Sunday 20^th June 2021

Just be still before God for a few minutes

Song          Be thou my vision   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMclLT_Hjg

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art

Thou my best thought, by day or by night

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

 

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word

I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father, and I thy true son

Thou in me dwelling and I with thee one

 

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise

Thou mine inheritance, now and always

Thou and thou only first in my heart

High King of heaven, my treasure thou art

 

High King of heaven, my victory won

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, O ruler of all

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, O ruler of all

 

Reading              Matt 5: 38-48

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for being faithful to offer me grace and forgiveness, to love me unconditionally even when I don’t deserve it. Please help me love others the same way, Lord. Help me be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Help me see with Your eyes and love with Your love, no strings attached. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Think 

“Jesus offers unconditional grace; we are to offer unconditional grace. The mercy of Christ preceded our mistakes; our mercy must precede the mistakes of others. Those in the circle of Christ had no doubt of his love; those in our circles should have no doubts about ours. What does it mean to have a heart like his? It means to kneel as Jesus knelt, touching the grimy parts of the people we are stuck with and washing away their unkindnesses with kindness. Or as Paul wrote, “Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ” (Eph. 4:32).”  Max Lucado

Song  -      10000 Reasons     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

 

 

Prayer Reflection (Ann Nias)

The Heart of the Matter

We’ve all used phrases like these:

“My heart’s not in it”

                        She’s got a heart of gold”

                                    He’s soft-hearted”

                                                “She’s hard-hearted”

                                                            “Their heart’s in the right place”

                                                                        “That’s the heart of the matter”

God says, “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7)

Pause to look into the heart of a flower and you will see all kinds of detail and beauty which would escape your notice upon casual passing.

If you have ever needed an ECG you will know that the cardiologist can see what is right or wrong in your heart, physically. But he cannot tell what is in your heart in terms of attitudes, habits, priorities,  and longings. You may be aware of these things and your nearest and dearest may be familiar with some of them, but only God sees the full picture and knows what motivates and controls our hearts.

Dare we ask God, dare YOU ask God, to look into your heart like David did in Psalm 139:23? Do we really want to know what He will find there?

What would He see in your heart, or mine, today? Anxiety about a loved one? Anger towards a neighbour? Resentment about the person who got away with cheating the system? Deep unselfish love for your grandchildren? The battle to recover from heart-ache? Frustration with how ‘life’ is treating you? Excitement about new things ahead? Disappointment with God? Joy? Pain? Fear? Loneliness? Thankfulness? Longing? Hope? Despair? Trust?

Just as that flower opens up in response to sunlight, can we open up our hearts in response to the loving presence of God? Here are four verses from the Psalms, to consider before God, regarding the health of your heart:

44:21 ‘If we had forgotten the name of our God….would not God have discovered it, since He knows the secrets of the heart?’

86:11,12 ‘give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart’

90:12 ‘teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom’

19:14 ‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer’

Pray: ‘Lord, you have my heart and I will search for Yours. Let me be to You a sacrifice.’

Song    ‘Lord you have my heart’     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIRPDwwO8mw&feature=youtu.be

Lord, You have my heart

And I will search for Yours

Jesus, take my life and lead me on

Lord, You have my heart

And I will search for Yours

Let me be to You a sacrifice

And I will praise You, Lord

And I will sing of love come down

And as You show Your face

We'll see Your glory here

Lord, You have my heart

And I will search for Yours

Jesus, take my life and lead me on

 

Lord, You have my heart

And I will search for Yours

Let me be to You a sacrifice

And I will praise You, Lord

 

And I will sing of love come down

And as You show Your face

We'll see Your glory here

We'll see Your glory here

We'll see Your glory here

 

Talk   -  Please go to  https://magorbaptistchurch.org.uk/Media/AllMedia.aspx

 

Song  More Love More Power  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhbyISg66q8

More love, more power

More of You in my life

More love, more power

More of You in my life

 

And I will worship You, with all of my heart

I will worship You, with all of my mind

I will worship You, with all of my strength

For You are my Lord

 

More love, more power

More of You in my life

More love, more power

More of You in my life

 

And I will worship You, with all of my heart

I will worship You, with all of my mind

I will worship You, with all of my strength

For You are my Lord

More love

 

More love, more power

More of You in my life

More love, more power

More of You in my life

More love, more power

 

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you; make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and grant you His peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.  

 

 

Newport Prayer Hub, part of Momentum 2021.

This event will take place  at 2pm at Lliswerry Baptist Church, 7 Camperdown Rd, Newport NP19 0JF, on Saturday 19th June.

