Archive

 This weblog will have no further updates and will remain as an archive for future reference.  The new Blog can be found on our website here

Gareth

 See the new Blog here

Ordinations

 News on the new Blog here

Update

 The is a new post on the website Blog, you can find it here

New Blog post

 Go to the new Blog here

Sunday Worship

 There is an update on our new Blog a link is here

Blogspot

In July, the email updated from Blogger will come to an end.  As a result of this the Blog is being moved to our website which has its own email update function.

The existing posts will be kept as an archive.

The first post on the Website Blog is a link to the Hymns for June, you can find the post here

You will see the sign up for emails option on the same page.

Gardening help

We are looking for volunteers to commit time to joining a weekly gardening rota for the upkeep of the church grounds.

Anytime or day on a regular basis would be gratefully appreciated. 

For further details, please contact 

Denise Elstub on 07751 898790 or 

Hilary Saxon on 07983 263113.

 

"We celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of Christ's Church"

To the bottom right is a picture of a flame with a dove inside it

At the bottom left is a quick reference bar code which takes you to this reading:

Acts: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ 13 But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 “In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

    and your old men shall dream dreams.

18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

        and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show portents in the heaven above

    and signs on the earth below,

        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

20 The sun shall be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood,

        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

22 ‘You that are Israelites,[a] listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth,[b] a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having freed him from death,[c] because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says concerning him,

“I saw the Lord always before me,

    for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;

26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

    moreover, my flesh will live in hope.

27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

    or let your Holy One experience corruption.

28 You have made known to me the ways of life;

    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

29 ‘Fellow Israelites,[d] I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David[e] spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah,[f] saying,

“He was not abandoned to Hades,

    nor did his flesh experience corruption.”

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at[g] the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand,

35     until I make your enemies your footstool.’”

36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah,[h] this Jesus whom you crucified.’

The First Converts

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers,[i] what should we do?’ 38 Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Life among the Believers

43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds[j] to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home[k] and ate their food with glad and generous[l] hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Enjoying the Sunshine

It is really good with the easing of lockdown to see people getting out and about and doing some of what they have missed. It was a glorious sight walking through the village where I live seeing the shops and the pubs open.

Archie has been able to start going to football club with his daddy on Saturday mornings. I wont' mention which club his daddy supports, but it begins with L and ends in L and they are in the premier league. There are no doubts in my mind it is very traumatic for Archie having to wear such a kit. I have had words with his daddy!!

Louise, Archie and I have been to the beach. Archie had a ride on donkey called Rambo who was very reluctant to move. Archie was more impressed with donkey's stubbornness than the ride. He couldn't wait to tell his nursery friends all about it.

He was most impressed with paddling in the sea. However, we did have a hard time trying to explain about the waves and the tide.

.

  

He even persuaded nana to have a paddle!!

On Saturday, Louise, Archie and I went to a park and met up with my granddaughters, Brooklynne and Kierey and their daddy Steve. A good time was had by all and we certainly enjoyed the ice creams.

It filled me joy and great delight to see not only my own grandchildren but many other children enjoying the sunshine with their families and friends. But what about those children who for whatever reason can't play outside. Please remember them in your prayers this week.

Reminders of God and a Rare Breed

Below are some pictures that I took this morning, one of my snow-covered garden and the others when I was out and about after church. Each one of these pictures spoke to me of God in one way or another. It might have been a Bible passage, a line of a hymn, the beauty of God's creation or being thankful. Take a good look around you, what do you see that reminds You of God?

And now for something completely different. 

This is a conversation I had today when I paid for some petrol. Needless to say, I was wearing my collar at the time.

Cashier " Wow, a lady vicar! Never seen a lady vicar before

Me " That is the second time in as many weeks that someone has said that to me. (It was said to me in Manchester when I was on my way to the Cathedral).

Cashier " You know you don't look like a vicar"!!

Me " Oh, what is a vicar supposed to look like?

Cashier " Well, I don't really know but not like you.

Me " Oh, maybe you'd like to think about it.

We both laughed as I went out the door.

Easter Day Service

 The service can be found here

Resurrection Eucharist

 The service starts at around 3 minutes in and can be found here

Good Friday Service

 The service starts 10 minutes into the clip and can be found here

Tenebrae service from Churches together in Lees and District

 The service can be found here

Holy Week services

The Holy Week services will be streamed live on Rev'd Christine's YouTube channel.  We have a new camera which is sharper, but the volume is louder so be ready with your volume control.

