Burton Joyce Community Church
GENERAL CHURCH MEETING
Thursday 9th September 2021
10 am – 11am
In the church
Please note: We will continue to observe appropriate Covid19 precautions, e.g. wearing a mask indoors, respecting spacing, hand sanitiser, etc.
Review of the past eighteen months
An assessment of our current situation
Exploring our options
Suggestions for our future
This is an important meeting about the future of the church.
Please make every effort to attend
The question arises because, as a local "church" fellowship, we find ourselves in a position where we cannot maintain the expected functions of "a church". We have too few people. The "leadership team" has too many holes, too many unfilled posts. The constitution says we should have twelve but we only have five in the team. Add to this Covid19, and we a struggling to function in any meaningful way at all.
So: What should a church be? Or perhaps a simpler question is: What is a church?The simple answer is: A church is a group of people who share together because they love and honour Jesus Christ. Everything else follows from this.
But then a follow up question: Is there a minimum number of people for a church? I would want to say 'No' but there is a traditional argument that the minimum number should be twelve, based on
As it happens, we can just about scrape together twelve members and regular fellow travellers but, then, of course: Does that just mean men? ...
This, perhaps, is not a profitable line of thought although it does give a number to work with. This is probably the reason our local constitution specifies twelve Trustees, Stewards or Elders (depending on where you are coming from) in the leadership team. At present, we are down to five with no obvious opportunity for recruitment. And there are practical reasons as well. If you need
you probably do need twelve people.
But do we need all those things? Couldn't we get by with what we have? I.e.
`Note. The Treasurer is covered by a team of two because of issues left unresolved when the previous Treasurer died over eighteen months ago; some still unresolved.
The problem is we do not have a Property steward but we do have a building and, while at the moment we are not meeting in that building because of Covid19, if we did start using the building again, we would also have to match all the other functions in the first list - and who is going to do all that?
Add to this the fact that we are an LEP* which means we are expected to give money and routine administrative data and attend organisational meetings for both the Methodists and the URC alike. [*Local Ecumenical Partnership] This is a heavy burden which falls on the same five people who are trying to cover everything else. It is too much for the remnant five of the leadership team to do.
If we did not have the building and if we did not have the LEP, who would we be?
We would be a group of people in Burton Joyce who share together because they love and honour Jesus Christ - with pastoral support, regular newsletters and worship materials and with ministerial oversight from the Methodist Circuit.
This is who we are.
BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday 29th August 2021
with Nottingham North East Circuit
Prepared by Rev Yanyan Case and adapted for Burton Joyce Community Church by Phil Colbourn. Hymns: Songs of Fellowship (SoF)
The Methodist Way of Life 4: Witness and evangelism
Call to worship: Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news
Hymn SoF 10
All heaven declares
Opening prayer
Father God, splendour and holiness are your canopy, grace and justice are your footstool. You have compassion on the nations and your goodness and mercy draw us to repentance and so we come in confession:
Forgive us when we fail to be salt and light in either word or deed
Forgive us if we fear the world more than fearing you
Forgive us if we have ignored your Great Commission for the world.
We come to the foot of the cross. By your stripes, we are healed. Holy Spirit, work in and through us, establishing the Kingdom on earth. Nurture us with your living word so that we may rejoice in the truth. Grant us peace and understanding as we follow Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.
Hymn SoF 205
I cannot tell
Bible reading
Colossians 4:2-6
Reflection
On the night before she planned to end her life with her 3 months old down-syndrome daughter who was born with three holes in the heart, Judith received a scam phone-call trying to sell her insurance. She was annoyed and could not be bothered to talk but the caller shouted to her as she was about to hang up: “Would you come to church this weekend; there’s a special event going on?” Judith had never been to church but she agreed she would go before she died.
That Sunday, Judith felt an unspeakable sense of peace that healed her heart-pain and she received Jesus as her personal Saviour. Since then, her life has been completely transformed and her daughter is completely healed. Now, as a pastor, she helps thousands of widows and orphans in third world countries. I would recommend her testimony. Here is a link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW7TwRNnWR8
Judith’s testimony made me think about evangelism. Very often when we talk about evangelism and mission, Matthew 28:18-20 comes to mind - “make disciples in all nations”. But how? Do we all have to become missionaries? How can we play a role in our day-to-day life?
