LEIGH BAPTIST CHURCH “MESSENGER” SEPTEMBER 2026
VERNON ST / CHURCH ST. LEIGH. WN7 1BH
Website : www.leighbaptistchurch.org.uk Contact: admin@leighbaptist church.org.uk
Pastoral Leader – Val Hulme ( Days Off Tues and Fridays)
email : pastoral.leader@leighbaptistchurch.org.uk TEL 07817142192
Check LBC website for updates and info also LBC FACEBOOK page
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sun 6th September 10.45am Worship Service led by Val Hulme
Sun 13th September 10.45am Open Service
1:30 pm Cantonese House Group
Sun 20th September 10.45am Sunday Bible Study (shortened) followed by the Church and Congregation Meeting *
Sun 27th September 10.45am Communion Service led by Val Hulme 1:30 pm Cantonese House Group
Sun 4th October 10:45 am Harvest Service/Bring a friend to Church followed by Bring and Share Lunch
Tuesdays 2nd and 9th September 7:00 pm: Baptismal Class
Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Sept Prayer Meeting 10am - 11am. Drinks at 9.45am
Wednesday 17th Sept: 11:15 am Deacons' Meeting
Other Users of the Building:
Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th,23rd and 30th Sept - All Singers Great and Small Community Choir 7.30 - 9.00pm
Thursdays throughout Sept 10am - 12 noon Atherton and Leigh Foodbank
Thursday 10th Sept 12:15: Atherton and Leigh Foodbank Safeguarding Training
Friday 25th Sept: 12:30 onwards Wigan and Leigh Pensioners' Link AGM
*Please put this date into your diaries and make every effort to attend the meeting, especially if you are a member of the church
** Join us to celebrate harvest and bring a friend along with you. We hope to hear how harvest is celebrated in the different countries represented in our church. The service will be followed by a Bring and Share Lunch, and we hope that this will also showcase the different cultures which make up our church fellowship.
We remain concerned about Kathie Williams in hospital and pray the Lord's hand will be on her. " Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast, there by his love o'ershaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest"
Christ Church, Pennington are once again presenting The Messiah from Scratch on Saturday November 28th, 6:30 pm. If you would like to sing in this shortened version of Handel's oratorio, e-mail handel@christchurchpennington.com for further information, or see the posters in the foyer of our church. If, however, you prefer to listen, then you would be most welcome. There is no admission fee
but donations to cover the running costs would be welcomed. Any donations left over after costs, will be given to Atherton and Leigh Foodbank.
REFLECTION Matthew 11: 25 - 30
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
My mum had a beautiful contralto voice, and prior to my sister's and my birth, both she and my dad would join with other churches in the local Methodist Circuit, to sing "The Messiah" at Christmas. Growing up, I became familiar with the more popular pieces within it as my dad often played recordings of them. So, when I come across the Bible passages that Handel based this oratorio on, I can hear his music in my head as I read the words. The end of this Bible passage is one of those, starting off as a contralto solo with He shall feed his flock, then being handed over to the soprano for Come unto him.
I don't know how you are feeling at the moment. Is everything ok? Or are there days when you feel a bit low, when things seem to be getting on top of you, when you feel weary and burdened? Jesus calls you to come to him, to leave your burdens with him.
As I read this passage, a more modern song came in to my mind. The melody and the tempo are quite gentle and reflective, and the first two lines of each verse answer that call to come to Jesus, with a desire to be with him - To be in Your presence, to sit at Your feet, and, To rest in Your presence, not rushing around.
To be in Your presence, to sit at Your feet, where Your love surrounds me, and makes me complete.
This is my desire, O Lord, this is my desire, this is my desire, O Lord, this is my desire.
To rest in Your presence, not rushing away, to cherish each moment, here I would stay.
This is my desire, O Lord, this is my desire, this is my desire, O Lord, this is my desire. (Noel Richards)
Take time to sit in God's presence, to slow down and just be. Enjoy the rest and allow God's peace to wash over you. Let it be your desire.
Val
I wonder if you agree that most of our shared prayers are usually local and focussed on our own lives, whilst so much of the world is troubled by wars, earthquakes, wild fires, famines and persecution? Let's regularly lift up before God: the people of Nepal/ Tibet after flash floods and many fatalities, the worsening impact of war on Ukraine, the families affected by the loss of 14 babies in a Pakistan Maternity unit, and the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
Father,Some countries are weighed down by disaster, war, or economic collapse. We intercede for their healing. Send resources, wisdom, and hope. Let Your mercy bring restoration and renewal to broken lands.Amen.(Psalm 46:1) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.