Community

It was like a spring day when we had our HOTS session at St Martin’s.  We even enjoyed the sun warming our faces at times. The Market place was busy and there were lots of people from all faith, culture, social and economic backgrounds. I guess it was just like this when Jesus sent his disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. We do not need to go out very far at St Martin’s to do that. It seems that ‘all nations and faiths’ have come to our doorsteps, and this seemed especially true on that Saturday. Having all nations and faiths around us is good but it can create a sense of confusion. Before we went outside to pray, Digby, one of our team members, told us of this incident: “I happened to be walking through a field of sheep when they all gathered together and came to within a few yards of me. They must have thought I was the farmer. I then started talking to them, but as soon as they heard my voice they all ran away. It reminded me about the words of Jesus in John

WHOLE CHURCH LENT COURSE  For the period of Lent, we will be following the study “Glimpses of God” by York Courses.  Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, from 19:00 to 20:30 hours in the Deritend Training Room at Church.  The course booklet is available from the Church Shop or at the course, cost £3.40. We live in turbulent times. In this course, Canon David Winter draws on the Bible as he shows where we can find strength and encouragement as we live through the 21st century. Under the title Glimpses of God, this course brings a message of hope. Session 1 (20th February 2013) The God who hears our cry Session 2 (27th February 2013) The Shepherd who guides and guards his people Session 3 (6th March 2013) The Son who is the Way, the Truth and the Life Session 4 (13th March 2013) The God who shares our pain Session 5 (20th March 2013) The God who calms our fears The course booklet, written by Canon David Winter, includes questions aimed at provoking wide-ranging discussion. Each g

Week Beginning: Sunday 24th February 2013. Question 7: Why and how should I tell others? Bible readings: Acts 1:1-8, Luke 10:1-23. Discussion Questions: 1. When was the last time you heard something that was ‘good news’? Did you tell anyone about it? How? Why? 2. The word ‘Gospel’ means ‘Good News’…in what ways is the Christian message good news to you? How might knowing about Jesus be good news to others? 3. Are there times when you have shared the Good News of Jesus with others? When? How did you do it? What happened? 4. Read these 3 statements: 1. Just sharing the Gospel through saying words can be hollow. 2. Just sharing the Gospel through who you are being is passive. 3. Just sharing the Gospel through what you are doing is ambiguous. Do you agree? Which ways of sharing the Good News of Jesus do you find easy/uncomfortable? Which ways do you find difficult/uncomfortable? Are there things that you could do differently? 5. Don’t forget, this isn’t something that we do on our o

Week Beginning: Sunday 17th February 2013. Question 6: What does the Holy Spirit do? Bible readings: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 14:25-27. Discussion Questions: 1. Does every Christian have the Holy Spirit? (see John 3:5; Romans 8:9-10) 2. Do you think it’s selfish to pray to have ‘more of the Holy Spirit’? 3. Is the work of the Holy Spirit for our own ‘private’ enjoyment or does it have some other purpose? (see 1 Corinthians 12) 4. Will the Holy Spirit lead us astray? (see John 14:25-27) Activity: Either on your own or in a group, Sit down and invite the Holy Spirit to do His work in you by praying “Come Holy Spirit”. Then spend the next few minutes in silience, perhaps with your hands open in a gesture of recieving. Finally finish by saying this prayer: Thank you Father that you have sent the Holy Spirit to be a seal of our inheritance until the day we meet Jesus Christ face-to-face. Holy Spirit I give you permission to continue your refining

Dear all, Yesterday it was Ash Wednesday when the Church marks the beginning of Lent. In the Ash Wednesday liturgy we say, ‘dust you are; to dust you will return.’ The writer of Genesis 3 where this text comes from could not have been more scientifically correct. To be human is to be dust. So on Ash Wednesday we are reminded that we are only human. For many Christians, ashes are a symbol of being sorry for the things they have done wrong and want to get rid of. It is also a reminder to them that we all come from ashes and to ashes we all return. The marking of the cross on the forehead with ash is a sign of their commitment to Jesus Christ and God. ‘The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart he will not despise’ (Psalm 51:17) We had a very good team at this HOTS session. We had 12 members. What a good number to have! Also we had quite a few who hadn’t been for a while. After the session, when we met together for de-briefing and prayer they said that they were

Aged 16-29? Searching for something more? Looking to explore or refresh your faith? Wondering what to do with your life? Saturday 10th – Monday 19th August 2013 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Taizé At Taizé there is an opportunity to share life and worship with thousands of people from all over the world and time for Bible study, discussion, silence and fun. Being part of a group from Birmingham means that we prepare well beforehand and reflect together while we’re there. Those who travelled with us last year found it a really enjoyable and transformative experience. This year’s pilgrimage will be led by Faith Claringbull, Susannah Rudge, Manda Howett, Oli Preston and Tom Ruston. There will be an introductory meeting at St Francis, Bournville on Saturday 23rd February, 12.30-2.30pm. The church is at Sycamore Road/Linden Road, B30 2AA. It would be helpful to know numbers in advance. If you would like more information, would like to watch a 4-minute youtube clip of the 2012 pil

Week Beginning: Sunday 10th February 2013. Question 5: Who is the Holy Spirit? Bible readings: 1 Corinthians 2:12-16, John 14:15-21. Discussion Questions: 1. Choose one of the 3 images we’ve mentioned this morning: ‘fire’, ‘wind’ & ‘water’. How has it helped you to understand more clearly who the Holy Spirit is & what the Holy Spirit does? 2. Romans 8:27 refers to the Holy Spirit helping us in our weakness and relates it to weakness in prayer. Have you ever experienced this before and how do you think it might be possible in the future? 3. In what areas of your life do you want the Holy Spirit to turn your timidity or fear into boldness and courage? 4. Can you identify one way in which this session: “who is the Holy Spirit?” has helped you to a clearer understanding? Further resources for those exploring… Websites: www.alpha.org Books: “I believe in the Holy Spirit” – Michael Green & “On in the Spirit” – David Watson.

Week Beginning: Sunday 3rd February 2013. Question 4: How and why should I read the Bible? Bible readings: 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Matthew 5:17-20. Discussion Questions: 1. What are your experiences of reading the Bible? (Regularly? Only hear it when read in church? Difficult? Challengin? Enjoyable? Baffling?) 2. Have you read anything in the Bible that has challenged an aspect of your beliefs and behaviour? 3. Do you believe the Bible is God’s word and can speak to us today? Can you give an example of how this has happened?  Meditation on the Bible (Lectio Divinia) Chose a passage from the Bible (one of Jesus’ parables is a good starting point). Read the passage through slowly 3 times, as you do notice and words or phrases that you particularly notice, any questions you might have. Spend time reflecting on these and pray for God’s insight. Then be still and open to receive from God.  Further resources for those exploring… Websites: www.alpha.org / www.wordlive.org/Lectio  Books: R

On Wednesday 13th February to mark the beginning of Lent we will be joining with the World Prayer Centre at St Martin’s, to have an afternoon of prayer, praying specifically for the City of Birmingham and it’s people. The afternoon will begin at 12pm with a short act of worship that will include the imposition of ashes and will finish with an Ash Wednesday Service with Holy Communion at 6pm. Throughout the afternoon there will be prayer stations, times of guided prayer and a chance to prayer walk around the Bull Ring. Please do come along for all or part of the afternoon if you can. If you are unable to be with us – we do encourage you to set aside some time during the afternoon to join with us in prayer for the City wherever you may be. Click here to visit the Regular Services page. Photo by gocyclones – Flickr