The Messenger

December 2020/January 2021

Blundellsands and Crosby United Reformed

Church

Eshe Road, Crosby, L23 3AR

Twitter: @CrosbyURC

Leader's Letter December 2020.

Opening Letter from a Member of the Congregation This year we saw the anniversary of Wordsworth's birthday; he was born in Cockermouth on the 7th April 1770. It was two hundred and fifty years ago that he wrote the following

To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran And much it grieved my heart to think What man had made of man.

The last line of this verse so closely reflects the state of affairs that we find ourselves in to-day: the obscene atrocities being committed in Syria, the bombing of children in Yemen, decapitations committed by Isil, the killing of Christians in the Far East and the wholesale destruction of the natural world. Unfortunately, we can go on and on. A great many of our communal miseries are seated in greed. Wordsworth, fearing the ravages of the industrial revolution, wrote: The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon. This from over two centuries ago! It would seem that we never, ever learn.

Wordsworth was a religious man who believed in God and who found strength in his faith. In 'Ode to Immortality' he wrote:

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting, Our life's star that riseth with us Hath had elsewhere its setting and cometh from afar

Not in entire forgetfulness nor in utter nakedness But trailing clouds of glory do we come from God who is our home.

So, to my mind, this man defined the problem we all have and pointed to the solution. In our faith it behoves us to practice what we preach – which I confess is very difficult. Nevertheless, it is what Jesus would have us do and, if we love our neighbour as ourselves, we must arise from our present woes – Chinese virus notwithstanding. It's worth remembering Jeremiah 29:11 - ''For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace not evil, to give you a future and a hope''.

Church re-opening after Lockdown 2

At the time of printing, the regulations regarding re-

opening have not been issued. The latest information will

be on the church website, or your Elder will be able to help

you..

Gift Sunday.

I am sure everybody will appreciate that we can’t hold our

normal service of gifts of toys and money this year. For the

last few years we have given them to the Salvation Army

and I am sure their need is probably even greater this

year. I have some of their Gift Aid envelopes available and

will put them in church if we are back with services in

December. These can be brought back to church the

following Sunday and I will make sure they get to them by

Christmas or you can donate on-line.

Jenny Wild.

Gift Day

We are not able to hold our Gift Day on the last Saturday

of November this year due to Covid restrictions, but I plan

to collect your offerings on Sunday December 6, if we are

allowed to open. I will sit at a table so that you can leave

your gifts as you enter the church. Please make your

cheques payable to Crosby URC. If the church has to

remain closed, I would be grateful if you would send your

donations to me at home, or use internet banking to

donate on-line. If you would like to do this, our number is

70896926 sort code 20-10-84.

Thank you all,

Marjorie Colville.

A Prayer

by Rev John Proctor,

(Downing Place URC, Cambridge)

Lord Jesus Christ,

tested and troubled as one of us,

risen and glorious as one with God,

we ask for confidence

to draw near to you and hold firm to you.

When we are beset with need, with fears, with tiredness,

may we seek your presence and find your strength.

Journey with us, we ask, that we may follow you. Amen.

PUZZLE AND QUIZ SECTION December 2020 Puzzle (1) All starting together, 6 sheep shearers shear 6 sheep in 6 minutes. How long does it take 60 sheep shearers to shear 60 sheep? Puzzle (2) One ninth (1/9) is 1 less (one less) than a ninth (1/9) of my number. What is my number? Quiz (1) What nut is in the middle of a Ferrero Rocher?

(Answers appear after the prayer list.)

Bible Verses of the Month

Romans 15 v 13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 6 v 9and 10

So let us not give up; the time will come when we will reach the harvest.

So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone

and, especially, to those who belong to our family in faith.

Psalm 23 v 4

Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for You are with me.

Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me

Be Thou My Vision

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 and by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Riches I heed not, nor man's 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, after 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.

Quotes When you can't control what's happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what's happening. That's where the power is!

From TheMindsJournal.com Forgive on the Spot To bear ill-feelings against some-one else is more damaging to the bearer than to the recipient. For your own sake, forgive quickly and freely.

From The Little Book of Calm.

God is everywhere and in everything and, without Him, we cannot exist.

Mother Teresa

CHRISTMAS LONG AGO A perfect Christmas Eve and A perfect Christmas tree, With its steady glow of festive lights - No fluctuating flashing Like fancy lights today – No, then the lights just twinkled and glowed, Hazily, lazily, gently, softly. The only lights in the front lounge, A cone of colours in the window. Carol singers in the road, Just as there should be, Just like the pictures on The Christmas cards. Beautifully, in the dark, silent room, The fir scent fills the air – Fresh, yet ancient, like incense. One blue light, secluded from Other coloured bulbs, Half hidden behind the Dark fronds and silver tinsel, Behind the golden bells, A strangely deep blue - Not jolly like jelly like The reds, greens and yellows, But bluer than a sapphire. Look deeper – and it’s a twilight sky Or a mountain lake, Or a magic grotto – Deeply mysterious. Heavenly, wondrously blue like

Where moonlight beams across A stone floor and straw, casting Shadows of cattle and donkeys, And a girl in a gown Of midnight blue, And a babe in a manger, sleeping.

Norah Hart

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Winter

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the

fire: it is a time for home.

Edith Sitwell

God Given

When God gave out brains – I thought he said trains, and I missed mine. When God gave out looks – I thought he said books, and I didn't want any. When God gave out noses – I thought he said roses, so I asked for a big red one. When God gave out chins – I thought he said gins, so I asked for a double. When God gave out heads – I thought he said beds, so I asked for a big soft one.

Am I in a mess?