It will last for approximately 1 hour, and places should be booked in advance on  Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/momentum-2021-wave-of-prayer-lliswerry-baptist-church-tickets-157526920259

 

The Vision…

The theme for last year’s cancelled Momentum was ‘Change the Atmosphere’ and, as we started to plan

for this year, we decided to keep the title. However, this year we are not asking you to come to

Momentum – instead, we are asking you to be Momentum, but with a difference! We are inviting you to

join in a national ‘Wave of Prayer’. Do we dare to believe that, through prayer, God can change the

atmosphere where we live? Our answer is a resounding ‘Yes’!

 

With this in mind, we have planned Momentum to be made up of three parts:

1) Every church and chapel will be invited to pray for a ‘change in the atmosphere’ in their

community.

2) A number of regional hubs will be organised to hold a one-off prayer event with the aim of bringing

people from different churches together to pray. The launch for this is on Pentecost, Sunday 23rd

May.

3) A national ‘Zoom’ celebration at the end of the wave of prayer on Sunday 27th June at 6.30pm

 

What is meant by ‘Change the Atmosphere?’

The title is inspired by the Rend Collective song, ‘Build your Kingdom here’. The song is a prayer offered to

God that He would reign in us and we would seek His kingdom first and foremost. There is a task: ‘to see

the captive hearts released, the hurt, the sick, the poor at peace’. And so as we come to the chorus, the

fullness of the prayer is seen in seeking a change in the atmosphere as God’s kingdom is built:

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here, we pray

 

And so, the title ‘Change the Atmosphere’ is expressing the desire that the Kingdom of God will grow in our nation; that people will be healed and come to know the light of Jesus in their lives. As this happens the atmosphere in the places we live will be changed as the Kingdom of God is built. It is a wonderful vision

and our privilege to be able to share in God’s work of redeeming His world.

 

More information http://www.buw.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Church-Guide-2021.pdf


Summer Church Magazine

 

The deadline for the next issue of 'Off the Record' will be Sunday 27th June - plenty of time to think about creation, the environment, world inequality, etc.

I look forward to getting your contributions - the earlier the better! (To jloebl@hotmail.co.uk please)

 

Best wishes

John Loebl

 

 

We are collecting food for Raven House Trust again. RHT have given out 150 food parcels over 2 weeks recently!

We have been asked to concentrate on specific items.

Please note for the next couple of weeks we are asking for tins of peas (not mushy) carrots and mixed veg, but all vegetables are good! Tins can be large or small.

Also Raven House are now collecting furniture again. (please contact RHT direct)

 

 

 

Communion Offering for May – Crisis in India

We have been deeply moved by the Covid 19 crisis and its impact in so many parts of the world. Please continue to pray for these countries.

A particular concern has been India. We are asking for your urgent response to give to the aid to India through https://toybox.org.uk/

 

A message from Toybox CEO, Lynne Morris:  Over the weekend, I am sure that like me, you read or heard about the huge surge in coronavirus cases in India….

For the street children and families, we support, life had barely returned to any sense of ‘normality’ before this new wave struck. Now, any spark of hope there was of recovery is quickly deteriorating as the crisis deepens…. for so many street children in Delhi is dire….Many people have lost their homes and belongings. It is a very difficult situation. Children also face difficulties in getting food and safe drinking water. Providing emergency support right now is essential.

We need to act quickly to protect children who are already at their absolute most vulnerable.

Wonderful News –  Toybox Appeal!

Thank you!

Because of your amazing generosity £3100.00 was sent to Toybox India Appeal with an additional £500.00 being sent from the Church funds. This will make such a difference on the streets of Delhi

Continue to pray for this work.

 

Communion Offering for June

At MAF, we believe nothing should stop people from receiving the love of God and the essentials of life – no matter how remote they are. Our vision is to see 'isolated people physically and spiritually transformed in Christ's name.' We use aviation and technology, because in many places those are the only ways to reach isolated people in need.

Our airplanes are the only way many people living in remote jungles, deserts, and mountains can experience the love of Jesus. You can help us—and the hundreds of churches, missionaries, and organisations we serve—bring the gospel, medical care, education, community development, disaster relief, and more to isolated people.

https://www.maf-uk.org/

 

 

Church meetings

We are planning to hold a General and Special Members Meeting in the chapel on June 21st where we will propose a change in the church governing document allowing subsequent meetings to be held either in person or electronically or both.  If this is agreed, we will hold the postponed Annual General Meeting on 19th July where we will be electing the Church Officers and up to 4 deacons.  Davina and Jonathan will be standing down as Joint Treasurers after 7+ years of service.  Are you willing or are you able to nominate a member to take on the role of Treasurer?  Please continue to pray URGENTLY that we will be able to fill this important role in the Church.   We will be inviting nominations as soon as the AGM is confirmed.

