Tamworth and Lichfield Methodist Circuit Videos

On Sunday 31st December, we gathered at St Andrew's Methodist Church to say our Farewell's to Deacon Joy Sykes. We shared in prayers, readings and hymns/carols; Deacon Joy and Rev. Jo led 2 messages; and we presented Joy with gifts, thanking her for her devotion and service to our Circuit. As she makes her final preparations for her move later this week, we want to wish her God's richest blessing and strength as she moves to her new appointment in Bradford. "The Lord will send his angel with you and will make your mission successful." 📖 (Genesis 24:40)

Happy Christmas! As you celebrate the excitement of the day, may you be reminded of God’s love for you when he sent us an extraordinary gift – Jesus, light of the world. The extraordinary gift that keeps on giving to us today. We keep our gaze focussed on the light that shines in the darkness, the light that cannot be extinguished, the light that shines love, joy and hope through us into a world that needs Good News. We invite you to pray with us 🙏

Happy Christmas May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas. Amen.

How often do we have a conversation with someone, and we don’t truly listen and pay attention to what they’re saying? We sit with them and hear the words, but don’t really listen. It can be the same with God. God’s message is out there all the time. In the things that we may consider ordinary – a conversation with a friend, neighbour; a walk in the park; in the peace and quiet. But how ready are we to listen? This Christmas Eve, let us open our ears to listen, our eyes to see and our hearts to love. Let's be messengers of Good News. We invite you to pray with us 🙏

If your life was made into a story, what would be in it? How would you describe it? No story is perfect - and yours may not be - it may have twists, turns, cliff hangers and tragedies, and that's all ok. Whatever your story holds, and will hold in the future, God is with you. "I’ll be with you, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Today we ask God to shine through us - through our words and actions - that others may glimpse his light. Head to our website to think more about stepping out of the ordinary this Christmas by reading the Advent Reflections: www.tamworthandlichfieldmethodist.org.uk/advent-reflections @methodistchurchgb Lichfield Methodist Church

Sunday Highlights from Trinity Methodist Church in Shenstone where we celebrated our Christmas Tree Service. A wonderful, community filled, service in which we sung some well-known carols, dedicated toys to be sent to the Birmingham City Mission Toy Link Scheme, and celebrated the community activities around Shenstone. Thank you to all the community groups that decorated trees to be displayed. 🎄

We often follow a pattern of familiarity - not only at Christmas, but also in our everyday lives. Same routine, same traditions. Whilst there's comfort in that, there may be missed opportunities of encountering and experiencing greatness and beauty. Today we ask God to challenge us and give us strength to think about how we can dust off and change our ways. Head to our website to think more about stepping out of the ordinary this Christmas by reading the Advent Reflections: www.tamworthandlichfieldmethodist.org.uk/advent-reflections @methodistchurchgb The Methodist Church Lichfield Methodist Church

Today, on the first Sunday in Advent, we begin our journey of preparation. So much of this time is filled with a calendar of activities and gatherings. In the busy-ness and anticipation of the season, we can find extraordinary treasures, we just need to be open to see them. Each Sunday during Advent, we will be hitting the pause button to be still. We invite you to do the same by praying with us through these "Advent Prayer and Reflection" videos or by visiting our website to read through the written reflections. Advent God, challenge us today. 🙏

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

Stuck with what to do during Half Term? Why not join us at St Andrew's Methodist Church (Thackeray Drive) for our AUTUMN MESSY CHURCH? Saturday 28th October, 2-4pm. Come along and meet friends, and enjoy crafting, stories and food! ALL welcome. (Children must be accompanied by an adult)

Your Easter Eggs may all be eaten and the Easter weekend be a distant memory, but we'll be rejoicing about our Risen Lord Jesus for days, weeks, months, years to come! Here are some highlights from a weekend of Reflections, Walks, Crafts, Food, and Celebrations across the Circuit ✝️ #Easter #Easterholidays #holyweek #happyeaster #heisrisen #alleluia #sunrise #food #craft #family

It is night... It is still; It is dark; It is quiet. 🙏

Holy Saturday ✝ As we pause to reflect, we invite you to sit with a stone - a symbol to remind us of the entrance of the tomb where Jesus was buried. Whilst you sit with a stone and listen to the Prayer that Jo reads to us, we watch and wait for the glimmers of hope on the horizon as we await the third day. #holysaturday #holyweek #reflect #stone #jesus #hope #wait

Good Friday ✝ As we pause to reflect, we invite you to sit with some nails as a reminder of the suffering Jesus endured when he died on the cross. Whilst you sit with the nails, we invite you to share in the prayer that Gemma will read to us. Today is a day of reflection, for prayer and for gratitude - what will you be reflecting on and be thankful for today in prayer? #goodfriday #holyweek #friday #nails #home #reflect #cross #prayer #thankful

Maundy Thursday 🌿 As we pause to reflect, we invite you to sit with some bread as a reminder of the events of Maundy Thursday. Take a piece of bread and eat it slowly and thoughtfully, reflecting on the meal, Jesus washing his friends' feet, the garden of Gethsemane and the betrayal. Whilst you pause and reflect, you might like to consider something you could share with someone - you could invite them to share in bread and wine with you this evening. #MaundyThursday #HolyWeek #bread #wine #meal #betrayal #garden

Holy Wednesday ✝ As we pause to reflect, we invite you to sit with some coins as a reminder of the betrayal that Judas made - "They paid him 30 pieces of silver". Whilst you sit with the the coins and listen to the Prayer that Gill reads to us, you might like to consider a positive action you could make with the money, for example donating to charity - perhaps a charity you wouldn't usually support. #holywednesday #holyweek #coins #money #home #reflect #donate #charity

Holy Tuesday ✝ As we pause to reflect, we invite you to sit with a lit candle - a symbol to remind us that we are children of light. Whilst you sit with the light of the candle and listen to the Prayer that James reads to us, you might like to consider a person or family that could get in touch with who you haven’t connected with for a long time - check in with them and catch up on the days, weeks, years you may have missed. #holytuesday #holyweek #candle #home #reflect #connect

Holy Monday ✝ As we pause to reflect, we invite you to sit in the sweet aromas of some perfume or a candle - a symbol to remind us of the extravagant gesture Mary did when anointing Jesus' feet. Whilst you sit with the sweet smells around you and listen to the Prayer that Wendy reads to us, you might like to think about something beautiful that you could do for someone. #holymonday #holyweek #journey #perfume #candle #home

Palm Sunday 🌿 As we pause to reflect, we invite you to sit with a Palm Cross - a symbol to remind us of the journey Jesus took into Jerusalem. A journey on a donkey, with the crowds of people welcoming him, waving their palm branches and shouting Hosanna. Whilst you sit with your Palm Cross and listen to the Prayer that Jo reads to us, you might like to consider how you might be more welcoming to others this week. #PalmSunday #Palm #Cross #Welcome #Prayer

Weekly Lent Groups in Glascote, Alrewas and St Andrews ⛪ Alrewas Methodist Church - Wednesday, 10:45am-12:00pm, Bible Study "The Kingdom of God is Justice & Peace" Glascote Methodist Church - Wednesday, 12:30-1:30pm, Lenten Soup & Prayer All Saints Church, Alrewas - Wednesday, 7:00-8:00pm, Bible Study "The Greatest Showman" St Andrew's Methodist Church - Thursday, 1:00-2:00pm, Lenten Soup & Prayers All are welcome to join to share in fellowship and discussion as we journey through Lent