This insurance salesperson played an important part in the life of Judith. Evangelism and mission need not to be complicated. We can start from right where we are. It is not what “we” can do “for” God, but what “God” can do “through” us. What a privilege!
Today’s reading is from Colossians, a letter about the sufficiency of Christ and His life-transforming work. In the first three chapters, Paul deals with the redemption of believers but now, in chapter 4, he encourages Christ’s followers to consider their responsibility in sharing the Good News.
This paragraph in Colossians 4 outlines two types of involvement in evangelism. Verse 2-4 is about “indirect involvement” whereas verse 5-6 is about “direct involvement”.
Indirect involvement through prayer
v.2 “Devote yourselves to prayer”
If we cannot do anything else, we can still pray. Prayer is the new way of life for Christians, breathing to keep our spirit alive. It is a privilege with great power, so let’s use it! What shall we pray for then?
1. First of all, "Pray for us also that God may open to us a door for the word" (v.3a). Just like the Apostle Paul, many people are called to preach, to go to the unreached people-groups, to dangerous places that most of us probably wouldn’t dare to go. Paul asks us to pray for, so that doors may be opened to them. If we cannot go, we can support them with prayers.
2. Secondly, “Pray for the whole mystery of Christ to be made plain when God opens a door’ (v.3b). What is the “mystery of Christ”? It is not a confusing riddle, but the deep, ancient and overwhelming truth of God that is beyond our comprehension. It is only a mystery because people cannot know it unless it is revealed to us by God.
Direct involvement through witness
1. “Live wisely” (v.5a)
The Gospel is not only preached by word, but also by deed. We might be the only “Bible” some people read. We share the Gospel through our conduct, in creativity, experience, tact and thoughtfulness, having a feel for the moment and knowing how to respond. It requires us to remain in Christ, and to pray unceasingly.
Methodists have long been committed to social justice. We pursue justice as a way of responding to God’s grace, living in obedience to Christ’s command to love our neighbours as ourselves. But we have always been aware that good works in themselves are not enough.
2. Gracious speech (v.6)
Paul says, “how can they hear without someone preaching to them” (Romans 10:14)? Sharing the Good News in words is a vital part of our direct involvement in evangelism. Paul tells us we need to have conversations and to season our speech with salt to make it appealing.
Finally, let us make the most of every opportunity (v.5). In Judith’s story, the insurance salesperson did not preach the Gospel, but made the most of the opportunity. In an amazing way, God was at work and Judith has turned out to be an effective Gospel communicator reaching thousands in many countries. What a mystery of Christ!
Today, I would like to leave a few questions for us all to ponder:
- Can you articulate the Good News in 3 minutes?
- When is the last time you shared the Good News with someone?
- What can I do directly or indirectly to get involved in evangelism?
Here are some points it is always good for us to remember:
§ Christ is the visible image of the invisible God;
§ he became flesh and dwelt among us;
§ he healed, taught and loved even the outcast;
§ he died on the cross to take away the sins of the world;
§ he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven as our King;
§ whoever believes in him shall have eternal life;
§ he gives us the Holy Spirit to be with us until the end of the age.
Amen
Hymn SoF 88
Facing a task unfinished
Intercession
Response: Merciful Father, may your Kingdom come.
God, the Father of our Saviour Jesus Christ, you are the Giver of life. Thank you for Jesus your Son, in whom we inherit eternal life. Thank you for the world which provides us with food and necessities for life. Thank you for the diversity of your creation.
We pray for evangelists and missionaries who go and make the wonderful mystery of Christ known boldly and faithfully. Send more labours to your mission field, equip them with the skills they need and give them abundant harvest.
Merciful Father, may your Kingdom come.
Thank you for the churches and Christian organisations around the world. Lord Jesus, you are the head of the Church. Make our roots grow deeper into your love, to know you better and to share the Good News with others.
Grant us gracious speech and wise conduct so that we may draw people to you to be your faithful disciples.
Merciful Father, may your Kingdom come.
Thank you for the work of healing in our hospitals, for medics and scientists, for the vaccine program rolled out so quickly to save lives.
We continue to pray for all those who are suffering from Covid or any other illness that you will hold them with your healing hands.
