Message from the Ministry Team

Dear Friends

The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The 23^rd Psalm contains a number of images/pictures which communicate to us about God travelling the journey of life with us. Green pastures, quiet waters, paths of righteousness, a prepared table, goodness, love, days of a life and a dwelling place.

Yet the Psalm also recognises the realities of life, not always easy and aspects of our life which are far from perfect. Green pastures and still waters sound good, and for many, we are in a period of breaks and holiday, be that time away or Holiday at Home. I pray for the Lord’s blessing for those who are looking forward to such days.

However, the Lord’s call to all of us is to draw aside and rest, in body, mind and spirit through all our days; all our joys, sorrows and routines. That all of us will know the Lord’s blessing. To worship the Lord, read a book, have a drink with a friend or go for a walk in the park. We all need times to stop, think and reflect, regardless of who we are.

Even in the darkest valley, when our physical life is drawing to its conclusion and our work is done, we will still need to know moments of rest and refreshment; someone to pray with us, hold our hand or help us to experience the touch of the sun’s heat on our skin.

How are we finding our rest and refreshment and helping others to find theirs?

Every blessing

Revd Andrew

Comments

Pancakes and Poems at Thornton

Pancakes and Poems, what a great evening we had on 13th February (Shrove Tuesday), in aid of 2nd Mile Project.

People were invited to come along for tea/supper and enjoy a variety of pancakes both savoury and sweet.

The selection was most tempting with fillings such as chilli. chicken and avocado, mushroom or cheese and onion. The sweet fillings were too many to mention, but my favourite was fresh fruits with ice cream – yum, yum.

Throughout the evening, many people had brought poems to read to everyone. The genre of this was amazing with funny, romantic, knowledgeable and even a little bit naughty.

It was good to be together with laughter and smiles all round. A special thank you to everyone who came and all who helped.

Elaine B, Thornton

Virtual Worship - 14 June 2020

Call to worship (based on Psalm 100)Shout with joy to the Lord
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Know that the Lord is God
It is God who made us, and we are God’sEnter God’s gates with thanksgiving
Come into God’s courts with praise Give thanks to God and praise God’s holy name.
The Lord is good God’s love endures for ever. Amen.
PrayerLord God, you made us, and we are yours, we are your people, the sheep of your pasture. As we focus on you this morning, and acknowledge that your presence makes the place in which we do this (wherever it is) a holy space, touch our hearts afresh with your love, that our lips may praise you and our lives serve you in all things. Amen.

You might like to sing, or reflect on the words of, Hymn StF 363, which begins, “My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord there is none like you. All of my days I want to praise the wonders of your mighty love”.

Read Romans 5:1-8First silently to yourself, then, if you can, out loud, from the Message Bible. I love the way…

Virtual Worship - 19 July 2020

Service sheet (pdf) Opening sentence:Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God...the Spirit makes you God’s children and by the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, ‘Abba, Father.
Song:Join in with or listen to ‘Sing of the Lord’s goodness’ (Singing the Faith 65) as we offer our praise to God. Alternatively, use a well-known hymn such as ‘Lord of all hopefulness’ (Singing the Faith 526, Hymns and Psalms 552) as we affirm the presence of God in our worship today.

Opening prayers:Creator God
We come to praise your name today,
We are confident of your love for us,
knowing that you want the very best for us and for your world.
Help us to be a people strong in Spirit
and faithful to your call,
so that the confidence you show in us
may be shown to be well placed.
And encourage us to share in the work of Jesus
that the good news of your saving grace
may be a message of hope and rejoicing
for all creation.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer may be said here.
Gospel reading:Matthew 13.24-30
24 He put before …

Bradford North Circuit

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