Church News – June 2025
Message from James
Last night as I had finished reading a bit of Charlie and Chocolate Factory with my daughter, Charlotte in bed, she, somewhat unexpectedly, said she would like to pray but she was worried that she didn’t know how. I told her that for me, prayer is simply a conversation with God and that she shouldn’t worry about finding the right words. We then talked about what she would like to pray for, and I told her that when I pray at night, I start with thanking God for what has gone well, apologising for things I have done wrong and then finally I mention something that I am worried about or needing help with. We then said a prayer together and she was very happy and I was proud of her for asking the question.
We’ve always encouraged our children to ask questions, and they often wait until bedtime to ask what’s on their mind. Part of me believes it’s a delaying tactic but I also know that it’s when we relax our minds often still whirl around and in the quiet, they know it’s their time to ask.
It got me thinking though about prayer and how many people are afraid of not saying the right things or using the right format and that stops them from talking to God. When Jesus talked about prayer as part of his Sermon on the Mount, He emphasises the importance of simplicity.
And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:5-8
Whenever I meet with my amazing friend Claire Maxwell we often go for a walk as we go though all that is going on in our lives and attempt to put the world to rights. We’ve coined this expression for this called simply, a Walk and Talk. In many ways prayer is a walk and talk. As we go through life, we know that we don’t walk the path alone and that God is with us. So don’t let the fear of saying the right words or using a proper format put you off. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, make time to talk to God.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
God Bless, James
NEWS
I hope you like the cover picture this month. The MWA had the “Fruits of the Spirit” as their subject for discussion a couple of years ago. It’s good to revisit this now and again. See Galatians 5: 22-23 and Luke 13: 6-9.
Please take special notice of our services this month. The 8th June is Pentecost and we are gathering at Old Chapel Church at 10.30 a.m. to celebrate Whitsuntide; and then on 22nd of the month, we have our annual District Gathering at Fairfield. Please note that our church will not be open on ether day. Another special day is 15th of the month—Father’s Day. I’m glad to say the church will be open to celebrate our fathers’ special day!
Would anyone like to brush up on their first aid training? Kerry Cain will be organising two sessions for anyone interested. The first will be for Paediatric first aid (babies and young children) and the second for general first aid. If either of these sessions would be of interest, please contact Kerry directly.
I need to remind you about the Family Quiz to be held in Church on 6th June at 7 p.m. As the title suggest, this quiz is for all the family and admission is £7 which includes refreshments. Tickets are available from Nigel on 07444 030 651
| WHAT’S ON IN JUNE 2025 | |||
| SUNDAY | 1st | MORNING WORSHIP Led by Br Martin Smith | 11 a.m. |
| Wednesday | 4th | M.W.A. in the Schoolroom | 1.15 p.m. |
| SUNDAY | 8th | PENTECOST: DUKINFIELD DISTRICT CHURCHES GATHERING AT OLD CHAPEL | 10.30 a.m. |
| Monday | 9th | Church Committee meeting on Zoom | 7 p.m. |
| SUNDAY | 15th | FATHER’S DAY SERVICE | 11 a.m. |
| SUNDAY | 22nd | LANCS DISTRICT GATHERING at Fairfield Church | 10.30 a.m. |
| Thursday | 26th | Thursday Group Quiz | 7.30 p.m. |
| SUNDAY | 29th | PARADE AND YOUTH SERVICE led by Br James | 11 a.m. |
This month we remember St Barnabas, whose real name was Joseph, a wealthy Levite from Cyprus. However, he was better known by his nickname which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36). Throughout Acts we see him encouraging others in different ways.
Barnabas was an example of generous giving (Acts 4:36-7), when he sold property and offered the money to the church for those in need. In the midst of an already caring and sharing community, he was singled out as a symbol of generosity. Are we known as somebody who is generous to those in need around us?
Barnabas later encouraged a new Christian in the person of Paul (Acts 9:27). After Paul’s conversion and knowing his reputation, Barnabas came alongside him and brought him into the fellowship of the church. Are we ready to help those who are new in the faith to find a place in our church?
Finally, Barnabas was sent to the church in Antioch where he ‘saw the evidence of the grace of God’ (Acts 11:23). It was a church which brought Jewish and Gentile believers together for the first time. Like Barnabas, do we rejoice when we see God doing new things in people’s lives? Are we also willing to embrace these things and facilitate change?
Encouragement is one of the spiritual gifts in the New Testament (Romans 12:8). It can be greatly undervalued but still is crucial in growing the church. Like Barnabas, will we nurture gifting; strengthen the doubters and those tempted to give up; show generosity to God’s people and beyond the church; alongside strengthening people to move beyond their own comfort zones to help those in need?
Let’s be prepared to ask the following questions: ‘Are there people alongside us who will encourage us?’ and ‘How can we be encouragers to others?’
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Prayer for June 2025
Dear Lord,
June is the loveliest month, with long days and the beauty of summer all around us.
Thank you that, in the church’s year this month, we remember one of the loveliest of your followers – Barnabas, known as the Son of Encouragement.
He encouraged the believers in Antioch to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Through his ministry of encouragement, a great number of people were brought to know you.
Lord, we all thrive when we are encouraged. And we, your people, so need to be encouraged today in this world which can seem so confusing and discouraging.
So, thank you for those who have encouraged us in the past, and for those who encourage us now.
Help us to read your living unchanging Word and to remain true to you with all our hearts. Help us to be a Barnabas to those we know who might be struggling. May we bear fruit in our discipleship.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Daphne Kitching
