M e s s e n g e r
LEIGH BAPTIST CHURCH VERNON ST / CHURCH ST LEIGH.
Website : www.leighbaptistchurch.org.uk
Contact: admin@leighbaptistchurch.org.uk
Moderator: Rev Mike McDade (Warrington)
MARCH 2018
The following friends will lead our services
March 4th 10.45am Rev Mike McDade then 12.30pm Special “Vision” meeting, chaired by our Moderator
March 11th 10.45am Val Hulme . Mothering Sunday
March 18th 10.45am. Mr Clive Rotherham (Heywood) & 12.30pm Lunch Service
March 25th 10.45am PALM SUNDAY (Communion) RevPat Hinchsliff
April 1st 10.45am EASTER Rev Mike McDade
Moderator’s Message: VISION
Why do we need to come together as a body of Christ’s people to talk about vision? I hope this helps. Firstly: vision is essential to a church. However, unlike the values, mission, and purpose, the vision is more subject to change. It is dynamic, not static. Over time, the vision must be renewed, adapted, and adjusted to the cultural context in which the congregation lives. The vision provides us with a picture of what the mission will look like as it is realized in the community.
The Importance of a Vision . A Vision Encourages Unity: Vision changes people's relationship to one another. Vision in a church encourages and allows people to come together and work together.
A Vision Creates Energy: Not much happens without an inspiring, compelling vision. Visions are exciting and they energize people. They strike a spark—They supply the fuel that lights the fire within a congregation
A Vision Provides Purpose: The right vision creates meaning in people's lives. It gives them a sense of divine purpose in life. With a shared vision, people see themselves not as someone who is apart from the church but as a vital part of a church.They are not simply in a church; they are part of a mission.
A Vision Fosters Risk Taking: Sharing a vision everyone knows what needs to be done. The question is, how will we do it? We attempt something for Christ and it doesn’t work, we attempt something else and it does work. It is perfectly clear to all why we are doing it. It is for God. People are not asking for guarantees. They all know that no guarantees exist, yet people are committed anyway. The risks are great, but so is the God we serve, and the vision he has given us. Rev Mike McDade (Edited version)
FLOWER DONORS MARCH If the assigned date is not suitable please negotiate a change with other donors.
Mar 4th vacancy Mar 11th Mrs O Matthias Mar 18th vacancy Mar 26th K & J Smith
.BMS BIRTHDAYS MARCH 16th Richard A.
DATES FOR DIARY:
Prayer meeting each Tuesday at 11.15am
LENT bible study -Mondays at 11am. Vestry.
Coffee and Craft Friday 2nd March 10 - noon £3
Coffee Morning Saturday 3rd March 10.30am -12 noon
Good Friday Walk of Witness – please listen to notices
Sun March 4th ** 12.30pm Special Church and Congregation meeting on “Vision” led by our Moderator -please bring your own lunch
Churches in Leigh Hope Out Loud outreach Saturday 3rd March 12-1 pm Bradshawgate. Distributing daffodils.
OUR FLAWS.
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on one end of a pole that he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. At the end of the long walk from the stream on the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer, "What are you ashamed of?"
"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all this work, and you don't get full value from our efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt sad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on our side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.
"We all have our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. In God's great web of life, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
©HolyTrinityChurch, Funchal. 2017
For APRIL issue please submit any material by March 18th admin@leighbaptistchurch.org.uk