Rev'd Christine's channel is here

Holy week services

Tuesday 30th March 10am

Wednesday 31st 10 am

Maundy Thursday 7pm

Good Friday 9.30 am (Zoom service for young people)

                    YouTube service by Churches together in Lees and District, link to follow.

                    1pm Reflection

                    2pm Liturgy of the Day

Easter Eve 8pm

Easter Day 9.30am

Please email Rev'd Lyn if you would like to book a place.  For the Zoom service please contact Rev'd Amy Elizabeth.

Worship for Palm Sunday

If you have a Palm Cross have it ready in order for Rev'd Lyn to bless it.

The service can be found here

Intercessions for Palm Sunday

 The prayers can be found here

Wayside pulpit

The picture is of Jesus with a cross over his shoulder. 

The caption reads "He bears your cross for you"

 

Sights and Sounds of a Monday Morning Walk

 First of all, in my last blog, I  showed you a picture of a stone by a rabbit hole, I asked you what you thought this was according to Archie. It was of course a refrigerator for Peter Rabbit. I must stress it was a refrigerator and not a fridge. Who knew rabbits needed such things. 

Well, I have tried to upload some pictures for this weeks but for some reason, my computer isn't playing ball. You will just have to use your imagination. 

Last Monday, after a very dreary and dull weekend (weather-wise), Archie and I went for a walk. We didn't wander too far, exploring the lane not far from my bungalow. Needless to say after all the rain there was copious amounts of puddles for Archie and nana of course to splash in. 

It was lovely to hear the squelch of our wellies as trampled in the mud beside the puddles.  One puddle was so deep and full of mud that it surged over the top of Archie's wellies. He was not at all perturbed by this and thought it was great fun.

A little further along the lane, there was a shallow puddle and a tiny little sparrow was having a wonderful time splashing and preening himself. The children in nearby school had just come out to play and it was very uplifting to hear them laughing, and shouting as they played. Not something we have heard very much of in the past year.

Whilst we were out walking Archie collected stones and took great delight in throwing them into puddles and watching as the water is sprayed everywhere. He has become very discerning about which stones are acceptable or not. The bigger the better. 

As we wandered further down the lane Archie and I stopped to listen to the birds. They were certainly enjoying the morning sunshine as they sat in the hedgerow and treetop branches chirping away. 

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the simple pleasures of life, help us not to take these pleasures for granted.

Amen

 

Intercessions for 21st March

 The  prayers can be found here

Intercessions for Mothering Sunday

 The prayers can be found here

Worship

The church is re-opening for socially distanced services.  If you would like to reserve a place please contact Rev'd Lyn, preferably by email.  You can book a place for services from 21st March.

Spring has Sprung.

 

As winter gives way to spring, Edna's garden is full of the signs of new life as you can see from the pictures above.

Thank you  Edna for sending these beautiful pictures showing various spring flowers that have sprung into life in your garden.

Did you know that the word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten meaning "lengthen" and refers to the lengthening days of spring. Laudate Sunday is always the fourth Sunday of Lent which is also Mothering Sunday.  In most churches, it is a tradition for children to give flowers to their mothers. 

There is new life all around us if we take time to stop and look.  And so we look forward to Easter when Jesus was crucified but rose on the third day, giving us new life.

  

And now for something completely different, it's competition time again.

Last week I spoke about the imagination of children. On a visit to Tandle Hill Country park, Archie saw a rabbit hole. He said, "Peter Rabbit lives there". What do think Archie said the rock next to the rabbit hole is?

All answers on a postcard to church, or alternatively to 

csteel58@hotmail.com.

Answer, next week!

Eucharist with Fr Paul 3rd Sunday of Lent

 The service can be found here

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercessions

Earlier today I came across this prayer from Christian Aid. It speaks of those obvious and of some not so obvious people who are helping us through, those who have a played massive part and those who have only played a tiny part It then speaks of those who are most likely to have suffered the hardest during the pandemic. Yet through it, God has been, still is and will be with us every step of the way.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercessions

For the health workers tending the seriously ill

for the scientists working on a vaccination 

for the researchers analysing data and identifying trends

for the media outlets working to communicate reality

for the supermarket workers, hygiene and sanitation providers

for the good news stories of recoveries and effective planning

for the singing from balconies by locked-down communities

for the recognition that isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness

for the notes through letterboxes offering help and support 

for the internet and telephones and technology that connects

for the awakened appreciation of what is truly important

Thanks be to God.

