Northfield Methodist Church

Dear Friends

The Lenten journey, preparing us for our 2010 encounter with Jesus of the cross and the grave, has begun! The Ash Wednesday call was to use Lent to address the secrets we keep in a way that God can bring healing to us and to others.

Around the dinner table before Lent, my children informed me that fizzy drinks, chocolates and Play Station are on the "what we cut out list" for Lent. May whatever is on your list; raise your awareness not only of lurking temptations but also of God's presence in the face of those temptations.

Lent is also about taking on "food" for the journey. As a result, the focus on the Sundays of Lent will be "How Jesus touches lives". As we reflect on interactions Jesus has with various people, our prayer is that each one of us may experience Jesus similarly. We also use this Sunday for our annual Covenant Service, a time of dedicating ourselves to a life formed and moulded by God for His good purpose and glory.

Added to Sunday worship, is the invitation to journey to Easter on either the 'Removing rocks from our river' programme for men or the women's Lent Series, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' taking place on Saturday mornings for an hour starting at 07:00am.

Lastly there are a number of opportunities to serve at present - the Soup Kitchen being one. Acts of service make wonderful preparation for Easter.

We remain mindful over Lent of those on the Alpha journey, those on the new members course, those doing Confirmation this year and those individuals and families that have baptisms. There are also a number of people amongst us who find heartache, disease and grief currently pressing in on them. May each of you experience something of the new life offered through Christ.

Shalom
The Ministry Team