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1. From Rev Paul Wilson ....
During the last year many new people have started to worship with us. We warmly welcome all newcomers and hope that those, who have come, now feel that they belong to Knutsford Methodist Church. All are welcome to join us for any of our Sunday or mid-week Services, whether simply visiting or looking to find a Church to which to belong. If you would like to discuss any aspect of Church-membership, please will you contact me (kmc.office@zen.co.uk or 01565 633276) to arrange a conversation - alternatively you can normally find me in our Church's community centre on Mondays and Fridays from 10.00am to 11.00am.
Paul
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2. From Martyn & Rosemary J - about 'Alpha' ....
Would you be interested in exploring the Christian faith further through 'Alpha' or within Home Groups? Our current course (the third in our most recent series) started in January 2008. Those of us who have helped with Alpha never cease to be amazed how God breaks through into people's lives, revealing Jesus personally through the working of His Holy Spirit. We read about, we hear about it, but it is wonderful when we see it actually happen to people we know. We thank God that we have been privileged to enjoy the fun, the fellowship, the food and the challenges that Alpha has opened up. Please pray for this present course, both for those attending and for those leading. For anyone, who may be interested in, or wondering about, joining an Alpha Course (now or in the future), please feel free to contact Elaine P or Rosemary& Martin J - via the Church Office (Knutsford 652251).
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3. Thanks.
From Olive K…
I would like to send my sincere thanks for the lovely flowers, many cards and particularly for the prayers which were said for me during my recent illness. I have felt truly blessed.
From Joanne…
I would loke to thank Knutsford Methodist Church for the lovely flowers given to Neil and I on the birth of Martha. I will be at church (or at least coffee) with Martha very soon.
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4. From Mary G about Christian radio sites
At one of our meetings of the Mereheath Lane House Group I happened to mention that I listened regularly to a Christian broadcast via my TV. Others in the group were not familiar with these Christian radio sites, and how they were available through the TV or computer.
So for the benefit of others in the church, and elsewhere, who may be interested, here are details of just two of the stations available. They broadcast a mixture of (usually) modern worship-songs interspersed with Bible-readings and discussions.
(1) UCB - the publisher of 'The Word For Today', the booklet of daily readings with which many of us are familiar. UCB has a variety of sites from Bible readings, to inspirational music and talks. On the computer you can listen to them on www.ucb.co.uk. If you have Sky Digital, the channels are 0125, 0134, 01235, 0136 (and others!) or, if you have Virgin media cable channels, the number is 914.
(2) Premier Christian radio - their programmes can be heard via their computer website www.premier.org.uk, on Sky Digital 0123 or on Virgin Media 968. Enjoy!
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5. Friends and Fellowship
The month of September last year saw several celebrations amongst a group of friends of a certain age at Knutsford Methodist Church - birthdays and ruby weddings. As I looked at these friends of many years standing, I reflected how they have helped me through some very low times in my life.
They have offered very practical help, but also have sustained me spiritually. They know me almost as well as I know myself, and see through my pretences. I can never thank them enough and wonder how I would have managed without them.
I wonder if there are some people, who feel on the outside, perhaps struggling alone in difficult circumstances. Can I encourage you to join one of the many fellowship groups within our Church (or a Church near to you). Mingling in the congregation on Sundays there are so many people, but going along to, say, a Bible Study group, you would meet a few people informally. As you study God's word together, firm friendships are forged, and you would have your own support-network for life! Of course, it does work both ways, and you will find yourself caring for others.
Some of you might also be interested in joining our weekly Tuesday & Thursday Senior Citizen's lunches. We now have over 40 attendees on our list, with an average of 35-36 present each sitting.
Click HERE to check the fellowship groups at Knutsford Methodist Church. If you want to book for a Senior Citizen's lunch or chat to leader of any particular Fellowship Group, please speak to Liz H or Brenda W via the Church Office (Kn. 652251) who will set this up for you. It's always easier to enter the fray if you've already found an ally.
I pray you will take that first step, because I know you will be richly blessed.
Jan P
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6. About Christian Resources ...
6.1 About the Methodist Prayer Handbook ...
Do you know about the prayer-handbook? There are normally one or two copies kept in the Church's Prayer Room.
What is MPH and how can it help you to focus your prayers?
This is a booklet re-published annually by the Methodist Publishing House, so it is kept up-to-date. Basically there is a double-page spread for each day of a 31-day month, the Church Overseas being on the left-hand page and the various Districts of the British Church on the right-hand side. The Overseas side covers two or three Districts of the Church, with paragraphs written usually by a national person giving thanks for the many good things and making petitions for the needs of those particular churches. It also lists the Mission-partners who are serving overseas - some of course personally known to us.
