Bulletin for Sunday 2^nd November 2008

A warm welcome to everyone who worships with us today.

Deacon Peter Ogle will lead our 11.00am Family Service. 6.30pm Evening Praise will be led by Rev Luke Smith with Holy Communion.

11.00am Morning Worship at Selby Street with Holy Communion  will be led by Rev. Vivienne Smith.

Please Note that the morning service next Sunday (Remembrance Sunday) will begin at 10.55

Evening Praise

Welcome and News of the Church

Introit       Seek ye the Lord

Song 377 Love Divine

MWB 198

Prayers

Glory to God

Reading Psalm 93 read by Sylvia Taylor

Anthem     My strength alone Darren Bartlett

Reading 1 Thes 2: 9 -13 read by Sylvia Taylor

Song 37 Be bold be strong

Sermon

Song 525 the Churches one foundation

Affirmation of faith

Prayers

Peace

Song 1419 Light of the world

Offering

Thanksgiving

Lords Prayer

Distribution (Choir to sing Jesus, Lamb of God.)

Song 168 Here is love

Blessing

Thanks to our Accompanist’s today a.m. Susan White, p.m. Inga Williams,

The flowers today have been given by Barry and Pam Hovell in memory of Connie and Harold.

Dear friends,Setting the captives free

When I first encountered these words in Isaiah a few years ago I thought that God was referring to someone being held captive by a physical enemy - like the Israelites when they were held captive as slaves by Pharaoh in Egypt, about people being unfairly held in prison, or that God was referring to the coming of his holy son, the Messiah, as a savior to rescue his holy people from the oppression of Roman rule.

However, as my own journey with the Lord has deepened and as God’s word has taught me, I began to realize that God was actually talking to and about me and millions of other people. I was also a captive - to many things from my past, my present (through things that I had not yet let go of to the Lord) and my spiritual enemy - who will try to create havoc in my life in any way possible. God is trying to help us recognize that we are in physical, mental and emotional captivity until we turn back to God, run to Jesus, seek his forgiveness and remain in Him.

This is God’s truth - before we come to Jesus, we are all captives being held in ransom. The things that hold us in ransom can be devastating things that have happened to us in our lives as children, young people and adults - being in abusive relationships, divorce, feeling rejected and unloved, loosing everything we’d dreamed and hoped for. God knows the pain of these experiences deeply and it pains him to see us hurting. The good news is that Jesus has already paid the price for every single soul on the planet and that’s why Jesus is ‘close to the broken hearted and those who are crushed in spirit‘- to rescue us from this pain and to make us whole again.

This is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago and a big part of the ministry of Jesus. However, Jesus needs people with a willing heart to continue his ministry and churches who will support working with the broken hearted. At Methodist Central Hall this work in its embryonic stage. Plans for a project to help women and children recover from the devastating effects of domestic violence, is underway. This project focuses on the psychological and emotional recovery from domestic violence and places God’s word and Jesus Ministry of emotional healing at the centre. Women who use the project don’t need to have Jesus in their lives, just an openness to hear what he has to say and how he can help them.

People working on the project are now trying to find funding as a crèche will be needed to enable women to attend. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this project, please make contact with Helen McNeill via Central Methodist Hall. You can leave a message and contact details and Helen will get in touch with you. The aim is to start this project in 2009.

Helen McNeill - a servant of Christ

News of Members and Friends

Congratulations best wishes to Pam and Richard Atkinson, on the occasion of their Ruby Wedding Anniversary

Pastoral visitors Meeting

This meeting will take place on 1^st December at 9.30am.

Church Council/Circuit Meeting

The meeting date has had to be changed and will now be on Wednesday 4^th March 2009 at 7.30pm at Central Hall.

M.H.A

Methodist Homes are celebrating 65 years of excellent caring and free brochures are available.

Our total in June the new annual date was £228 and greatly appreciated. Please accept my thanks too for your generous support each year   Doris 

Outing to Eden Camp

Will those people going to Eden Camp on 8^th November please note

Money owed may be paid on the day. You can buy lunch at Eden Camp,

or take a packed lunch. Coach departs Central Hall 10am Prompt.

Monday 17^th November at 7.30pm

Rev. Richard Andrews of the York Institute for Community Theology will speak on ‘Mission – Shaped Preacher’. Venue 29, Southfield Drive,

N. Ferriby. Although planned by the local preachers this meeting is for anyone who is interested. Please let Judith Know if you are coming. Light refreshments from 7pm.

Welcome Club

The Welcome Club will meet on Tuesday November 4^th at 10.15 for 10.30am.

The meeting will be led by Judith Edwards. There will be a bring and buy stall. All ladies welcome. Advance notice of our coffee morning to be held on November 15^th