4Church Newsletter Issue #99 17th May
On Saturday 9th May, St James hosted a "Sound & Spirit" worship evening led by members of the Nelson Street Church, Rochdale worship team. Members of our churches and visitors from other church communities came and we worshipped together, just simply worshipped and it was beautiful.
At Sound and Spirit, one lyric seemed to settle gently over the whole gathering: “I just want to sit here at your feet, Jesus, nothing else will do.” In that moment, worship became less about the performance of our lives and more simply about the intentional presence of us with God. There are times when the Acts 17 vision of humanity “searching for God” suddenly feels deeply personal. We realise that the God we seek has already drawn near through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The sound of the Holy Spirit is not always loud. Sometimes it sounds like silence held reverently between songs, tears falling during prayer, laughter shared in grace, voices lifted together, or a quiet conviction stirring within the heart. The scripture in John's gospel for this week reminds us that Christ does not leave us orphaned but sends the Advocate to remain with us. The Spirit comforts, teaches, awakens, and gently reshapes us into people who carry the love of Christ into the world.
And in the Psalm this week it speaks of praise rising to God from lives tested and refined. Perhaps daily worship begins there: in ordinary sounds offered faithfully to God — kindness, forgiveness, prayer, justice, encouragement, music, conversation, even restful silence. Baptised in the Holy Spirit, our lives themselves begin to become worship songs, echoing the presence of Christ wherever we go. Whatever your worship looks like and sounds like this week, know that God's Spirit rests on you and is with you as you go.
Rev'd Elizabeth.
Justice and Dignity
Our church stands with Christian families in Pakistan who often live with deep fear for their daughters’ safety. Many parents feel vulnerable and unheard when facing cases involving forced conversions and child marriage, especially with limited access to timely protection and justice. As a faith community, we are called to pray, support, and advocate for stronger safeguards and fair enforcement. We remember these families before God, asking for courage, protection, and lasting change.
Revd Kausar
PLEASE REGISTER NOW!! and help us celebrate who is part of our church family
Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website (CLICK HERE), as not everyone is registered yet. Our ChurchHubb website is now the best way for us to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of contact details for our church family.
By sharing your details, you help us build a clear understanding of who is part of our church community and how we can best communicate, care for, and support one another. It also helps us keep our GDPR records up to date on our ChurchHubb system.
Please do complete the online form, or ask one of the Churchwardens for a paper copy. Thank you for helping us strengthen the life and mission of our church.
Walking for Hope: 30 Years of Christian Relief Uganda
Today a group of walkers set out from Marple to mark the 30th Anniversary of Christian Relief Uganda with a sponsored 30km walk along the canal paths and Middlewood Way, celebrating the vision and legacy of Maria Maw MBE and Maria’s Care.
Oliver reflected that it began as a sunny morning before turning into a rainy afternoon, but the changing weather could not dampen spirits. Walkers enjoyed beautiful countryside, great conversation, and the joy of supporting a life-changing cause together.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part, encouraged the walkers, and gave so generously. There is still time to support the appeal if you missed out today — please speak to Meriel or Julie for more information.
If you would like to support the Walk, you can donate on the CRU Just Giving page at:
https://www.justgiving.com/christianreliefuganda/Donate/
What's on at a Glance
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Acts 1.6-14, Psalm 68.1-10, 32-end, John 17.1-11
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9.30am - Service of the Word
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10.30am - Communion at St Edmund's and Intergenerational Service of the Word at St James'
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4pm - Grace Community Urdu, Service Of the Word and Communion.
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Monday
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9.30am Prayers at St Edmund's
Tuesday
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Morning Prayer 9.30am at St James'
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Place of Welcome 10am at St James'
Wednesday
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Coffee Morning at St Edmund's 10.30am
Thursday
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Grieving Together Cafe 11.30am at St James'
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Chosen Bible Study- 7.30pm at St Ed's for The Chosen
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Acts 2.1-21, Psalm 104.26-36, 37b, John 20.19-23
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9.30am - Communion & Service of the Word at St Edmund's
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10.30am - Intergenerational Worship at St Edmund's and Communion at St James'
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4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church - Communion
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Advance Notices
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The Mothers' Union group is having a meeting on Tuesday 19 May 6pm-7.30pm at St Edmund's. If you're interested in joining the group or would like more information about Mothers Union, you're welcome to come along to the meeting.
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23rd May Cricket Match - see below and get in touch with Malik to register.
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Rev'd Elizabeth's Ordination to the Priesthood 27th June 2pm at Manchester Cathedral
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Iona's Ordination: June 28th 10.30am at Manchester Cathedral.
Prayer Pointers- based on Acts 1.6-14, Psalm 68.1-10, 32-end, John 17.1-11
1. Deeper awareness of God’s presence
Lord, open our eyes to recognise that You are not distant from us, but near to us in every moment of life. Help us to seek You honestly and discover Your presence in our homes, workplaces, communities, and worship. Give us hearts that hunger for truth and long to know You more deeply.
2. Returning to the arms of God
God of mercy, where we have wandered from Your ways, call us back again. Reveal the things that keep us from loving You and loving others well. Lead us into lives marked by integrity, compassion, justice, and holiness, that we may reflect Christ more clearly in the world.
3. Courage to witness to Christ
Jesus, give us courage like Paul in Athens to speak about faith with gentleness, wisdom, and confidence. Help us to share the hope of the resurrection with a world searching for meaning, and teach us how to speak truthfully and lovingly with those who are uncertain, wounded, or seeking.
4. Thankful hearts
Lord, we praise You for the ways You sustain and protect us. Even through trials and difficulties, You have remained faithful. Teach us not only to cry out in times of need, but also to become people who continually give thanks, remembering Your goodness with joy.
5. Re-aligning our hearts with Christ's
Merciful God, search our hearts and cleanse us from hidden sin, bitterness, pride, or resentment. May our prayers not simply be words we speak, but lives that are turned toward You. Create in us honesty, humility, and a spirit ready to receive Your transforming grace.
6. Gift of the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, dwell within us and remain with us. In moments of loneliness, fear, confusion, or uncertainty, remind us that we are not abandoned or orphaned. Fill us with comfort, wisdom, peace, and strength so that we may live as people rooted in the love of Christ.
7. Re-shaping by love and obedience
Lord Jesus, teach us that obedience is not fear-driven duty, but loving relationship with You. Help us to keep Your commandments through lives shaped by compassion, forgiveness, mercy, justice, and love. May the world see Your life revealed through the way we treat one another.