I add names of people, who are not necessarily partners from G.B. but those I want to remember to pray for, e.g. on Day 22 (Japan and Korea) I pray for Song-Ah-Chee (formerly a Time-for-God at our Church), and on Day 26, one of the Europe pages, I have pencilled in Rikke Nilsson (who preceded Song-ah) - you could add those you wished to pray for - you would do so by this means once a month.
On the right-hand page there are short paragraphs about each District of the Church in G.B. in turn. We come in on Day 19 (Manchester and Stockport District), and the 2006/7 issue mentions Rev'd Cris Acher and Nexus. On this side of the page I pencil in names of people who have gone from our Church, whom I want to remember in prayer but would otherwise forget, e.g. on Day 27 (W.Yorkshire) I pray for Hilary Ewing and on Day 21 for Caroline. You can, in fact, use this guide in any way you want to. It is a great aide-memoire!
The new one comes out in July-August each year with the changes after the Conference. I'm sure copies may be ordered through any Christian Bookseller but if you'd like to 'give it a go' I'd be delighted to order yours, with mine, from the Methodist Publishing House. The price is about £2.25 (a little more for a large print version).
I forgot to say there are small illustrations and maps; I love my Methodist Prayer Handbook and wouldn't like to be without it. I use a bit of it at nearly every meeting of my House Group.
If you'd like a copy via me, please let me know by the end of June (contact via the Church Office, Knu.652251).
Rene F
6.2 About MAGNET
'MAGNET' - NO! Not a device to pick up metal, or a designer kitchen! Magnet is an interesting 40-page, full-colour, quarterly Christian resource for people of all denominations. It contains personal stories and articles on a particular theme, worship material, book reviews and ideas for discussion-groups and personal use.
Many members of the congregation have been taking this magazine for years, but it is new to me and when I was asked to promote it (and Women's Network to which it is linked) I was pleasantly surprised to find such an interesting and well-produced publication with beautiful photographs.
The website http://www.magnetmag.co.uk enables worship resources to be downloaded and the opportunity to take part in quarterly debates - a recent one was "Christians should be prepared to go against the laws of the land in order to support those who see their country as the Promised Land". There were some interesting comments both for and against this one.
The annual subscription for Magnet will be £10 from this autumn. If you'd like a sample-copy , please give me a call (via the Church Office, Knu.652251).
Daphne B
6.3 About ECG 2009
You may remember that, last Easter, more than 30 of us from Knutsford Methodist Church attended the ECG (Heart for the Nation) Conference in Llandudno. Many of the young people have now booked for 2009, and so have some of the 'oldies'. However, there is still time to book and so I thought it a good idea to remind you of some of what we all enjoyed.
Approximately 1,000 adults attended the event this year, which was billed as 'a dynamic new conference aiming to inspire and empower a generation to transform their communities and build God's Kingdom'. The dozens of events (all optional) provided a full programme for all ages and included early morning communion (for the early risers), seminars, bible studies, sports programmes, mission-team opportunities and evening celebrations. There was 'kidz zone' for those up to the age of 10, a full youth programme and many fringe events for all those who felt they still had energy left after 11pm! The atmosphere, teaching and fellowship experienced during that week was amazing.
ECG hopes to double the number of people attending for 2009, so please don't miss the opportunity to join us next year (from Easter Monday). Whatever your age, you will have a wonderful time. We all did!
Please speak to Rev Paul Wilson or to me (via the Church Office, Knu. 652251), or visit http://www.ecgevent.org.uk for more details.
Gill F
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7. Methodist Relief & Development Fund
A safe place to sleep for a child living on the streets, fresh vegetables grown on previously barren land, a group working together to bring clean water to their village: these are just a few of the 'small miracles' made possible by the work of Methodist Relief and Development Fund's local partners - and by the support of Methodist Churches in the UK.
When your Church or Circuit raises money for MRDF, you are supporting more than 60 local, community-based organisations in 20 of the poorest countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
MRDF supports these organisations so that they can help individuals and communities meet local needs and become increasingly self-sufficient.
Disasters always hit the poorest hardest. MRDF provides emergency aid and, even more importantly, focuses on longer-term projects which offer new skills and opportunities to those living on the edge, helping people to better withstand the effects of natural disasters.
MRDF also believes in tackling the root causes of poverty by joining with others to campaign on issues that directly affect the world's poorest people, including trade, debt and climate-change.
So next time that you see gift-aid envelopes for MRDF or take part in an MRDF service, remember that you can be a vital part of MRDF's work to make small miracles possible for those living in the world's poorest communities.
