Church News – March 2021

through various trials and tribulation for 564 years; that next year, in 2022, we will be celebrating 300 years since the first tree was cut to build Herrnhut, when the renewed Moravian Church was born; that our congregation in Dukinfield has been in existence since 1755, making it 266 years old this year; and that within that bigger picture, we have only been worshipping at Yew Tree Lane for 48 years this year – but 48 important years, nonetheless. In all of that time, our Church has come through wars and pandemics; and whilst everything on earth is temporary, we can have confidence moving forwards that we will continue to worship God, and serve others, in some shape or other.

I often find it important to try and not get caught up too much in the troubles of the moment, but to realise that there is always a bigger picture (which often I can’t see), where God is ultimately in charge. We can usually only see it when looking back in our history and in our lives, when we can see the truth of Mother Julian of Norwich’s famous saying, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

So, this month, March, let us pause a while, and remember all those who have influenced our lives for good, and all those who have been fine Christian exemplars whom we can emulate.

Lord, we thank you for those who have helped shape our lives – All who have inspired us,  Challenged us, And guided us through the years.   We thank you for those who have helped to build up our Church – Its founders,  Its leaders, And its successive generations of believers. We thank you for our past, And we ask for your guidance for the future. Help us to learn from everything that has been, So that we can make the most of what is, And work wisely towards what shall be. Always, may your will be done. Amen.

I wish you every blessing 

Our Congregation Council Meeting will be held by Zoom on Sunday 7th March at 6 pm and you should all have received the Agenda from Peter by now.  If anyone is interested in standing for any of the positions to be elected, would they please let Peter know by 1pm on 7th.  Thank you. 

Our services for Passion Week and Easter will still take place but by Zoom as last year.  If you are willing to read at any of the services during Holy Week, would you please let Sue Selby know and she will allocate readings for you.

 
 The Tapestry Poem
 My life is but a weaving
 Between my God and me.
 I cannot choose the colours
 He weaveth steadily.
 Oft' times He weaveth sorrow;
 And I in foolish pride
 Forget He sees the upper
 And I the underside.
 Not 'til the loom is silent
 And the shuttles cease to fly
 Will God unroll the canvas
 And reveal the reason why.
 The dark threads are as needful
 In the weaver's skillful hand
 As the threads of gold and silver
 In the pattern He has planned
 He knows, He loves, He cares;
 Nothing this truth can dim.
 He gives the very best to those
 Who leave the choice to Him.
   Corrie Ten Boom
   

Sunday	7th	Morning Worship Congregation Council Meeting	11 am 6 pm
Monday	8th	Church Committee	6 pm
Wednesday	10th	M.W.A. Meeting	7 pm
Sunday	14th	MOTHERING SUNDAY Worship on the Web (On YouTube and Facebook)
Saturday	20th	Lancs District Council	9.30 am
Sunday	21st	PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP	11 am
Mon, Tues & Wed	20, 30 & 31st	Passion Week Readings	7 pm
Thursday	1st Apr	MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP	7 pm
Friday	2nd	GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP	11 am
Sunday	4th	EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP	11 am

The following prayer was written by Kate Barber for Bible Study and we hope you will find it useful.

Loving Lord, we place into your care all our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, shop assistants, milkmen, postmen and all the many others who have to work during this deadly pandemic.

Give them courage of heart and strength of mind and body and keep them safe from harm.  May they know our deep gratitude for all they are doing. Lord may they know your protection and peace.  Bless them and their families in these challenging days.  Amen.