Everyone in the Parish is invited to join us:
Next Tuesday 16th Feb 8pm-9pm, we have a visitor from Umbrella Yoga who is giving a half hour FREE chair yoga session for us.
All you need to do is complete the health survey below to cover their insurance. I have already done the health survey and it is very simple. All you tell them is your name, age & any illnesses.
https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/FF2rgmas
Please do this before joining on Tuesday. The session will be nice & relaxing – just what we all need!! Hope to see you then!
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508060113?pwd=eXhGR3VqZkFzMnM1Z2ZMVzlJby9Wdz09
Meeting ID: 815 0806 0113
Passcode: 424336
This year the Church Hall is one of the Community Causes being supported by the Co-Op and you can support this by logging on to: coop.co.uk/membership and when asked which cause you wish to support, opting for Meltham Parish Church Hall. In case you cannot do this online, you can call 0800 068 6727 and option 1 lets you sign up for membership and option 2 lets you speak to someone to choose your cause. Please help this important Community building recover from its closure due to the pandemic. This is in addition to the co-op dividend paid to you.
Hello Everyone
Christine and I were Listening to the ‘Bible in a Year‘ being read to us by David Suchet. The daily readings on one particular day started with a reading from the 3rd chapter of Proverbs verses 1-10. Each day the readings start with a Psalm or Proverb followed by a New Testament reading ending with one from the Old Testament. Christine and I look forward to listening to David, he reads so well. The tonal changes and empathise in his voice help us to take in what has been read to us. It was a reading from the book of Proverbs which struck a chord with both of us.
P.R.A.Y
Pause as you pray this Prayer of Approach.
Loving Father, I still my soul now and remember that You are here with me, you are here in me, you are here for me. Lord Jesus, I worship You. Holy Spirit, I welcome You.
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being Proverbs 3 v 1–10
Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil, this will bring nourishment to your bones.
Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Since the second wave of the COVID-19, wellbeing has been high in people’s minds. Daily bulletins of new thoughts and measures, facts and figures have not been encouraging – reaching one hundred thousand deaths, and more critically ill in overrun hospitals, and more and more new cases daily.
Wellbeing comes in many distinctive guises. Not many people rush to get hold of a bible to make them feel good. The passage of scripture above, dwells on our relationship with God and the whole of His Creation from which our wellbeing springs.
The Theme of this year’s Winter Watch with Chris Packham and Team was ‘Natural Well Being’. The team displayed and shared their knowledge of the outdoors through the medium of our television sets, in our homes. There was real energy, joy and euphoria in following the wildlife, and appreciating the flora and fauna, around the UK.
Chris Packham says ‘connecting with nature is important to us, and there are so many of us who enjoy the natural wellbeing of being outdoors or simply watching the birds in the garden from our patio doors or windows and we can now be mindful of the changes that are starting to occur heralding spring.
There is more interest in Mindfulness in these days of lockdown. Winter Watch paused for 90 seconds in each of its eight episodes to give time for some of our five senses to kick in. (Touch, sight, smell, hearing and taste).
Ruth Esther Vawter – Pray Blog Author – gives us her contribution on senses and wellbeing
I believe in God because I see Him around me.
I believe in God because I Feel the presence of God.
I believe in God because I can smell His fragrance.
I believe in God because I can hear Him speak to me in various ways.
I believe in God because I can taste and know that He is God.
I believe in God because I believe the living word of God is true.
Our two Archbishops Invited us to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other and prayer is an expression of love.”
So let us take up this invitation to pray each day
Let us remember the work in the NHS, the sick and all those bereaved.
Let us pray for the safety of all front-line workers.
Let us pray for our government. the economy, the nation and the world as we battle with this pandemic. Let us pray for the rolling out of the vaccination programme.
In the Order of Compline –Last corporate Prayer of the day takes its form from psalm 17.
Compare Psalm 17 v 6-8 with the Compline Prayer.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Compline Prayer
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed us, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
KEEP US AS THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE & HELP US TO FIND OUR SAFETY UNDER THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS
KEEP SAFE AND KEEP PRAYING
Peter
Our church buildings are still closed, but we’re still worshipping together online. You can join us for ‘Church’ at 10:30am this morning via YouTube – Rev’d John Dracup leads a service of Holy Communion for the Parish of #Meltham and beyond……..ALL WELCOME 🙂
https://youtu.be/bk2AUeidvTY
Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives!
Hello and welcome to February’s edition of the #Meltham Parish magazine. In this edition you will find updates from the Crossroads and details of their new initiative to brighten up the shop window. There is interesting information about postal slogans along with the new daily prayers for Lent. The Churches may be closed but God still listens!
As always a thank you to those who have contributed but we still need more content for next month, so send in how you’ve been creative or those jokes or stories you’ve heard or the poems you’ve written to help keep this magazine going and bring a smile to readers faces. The next deadline will be Friday 19th February.