Lord, provide for all those living in poverty and struggling with basic needs.
Merciful Father, may your Kingdom come.
In the silence, pray for all those in your heart...
Let’s finish together with the Lord’s prayer
Hymn SoF 738
Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!
Closing prayer
Father God, rekindle our passion for your Kingdom so that we can become your faithful ambassadors
Jesus Christ, direct our thoughts and minds so that we know how to play our parts in your Great Commission
Holy Spirit, teach us your wisdom and embrace us with strength so that the unfinished task on earth may be accomplished through us. Amen.
Blessing
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday 22 August 2021
with Nottingham North East Circuit
Prepared by Deacon Helen Snowball and adapted for Burton Joyce Community Church by Phil Colbourn. Hymns: Songs of Fellowship (SoF)
A Methodist Way of Life 3: Service
Psalm 25:1-10
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul
Hymn SoF 470
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Let’s pray
Eternal God, you are the source of all life, the fount of all wisdom, the wellspring of all grace. Your days are without end and your loving mercies without number and I depend on you and remember your goodness to me and to those who have gone before.
Your story has been told in every generation, the Lord Jesus Christ lived among us, full of grace and truth, revealing your tender mercy, he healed the sick, comforted the broken and lost, in humility he washed the feet of his disciples, calling us to follow his example as one who serves.
You are my God, ahead of me, leading me, guiding me and calling me. You are the Lord God, the all-wise, the all- compassionate, and I lift my heart in worship, today and for ever. Amen
Methodist Diaconal Order Daily Prayer.
Confession
For the times when we have forgotten you, Lord, we are sorry.
For the times when we have not acted as you would wish; when we have neglected someone, when we have been selfish or greedy, or inconsiderate, we are sorry. Lord in your mercy, forgive us. Amen
We have two readings today, the first is from Isaiah 61:1-6
Our second Bible reading is John 13:1-18
He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet
Hymn SoF 120
From heaven you came (Servant King)
 | Ghislaine Howard The washing of the feet from the Methodist Modern Art Collection © TMCP used with permission
www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection
|
Reflection
As a Deacon, these two passages are particularly important to me. They are both included in the ordination service, and are often used at Convocation and diaconal gatherings, especially the John 13 passage. These Isaiah 61 verses talk of a servant ministry, of Jesus coming to serve, not to be served, and that is what we try to do. Along with other passages in the book of Isaiah, the beginning of chapter 61 is often used to point to Jesus as Messiah, as the anointed one and as servant.
These verses point to themes of release, of the year of the Lord’s favour, of comfort being given to the oppressed, and it speaks of joyful tasks. These joyful tasks being bringing good news to the oppressed, binding up the broken-hearted, and releasing the prisoners. It is a little similar to the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-11, in that it points forward, it shows what will happen.
In Matthew, Jesus says ‘blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted’. In this Isaiah reading, we read that God’s anointed one will comfort all who mourn, God’s anointed one will not stand far above all others and rule, he will be with those who need him the most, he will be doing the comforting, he will be binding up the broken-hearted, he will be alongside. It is about helping people, blessing those who need the blessing of God the most.
In John 13, we see these promises acted out. This is sometimes called Towel and Bowl Christianity and refers to Jesus acting out for the disciples what servant ministry looks like, showing his humility and his vulnerability. There is an image just before this reflection, which shows Jesus washing Peter’s feet. Now, if you didn’t know that this was Jesus and Peter, the image takes on a different tone.
The kneeling man is incredibly vulnerable to attack, and the seated person could be about to hit him. He could be the master, telling his servant the water is too cold, his raised hand points to violence, to a hard slap because of displeasure. It could be an image of power and servitude, of a master and victim. Instead, we know it is Peter, seated looking down at Jesus, saying ’no master, you shall not wash my feet’. Jesus, the kneeling servant, replies that he must do this, he must demonstrate to all the disciples what servant ministry means.
It is not thrones, power, war horses and prestige. Instead, it is servant ministry, vulnerability, caring for the least of society, doing the work others would turn away from. I must admit, I am not a fan of feet. Even those with manicured and seemingly perfect feet – still have horrible feet. And, as a deacon, the image of towel and bowl is often used, and it always makes me slightly uncomfortable because I doubt that I could ever do that.
