February Update 2025

 

A new month, a new day, a new hour or minute….we are never far from God’s love.  The new year gave us a re-set to do or to be better / different / kinder etc. but in God’s reality this is something we can do at any time.  The Julian calendar that we use to regulate the year bit of our time might work for us but I’m not convinced that God feels obliged to stick with it!  (He was around a bit before Julias Caesar!!!)

Every moment, in reality, is a time to stop what we’re doing and re-set our thoughts onto God.  Not that I would explicitly recommend this when driving or performing open heart surgery, but perhaps have the re-set before getting behind the wheel.  Anyway, I’m not trying to be flippant here.  God loves us, God sent Jesus to teach us how to live as was His design.  Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

There is a lovely hymn, New Every Morning is the Love.  It reminds me that God is a God of second (& 3rd….4th…..) chances, that every day we are given opportunity to draw close to Him again.  If you’re unfamiliar with the hymn then simply click or copy this link  New Every Morning is the Love (Tune: Melcombe - 5vv) [with lyrics for congregations]

The final verse gives me particular comfort:

Only, O Lord, in thy dear love,
fit us for perfect rest above;
and help us, this and every day,
to live more nearly as we pray.

Being part of that closeness is preparing us for that ‘perfect rest above’ ….when that time comes, but it also equips us for ‘this and every day’, enabling us ‘to live more nearly as we pray.  Without prayer all the busy-ness of our lives, including the stuff we do ‘for’ church can just be window dressing.  We are called to reach out to our neighbours but before that we are called to worship, to be in the presence of God, to pray.  For anyone who struggles with knowing what to pray I’m setting out below some simple 1 minute prayers for every day of February.  Please feel free to use this for a few minutes each day.  Let us live more nearly as we pray.  It isn’t perfect, you may have your own systems for daily prayer …but for anyone who needs a prompt)

 

Dear

Lord

we

pray

for..

1-Someone I love

2- my church family

3- our World (be precise)

4- our school

5- our Government / leaders

6- this village

7- global war / conflict

8- a local business

9- local politicians / MP

10- nursing homes

11- disaster areas

12- the emergency services

13- global leaders

14- friends in hospital

15- today thank God for Jesus

16- our Network Youth minister

17- the people I speak to today

18- the local Churches & communities

19- how can I play my part?

20- Andrea & the Youth Trust

21- persecuted Christians

22- a child or young person

23- spend 5 minutes in silence

24- Mission Partners

25- all who minister

26- the lonely +/or afraid

27- the national church

28- those searching for work

 

 

 

Mid-week Meeting: Last Autumn I spent a couple of hours each week in both churches.  From March I will be doing something similar

Mar 5- 10am Clergy Surgery         11am Holy Communion (for Ash Weds)  - St Marys      Mar 12- 10am Clergy Surgery  11am Holy Communion – St Johns                     Mar 19- 10am Clergy Surgery      11am Holy Communion – St Marys                    Mar 26- 10am Clergy Surgery      11am Holy Communion – St Johns

(Clergy Surgery simply means that Mark is in church if you wish to chat / pray / ask questions.  I will offer Holy Communion at 11am on those days.

Lent 2025

Growing on the Frontline is an 8 session course designed to help us ‘Grow more like Jesus where we are’ .  We will look at scripture and learn how we can be more confident sharing our faith & getting involved with the things in our community.

 

FLOOKBURGH (VICARAGE)

ALLITHWAITE     (CHURCH)

ZOOM

SESSION 1

 

20FEB@10AM

23FEB @7.30PM

2

25FEB@2PM

27FEB@10AM

 

3

4MAR@2PM

6MAR@10AM

9MAR@7.30

4

11MAR@2PM

13MAR@10AM

16MAR@7.30

5

18MAR @2PM

20MAR@10AM

23MAR@7.30

6

25MAR@2PM

27MAR@10AM

30MAR@7.30

7

1APR@2PM

3APR@10AM

6APR@7.30

8

8APR@2PM

10APR@10AM

13APR@7.30

As this is a resource we have for Church I imagine we will roll it out again every so often.  Try and sign up for all 8 sessions.  Please let me know if you would like to attend.

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