LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 16th May 2021

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world.”
John 17 v 6

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Pray for the people of Israel and Gaza. Please pray for peace in the land where Jesus once walked. Pray that Jews, Muslims and Christians can come to an agreement regarding the Holy city of Jerusalem.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

Our minister, Rev Joe Adams, is currently signed off sick and we are not sure when he will be back with us. Please remember him in your prayers. He is not able to take phone calls at the present.

Sunday Services on Zoom – as well as the services on YouTube and FaceBook we also have Zoom services on a Sunday. If you are interested in joining any of these please contact Christine at christine.beesley so that I can send you the link.

Church Reopening – we will provide an update next week.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Alan Beesley on 766604. Please do not call Joe.

The Goldfinch

A pretty baby goldfinch eats our nyger seeds each day,
But one sad day, mistakenly, it went the other way
And flew into our window pane, as fast as it could fly,
We heard the crash and had a look and thought that it would die.

I noticed it was breathing, so I held it in my hand,
When I moved to take a photo, how it gripped my wedding band…
It’s beak was rather splintered from the impact on the end
And it’s head was missing feathers, but we loved our feathered friend.
I went to where it liked to eat it’s precious nyger seeds,
And placed it on the platform where it sat, still dazed, at ease,
Eventually it looked, in one direction then another,
And suddenly it flew away, but just before it’s mother
Came to find her baby bird and sadly flew away.
I hoped they’d be reunited by the ending of the day.

Next morning, baby goldfinch, with it’s mother was seen feeding,
Rather dazed and somewhat battered, but it followed mother’s leading.

Likewise we, as vulnerable believers in the Lord, need to be feeding
On God’s word and He will help us understand what we are reading.
For like the little bird, we too, have sadly gone astray…
We’ve sinned and crashed so frequently and turned from God away,
Maybe we should stop and think of God, and of His Son,
Who made each tiny goldfinch, and He made us too, each one.
He loves us to believe in Him, to repent and say, “I’m sorry”
And live each day with Him to help, until we meet in Glory!

Faith C Gage 2015

With thanks to Maudie for sharing this with us

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 9th May 2021

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15 v 12

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please continue to pray for the people of India because they are still struggling with a more deadly wave of coronavirus and remember also the people of Brazil and other countries of the world that are still experiencing terrible repercussions from this awful virus. My God be with all His people.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

Our minister, Rev Joe Adams, is currently signed off sick and we are not sure when he will be back with us. Please remember him in your prayers. He is not able to take phone calls at the present.

Sunday Services on Zoom – as well as the services on YouTube and FaceBook we also have Zoom services on a Sunday. If you are interested in joining any of these please contact Christine at christine.beesley so that I can send you the link.

Church Reopening – with Joe being off sick at the moment we are not sure when our church will be open again.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Alan Beesley on 766604. Please do not call Joe.

The Cross in my Pocket

I carry a cross in my pocket,
A simple reminder to me,
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm;
It isn’t meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It is not for identification
For all the world to see.
It’s simply an understanding
Between my Saviour and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or a key,
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day,
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do or say.

It’s also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care.

So I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life
If only I’ll let Him be.

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 2nd May 2021

“I am the true vine.” John 15 v 1

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please continue to pray for the people of India as they go through another and more deadly wave of coronavirus and remember also the people of Brazil and other countries of the world that are still experiencing terrible repercussions from this awful virus. My God be with all His people.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

Sunday Services on Zoom – as well as the services on YouTube and FaceBook we also have Zoom services on a Sunday. If you are interested in joining any of these please contact Christine at christine.beesley so that I can send you the link.

Church Reopening – we will soon be holding a meeting to discuss when our building can be opened again. If anyone has any issues regarding this please contact Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 25th April 2021

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10 v 11

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please pray for the people of India as they go through another and more deadly wave of coronavirus

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

Sunday Services on Zoom – as well as the services on YouTube and FaceBook we also have Zoom services on a Sunday. If you are interested in joining any of these please contact Christine at christine.beesley so that I can send you the link.

Church Re-opening – we are holding a meeting next month to discuss when our building can be opened again. If anyone has any issues regarding this please contact Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

The Hands of a Carpenter

The hands of a carpenter created the world,
God’s fingers made stars, quite a feat really,
He just had to say, and light shone in the darkness,
Then from dust, He made man so uniquely.

The hands of a carpenter gave Noah instructions
For ‘step by step; shipping construction;
The wood to be used, and specific dimensions,
Then Noah’s Ark survived global destruction!

The hands of a carpenter made many mangers
After Mary carefully wrapped Jesus asleep in one,
Born in Bethlehem Ephrathah, as Micah had promised,
Where bright angels sent shepherds to visit Him!

The hands of a carpenter were quite used to nails,
Usually held in, not right through His hands,
As when He hung on a cross, a wooden cross,
To die for us all, that’s from all lands.

The hands of a carpenter are outstretched and waiting
Encouraging us all to be His forever,
If we are sorry for sin, and we welcome Him in,
He’ll live in us, best carpenter ever!