Perhaps this is something I need to pray about and actually get on my knees and do it for someone next Easter. We’ll see. Jesus, of course, has no such squeamishness. He eats with lepers, prostitutes, the sick, the tax collector, the outcast. He meets them where they are, talks to them, prays and heals, and turns their lives around.
It's incredibly significant that when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet – he washed all the disciples’ feet – including Judas. He knew Judas was about to betray him, and he knew what the consequences would be, but of course he couldn’t perform this act of humility and get to Judas and say, ‘not you’. He showed his vulnerability and his humility, and his love for all by still washing Judas’ feet.
I wonder how Judas felt at that moment. I wonder if he understood the significance of Jesus’ actions – he wanted a warrior king, someone to overthrow the Roman oppressors, and he had pinned his hopes on this man who was now kneeling as a servant at his feet, doing this most menial of tasks.
Jesus’ servant ministry was key to his message – he had not come to rule, to be a king and have servants of his own – he was to be the servant, he would be servant to all the people who were in desperate need, those who needed love and care, and the touch of someone who would not judge or condemn. Judas didn’t understand this, he expected a war and victory. Of course, there was victory over death, but Judas wouldn’t have understood that. He misunderstood Jesus’ whole ministry. What about you? Have you misunderstood Jesus’ ministry? Service is part of God’s calling, he calls us all to care for others, to preach, teach and seek out the lonely and the vulnerable.
What is your servant ministry like? The world is full of people who need us, those who are desperate. Are you able to show what true belief in Christ looks like, even if it is uncomfortable? Are you able to show true vulnerability in Christ? Are you able to – even if metaphorically - kneel in humility and wash someone’s feet? Amen
Prayers of intercession
· Pray for the world, for the countries in war, the countries in drought desperate for what we take for granted - clean water
· Pray for all affected by flood and by fire
· Pray for South Africa, as it deals with political and civil unrest
· Pray for Afghanistan, especially for women and girls
· Pray for freedom in speech and protest, that we can express ourselves graciously, without causing hurt to others
· Pray for our government, for all the leaders who make decisions that affect all of us
· Pray for the NHS, as it continues to work so hard for all of us
· Pray for our families and friends, especially those who are struggling at the moment. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our final hymn is SoF 54
Brother, sister, let me serve you
We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road;
we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
Blessing
The peace of the earth be to you,
The peace of the heavens too,
The peace of the rivers be with you,
The peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace fall over you, God’s peace,
God’s peace growing in you.
Guatemalan Text. Translated by Christine Carson (b. 1965).
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ.
Amen
BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday 15 August 2021
with Nottingham North East Circuit
Prepared by Rev John Wiseman for use at home and adapted for Burton Joyce Community Church by Phil Colbourn.
Hymns from Songs of Fellowship (SoF)
Our first hymn SoF 112
For the beauty of the earth
Opening Prayer: Psalm 150
Praise the LORD
Bible reading Mark 6:30-32
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest.”
Let’s sing SoF 28
As we are gathered, Jesus is here
Today’s Message Establishing a Rhythm of Life
So far in this series on the Methodist Way of Life we have looked at two aspects: what it means to worship and what it means to be a learning and caring community of faith. Today, I want to focus on how we develop a rhythm in our spiritual life to take in and give out.
I wonder how many of you can remember a TV advert for Mars, the chocolate bar. And I wonder if you can remember the slogan: A Mars a day helps you work rest and play. A Christian confectionary firm might have had a slogan ending: ‘Work, Rest and Pray’! The idea behind the slogan was that here was something that would help you through the rhythm of a day, whether you were working, resting or enjoying some sort of leisure activity.
Jesus was a great believer in this sort of rhythm, a balanced routine, not just in his life but also in that of his disciples. He knew that there was a time to work, a time to step back and dwell with God in stillness and prayer and, judging by the fact that he is often accused of feasting and drinking, we can guess he also knew how to relax.
And in today’s passage, after the disciples have been hard at work out in the mission field, Jesus sees they need to restore some balance and so he encourages them to step back, escape to a quiet place to rest, to be still and simply to reengage with God again through prayer. This is something Jesus himself was in the habit of doing. All through his ministry Jesus sought, and encouraged his disciples to seek, this rhythm or being and doing, of working and resting, of motion and stillness, of existing in a relationship with God and with others.
