From P. J.: Scripture helps us defend our faith. The apostle Peter instructs believers to be ready with an answer for our hope and faith in Jesus. Scripture also helps form our character. Paul makes it clear that the Word of God is alive, active, and pierces our souls. And since God’s Word is so powerful, we should commit some passages to heart so God can work in and through us.
March 16th – 2 Samuel 24:14 - Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for the Lord’s mercy is great.
The Kingswood Foodbank is in need of tins of fruit & fish, cartons of long-life milk & fruit juice, washing up liquid and toilet roll. Thank you very much.
The fourth Sunday of Lent, known as Laetare Sunday (or Refreshment Sunday), is celebrated as a joyful pause in the middle of the penitential season. It marks a shift towards hope and anticipation of Easter, often symbolized by the use of rose-coloured vestments instead of violet, flowers on the altar, and sometimes the playing of the organ.
On Saturday 18th April, at 7:30, at Staple Hill Methodist Church: The Joys of Swing. A concert by the Bristol Little Big Band. Tickets £10 on the door.
Mothering Sunday is celebrated in different ways and on differing dates around the world. In Mexico, Día de las Madres is celebrated on the 10th May every year. It's a huge event, just to celebrate mothers and honour them with the love they deserve. Families will come together to celebrate with music, food and flowers. People might hire bands and play songs to serenade their mothers, even waking them up with a song to start the day. One of the most popular choices of song is Las Mañanitas which is also sung for birthday celebrations. The evenings are full of food, bringing plenty of dishes to serve together or going out to eat. It's the busiest day of the year for restaurants in Mexico!
There is a Quiet Day at Wesley Cottage on Monday (16th), 10:30 to 2:15. You'll be very welcome for all or part of the day. It would be helpful if you could let Anthony Hick know if you're coming: 07726342744 or this email address. (The garden is still too wet and slippery for us to go outside, so it will be indoors only).
Next Sunday is World Water Day.
I mentioned in last weeks Newsletter that Mollies grandson, Oscar, was competing in the Para Olympics. He competed on Wednesday and came in what is generally regarded as the worst possible position: 4th, 1st position out the medals. However, 4th in the world is some achievement: well done Oscar.
Congratulations to Jacob, Henry and Liam, members of the BB Company Section, on winning the Battalion Masterteams Competition.
Lectionary 15th to 21st March. 1 Samuel 16.1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5.8-14; John 9.1-41. What do you see? Jesus restores the sight of a blind man who sees Jesus for who he is. The sighted do not believe the man’s story, and fail to recognise who Jesus is. Jesus tells them that they are spiritually blind because they do not believe in him. Today is Mothering Sunday in the UK. Mothers, and all parents and carers, do many things that go unseen and unnoticed, and today’s Gospel passage about Jesus healing a man born blind enables us to explore the themes of seeing and noticing, as we ask the question ‘What do you see?’.
The purpose of Kingswood Methodist Church is to respond to God's Love in Christ and to live out that love in God's world.