 

For those who are unwell and concerned for loved ones

for those who were already very anxious

for those immune suppressed or compromised

for those vulnerable because of underlying conditions

for those in the ‘most at risk to coronavirus’ categories

for those watching their entire income stream dry up

for those who have no choice but to go out to work

for those who are afraid to be at home 

for those who are more lonely than they’ve ever been

for those who are bereaved and grieving.

God be their healer, comfort and protection,

be their strength, shield and provision

be their security, safety and close companion

 

And raise up your Church

to be your well-washed hands and faithful feet 

to be present to the pain

to respond with love in action

if even from a safe distance.

 

More prayers can be found here

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/churches/coronavirus-prayers

Intercessions for 7th March

 The prayers can be found here

Imagination

Children have wonderful imaginations with my grandson Archie being no exception to this. After playing in the sand with his various diggers and tractors we went for a walk through the gardens. Spring flowers were pushing their way up through the ground. Several trees had been cut back and there were old bits of tree trunks and branches, lying around which had started to decay. These decaying bits of wood, fired up Archie's imagination (pardon the pun) I wonder if you can guess what they became 

 

This was a baby dinosaur. I am sure you can see his teeth and his tail curling around towards you.

A crocodile, lurking in the background.

This may be that hardest of all, remember you have to think like a child

An exploding Volcano.

Playing with Archie with his imaginary creatures reminded me of the song by John Lennon " Imagine" Did you know the song was inspired by a Christian prayer book that was given to John Lennon and Yoko Ono 

Imagination is a great gift from God. 

Thank you, God, for this wonderful gift.

Sunday Worship

 The service can be found here

Intercessions for 28th February

 The prayers can be found here

Crocuses

 If you were missing the church crocuses, here they are

Pictures by Edna

Rev'd Christine

 Rev's Christine's introduction of herself from last March in case you missed it, is here

Sunday Worship

 The service can be found here

Spring Cleaning.

I was on holiday last week. Before the pandemic, I would have spent time with or gone to visit relatives and friends in various parts of the country. As the holiday approached, I wondered how I was going to fill my time. I needn’t have worried or wondered as the week flew by rather too quickly. So what did I get up to?

Amongst other things, I began to tidy some cupboards. I suppose you could say that I started my spring cleaning a little early. My husband was very good at chucking things out and lived by the old adage; if in doubt chuck it out. With his words ringing in my ears, I began sorting and chucking out. The floor was covered in papers, books, information leaflets, files, along with quite a few items that I had forgotten I had. I quickly filled the paper recycling bin but at the end of it, all the cupboards are looking extremely tidy. I now have much more space to start hoarding again!! Not a very exciting start to my holiday but very necessary

More exciting was the walk I had with my family last Sunday. It was worth braving the bitterly cold weather to admire the beautiful unspoilt countryside in the depths of winter. Icicles hung from the waterfall at Cheesden Lumb, sheep grazed beside the path we walked along and ducks stood around on frozen water presumably waiting for the ice to melt.

Walking was a little treacherous in parts as you can see from the picture below but somehow we all managed to stay upright.  

This lockdown does strange things to you either that or it is a sign of getting older but I am taking more of an interest in the garden. So, my week off also involved planting some miniature daffodils with my grandson Archie and then doing what Archie loves best, watering them.

So what does spring cleaning, walking in the cold depths of winter and planting daffodils

have to do with the season of Lent? The word lent is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word Lencten which means spring and also relates to the lengthening of daylight hours. After the cold depths of winter, we are brought into the new life of spring when nature is awoken. Also, spring is traditionally the time to do some spring cleaning not only of our homes but also of our spiritual life.

This week let us take time to consider what we might need to do to spring clean our spiritual lives in preparation for Easter and the glorious resurrection of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. 

First Sunday of Lent Sermon

Lenten Study Group

Lent is almost upon us. Instead of giving something up for Lent why not do something extra and join Revd Christine’s Lenten study group. Together we will explore some of the prayers of Jesus and different ways of praying.

Sessions will be held on the following Wednesday’s starting at 7pm

24^th February

3^rd March

10^th March

17^th March

24^th March

The sessions will be via zoom unless lockdown restrictions have eased.

