HADDENHAM-cum-DINTON BAPTIST CHURCH
SUNDAY 29th March 2020
WEEKLY NEWSSHEET
News from HBC 29th March 2020
The deacons are continually monitoring the situation and are trying to support people the best way we can.
The Foodbank Thank you all for your donations of food and generous gifts of money, all safely delivered to Thame. Despite the generosity of many people, they are still desperate for any donations of food. Foodbanks are being used so much more in these days of uncertainty, and that need will grow as salaries dry up and people might find themselves out of work. Please put any donations in our porch, the front door will be unlocked. If you are not shopping at the moment, but would like to support the foodbank, please make a financial donation and I will give them it as a donation or buy much needed food on your behalf. Thank you. Marjorie
From the Treasurer
Thank you for those of you who have responded to my message last week, but please don’t forget this is an ongoing concern. We have just called a new minister so we need to be able to support him when he arrives, hopefully in the summer.
We have some reserves in place, but it is still important that we continue to build these, and to meet the day to day expenses of the church, even though some of these will naturally be reduced for a while.
I would like to ask, therefore, that those of you who give by standing order please continue to do so. Those of you who give via the offering plate, please consider either letting me have your offering by dropping it through my door (1, Stokes End), or if you wish I will arrange for it to be collected when convenient for you. Please give this matter your prayerful support, and let me know if you need my assistance. All good wishes, many thanks, Bill J.
Good Wishes
Peter and Marjorie Wortley send their best wishes and blessings to all their friends at Haddenham.
Jonny Fillis just wanted to say that he is praying for us all at the moment.
Carol Murray send her best wishes to all the congregation
Do you need anything? Please contact any of the deacons if you need help with shopping, walking the dog, collection of medicine or any other problems we can help you with. We have a band of volunteers willing to assist those who are finding life very difficult. Give us a ring please
Sunday worship We have included a church service on the back of this sheet so if you would like to worship with us as normal, at 10.15am, please do. Stay at home but be assured that we will still be worshipping together. You can of course use the service at any time, for reassurance that Christ is the Light of the World
Christian Aid Please remember to use the material handed out in church for Lent, written by Christian Aid ‘Count your blessings’ in your devotions
BMS Birthday Scheme If you have had a birthday but haven’t received a card from church don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten you. The Birthday scheme is temporarily on hold at the moment but will resume after the country returns to some sort of normality.
‘Tent for Lent’ If you still wish to support this initiative please put your envelope through the door and we will make sure it gets to Shelterbox asap
Weekly services There is a written service on the back of this sheet for you to use and refer to during the week.
We have an open invitation to log on using ZOOM to Cornerstone’s weekly service every Sunday at 10.30am
Jonny Fillis is going to send us a podcast of their service at Dagnall Street for people to listen to
Krish will stream a weekly service and also make available a podcast.
Remember to look at our Facebook page and log onto the website for details of what is happening. Most of the news is in ‘News for March’
Lord Jesus, my Lord and my God,
I believe in You, I trust in You.
I praise and glorify You this morning.
Thank You for giving me another day to glorify You and praise You.
I now surrender this day to You.
Amen.
Old Testament reading Psalm 130
Gospel reading John chapter 11 Vs 1-45
Bethany was a small town just outside of Jerusalem. It was where the poor, the needy and the sick would be cared for. Jesus had been here before. The fact that Jesus visited such a poor area on more than one occasion really demonstrates to us how Jesus valued and cared for the poor, sick and dying and should encourage us all in our mission work. However, I do not think this is the main point of this story. This story is I think a foretaste of what is to come.
Jesus was told that Lazarus was ill, but he stayed where he was for two more days before deciding to return to Bethany. The disciples were concerned because “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you”. Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this worlds light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light”. And this is the message that I want to take from today’s reading.
Jesus is the light of the world! Those who choose to follow Jesus will be guided by His light. He will light the path of our lives and be there to stop us from stumbling. Those who do not chose to follow Jesus will live in darkness, stumbling through their lives with no one to help them when they fall. Jesus has made a promise to us, we just need to choose the path we take, the path lit by his Love, or the path shrouded in darkness.
We are living through a time of worry and great concern. But remember, Christ is with us, lighting the way.
Corvid-19 is spreading across our country and the world. We do not currently have the means to stop it and we are concerned for our family, loved ones, friends, neighbours and all of those are or will be affected. We are thankful that we have people in our communities who continue to work to protect us. We are thankful for those who heal us.
So Let us pray to God,
who alone makes us dwell in safety
For all who are affected by coronavirus
through illness or isolation or anxiety
that they may find relief and recovery
For those who are guiding our nation at this time
and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions
For doctors, nurses and medical researchers
that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health
For the vulnerable and the fearful
for the gravely ill and the dying
that they may know your comfort and peace
We pray for those we know, particularly Beryl Pearce who is in hospital.
We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son
our Saviour Jesus Christ
Amen.
Please note: If you have any family news you would like to be included either in The Link or the Magazine please contact Margaret Boyce on (link.mkb@gmail.com or Lesley Cooper on (hbceditor@live.co.uk) respectively
