Author: stjohnstmarkchurchbury

Old Trafford has a number of places of worship. Our banns were heard at St Hilda’s, Old Trafford. But far and away the largest place of worship has thousands of adherents. Every Saturday, or thereabouts, they gather to chant devotion to their god. At times they will invite the leader of the worship, dressed in black, to improve his eyesight. They cheer whenever the team in red puts the ball into the net…

It’s often said that history is written by the victors. But what must it feel like to be defeated in war? Ashamed, frightened, disorientated, demoralized, physically hurt, mentally traumatized, angry at those who promised that you would be victorious, relieved the fighting is over, struggling to survive, cold, hungry…??

Our next Sunday@Seven service is on Sunday 26th January 2020 at 7pm. For the first meeting in 2020 our theme is: ‘New heart, new spirit’ which is taken from Ezekiel 18:31.

Here are the Bible readings for January 2020 which we’ll be using in church for this season of Epiphany. The scriptures this month include travelling wise men, a baptism, disciples being called – and people that had been in darkness now seeing a great light.

We learn that each of us has something to offer in service to progress God’s kingdom. It may not be immediately apparent; it may be hidden beneath the surface; but there will be something to offer in each one of us.

As the Word made flesh and dwelling among us, Jesus physically demonstrated the continuity of God, his unchanging love and mercy that we can always count upon. But he also showed us the God of surprises too. He changed what we thought about God and challenged the pre-conceived ideas that he came across. In physical, bodily form – as the body language of God – Jesus re-imagined God for us.

On Saturday 14th December, Eagles Wing had their Christmas Party at our church hall and this letter is from their co-ordinator Sue Arnall… “Solidarity had a wonderful Christmas Party, thanks to funding from Autotrader and Forever Manchester, the kindness of St John & St Mark’s Church and the amazing hard work of 20 volunteers!”

Our next Sunday@Seven service is December 29th in the hall at Christ Church Walmersley. The theme is ‘My time is in your hands’, which is taken from Psalm 31.

Sunday@Seven is an opportunity to sing and pray in a more informal setting than the usual Sunday and weekday church services. It’s led by Nigel Silvester, our Authorised Lay Minister and Cath Hilton.

What a lovely idyllic picture we have in our reading from Isaiah today. Woody Allen once said of this vision: “The wolf shall lie down with the lamb. But the lamb won’t get much sleep!”

In this bumper Christmas issue we have details of all the many services and events that we have going on. There’s a letter from Dave, about God “mucking in” with us. There are also appeals to help those who are homeless and some reflections on Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

Here are the Bible readings for December 2019 which we’ll be using in church for this Advent and Christmas season. The scriptures this month include wolves living with lambs, lame leaping like deer, John wearing camel hair… and Mary bearing a son called Jesus.

Jesus the king wore a crown of thorns; his throne was a cross; his royal banner a scribbled sign. This is the gospel image of royalty; the king and a criminal going together into paradise. This is the king we believe in; the king we celebrate and whose values we are pledged to live by.

Our next Sunday@Seven service is November 24th in the Barritt Room in the hall at St John with St Mark’s. The theme this time is ‘Waiting for the Lord’, which is taken from Psalm 130.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

Here our details for our Advent & Christmas activities and services this year at St John with St Mark’s, Bury and Christ Church, Walmersley. From Bible Studies to Brass Bands, Christingles to Carols…