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8. A Testimony to Prayer - from John & Ronnie M
A Testimony to Prayer - from John and Ronnie Mills
The poet wrote:
"More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of:
For what are men better than sheep or goats
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friends."
As our church family knows, my wife, Ronnie, was very ill at the end of January, and on Thursday 31st January she had an operation to remove an abscess from her pancreas. I don't think that either of us realised how ill she was. Even when Ronnie went straight from the operating theatre into the Intensive Care Ward, the penny still did not drop for me.
The next morning, with Ronnie heavily sedated, I was told by the doctors just how ill she was. I was left in no doubt. I felt terrible and was in despair.
The nurse, Matt, looking after Ronnie, is a Christian who goes to the Macclesfield Family Church. He suggested that I contact the hospital chaplains. Our daughter, Katie, was on the way and I contacted our Minister, Paul, who came straight away. He prayed for Ronnie with myself and Katie in the family room, and then we prayed at Ronnie's bedside.
Whilst Ronnie's condition remained critical throughout Friday, my feeling of despair lifted and I knew things would not get worse. Throughout Saturday Ronnie remained critical, but as the sedation was reduced she was drifting in and out of consciousness. Of course we seized on any reaction with hope and every time poor Ronnie opened her eyes she had 2 or 3 of the family asking her how she was.
Something happened on Saturday night. When I phoned early on Sunday morning, Helmut, the nurse who had been looking after Ronnie overnight, said she had stabilised and they were hoping to remove the ventilator. I went to the hospital after the 9.15am Service and was greeted by the day nurse, Lena, excitedly saying that she and Ronnie had been waiting for me to show how much progress she had made. Ronnie was off the ventilator and the sedation had been stopped. Ronnie recognised me and we talked.
We found out later that there had been a prayer meeting at church for Ronnie on Saturday afternoon. Ronnie was in Intensive care for another 3 days. When she was transferred to the normal ward, Matt said, "If I am ever that ill I want your church to pray for me!"
From Ronnie
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I will not forget you… I have held you in the palm of my hand".
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
My illness was much easier for me than for the rest of the family as I had very little idea of what was going on. I remember very little of the last few days before the operation and nothing at all of the first few days afterwards. The quotation above is from a prayer-card someone kindly sent me whilst I was in hospital and which I now use as a book mark. It sums up how I felt; I felt in a very warm, safe and comfortable place, surrounded by love, prayer and care. I had no worries about what was happening at home as I knew that John had everything under control.
The doctors were surprised at the rate of my recovery; they described it as remarkable. On one occasion when I asked when I would be able to go home the reply was "We hope it will be weeks rather than months!" Less than three weeks later I was home. I came home with dire warnings of how long it would take to recover fully - these varied from a "very, very, very long time" to "over a year". It was March 11th when I was allowed home and I can honestly say that I felt almost back to my old self two months later.
I give my heartfelt thanks for the many prayers, cards and letters, flowers and visits wh helped me enormously - thank you all.
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9. 'Lost in Wonder' - a new on-line space for you...
A new online space, created by the Methodist Church, invites visitors to join a pilgrimage of discovery, freeing the mind from clutter, calming the spirit and strengthening awareness of, and openness to, God. Based on an ancient design, www.lostinwonder.org.uk is an online labyrinth that invites visitors on a spiritual journey of encounter and challenge. A labyrinth is a metaphor for the spiritual journey into death and out again into life.
Lost in Wonder has ten interactive 'stations' that can be visited in any order, each with images, a Bible text, a prayer and a guiding voice leading the guest into the theme of that place. "A labyrinth is an ancient way to journey deeper into God's presence and then to travel out again into God's world. This is a place of change and challenge as well as rest and contemplation. We hope that people will find in it a freedom that helps them to connect with others who want to learn about God's love."
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10. CD and online recordings of the weekly Services...
CD recordings have now replaced our original tape technology, and are being made for the Sunday 10.45am Services. Copies are kept on the book-shelf in the front entrance-porch of the church. Please feel free to borrow one at any time. If you are seeking a Service recording that you cannot find on the shelf then please enquire at the Church Office. If you would like to buy any CD or tape, we will make you a copy - just drop £1 into the collection plate for it.
If there is a funeral or a wedding at church that you want to be recorded, please contact the Church Office so that this may be arranged, and the requested number of copies produced.
It is now also possible to listen to, and/or download, recordings of our 10.45am Sunday Services' sermons via the internet. Please click HERE to find out more.
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11. About 'HOPE 08' - article by Marion B.
What is 'Hope 08'? Where has it come from? You may well ask!
