30 pm. It is important that Church Council members and potential members attend as we explore the possible holding of same-sex marriages at our church. Others are welcome.
ALL NOTICES FOR THE NEXT SHEET (SUNDAYS, 8 MAY AND 15 MAY) SHOULD BE GIVEN TO REMI OLATUNBOSUN OR SENT TO info@longbridgemethodistchurc.org BY WEDNESDAY EVENING, 4 MAY.
1654/8 Bristol Road South Rednal Birmingham B45 9TY