We welcome you to all our services and activities

Do join us for tea, coffee and a chat after this morning’s worship.

Spring at Llangollen Methodist Church

Sunday 20th May

Sunday 27th May

Sunday 3rd June

Sunday 10th June

Sunday 11th June

Sunday 17th June

Sunday 24th June

Our Congratulations and best wishes to all who are celebrating:– Mavis Evans celebrating her 80th birthday on Thursday

Today’s flowers provided by Mavis Evans to celebrate her 80th birthday & in memory of her parents.

Today’s ReadingsJohn 17:6–19

Page 105 in New Testament section of the pew Bible

Acts 1:15–17 & 21–26Page 111 in New Testament section

of the pew Bible

20th May 2012 Number – 666

Information for ‘Riverside Weekly’ should be sent to the editor,

Norman Pybus (01978) 861390 Email:-editor@llangollenmethodist.org.ukPage 2

Sunday 20th May:–9:30 Singing Practice11:00 All Age Worship — Biddy CrossfieldOur music today is played by Ted Blackman. Today’s refreshments are provided by George & Kath Griffiths, and the books were given out by Marion Blackman. Rachel Horne greeted you at the door. Today’s Steward is Kate Collins

Norman Pybus & Sheila Spedding will be reading the scriptures.

Sunday 27th May:–9:30 Singing Practice10:45 Bible Club — in the Memorial Hall11:00 Pentecost Communion — Rev Una McLeanOrganist — Ted Blackman Books —Nan Edwards Refreshments — Bernadette Maxwell & Eileen LomaxDoor — Sue Cheshire Readings — Yvonne Davies & Rachel Horne

If you have ideas for the F-team or the next Local Arrangement either see Colin or come to the meetings on

Monday or Saturday.

It will be the next church coffee morning on Tuesday 29th

May, so plan to be there and help or provide items for sale or the raffle.

We are planning a Jubilee Coffee Morning for Tuesday 5th June, if you have any ideas or can help please contact

Norman or Elisabeth.

Read about Paul and the armour of God — these thought came out of preparation for BB camp at Quinta this weekend!

Norman

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Riverside Weekly is online at:–http://www.llangollenmethodist.org.uk/

Monday 21st May10:00 till 4:00 Jan & Don’s art sale for the homeless and needy — in the

Memorial Hall

7:00 — F-team meeting in the vestry — come along with your ideas or tell Colin about them.Tuesday 22nd May10:00 Coffee Morning for Llantysilio Church — in the Memorial Hall6:00 Boys’ Brigade — Anchors & JuniorWednesday 23rd May10:00 Prayer Group — in the Vestry7:00 Boys’ Brigade — Company & Seniors — Memorial Hall Friday 25th May10:00 till 4:00 Jan & Don’s art sale for the homeless and needy — in the

Memorial HallSaturday 26th May10:00 till 4:00 Jan & Don’s art sale for the homeless and needy — in the

Memorial Hall

10:30 — Local Arrangement Plan-ning meeting at the Buttered Crust

— come along if you have any ideas for the service, or pass them on to Colin

The Salvation Army in Wrexham are in desperate need of clothing for younger men — please see Jan & Don for details.

T h e C o m i n g W e e k

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Wrexham Methodist Circuit

Jesus, alive in us - together and apart

Opportunities For Ministry

All to start September 1st 2012

Part-time Circuit Administrator:

• we are looking for someone who is a competent administrator and able to assist with a range of responsibilities including Circuit mailings and meetings, the Plan and Directory, and general enquiries.

• based at Wrexham Regent Street for two mornings each week;

• 4 hours/week, £10/hour.

Voluntary Lay Workers:

We are hoping to appoint two Voluntary Lay Workers, one based in the central section and one in the southern section of the Circuit. Both must be able to offer at least two days/week to Circuit Ministry, with agreed expenses paid. They will be part of the Circuit Staff Team, meeting regularly with one or both of the Ordained Circuit Ministers.