Please let me know if you are going to join me and let me know your email address so that I can send you an invite.  

csteel58@hotmail.com

079662576457

01706 558744

 

 

Intercessions for 21st February

 The Intercessions can be found here

Polices

Two important policy documents were updated at the virtual APCM in October, you can find them on the church website here

Sermon for Sunday 14th February, The Transfiguration

 In case you missed Rev'd Lyn's sermon from Sunday here it is again

Sunday Eucharist

 The service can be found here

The Sermon

Tea Pod

Recently I have read much about a tea pod that has popped at the top of Birtle, "Valley View Tea Pod"  The pod is not far from where I live and today I made my first visit there. 

The tea pod is situated in a field at the top of a steep hill. The above sign was erected to encourage all would-be customers to keep going

It is well worth keeping going because as the name implies there are magnificent views of the surrounding countryside including Ashworth Valley. The snowy backdrop of the surrounding hills with panoramic views of Manchester and West Yorkshire looked very picturesque.

 

The tea pod is a real gem of a place with an amazing selection of homemade cakes on offer along with various pies. Although I was tempted to sample one of the delicious homemade cakes I did manage to resist. Probably just as well as my grandson Archie told his friend at nursery that he had a "big nana". Definitely, time to lose some of those lockdown pounds! However, I did succumb to having a Greenhalgh's hot pie, which was delicious but won't have done much for those extra pounds I would like to get rid of.  

There was such a feel-good quality surrounding the tea pod, with an air of peace and tranquillity. 

I am very fortunate and privileged to have such beautiful countryside virtually on my doorstep which I can enjoy whenever I like. Subsequently, my mind has turned to those who are not as fortunate as myself, those who for whatever reason can't get out and enjoy what the countryside has to offer. 

Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

(Deuteronomy 28:3)

Sunday Eucharist

 The service can be found here

Sermon for Sunday 7th February 2021

 

Reredos

To accompany the Guide to the stained glass windows a new guide to the Reredos is available on the church web site you can view it here

If you or someone you know would like a paper copy please let Rev'd Lyn know and a copy will be posted for you.

We are thinking of doing a zoom Morning Prayer service on Wednesdays, with Chris, Amy Elizabeth or myself leading but sharing our screen so that the words for the responses are seen by everyone.  The best way to do this is for one person or family each week to be heard doing the responses while everyone else joins in but on mute.  Before and after the need to screen share, we can all have a chat and catch up with each other's news.  Please let me know if you wish to join in and I will send you an invitation.

We are not doing this until Wednesday 10th so until then, I have produced a video with a story and some things for us to think about.

 

This story could also be about the prodigal son with Mrs Lenton's sweets representing the Father's feast, but there is no evidence here of a grumpy older brother.

Teach me my God and King

 A few days ago, as I opened the bedroom curtains, I thought another wet and dreary day. I guess I was feeling a little fed up with lockdown, with all the restriction and the very wet weather. As I sat in silence contemplating the day ahead the first few words of a hymn came into mind:

Teach my God and King, in all things, thee to see.

Throughout the day these words kept coming back to me. Before going to bed I thought about the day and in my mind listed all those things in which God had taught me to see something of Him. So where did I see God that day:

In my Grandson Archie, taking care of God's creation, feeding the ducks

In all creatures great and small

In the healing of others, the skill of the doctors and nurses

In the cat, who decided to sit in the clock, which really did make me smile. 

In the butcher, who at some point in our conversation said "t least we are still breathing and not in hospital". He had a point.

Teach me my God and King, in all things thee to see. As I sat in silence, I realised God had done just that 

The Eucharist on Candlemas presided by Fr Paul

The service can be found here

Retreat or the Ignation prayer of Examen

 Last week, from Monday to Friday, I was "on retreat"; I've put it in inverted commas because I was not able to go to Wales as planned, but I did take half a day from Monday to Friday, to spend in prayer and reflection.  Prior to that, I had made a video which I intended to put onto the blog but never got round to.  I will put it here now, and following that, as promised in the video, I will do a brief explanation of the Ignation prayer of Examen.  

video

                                                                                                                                                               

According to "The way of Ignatius Loyola - contemporary approached to the Spiritual exercises", edited by Philip Sheldrake, there are five points to the prayer of examen.

Point one: To give thanks to God for favours received as one reflects on the events of the day.

Point two: To ask for grace to know one's sins and to rid oneself of them - by reflecting on responses to events

Point three: To demand an account of one's soul from waking up to the point of examination - by considering first thoughts, then words then deeds.

The fourth point: To ask for God's pardon from the days sins, noted from point three.

The fifth point: To resolve to amend by the grace of God.

Give this type of prayer a try and see how you get on.

God bless

Lyn