Green Sheet – 23rd May 2021

Cheshire South Circuit – Audlem Mission Area

www.audlemmethodistchurch.org.uk

(Minister: Rev Robin Fox. Tel: 01270 812820 email: minister@audlemmethodistchurch.org.uk)
Newsletter for Audlem, Hankelow & Hatherton Methodist Churches
For the week commencing 23rd May 2021

At Audlem Methodist Church – there will be a service in church each Sunday at 11.30am.

• Robin leads this week's service.
• Numbers are limited to accommodate social distancing so booking a place is essential.
• Please book your place by midday on Fridays.
• Chris Denney will lead the service next Sunday, 30th May.
• To book, contact Fran Hughes either by email to moose_t@btinternet.com or phone 01270 812038.

Please note:

• Masks are to be worn in the church at all times. Sanitisers will be used.
• There will be no hymn singing.
• After the service (duration approx 40mins) people must leave – no coffee/chat.
• Social distancing maintained throughout.
• The zoom service will still be available commencing at 10-30am.

Dear friends,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Day of Pentecost, one of the major festivals in the church's year, the day that is often seen as being the beginning of the church something like as we know it today.
According to the Day of Pentecost story in Acts 2:1-13, God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower witnesses to the resurrection. Sounds from heaven, cosmic language, the rush of a mighty wind invaded the house in which the apostles gathered, and appeared to them as a burning fire. Tongues of fire touched them. A power – the unseen power of God – moved among them and gripped them.

Peter, in addressing the crowd on the day of Pentecost quoted the prophet Joel (2:28-29) and said that the Spirit is to open everybody to God's future. People young and old will dream and will have visions of hope; they will be able to loose themselves from the way things are now, because God is establishing a whole new creation. The Holy Spirit breaks us out of our preoccupation with ourselves and frees us to serve neighbours, loosens our grasp on possessions, and sets us to loving people. New creation is what Joel is talking about. Pentecost is new creation.

The book of Acts tells the story of the outcome of Pentecost's new creation: people witness in word and in deed to the risen Christ. At the outset, the newborn church immediately tumbled out into the streets to witness to God's mighty works in the languages of people all over the world. By the end of the story, a tiny, Spirit-filled community of faith that broke from its present order has spread across the continents with incredible power to bring new things into being. With the gift of the Spirit, all things are possible. ...

So, on the Day of Pentecost, we celebrate God's gift of Holy Spirit which draws us together as one people. Without the gift of the Spirit, Christ's church dries up and withers away, and we are left with only our broken selves. With the gift of the Spirit, all things are possible. A spirit-filled community of faith opens eyes to needs in the world and sees its missing as God's new people. The Day of Pentecost is the climax of the Great Fifty Days of Easter, celebrating as it does the gift of the Spirit to the body of Christ -- the church.

May we be open to the possibilities the Spirit gives as we celebrate Pentecost and seek to love and serve the Lord and our neighbours.

With love in Jesus
Robin

From Lin Nicholas
I have received a telephone call from Sandra at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill (the compère of our fashion shows) to say that they have had a reprieve and the shops in Nantwich and Bridgemere are open again. I for one am delighted and hope you are too!

From Christina
Good News: Peter and Chris Webb became new grandparents in late January to a baby boy Harrison (Harry), and our congratulations go to Sara and husband . All doing well after a difficult initial period, and our apologies for the belated message. Pete and Chris are getting lots of hands-on duties, so we may see them with pushchair in the village sometime.

From Tom Hassall
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it: "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way". But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The LORD replied: "My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

From Fiona
Action for Children
Have you a lantern-shaped 'Action for Children' collecting box lurking forgotten in your house? It is a long while since these were last emptied but now is the time! However much or little money there is in it, every penny helps, even more so in these Covid times. If possible could you please bring your unopened box to church either this Sunday 23rd or next 30th (morning service time). If you are unable to do so please give me a ring on 01630 653805 and I will happily collect it from you myself. Your support continues to give children a safe and happy childhood. Thank you so much.

A Senior's Version of Facebook

For those of my generation who do not, and cannot, comprehend why Facebook exists: I am trying to make friends outside Facebook while applying the same principles.
Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom.
I give them pictures of my family, and my dog, and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch, and doing what anybody and everybody does every day.
I also listen to their conversations, give them 'thumbs up' and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook.
I already have 6 people following me: 2 police officers, a private investigator, a psychiatrist and 2 social workers (1 for me and one for the children).

The next newsletter will be Sunday 6 June. Please send any items for the newsletter to Janet Furber email: r.furber@btinternet.com or telephone 01270 811598 by 5pm on Fridays.
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