Voluntary Lay Worker - Central Section:

• we are looking for someone with a heart for mission to help develop youth-based work at Rhosnesni, to assist with Messy Church and related outreach in Brymbo and to both support and develop work at Regent Street;

• Supervised by Richard.

Voluntary Lay Worker - Southern Section:

• we are looking for someone with a heart for people to work with Una across the southern part of the Circuit, and in particular to assist with the Parents And Toddlers In Overton (PATIO Group), Messy Church initiatives and to seek to develop pastoral outreach and connections with the communities.

• Supervised by Una.

Closing date for all above posts June 30th.

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BBC1 — 4:25 today (Sunday 20th May) — Songs of Praise - Spirituals

The Adventist Vocal Ensemble, Tessera and Jeharna South, sing classic African-American spirituals; and David Grant talks to Bonnie Greer and Robert Beckford

about the remarkable origins and popularity of these songs.

Radio 2 — 8:30 this evening (Sunday 20th May) —Sunday Half Hour

Diane Louise Jordan celebrates Jesus’ ascension into heaven with hymns and songs including The head that once was crowned with thorns, Crown him with many crowns and Hail the day that sees him rise. With the Alumni Choir of Portsmouth, directed by David Thorne, accompanied by Jeffrey Makinson. Producer: Simon Vivian.

Wrexham Schools Worker:

• we are looking for someone who is between 16-23 years of age and who wants to take a year ON developing youth work in association with Rhosnesni High School and local Churches;

• this is an ecumenical post, sponsored by Wrexham CYTUN/Mission Wrexham;

• the worker will be working within and supervised by the St Giles’ RE Centre;

• this is a one year post only and is part of the Methodist ONE Programme;

• 15 hours/week, £7.80/hour (Living Wage);

• 9 hours worked locally and 6 hours connexionally (wider Methodist Church events).

Closing date for Schools Worker post June 18th

Please speak to one of the Circuit Ministers (Richard, Chris, Una or Meryl) if you are interested. Application packs from Richard Sharpies:

Wrexham Methodist Church, Regent St, Wrexham, LL11 1RY

Tel: 01978 361489 Monday-Thursday 9:00am — 1:00pm

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Rome at last

Paul sat in the large room in his lodgings and thought. Well he had arrived in Rome at last, but it’s not quite as he had imagined. It was a good house to stay in, the rent could be afforded for and there was room for his companions. All those in Rome who were interested in God’s Way could come and listen to him and discuss his teachings. But it was the restrictions that made it different — the guards, the chains, soldiers with armour, shield and sword part of every conversation — but he was not in the prison, and he could see anyone he wanted (as long as they came to see him), read his books and manuscripts and send letters to his friends.

He thought about the route to Rome, all the things that happened on the way. There was always opposition, and he knew where it all came from. He had learnt about the enemy. Then as he considered those he had met as he travelled around the known world, his friends, helpers, supporters and brothers and sisters; he knew; he was certain; he must warn them and show them where to turn for the help they would need to defend themselves from the enemies attacks.

The guards were always there and as he looked he thought about them. He read the books, Isaiah, Psalms, Proverbs, and the books of the Law and Doctor Luke’s ‘History of Jesus’ where he wrote up all the interviews he had with those who lived with Jesus — and then he knew, he saw the picture of what his friends all needed to know. So he sent for Tychicus to bring his pen and parchment, and he dictated the letter, to those in Ephesus with instructions to pass it on to the other groups of Christians all over the province of Asia.

As the guards heard him dictate what did they think! They were the picture he used; their armour, shield and sword were a picture of God’s protection for the Christians under attack!

The letter went out and got to Ephesus, it was then circulated to all the Christians looking for help in those difficult and often perilous times, and they were encouraged because the Lord had not left them defenceless

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— but he had provided his armour for them to defend themselves from the attacks of evil, they could stand and know that the enemy of their souls could not defeat them because Jesus and his spirit was with them.

