Margaret with her first short talk during the Coronavirus epedemic

Please click on the link below to see the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Iom8MWmOII

The Archbishop of Canterbury's Virtual Service for Mothering Sunday

Here is a chance to hear words of encouragement.
Please click on the blue text below to listen.
Please share with your friends.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000gm8f

MATSON BAPTIST CHURCH NEWS SHEET 21st March 2020

In these very uncertain times let’s remember that we are ‘People of Hope’ in a world that desperately needs hope, along with the comfort love and forgiveness of God.

We have drawn up a Pastoral Care List, so we will all receive a regular phone call from our designated person, who will explain their role to you.

This first edition of the Matson Baptist Church NEWS SHEET is going out to many via email, and for those who do not use this means we are printing it off and delivering it through your letter box. (If you would prefer a paper copy let Margaret know on email margaret.matsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com or mobile: 07759194700. If you have an email but received it in paper form and want it by email please email Margaret).

Messages: If you have a message which you would like to send to everyone let Margaret know for the next News Sheet.

Prayer requests: please continue to let Shirley have these on 07915074529 or Margaret if it’s not so private and you are happy to have it on the wider circle.

This Weekend for you to watch/listen to:

SUNDAY:

Radio 4: or 05:43 – 05:45 Lent Talks

TV: Freeview Channel (704) 08:10 – 08: 48 Archbishop of Canterbury – Service

TV Channel BBC 1 (01) : 11:45 – 12:15 Sunday Worship for Mother’s Day

13:15 – 13:50 Songs of Praise

[TV Channel numbers are Freeview, and may vary if you have internet TV]

National Day of Prayer and Action this Sunday: Called for by the Archbishop of Canterbury to all denominations.

We are asked to LIGHT a CANDLE and put it in our windows at 7pm Sunday night and pray. (Please open wide curtains and retract blinds – no fires please!!!)

If you have access on your computer go to the Baptist Union of Great Britain website: click on blue square entitled Latest Updates; click on Corona Virus Advice for Churches; click on Guidance and Prayer Resources; Click on Prayer Broadcasts; click on National Day of Prayer Sunday 7pm and participate live! (You can listen to previous coronavirus BU prayer times here also)

West of England Baptist Association:via internet has a message from Nigel Coles – Regional Team Leader – to us all and after a link to the Sunday prayer event.

GENERAL

Freeview TV Channel 725: is Premier Christian Radio

Freeview TV Channel 65: is TBN which has some very good speakers and some not so, so be selective on what they say….

I want to assure you that we are still going to keep in contact via various means which will expand as we get more technical! If you have someone in the house who can link you to the internet then create an email and let me know: margaret.matsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com

PRAYER REQUEST:

Marion B has gone down with a suspected cold and so is having to self-isolate. Pray for her speedy recovery and peace for all the family isolating with her.

Constant in our prayers: That this virus passes quickly; wisdom for our and world leaders in dealing with this situation; resilience for our medical personnel and other key workers; safety for families at home especially the vulnerable; comfort for those who are mourning and will mourn; for those who are on the streets, refugees, famine victims, those in the middle of wars/conflicts…. that they will not be forgotten or abandoned.

There is much we can pray for during this time of isolation, may God have mercy.

A thought for today and each day:

Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

I pray that today and in the coming days we will all know in increasing measure, this assurance and reflect it in these difficult days.

When we feel anxious or afraid let’s pray calling on God who promised ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’ and, we may call someone and pray together as God’s family.

Let’s be aware of our neighbours who are anxious, offer them help and our words and prayers no matter how simple they may be, for God’s Spirit is in them and so they are powerful.

Jesus said to the disciples just before returning to heaven ‘I am with you always…’, so they knew they would never be on their own, and neither are you or I, for that is also Jesus’ promise to us.

So,

May the Love of God enfold you.

May the Light of God surround you,

May the power of God protect you,

May the presence of God watches over you,

Wherever you are, God is.

Blessings, from Margaret and the Deacons.

Coronavirus

Unfortunately we need to suspend Church activities to safeguard our members and friends.
We will endeavour to post news or items that you may find helpful at this difficult time.

Services and Events in March 2020

Sunday 1st March

10.30 Service led by Margaret

Monday 2nd March

10.00 U3A Recorders

Tuesday 3rd March

9.30 Toddlers

4.00 7-11 Drama Group

6.00 Prayer walk & prayer meeting

Wednesday 4th March

2.30 Friendship Circle

Thursday 5th March

9.00 NHS in Hall

7.30 Handbells

Friday 6th March

10.00 U3A History of Science

10.30 World Day of Prayer, Christchurch, Abbeydale

12.00 Lent lunches at St Augustine’s

Sunday 8th March

10.30 Morning service led by Margaret

3.00 Music Practice?

Tuesday 10th March

9.30 Toddlers

4.00 GL4 7-11 Drama Group (Free)

6.00 Prayer Walk & prayer meeting

Wednesday 11th March

2.00 Friendship Circle: St Mary de Lode

Thursday 12th March

9.00 NHS Cardiac group

2.30 Saintbridge TWG

Friday 13th March

10.00 Bible study and prayer at Church

12.00 Lent Lunches at St Augustines

Margaret to Re-imagine

Saturday 14th March – (deacons at Re-imagine)

