I always find that Easter is a good time to take stock. The weather is improving, (mostly!), and both the longer days and thoughts of summer help to lift the spirits. For myself it’s also a time to ask again the big question; what is the good news Jesus would preach today?
In the gospel accounts of Jesus life (the word Gospel meaning Good News), Jesus meets the people where they are, and tells the
m about the good news of God’s Kingdom. There is healing and grace as Jesus takes the cultural norms of the day and turns them on their head. It’s the poor who are blessed, the ones in need who are filled. In Matthew 5 the Beatitudes are a list of ‘attitudes’ that, for the most part, we wouldn’t wish on each other; and yet Jesus calls them blessings.
When I look around me there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of good news. Last week there were 1,127 Covid deaths in the UK*, and yet there’s little news coverage and it seems that many folk think that it’s all over. If you are in any way vulnerable to illness that’s certainly not the case, and the world may feel even more dangerous than it did in the beginning of the pandemic.
The world is politically unstable, with the war in the Ukraine is not the only one creating misery and loss; there are ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Boko Haram, Syria, and that’s just the largest conflicts. In Afghanistan there were over 42,000 deaths last year alone**.
So, in the midst of all of this, what is the good news Jesus would be sharing with us?
In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus said For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
I think that Jesus knew that in every age, before change comes, there is upheaval. We want Jesus to save us from it, when it’s actually much more likely that Jesus will be with us as we go through it. And goodness, God’s Kingdom, is found in those suing for peace, in the families offering a home to refugees, in those who created the vaccines that make such a difference to so many, and in the hands and hearts of every person who reaches out in love. The beatitudes are opportunities for God’s Kingdom to live in us and make a difference in our world. The good news is that Jesus lives in you, and through you reaches into a broken world with healing. Even the smallest candle shows the way out of darkness, and everything positive makes a difference.
I pray that you find your good news this Easter Season. That Jesus walk with you, inspire you, and give you hope. The horrors of Good Friday inevitably give way to the joys of Easter Sunday. The sun may set today, but it will rise tomorrow. God has a plan for us in all of this, and although I have no idea what that plan is, I know that it is good news.
Wishing you all of God’s richest blessings this Easter
Rev. Michael
**https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ongoing_armed_conflicts
If you’d like to contact me you can do so by emailing me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org.
Sunday April 17th – EASTER SUNDAY- in-person
worship service at Dorset gardens Methodist Church – 6pm.
Sunday may 1st in-person worship service at
Dorset gardens Methodist Church – 6pm.
Sunday services are recorded and then, when available, posted on Facebook.
On the Sundays when the church is not meeting in-person,
please join us for ‘Sunday Connection’ on Zoom at 6pm
The events are recorded and then, when available, posted on Facebook.
Recordings are all available on our Facebook page.
Zoom : 504 390 105, code 2020
Kittridge Cherry writes a wonderful piece on the gay centurion, and how Jesus heals a soldier’s boyfriend in the bible. Just click to read it!
Community Prayers.
Lord, we lift Wendy as she prepares for even more extensive surgery. Please be with her, may her preparations go well, and may she be scheduled for this operation soon.
We lift Suzy as she recovers, and hope that she is able to get back to normal soon.
We lift Simon as he mourns the loss of his partner Joseph, may he find Grace in thus difficult journey.
We ask for God’s Spirit to be with Robert, Sarah, Jean, mark, and Charlie. May a healing spirit touch them all.
We lift all those recovering from Cancer, and those who are still shielding. The world is a scary place with Covid still a danger to health. Please be with us all as we navigate these difficult times.
We pray for those who are lonely, those who are known to us and those who are not. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
If you would like to add a prayer to the newsletter then please email me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org. – Michael x
Thursday June 2nd
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Party
Dorset Gardens
Food by Lunch Positive
Entertainment
2-5pm.
Volunteers needed! Please let Rev. Michael know if you are willing to help.
Keeping up to date with MCC Internationally
Do you receive emails from the MCC denomination? There are updates on the way churches around the world are meeting this crisis, along with prayers, support, and much much more. If you would like check out what newsletters are available then please email:
Sarah Barber is our Lay Delegate, and a link with the denomination. Please contact her at the church email address if you would like to know more about how The ‘Village’ MCC fits into the International Church.
Pasto
ral Care Team – 07476 667353
Pastoral care continues. Call or text the church mobile and leave a message, and someone will get back to you. When the pandemic first broke we tried to reach out to everybody at least once a month. As time has gone on we have reduced our pastoral care calls to those who have either requested them or are at high risk. Of course we don’t want to miss anybody out so if you would like to connect then please let us know
Would you like to give a gift to aid the work of the Village MCC?
Giving to The Village MCC.
‘The Village MCC’ is self-financing, we do not receive any central funding. If you would like to support the work we do, there are a number of ways to do so.
Regular giving:
If you would like to set up a regular monthly Payment to The “Village’ Church, which is the best way for us to budget for our work, Please email the treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com, you will then be sent the details of how to do this.
Single donation
If you wish to make a single donation You can send a direct payment from your bank account using the following details From the UK:
• Lloyds Bank
• sort code 77-91-29
• account number 40361660
• account name The Village MCC
• Please use the reference ‘Collection’
Please also email the Treasurer at thevillagemcc@outlook.com to let them know to expect a payment. • There is also a donate button on the Church Website at thevillagemcc.org if bank transfer is not possible. If you do not have access to the internet, you can still make a donation with your debit card. Please email the Treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com to arrange a phone call to make this payment.