WHAT’S ON IN FEBRUARY 2008
CHURCH SERVICES (unless stated otherwise Services start at 10.30 am at the Hilltop Centre).
Sunday 3rd With Easter falling early this year, we start February with thoughts of preparing for the celebration already in mind. The supermarkets have led the way pointing us towards the start of the season of Lent, which leads up to Palm Sunday and Easter day, with increased supplies of lemon juice and pancake mixes; Easter Eggs were in some shops three days after Christmas! So as far as the shops are concerned everything is in place, but for us perhaps a little preparation of ourselves is still outstanding. So today we will be thinking about the season of Lent which this year runs from Wednesday 6th February (known as Ash Wednesday) to Easter Eve (Saturday 22nd March - the day before Easter Sunday).
Lent, traditionally, was a time of fasting (that is going without or reducing the amount of food eaten) and the preparation for this was by the using up of all rich food stuffs on the day before it started (hence the tradition of Pancake Day), the fast then lasted for forty days. If you count the number of days in Lent you will come to the obvious conclusion that they exceed forty, that’s because the fast was broken on the Sundays in Lent - the forty day fast excluded Sundays! Which brings me to why people chose to fast in Lent. Jesus, before he began his time of miracles and parables, went away for forty days to prepare himself with prayer and a time of fasting, to focus himself on the role he was about to take on - you can read about this in the Bible in Luke chapter 4 verses 1 - 13. Jesus’ example was and still is followed by people to focus their thoughts on the outcome of his life - his death and resurrection.
Sunday 10th Our Morning Service will be led by Jane Hunt with Joe Brettle. Jane will be sharing with us favourite songs and hymns, and Joe will be our speaker.
At our Evening Service, at St John’s Church in Birchmoor, our thoughts will be drawn to the work of the Smile Train Charity as Geraldine Ensink tells of her grandson’s difficult experiences of being born with a cleft lip and palate, and the surgery he has had and continues to have to correct his cleft. In 2008, the Fellowship is continuing its support of The Smile Train charity which works to help children around the world who are born with clefts. Alan, Geraldine’s husband, will be our speaker this evening. (Alan and Geraldine are members of the Boaters Christian Fellowship and were part of the Canal Mission in Polesworth last autumn.) (Cleaning duties as usual on Saturday at 2 pm.)
Sunday 17th Today the Brigades meet for their monthly Parade Service to which we invite parents and friends to come and support. As the Service is at the end of half term we would ask parents to make a special note of the date.
This evening Karl Hughes will be engaging the group of young adults, who meet each month, with discussion and debate on aspects of faith and Christianity. The format is informal and welcoming.
Sunday 24th We will be picking up our thoughts about the forthcoming Easter events as we meet to worship.
Lent is a time for giving up something valuable
so we can remember how great a blessing it is.
THE BRIGADES
The Wii has arrived!! After patiently waiting until after the Christmas rush, the BB Officers have now bought a Nintendo Wii console and sports package. The funds for the purchase were met with a grant from Warwickshire County Council’s Youth Opportunity Fund which the Senior lad’s arranged themselves. First night of use at BB and the lads were already experienced users having practiced in consoles bought as Christmas presents. Second night of use and things took off as we worked out how to set the console up using not a television (too small) but the projector, sound system and screen used for the Sunday services. This is brilliant giving all round sound, plenty of space and big screen (six foot square) pictures. This month the Wii comes to Girls’ Brigade on Tuesday 19th (after half term) and there is already talk of a social evening when we can all demonstrate our Wii skills - not that we are competitive you understand!
Just to say, as was mentioned in last months Diary, X:site Birmingham has moved to a new, larger venue and the youngsters found the event in January far better as a result. The lounge for the adults (the transport providers) is also far better! So everyone was happy and the youngsters are booking to go to the next event on Saturday 15 March. (X:site Birmingham is for 7 to 11 year olds and costs £1. 50, more details from Christine Harris.)
Both Brigades are looking to recruit new members and the girls have already had some success with a ‘bring a friend’ night. Over the coming weeks we will be looking to promote the Brigades in the schools and the community, if you can help with this it would be much appreciated. Additionally, we are looking to enhance the programme of events and activities offered, simply the more the youngsters and teenagers enjoy their time at Brigade the more likely others will want to join. The purchase of the Wii console is a step in a new direction and there are funds available from the same grant for the purchase of an Air Hockey Table. In January, the Anchors and Juniors of Boys’ Brigade enjoyed an evening away from the Centre where we meet, going to the Snowdome for ice skating. This month the older lads are having an Orange Wednesday at the cinema. The Girls’ Brigade Officers are also planning new activities.
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