 

A date for your diary – Sunday, 4th July.  Rev. Jim Thomas will be leading our Church Anniversary.  Hopefully, we will all be able to celebrate together.

Blessings

Keith Arnold

Secretary

 

 

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Prayer Focus

From South Wales Baptist Association

Our focus for prayer this week covers two important areas. In Wales, we have seen the beginning of lock down restrictions being lifted as the youngest pupils have returned to school. We hope this continues over the coming weeks and take the opportunity to pray for those in education. Over the last couple of days, it has been announced that Wales has administered its one millionth vaccine. The roll out of the vaccine gives us hope for the coming months being very different. At the same time, many in poorer parts of the world currently have less hope because of inequitable vaccine access. This week we will hold this before God in prayer.    Prayers for Education Pray for teachers and students as they return or prepare to return to school. We especially remember those who are anxious about this. Continue to pray for those who continue to ‘home school’. A number of parents are having to juggle work and being ‘teacher’ as well as parent.  Pray for education minister, Kirsty Williams, and others in government as they make decisions about when it is safe for others to return to school.  Remember those in exam years, wondering how the pandemic is going to affect their future There are increased levels of loneliness and mental health issues and we hold those affected before God in prayer.    Prayers for Vaccination We thank God for the number of people in Wales who have been vaccinated so far and pray for the continued success in the coming months We pray for poorer countries who are not currently receiving vaccines in anywhere near the quantities needed.  We pray for generosity and wisdom for Boris Johnson and other world leaders as they consider issues around the equitable sharing of vaccines

Renewed call to persevere in prayer across Baptist churches in the UK

As Covid-19 threatens to overwhelm our health service and continues to inflict pain and loss, we stand together with many others and renew our commitment to sustained prayer. 

You may like to join virtually with friends to pray, perhaps in small groups or as a wider congregation.  You might like to spend time in solitude praying for our nation at this time of crisis. 
 
Here are some pointers to help you and your friends as you pray.  These have been written by a senior A&E nurse in a large teaching hospital:

1. Pray for all the NHS staff for their own safety, energy and peace in dealing with each and every patient.
2. Pray for those in hospital leadership, for wisdom and for good decisions to give the best outcomes for patients.
3. Pray for patients; for healing, for peace and ultimately to fight this disease and get home and pray for their relatives who feel helpless.
4. Pray for the vaccine, that it will and is working against this latest strain of Covid-19.
5. Pray for a reprieve and an end to Covid-19.

You may know people who are currently working in the NHS in your area, please let them know you are praying for them and ask them how you can pray specifically.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.   Ephesians 3:20-21

 

CHURCH MOTTO 2021

Sudbrook Mission Project Description – December 2020                                                    Jeremy Lock

 

Mission summary - (Initially based in Sudbrook).

“for I have many in this city (area) who are my people” Acts18:10

 

Why Sudbrook?

I believe the Lord has called us back to South Wales to minister to the homes and housing estates within the South Eastern corner of Wales.

This started about three years ago when God clearly spoke to me and said “I have place before you an open door” (based on Revelation3:7,8).

Over time this has been confirmed and resulted in Ruth and myself moving back to South Wales.

Most recently I have been reminded again of this promise.

The reminder has come in the shape of a key that I found (I’m still trying to trace the owner).

This is not the first key that I have spotted abandoned but those are other stories.

This key however reminds me of the one who holds the key, Jesus himself, and he is the one who opens doors and confirms that he has placed that open door before us!

My gifting is in leadership and would want to engage with Christians in the area and to seek to encourage them to be involved in the work, initially with a focus on the new housing estates in Sudbrook, and then extending to the surrounding area.

I am also studying at the South Wales Baptist College in Cardiff.

           

 

 

 

Figure 1: Pictures of Sudbrook including the chapel that we plan to use.

 

We have recently started a prayer meeting for the work in Sudbrook, there is a website and, we have the use of the Presbyterian chapel.

We have started to contact residents to establish those who are interested in being part of a church in Sudbrook.

 

Please pray with us that:

God will place Christians in Sudbrook who would be involved in this exciting work.

God will be at work in the community and will guide our prayers, contacts and activities.