Summer’s Coming!
The sun’s coming out. People’s legs and toes begin to make an appearance again, and somehow the weather starts to draw out some more smiles onto people’s faces.
Unless you suffer with hayfever that is – the eyes itch, the nose streams, and the amount of money spent on Piriton is frankly unbearable.
Isn’t it incredible how the same event can have such a hugely diverse impact on people?
I sometimes feel the same is true of our experience of church isn’t it? Something one of us absolutely loves and takes something really significant from might end up a frustration to someone else.
And yet we pray that God is in them all, just like the (hopefully) all pervasive sun in summer to bring something of the light of the world to all who need him.
As we’ve journeyed towards ascension day throughout the end of May, you may have noticed mention of the Holy Spirit, talk of whom may also evoke different emotions amongst us all. In the Ascension day story, the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ promised comforter to his disciples, who we still trust in all these years later. So as we enjoy the sun this coming season, let’s also pray for that same warm touch of God’s hand through the Holy Spirit living within us. May God guide, empower, challenge and encourage (all 4 implied in Jesus use of ‘comforter’!) you this month and every month, and let’s be open to God’s warm glow living within and through us toward others too!
In our Church Communities:
We’re not far from Pentecost (Sunday 9th June), don’t forget we usually all come in Red to mark it!
Our joint Sunday evening worship service will be having another opportunity to think together about some of life’s big questions. This time they’ll be framed around ‘If you could ask God one question, what would it be?’ We can’t promise every answer, but we can promise to have a good time talking them all through together!
You may also have picked up on a new gathering happening each Friday in All Saints. Friday Fellowship is now gathering steam, and is a great chance to chat, play games, think about the Bible with other people, and gather for a shared, pay-as-you-can lunch and market stall. Do pop in and see us between 10:30 and 1 if you can!
Another great opportunity to think totters about the Bible is in a Bible study group. Do speak to Stephen or Derek if you’re interested in joining one, or in help to set up your own gathering to think about God’s word with others.
On 29th June, at 2-4pm, we’ll join with All Saints School for a street Party outside All Saints. All are welcome, it promises to be a great day!
Please pray also for the growing ‘Reflections’ club at All Saints School, which meets weekly on a lunchtime to hear Bible stories and share food together, and for Journey Makers after school club which meets on a Tuesday – we could always do with more volunteers, so do speak to Jun e if you think that could be you!
In our City:
As part of ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, churches from across the city will gather again for 24hours to pray for our city from &pm Friday 7th June. Its a great way to met with other Christians, worship, and intercede for our city. Do ask Stephen or Derek for more information.
Please keep praying for the Fountains church initiative which is planned for our city centre. The team are in place, and gather each Tuesday evening at 7pm at Glyde house opposite the media museum if you’d like to join them.
Thinking ahead:
Did you join us on our trip to Filey last year? Well we’re going again! On Saturday 6th July, we’ll travel again fro a day of fun and friendship on the beach, hope you can join us!
We’d also like to organise a week of doing jobs around our Churches throughout the Summer holidays, possibly on the week of 29th July. Do let us know if you think you might be able to help out – there’ll be jobs to suit all abilities!
At All Saints, we believe that God loves us and that he sent Jesus to die for us and to rise again from the dead. Through faith in Jesus we find our wrongdoings forgiven and we know peace with God and with one another. And one day we look forward to being with God in heaven.
Sunday worship is at 11.15 a.m. when we meet God in the teaching of the Bible and in Holy Communion. There is Sunday School for children during the service every Sunday except the first of the month. After the service time we serve drinks and cake and a chance to meet one another.
At St Oswald’s, we believe that God loves us and that he sent Jesus to die for us and to rise again from the dead. Through faith in Jesus we find our wrongdoings forgiven and we know peace with God and with one another. And one day we look forward to being with God in heaven.
worship is at 9.30 a.m. when we meet God in the teaching of the Bible and in Holy Communion. There is Sunday School for children during the service every Sunday except the first of the month. After the service time we serve drinks and biscuits and a chance to meet one another.