Faith C Gage
12/12/11

With thanks to Maudie for sharing this with us

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 11th April 2021

Jesus came and stood among them. John 20 v 19

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please pray for countries experiencing rises in the numbers of covid deaths and thank God for our successful vaccination programme.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

Sunday Services on Zoom – as well as the services on YouTube and FaceBook we also have Zoom services on a Sunday. If you are interested in joining any of these please contact Christine at christine.beesley so that I can send you the link.

If you go past our Church Building you will notice we have workmen there. The interior is being redecorated and we are having the carpet cleaned so that it will be all fresh and lovely for when we meet again.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

Church website: www.lexden.org.uk

A Psalm of Life

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!—
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,—act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-82

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 4th April 2021

Easter Sunday

He has risen! Mark 16 v 6

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please pray for Christians throughout the world who are unable to share in the joy of Easter.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

Easter Sunday Services – as well as the services on YouTube and FaceBook the Circuit also have two Zoom services. One at 2:15pm and one at 6:15pm. If you are interested in joining either or both of these services please contact Christine at christine.beesley so that I can send you the link.

If you go past our Church Building you will notice we have workmen there. The interior is being redecorated and we are having the carpet cleaned so that it will be all fresh and lovely for when we meet again.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

Saviour

God stood upon the mountain top beckoning to me.
I turned my face away from Him pretending not to see.

He called my name out in a voice as soft as summer’s breeze.
But sadly my soul heard Him not and my heart began to freeze.

Then when He made the mountains shake and when the oceans rose
I went down into the place where hate and anger grows.

And so He sent His son for me, His one and only child,
That I might be forgiven and my soul be reconciled.

But when He spoke upon the mount I had better things to do.
And I did not scatter palm leaves when I saw Him riding through.

Then I watched as they nailed Him to a cross made of wood.
Whilst His tortured body died silently I stood.

And when the sky darkened and the storm began to rise
I ran away and hid with my contempt and my lies.

Yet on the third day, when the sun did once more shine,
There, before me, stood Jesus. His countenance divine.

I begged of Him forgiveness and He helped me to stand.
Then led me to the mountain top where God took my hand.

© Christine Beesley

He Has Risen Indeed!
Hallelujah!

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 28th March 2021

Palm Sunday

‘Surely this man was the Son of God’. Mark 15 v 39

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please pray for all those who are suffering from mental health issues and for their families and carers.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Colchester Food Bank appeal. We collected an amazing 48.95 kg of food and toiletries and £55 in cash. Thank you also to Alan who took it all to their new distribution centre in Tollgate.

At the recent Church Council it was decided to review the question of opening the Church in mid May. in the meantime if anyone has Church donations which they would like to pass on Geoff can arrange to collect them from you in a Covid safe way. Please contact him on 545083. Thank you for your continuing support.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

G K Chesterton 1874-1936

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 21st March 2021

‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified’. John 12 v 23

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please pray for a fair and even distribution of the covid vaccines so that no country will go without.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

National Day of Reflection – This month we mark the anniversary of the first national lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19. A national day of reflection is being held on Tuesday 23 March for people to come together to reflect on our collective loss, support those who’ve been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future. Marie Curie is leading activities. You are invited to join a minute’s silence at 12 noon, to shine a light at 8pm or to find a moment to reflect in your own way during the day.

At the recent Church Council it was decided to review the question of opening the Church in mid May. in the meantime if anyone has Church donations which they would like to pass on Geoff can arrange to collect them from you in a Covid safe way. Please contact him on 545083. Thank you for your continuing support.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.

As we consider our futures when we finally come out of lockdown it is worth remembering it is OK to sit quietly and contemplate the wonderful world around us. With that in mind I found this poem to be rather appropriate.

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

W H Davies 1871-1940

LEXDEN METHODIST CHURCH

Notices for Week Commencing 14th March 2021
Mothering Sunday

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66 v 13

PRAYER

Prayer Requests – Please pray for the people of Africa as the Covid vaccines gradually reach those people in need.

Please pray for our empty Church Buildings and for our Circuit Ministers Rev Joe Adams, Rev Ken Chalmers and Rev Alan Jenkins.

Continue to pray for all others who are in any way troubled, lonely, unwell or bereaved and anyone else who needs our prayers.

NOTICES

A very big thank you to those who have contributed to the Food Bank. We’ve had a most amazing response already. If you still anything you would like to donate please call us on 766604 and Alan will arrange a Covid secure collection.

While our church building remains closed we are arranging for it to be redecorated. So that when we meet again it will be bright and beautiful.

Worship from home – we will continue to deliver paper notices and a service sheet every week, God willing, until we can open our church doors once more. If you would like to receive a DVD of the weekly circuit service please call Geoff on 545083.

If you need prayer or help in any way please contact your pastoral visitor or you can call Rev Joe Adams on 331413 or Alan Beesley on 766604.