Some of you will know that I am a runner, well no perhaps that’s not the right description. I am someone who runs. One of the things that makes a good runner is the ability to control their breathing. We breathe in to take oxygen into the lungs which is then transported around our circulation via red blood cells to allow the cells in our bodies to produce energy efficiently. We breathe out in order to remove carbon dioxide, the potentially toxic waste product of metabolism from our bodies. Athletes often spend periods of time training at high altitude, stressing their bodies to produce more red blood cells so that when they return to compete at sea level, their breathing is more effective and efficient.
During normal everyday activities, we hardly notice we are breathing at all, it is simply a natural process. If, however, we exert ourselves or are suffering from an illness, then quite often breathing in and out becomes the only thing we can focus on.
Before becoming a minister, I was a physiotherapist and have spent hours helping people with breathing problems. People whose inability to breathe increased their anxiety which put further strain on their breathing. Trying to break that vicious cycle was not always easy, but once a rhythm had been restored, the patient’s health stabilised.
In the film ‘Sweet Charity’, Sammy Davis Junior sings:
“And the rhythm of life is a powerful beat,
“Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet”
And, indeed, when we get that rhythm right, whether it be the rhythm of work, rest and play, or the rhythm of managing and controlling our breathing - which is often one of the focus points of many meditation techniques, or the spiritual rhythm in which we offer and receive from God, or the give and take with our neighbours, then the tingle that we feel will not simply be contained within our fingers and feet but will run through out whole being.
In worship we might think we come to receive, to be restored, to be recharged for the week ahead, and that is true. But its main focus is one of giving back to God in response for the love God has already given us. In learning and caring, simply by being part of a church that wants to grow and develop and flourish together, we have an opportunity to share our knowledge and compassion with others and to be on the receiving end of their experience and kindness.
In another part of my life, I worked / served at a street clinic in Calcutta and also taught physiotherapy at a Spinal Injuries unit in Bangladesh and I can honestly share that I received back from those I treated / taught far more than I ever offered in service to them. And since becoming a minister, one of the great joys is not so much telling people what God has, is and will do in my life, but being invited in, to share the faith stories of others.
In the Methodist Way of Life, as with any similar Christian rule of life, we live out our faith in discipleship and witness, we offer and we receive, we give & we take, we grant and we are given, we bequeath and we are blessed, we sow and we reap, we scatter and we gather, we include and we are invited in in return, all mixed together in this great dance of life.
We will each move to a different soundtrack, a different beat, choose different steps, and find ourselves dancing with different people at different parts in our life. But once we have found out feet and found our natural rhythm, then the back and forth, the to-and-fro, the leading and being led, the giving and receiving, will seem as natural as breathing and, as any good dancer or runner will testify, we will be able to adapt to the stresses and strains of life.
Breathing in and breathing out...through worship, through learning and caring, through service and through telling God’s story and sharing our own faith journey. Breathing in and out ... not through shallow, rapid gasps for air that increase our anxiety but through slow, deep, meaningful lung and life filling inhalations and exhalation that bring a sense of focus, peace and calm. So, in a final act of discipleship this morning, just sit still. Think about how you view worship, service, learning & caring, service and speaking about God...take a deep breath in, then out, in then out, in then out. Amen
Our next hymn SoF 40
Be still for the presence of the Lord
Prayers of intercession
· Pray for all who feel breathless due to illness, anxiety or fear
· Pray for those we know whose loved ones have taken their final breath.
· Pray for those struggling to pause for breath due to the hectic lives they lead
· Pray for all those athletes who have produced moments that have taken our breath away at the current Tokyo Olympics, whether in victory or defeat.
· Pray for those breathing new life into our churches and communities
· Pray for those who can’t breathe, suffocated by prejudice, injustice, violence or hate
· Pray for the earth, that all may be free to breathe the unpolluted air
Let’s bring all our prayers together in the prayer Jesus taught his disciples: Our Father, who art in heaven …
Our final hymn SoF 238
In heavenly love abiding
Blessing
As we plan for the week ahead, may the breath of God animate our being and our doing, our giving and receiving, our taking and our offering, our sowing and our reaping. Amen
Breathe in deeply... Now, breathe out