We have managed to get copies printed for you this month so if you need a copy for your friends please do collect from the usual distribution points or contact your church warden.
Due to the high number of Covid-19 cases still being recorded locally, it has been decided to continue the pause in services being held in our parish church buildings for the time being.
Online services will however still take place and continue to be available both on YouTube and Zoom. Links to these online services and any news as to when the church buildings might reopen will be posted on the website and social media sites.
Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.
Tonight we have a lady coming to talk to us about the children’s charity we support in Ethiopia and how they spend the money we donate from the carol service collection.
Everyone is welcome to join 8pm-9pm.
Click on the link below to join Zoom Meeting at 8pm tonight:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87415093912?pwd=WXppRHMxWVR6TGNKN05PVFZ3WWtjZz09
Meeting ID: 874 1509 3912
Passcode: 271972
Hello Everyone
Today we have sad news to share – Eric Marsh a staunch member of the Baptist Church, a man who was involved in so many things in Meltham and a man who was know and loved by lots of people, died this last week. He will be missed by many and we think of his family and friends at this sad time.
CROSSROADS PROJECTS
Reading “The Crossroads Projects Annual General Report” it is heartening to see how much has been achieved by “Meltham Churches Working Together” through all the difficulties experienced during 2020. There was a complete transformation of the Shop and the moving of the Centre into the old Town Hall, made possible by hard work, energy, and commitment to the Project. Sue Priestley, Chair of Trustees, ended her Report with the words from the following two Psalms below.
‘PSALM 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – For many of the volunteers they have missed the fellowship, and friendship of meeting together.”
“PSALM 33:22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. – looking forwards to a brighter future.”
Around 25 years ago a very apt verse of scripture was chosen which fitted the location of the charity shop.
Jeremiah 6:16 – “This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
In the report we are given a prophetic word from Scripture by Roger Furmeage – “He believes the future is bright for the Crossroads Project –Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The Food Bank has been a life saver for the many people it has helped. Debbie Still, Food Bank Leader and the helpers work closely with the Crossroads Shop and with those who offer Debt & Legal Advice (Chris Smith & Nigel Priestley) to provide support to those in need in our community. In her report Debbie chose a mantra from Matthew 25:37-40 New International Version.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Debbie writes “My Prayer is that these verses will remain the guiding ethos of the food bank as they continue on their journey.”
When we look back over the years the Prayers of our churches in Meltham have been open and supportive of the Crossroads Project.
P.R.A.Y
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Take a moment to Pause being aware of God’s presence with you and Reflect on His greatness.
Reflect on all God has done through the Crossroads project and give thanks for this work.
ASK
Ask God to increase the Vision and Hope for the future of church, community, and nation alike through His Holy Spirit.
Ask God to work in your own life in new ways listening to His voice, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the
good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.
YIELD
Spend time with verses of scripture chosen by me from the first ten psalms of the Bible.
Think on their content – see if they are applicable to you at this time. You might read the psalms for yourself and see if other verses stand out.
Psalm 1 v 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 2 v 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
Psalm 3 v 3 &4 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
Psalm 4v 1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 5v 3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice.
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.
Psalm 6 v 3&4 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?
Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
Psalm 7v7 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 8v3&4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind
that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 9 v 1&2 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart.
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 10 v 17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.
Closing Prayer
Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.
AN EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO THE NATION FROM
The Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury and The Most Revd & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell Archbishop of York
‘As we reach the terrible milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, we invite everyone in our nation to pause as we reflect on the enormity of this pandemic. 100,000 isn’t just an abstract figure. Each number is a person: someone we loved and someone who loved us. We also believe that each of these people was known to God and cherished by God. We write to you then in consolation, but also in encouragement, and ultimately in the hope of Jesus Christ. The God who comes to us in Jesus knew grief and suffering himself. On the cross, Jesus shares the weight of our sadness.
None of this is easy. Very many of us are experiencing isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and despondency like never before. Many people have lost their livelihoods. Our economy struggles. Also, the necessary restrictions we live with have also prevented us from being alongside loved ones as they died, or even at their graveside. All grief profoundly affects us, but this pandemic grief is so hard. Therefore, we need to support each other. We do this by following the guidelines. But we also do it by reaching out to each other with care and kindness. One thing we can all do is pray. We hope it is some consolation to know that the church prays for the life of our nation every day. Whether you are someone of faith, or not, we invite you to call on God in prayer. Starting on 1 February we invite you to set aside time every evening to pray, particularly at 6pm each day. More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love.”
So, let us take up this invitation, setting aside time to pray each day
Let us remember the work in the NHS, the sick and all those bereaved.
Let us pray for the safety of all front-line workers.
Let us pray for our government the economy, the nation and the world as we battle with this pandemic.
KEEP SAFE, KEEP PRAYING
Peter
