Hello everyone,
Welcome to the latest issue of our church newsletter. Our newsletter is sent out regularly to share reflections from services, Bible readings and church news to our church family. You can find previous issues on our church website here.
We would love to hear from you and are always looking for uplifting and encouraging content to share in future issues of this newsletter. If you have any ideas or content that we can share, please do email them to Louise (publicity@christchurchuxbridge.org.uk)
Please note that there will be no newsletter on 10 May. The next newsletter will be sent out on 17 May.
Opening Prayer
God of surprises,
we come as we are but wanting to be more like Jesus.
Journey with us as we seek to be surprised by you today.
As we challenge ourselves to respond to your surprising love,
give us grace to welcome others into your kingdom.
Amen.
(Taken from Roots)
Readings for 5 May
John 15: 9-17
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Further readings from the lectionary this week are as follows:
- Acts 10: 44-48
- Psalm 98
- 1 John 5: 1-6
Readings for 12 May
Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Further readings from the lectionary this week are as follows:
- John 17: 6-19
- Psalm 1
- 1 John 5: 9-13
Our worship
We meet at 11am for our Sunday services, which are also live-streamed on our YouTube channel. If you wish to view our services online, you can find them at https://www.youtube.com/@christchurchuxbridge
You can also view a recent service on our church website. Our service this week will be led by Christ Church member and trainee URC lay preacher, Neil Mackin. You can find the order of service here. Please note that there will be no service at Christ Church this Sunday and the service this week will not be streamed online.
If you are unable to join us in person or online for our Sunday services, but would like to receive a recording of them on a memory stick to watch at home, please let us know.
Forthcoming services
5 May – Neil Mackin (Christ Church member and trainee URC lay preacher)
12 May – Christ Church worship group – parade
19 May – Christ Church worship group (Pentecost)
26 May – Revd Dr Lynita Conradie (Methodist minister and Circuit Superintendent) – Holy Communion
Charity news
Thank you from Yiewsley & West Drayton Foodbank
We would very much like to express our thanks to you all at Christ Church, Uxbridge for your very kind donation of 15.45kg of items during March 2024 to the Yiewsley & West Drayton Foodbank.
I have attached a “Thank You Certificate” for you to display.
Your donations will make a big difference to local people in crisis and helps us to make up emergency food bags with enough nutritionally balanced food for 3 days. For a single person this equates to around 10kg of food, for a couple this is about 15kg and for a family of four, about 20kg or four large bags of shopping.
We are very grateful for your support enabling us to meet our vision to help those in need and to address the underlying causes of their poverty and hunger.
From the Circuit
Praying for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land
At April’s London District Synod, the Revd David Hardman spoke powerfully about what is happening in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. David is part of the Methodist Liaison Office (MLO) in Jerusalem, but is currently fulfilling his role from the UK. He is in constant touch with local people who are living in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and organisations who continue to work for human rights in the region.
Every Wednesday at 6.00pm, David is part of a group of Methodists across the world who meet virtually to pray for justice and peace in the Holy Land. Each week there are updates and theological reflections from local voices and MLO staff members followed by the opportunity to pray together. To be part of this, email office@mlojerusalem.org and you will be sent joining instructions.
North Hillingdon May Fair
North Hillingdon are hosting their annual May Fair soon – look forward to stalls, plants, and books on offer, as well as refreshments including tea, coffee, and cake. Come along to North Hillingdon Methodist Church on Saturday 18th May from 11am till 2pm to join in on the fun. Everyone is welcome.
Richard Reid’s 40 Years of Preaching
To celebrate Richard Reid’s 40 years of preaching milestone, look forward to a special Circuit service at North Harrow Methodist Church, Pinner Road, HA2 6EQ, at 4pm on Sunday 2nd June. Everyone is welcome to attend.
CTU Bible Study
Wednesdays from April 24th to May 29th
13:15 – 14:15 at the Quaker Meeting House, York Road, Uxbridge.
The session on 8 May will focus on Psalms 124, 125 and 126, and the session on 15 May will focus on Psalms 127, 128 and 129.
All welcome. For more information, please contact Mike Beranek at mikeberanek8@gmail.com or by telephone on 07757 775625.
Show-Offs: Our Musical Daydreams
Saturday 18 May, 2pm and 7pm
WOS Productions present ‘Show-Offs: Our Musical Daydreams’, a Spring concert which provides the cast with the opportunity to perform their “fantasy” songs from the shows that they’ve always wanted to sing but haven’t had the chance to do so. The associated roles may be for different playing ages or gender, or the parent show has been unavailable to stage.
Look for some fun interpretations of songs new and old, and group numbers that bring the cast together to celebrate our love of musical theatre. Shows featured include ‘Chess’, ‘Something Rotten!’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Hamilton’, ‘Wicked’ and ‘Les Miserables’, plus many more!
Venue: Ickenham Village Hall, 33 Swakeleys Road, UB10 8DG
Show times: Saturday 18 May: 14:00; 19:00
Tickets cost £15 (£10 for children) and can be purchased in advance via card payment online via https://www.wos-productions.org.uk/ or by phoning 0333 666 33 66. Booking fees apply. Tickets can also be purchased on the door via cash or card.
Audience members requiring wheelchair spaces should contact the WOS Box Office (07391988077 / wos.boxoffice@gmail.com).
Dates for your diary
| 8 May | CTU Bible study group |
| 15 May | CTU Bible study group |
| 19 May | Congregational Meeting |
| 22 May | CTU Bible study group |
| 29 May | Welcome Wednesday
CTU Bible study group |
| 12 June | Welcome Wednesday |
| 26 June | Welcome Wednesday |
| 30 June | CTU AGM |
| 10 July | Welcome Wednesday |
| 24 July | Welcome Wednesday |
| 4 September | Welcome Wednesday |
| 8 September | Congregational Meeting |
| 18 September | Welcome Wednesday |
| 24 November | Congregational Meeting |
Children’s Corner
Praying for other churches
w/c 5 May
This week we hold the following churches in our prayers:
- North Harrow Methodist
- St John’s URC, New Barnet
- Uxbridge Quakers
w/c 12 May
This week we hold the following churches in our prayers:
- South Harrow Methodist
- St Margaret’s & St George’s, Harlesden (URC/Moravian)
- Uxbridge Salvation Army
Closing prayer
Loving God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us your love.
Help us to make new friends and comfort those who are lonely.
Show us that, although we are all different, we are all loved by you.
Surprise us with your love in this coming week.
Amen.
(Taken from Roots)
