February Newsletter
Dear friends
How are you? As you have heard me say on a number of occasions since the launch of our texts for this year, I am very grateful for the texts submitted which own the importance of prayer. On a number of occasions through January within the United Reformed Church, within meetings of the Executive of Churches Together in Medway and of North Gillingham Church Leaders comes the very clear call to pray – for the world, for the United Kingdom, for the worldwide Church, for the denomination of the United Reformed Church and for the local church, in our case Gillingham United Reformed Church. You have also heard me say many times, and by no means not just recently, that prayer and action go hand in hand and of such significance is our responsibility to share the love of Christ. Constantly we are thankful for the words in John 3:16 ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ [NIV] I do not need to tell you that in today’s world many are the ‘attractions’ to divert people from discovering the core message to all of God’s creation as declared in that verse and there is hard work for all of us to do in helping people to know that – and that means lots of prayer and trust in God to equip us to reach out in accordance with his will.
Mindful of the above as we journey towards Lent, Holy Week and Easter comes such a great opportunity to help other people to know what the great message of Easter is all about – the promise of everlasting life through knowing Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
Our calendar for the coming weeks gives opportunity for us to pray earnestly and extend invitations which will include some of the following.
Fridays 27th February and 27th March from 4.30 pm to 5.45 pm – our monthly Christian puppet times for children accompanied by parent/adult carer. The focus last month, in
co-operation with our texts, was on prayer and will build on that again this month.
Friday 6th March is the World Day of Prayer service which we will host this year. At our meeting last week North Gillingham Church Leaders agreed that this year’s service will be in the morning rather than the afternoon to hopefully give greater opportunity for people to come. So it will be at 11 am using the material prepared by Christian women from Nigeria.
Lent – 18th February to 2nd April – will provide opportunity for specific focus during Wednesday Bible studies at 2 pm and during worship on Sundays.
Thursday 19th February Please hold in prayer the meeting of Synod Council and as we continue to pray for the appointment of Southern Synod Moderator whilst praying for those carrying extra responsibilities because of the vacancy at this time.
Sunday March 8th following morning worship – our AGM and election of Elders. As we thank God for our current serving Elders we pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit we will let God work in and through the membership to determine who God is now calling to be nominated for possible election on to the Eldership.
Saturday 14th March Please pray for the meeting of Synod Together.
Sunday 22nd March following coffee after morning worship – the first of our litter picking this year in the area near to the church. Who can you invite to come along with you?
Sunday 29th March marks the beginning of Holy Week – Palm Sunday service at 11 am.
Thursday 2nd April at 7 pm Maundy Thursday service with Holy Communion.
Friday 3rd April at 10 am. Good Friday service with opportunities for silent reflection.
Friday 3rd April. Under the banner of North Gillingham churches, united march of witness and act of worship in Gillingham high street. Assemble at the far end of the high street ready to march at 11.45.
Saturday 4th April. At its meeting last week Elders on behalf of Church Meeting agreed that we have an outreach event from 10.30 am to 12 noon including an Easter egg hunt for children.
Sunday 5th April Easter Sunday worship at 11 am will include thatching of the cross with flowers.
Additional to the above, we thank Fiona for the following A Rocha UK’s Easy Eco tip for February. ‘This Lent take part in Climate Steward’s Carbon Fast. Lent is a time when Christians traditionally fast and focus on God. The Carbon Fast will help you consider ways to live more simply, give you new ideas to cut your carbon footprint and invite you to focus on God and consider the whole of his creation. Beginning 18th February you’ll receive a weekly email containing key facts, suggestions for how you could reduce your carbon footprint and a prayer to lead you through this Lenten season. Each week features a different theme designed to help us take climate action in manageable ways that bear witness to a God who has promised to restore all of his creation. Find out more and sign up at climatestewards.org/resources/carbon-fast-for-lent/’
In the Southern Synod news of the United Reformed Church on the Southern Synod website you will find the picture of Malumbo, Paa and Tamika when they were received into membership with us in December. As I said at the time, we are delighted that they made that important step. Please pray for them at such an important time in their lives and as they confidently know that God is with them, not least in their studies.
Below is the poster promoting the Synod Fun Day to which churches across the Synod are invited and which will provide opportunity to meet with others who are part of the Synod wide URC, beyond the local church. We are trying to determine who will be going from Gillingham URC and will be asking for an idea of numbers over the next few weeks.
Friends, as Easter approaches let us continue to pray with many people across Gillingham and the Medway towns that the love of Christ be known by those who have yet to invite Jesus to reign in their lives.
God bless you all
Pam