9-5 Gloucester Recorders Day

Sunday 15th March

10.30 Communion Service, talk by Jonathan

Monday 16th March

10.00 Joint U3A Recorders

Tuesday 17th March

10.00 Toddlers

4.00 7-11 Drama Group

6.00 Prayer walk and prayer meeting

ALL SERVICES AND MEETINGS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Services and Events in February 2020

Sunday 2nd February

10.30 Service, led by Margaret

Monday 3rd February

10.00 U3A Recorders

Tuesday 4th February

9.30 Toddlers

4.00 7-11 Drama Group

6.00 Prayer walk & prayer meeting

Wednesday 5th February

2.30 Friendship Circle

7.30 Deacon’s at Church

Thursday 6th February

9.00 NHS in Hall

7.30 Handbells

Friday 7th February

10.00 U3A History of Science

10.00 Bible study at Church

Saturday 9th February

2.30 TORCH in hall

Sunday 9th February

10.30 Morning service led by Rupert Abbott

3.00 Music Practice

Monday 10th February

10.00 GCH Training in Annex

10.00 U3A Recorders

Tuesday 11th February

9.30 Toddlers

4.00 GL4 7-11 Drama Group (Free)

6.00 Prayer Walk & prayer meeting

Wednesday 12th February

2.00 Friendship Circle: St Mary de Lode

Thursday 13th February

9.00 NHS Cardiac group

2.30 Saintbridge TWG

Friday 14th February

10.00 Bible study and prayer at Church

3.00 Children’s party

Saturday 15th February

2.30 Musical Folk in Annex

Sunday 16th February

10.30 Communion Service, talk by Margaret

12.30 Children’s Party

Tuesday 18th February

10.00 Messy Church – volunteers needed

Wednesday 19th February

2.30 Friendship Circle

Thursday 20th February

9.00 NHS Cardiac Group

3.00 Private Party

7.30 Deacons meeting

7.30 Handbells

Friday 21st February

10.00 Bible study at Church

2.00 Open Doors Prayer group at 7 Stonechat

7.30 Glos & District Christian Choir concert at

St Augustine’s in aid of CAFOD - £5

Sunday 23rd February

10.30 Service led by Bob

Monday 24th February

WEBA Ministers Conference – Margaret will be away until Thursday

Tuesday 25th February

9.30 Toddlers

3.30 Drama group in hall

6.00 Prayer Walk & prayer meeting

Wednesday 26th February

2.30 Friendship Circle,

Thursday 27th February

9.00 NHS Cardiac

7.30 Bible Study at Betty’s

Friday 28th February

10.00 Bible study and Prayer at Church

12.00 LENT LUNCHES at St Augustine’s

Sunday 1st March

10.30 Service led by Jonathan

Services and Events in January 2020

Thursday 9^th January

9.00     NHS Cardiac group

Friday 10^th January

10.00   Bible study and prayer at Church

10.30   U3A History of Science

Saturday 11^th January

2.30     TORCH, all welcome

           

Sunday 12^th January

10.30   Service, talk by Margaret

 For the next 5 weeks we are studying the book of James.

Tuesday 14^th January

9.30       Toddlers

Wednesday 15^th January

2.30      Friendship Circle

Thursday 16^th January

9.00     NHS Cardiac Group

7.30     Deacons meeting

7.30     Handbells

Friday 17^th January

10.00   Bible study at Church

2.00     Open Doors Prayer group at 7 Stonechat

Saturday 18^th January

2.30     Musical Folk

                       

Sunday 19^th January

10.30   Communion Service led by Ian Meredith

Monday 20^th January

10.00   U3A Recorders

Tuesday 21^st January

9.30     Toddlers

3.30     Drama group in hall

6.00     Prayer Walk & prayer meeting

7.00     Community Partnership Meeting

             

Wednesday 22^nd January

2.30     Friendship Circle,

Thursday 23^rd January

9.00     NHS Cardiac

7.30     Handbells in Hall

7.30     Bible Study at Betty’s

Friday 24^th January

10.00   Bible study and Prayer at Church

Sunday 26^th January

10.30   Service led by Jonathan

Tuesday 28^th January

9.30     Toddlers

Wednesday 29^th January

2.30     Friendship Circle

Thursday 30^th January

9.00     NHS Cardiac group

Friday 31^st January

10.00   Bible study & prayer at Church

               

Sunday 2^nd February

10.30   Service, led by Margaret

                       

Monday 3^rd February

10.00   U3A Recorders

Tuesday 4^th February

9.30     Toddlers

6.00     Prayer walk & prayer meeting

Wednesday 5^th February

2.30     Friendship Circle

Prayer/bible study groups meet weekly on

Tuesdays at 6pm, Fridays at 10am in church

and fortnightly in the evening. See Betty or Shirley.

Some of us have been prayer walking round

Matson on a Tuesday evening.  If you’re interested

talk to Alan, Margaret or Bob.