Hope 08 is an initiative to bring the churches of towns, villages, hamlets and cities together to make a greater impact with the gospel for the year of 2008. It came out of an inspired idea during a coffee break when Andy Hawthorne of the Message, Roy Crowne of Youth for Christ and Mike Pilavachi of Soul Survivor were talking together. What would happen if every church in the United Kingdom would work together with the churches around them to bring people to Jesus for one year - 2008!
This idea grew and was confirmed by all the heads of the leading Christian churches of the land, when they agreed to back Hope 08. Many Christian organisations are giving their services to help churches in any and every area needed to bring Hope 08 to all parts of the United Kingdom. It is an extremely exciting initiative, which could change our country and may even bring revival to our land.
The strap-line for the vision is:
DO MORE
DO IT TOGETHER
DO IT IN WORD AND ACTION
Basically, it means in 2008 for the churches to DO MORE to bring people to know our loving Lord Jesus who died for them. DO IT TOGETHER with our brothers and sisters in Christ in our own town, working in unity, and with God's WORD AND ACTION at the centre of all we do for the people in and around our town.
The people of Knutsford, for example, include everyone no matter what their age, circumstance or situation. It also includes everyone who helps us in our daily lives, such as the police, medical staff, councillors, etc.
HOPE 08 is bringing the Hope of Jesus to everyone. This is a countrywide outreach and the initiative is completely based on prayer, as it is only God that can bring about HOPE 08. God only knows what is needed in each town and village. It is working with what we have and making it better. HOPE 08 is an every-person ministry, not just a few. We must all look at the work we are already doing for Jesus and think how we can bring others to know more through our witness, work and prayer.
2008 could be the most exciting year in the history of the United Kingdom and many churches across the land are on board with exciting and wonderful opportunities opening up. Let's pray that every one of our towns can be part of this fantastic God-given opportunity and join with HOPE 08.
If you want to know more look at the website www.hope08.com for all the up-to-date information, or read the HOPE 08 book. There is HOPE08 information on the notice board by Knutsford Methodist Church front Door - there is also a DVD which can be watched.
The high points, in the HOPE 08 calendar, link in perfectly with the areas of outreach we already have in Knutsford:-
- The Big Hope - Lent and Easter
- Hope where you live - Pentecost
- Summer Activities
- Hope Explored - Harvest
- The Gift of Hope - Christmas
Would you like to be part of the Christians of England giving a "million hours of kindness", spend time in prayer, help people to know Jesus through sport, art, music or schools work? There are so many ways that are already part of the churches of Knutsford's agenda, or could be incorporated into the every day lives of our churches, that will bring people to know our Lord Jesus and give them Hope in 2008.
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12. You've got to laugh ...
Laughter is the best medicine!
How do vicars make telephone calls?
Parson to parson...
From the lofty vantage of his pulpit, the vicar announced,
XXXX"Today, I shall discuss the milk of human kindness".
A weary voice sighed from amid the congregation,
XXXX"Let's hope it's condensed".
The only religious vegetable ...
A little boy was helping his mum as she shopped in their local supermarket. He stood peering in front of the vegetable rack and asked her, "Mummy, is there only one type of vegetable which is religious?" His mum, taken aback, said, "Pardon Dear, I didn't know that any were." "Oh yes", replied the little boy, "Every Sunday I hear our Minister say, 'Lettuce Pray'."
From 'the present' ...
XXXXXXXXXYesterday was history,
XXXXXXXXXTomorrow is a mystery,
XXXXXXXXXToday is a gift of God,
XXXXXXXXXThat's why it's called... the present.
From 'Christian Crackers' ...
Whenever I see a little church,
I always pay a visit,
So, when at last I'm carried in,
The Lord won't say, "Who is it?".
"Shhh!" ...
Lisa, 5, and Peter, a year younger, were going
into church for a wedding. As they sat down, Lisa whispered to Peter that he mustn't say a word. "We're not allowed to," she said. "Who won't let me?" he asked. His sister pointed to the couple
who were greeting people at the door, and answered, "See that man and woman - they're Hushers!"
Custard Christians ...
Don't be a Custard Christian
- Upset by TRIFLES!
Good luck and good health ...
The following appeared on the church's Weekly Notices' sheet:-
- Potluck Supper, Sunday, 5.00pm.
Prayer and medication to follow.
"Where's my cuppa?" ...
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the tea each morning. The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first and then we don't have to wait as long to get our tea".
The husband replied, "No you are in charge of the cooking around here and you should do it. I don't mind waiting".
The wife replied, "No you should do it because it says in the Bible that the man should do the tea".
The husband replied, "I can't believe that - show me".
The wife brought the Bible and opened the New Testament and showed him that at the top of several pages it says 'HEBREWS'.
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