This is what Paul wrote to them, and it is for us today to likewise be protected from the attacks of evil:‒

11 Put on God’s armour so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil.

12 We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.

13 Therefore, pick up the full armour of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand.

14 So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, righteousness as your breastplate,

15 and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace.

16 Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

18 Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers.

— Ephesians 6 verse 11–18

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A few point to ponder as we read these words of Paul:–• Why do we need to learn about the armour of God?

• What book do Christians know to be true?

• What does righteousness mean?

• What is the Good News of Peace?

• How can the Shield of Faith help you stop doubting?

• What does salvation mean?

• Why does Paul in Ephesians call the Bible the sword of the Spirit?

• Can we find the time to pray for all believers, whether here or elsewhere in the world?

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Illustrations from “the Armor of God” Vocation Bible School material © Tara Merrill 2009

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PrayersO Love most powerful, strengthen me.O Love most sweet, let me taste your goodness.O Love most dear, let me live for you alone.O Love most faithful, comfort and support me.O Love most companionable, accompany all my deeds.O Love most victorious, persevere with me to the end;for your own name’s sake. Amen.

St Gertrude of Helfta (1256–1302)

Lord, in your word you have promised that all who hope in you shall renew their strength.They shall soar like eagles; they shall run and never grow weary; they shall walk and never faint.Thank you for that promise to me today.As I run my daily race of life, you are with me and within me; your presence is behind me to protect me; in front of me to lead me; beneath my feet to guide me; above my head to watch over me; beside me to accompany me; all around me to encompass me with your love.So, wherever this day may lead me, or wherever this race may end, nothing can separate me from you, for I am in Christ and he is in me.Amen.

© Ian Henderson, President of the MethodistChurch in Ireland, 2011/2012

Prayer & PraiseEphesians 6:18Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

(The Message)

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Praise & Thanks:– = Rejoice in the message of the Ascension = Praise for the continual support of our friends in the Church

Prayers & Requests:– = For Rev Una as she prepares for our Pentecost Communion next Sunday. = The President of Conference, Rev Leo Osborn and The Vice-President of

Conference, Ruth Pickles, at the Aldersgate Service, at St John’s College, Durham; the Wesley Day Celebrations in London; and on their visit to Cornwall District.

= Bob Bell = Norman & Dorothy King = Dan Parry

Circuit prayer focus this Sunday:- Circuit Staff

Please pray for the Circuit Leadership Team and Circuit Staff, as they seek to see a way forward with fewer paid staff, but with a more lay ministry, greater team working and with a greater role for Supernumerary Ministers. Pray for plans towards appointing a Circuit Administrator and Voluntary Lay Workers.

WordforToday

For free daily readings see Elisabeth or Norman

How Badly Do You Want It?“...You have great faith! Your

request is granted...’’Matthew 15:28

Matthew records: ‘A Canaanite woman...came to him, crying

out, “Lord...My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession” ...He answered, “I was sent only to...Israel...It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted’’ (vv. 22-28 NIV). This Gentile woman was an outsider, yet she pushed through

and got what comfortable insiders often miss. Talk about hurdles! First, Jesus refused to answer her. Next, He said, ‘What I have is only for the Jews.’ Finally He said, ‘It wouldn’t be right to give the children’s bread to dogs.’ Most of us would have walked away offended. Not her! She cried, ‘Have mercy on me.’ She wasn’t asking for what she deserved, she was crying out for what she needed! As a result, Jesus removed every obstacle and answered her prayer. And if you persist, He will do the same for you too. In reality, this woman told Jesus, ‘Let the children have the bread, all I need are the crumbs.’ Church folks become so complacent that they neglect the bread, waste the bread, complain about the bread, and sometimes don’t even come to church to get the bread. But desperate people pick up the crumbs and find life! They know that if there’s power in the loaf, there’s power in the crumb. And when a crumb is all you can get, a crumb is all you need. So what do you need from God today? How badly do you want it?

Published by UCB, Stoke on Trent