Preachers for December 2020/ January 2021

All services will commence at 10.30am at Eshe Rd Sunday December 6th – Rev Michael Marshall Sunday December 13th - Dr Norah Hart

Sunday December 20th - Dr Lesley Bailey Friday December 25th - Rev Michael Marshall Sunday December 27th– Dr Lesley Bailey

January 2021

Sunday January 3rd- Rev John Thomson Sunday January 10th- Rev Richard Landon

Sunday January 17th- Mrs Jean Taylor Sunday January 24th- Mr David Gent Sunday January 31st- Rev Michael Marshall

December 6th _ Elder – Barbara Munnings

Door duty and flower distribution- Marjorie Colville

December 13th - Elder – John Wild

Door duty and flower distribution – Anne Rawsthorne

December 20th- Elder – Tony Wright

Door duty and flower distribution- Jacqui Irving

December 25th -Elder – Anne Rawsthorne

December 27th-Elder – Linda Kirkby

Door duty and flower distribution –Maggie Potter

January 2021

January 3rd -Elder – Tony Wright

Door duty and flower distribution –Nancy Walker

January 10th –Elder-Mary Ferguson

Door duty and flower distribution – Maggie Potter

Door and duty responsibilities for 17, 24 and 31 January

will be arranged in December.

Prayer List for December 2020

Tuesday 1st – Please pray for the safety of the population at the end of lockdown. Wednesday 2nd – Please pray for the end of slavery in all its forms. Thursday 3rd – Please pray for an end to disability discrimination. Friday 4th – Please pray for people who work in theatre and the arts. Saturday 5th – Give thanks for the contribution of volunteers in our community. Sunday 6th -Please pray for the Church meeting to elect Elders. Monday 7th - Please pray for everyone coping with grief. Tuesday 8th – Please pray for children in refugee camps. Wednesday 9

th – Please pray for an end to corruption

throughout the World. Thursday 10th – Please pray for equal opportunities for children throughout the World. Friday 11th – Please pray for respect for other religions and practices. Saturday 12th – Please pray for residents and staff in care homes.

Sunday 13th – Please pray for all Churches in Blundellsands and Crosby. Monday 14th – Please pray for all, who are ill with Covd19 at this time. Tuesday 15th – Please pray for the Charities we support via our Take 3 donations. Wednesday 16th – Please pray for groups supporting people with addictions. Thursday 17th – Please pray for families affected by broken relationships. Friday 18th – Please pray for migrants risking their lives for a better future. Saturday 19th – Please pray for people whose businesses have failed. Sunday 20th – Please pray for the safety of our congregation. Monday 21st – Please pray for people affected by the long, dark nights. Tuesday 22nd – Please pray for families relying on food banks. Wednesday 23rd – Please pray for everyone in hospital at this time. Thursday 24th – Please pray for all attending Churches today. Friday 25

th – Give thanks for the birth of our Saviour.

Saturday 26th – Please pray for all who feel lonely or isolated. Sunday 27th – Please pray for Churches unable to reopen. Monday 28th – Please pray for all left incapacitated after Covid infection. Tuesday 29th – Please pray for families who have lost someone during the past year.

Wednesday 30th – Please pray for people with dementia and their carers. Thursday 31st – Please pray for the safety of everyone celebrating this evening. Prayer List for January 2020 Friday 1st – Please pray that 2021 will bring an effective vaccine for Covid. Saturday 2nd – Please pray for all who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. Sunday 3rd – Please pray for new serving and non-serving Elders. Monday 4th – Give thanks for the expertise and dedication of the NHS. Tuesday 5th – Please pray for children and teachers as they return to school. Wednesday 6th – Please pray for the homeless and rough sleepers. Thursday 7th – Pray for Orthodox Christians throughout the World, celebrating Christmas. Friday 8th – Please pray for countries ravaged by war. Saturday 9th – Please pray for families with financial difficulties. Sunday 10th – Please pray for a return to normal Sunday services. Monday 11th – Give thanks for the support of the emergency services. Tuesday 12th – Please pray for people suffering chronic pain. Wednesday 13th – Please pray for children subject to bullying, at school or online. Thursday 14th – Please pray for the work of Christian aid.

Friday 15th – Please pray for people with mental health problems. Saturday 16th – Please pray for the Government and decision makers. Sunday 17th – Please pray for people of other faiths. Monday 18th – Give thanks for all the work done by the Armed Services. Tuesday 19th – Please pray for the housebound from our congregation. Wednesday 20th – Please pray for the incoming president and vice president of the USA. Thursday 21st – Please pray for all using local food banks. Friday 22nd – Give thanks for all who provide for our daily needs. Saturday 23rd – Pray for all whose treatment and operations have been delayed. Sunday 24th – Give thanks for the comfort of the Bible and hymns. Monday 25th – Please pray for co-operation between the devolved nations of the UK. Tuesday 26th – Give thanks for the diversity and freedoms we enjoy in our country. Wednesday 27th – Please pray for all with caring responsibilities. Thursday 28

th – Please pray for families struggling to live

on benefits. Friday 29th – Give thanks for the comfort of our own homes. Saturday 30th – Give thanks for snowdrops and early signs of the end of Winter. Sunday 31st – Give thanks for the fellowship of our Church.

A New Year's Wish

Helen Van Anderson Gordon (b. 1859)

May each day bring thee something Fair to hold in memory-- Some true light to shine

Upon thee in the after days. May each night bring thee peace,

As when the dove broods o'er The young she loves; may day

And night the circle of A rich experience weave About thy life, and make

It rich with knowledge, but radiant With Love, whose blossoms shall be

Tender deeds.

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Answers to Puzzle and Quiz Section

Puzzle (1): 6 minutes

Puzzle (2): 10

1/9 +1 = 11/9 11/9 x 9 = 10

Quiz (1): Hazelnut

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0151-932-0862, deadline 15th January 2021

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