December 2019 January 2020 - Lansdowne Church
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Life December 2019 January 2020
There’s part of me that wants to hide for the next month! To find a deserted island in the Pacific where I can feel the sand beneath my feet until the noise of Christmas and the New Year is well and truly over. I doubt I’m the only one who has such escapist dreams. I reckon that Brexit fatigue has turned more of us than ever into those who wish we were somewhere else in December and January. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not Scrooge. Christmas is not humbug. Certainly not if you believe in Christ. Christian faith turns the clichés of the season into a wonderful time of the year. It speaks real hope into all that commercially manufactured joy. The message of the manger is that in Jesus, God has taken our humanity to himself. The Creator became our Saviour! That’s good news worth celebrating and inviting others to find out about through the excellent Lansdowne Christmas Programme that has been organised. And those January resolutions can be triggers for trusting God in new and exciting ways as we look forward. So the other part of me definitely wants to be here over the next month to sing carols, open presents, eat too much and see the New Year in. I do like the sound and look of 2020, and we have a great Church Motto to go with it. 2020 is to be a year of Mission in which we grow in confidence as we share how our story has been folded into the story of God. Peter Baker | Senior Minister
“
Flames dance from the fire,
the wood crackles, the smell
of candles permeates the air
and my mind drifts towards
”
Christmas. It is that time of year when I start
compiling lists; my card list, gift list
and list of the people to invite around.
You want to wish Seasons Greetings; to
neighbours, work colleagues, friends and
family. I mustn’t miss anyone out!
I suddenly have a thought… I worry about
not sending a card or giving a gift, but
have I ever told them about the greatest
gift or even invited them to a carol
service? Am I too caught up in the secular
Christmas traditions? I tell all, well,
all my church friends, that Christmas
revolves around the birth of Jesus.
Christmas is the easiest time to let people
know about Jesus. Most enjoy a good
carol and are open to being invited to
a carol service and wouldn’t think I’m
weird if I ask them. In fact, a lot of my
friends would probably welcome the
invitation. I can let the preacher do the
hard part and I can pray whilst he speaks
and then be open to any questions that
they may have.
For those who are not able to make it, I
can let them know what I have been up
to at Christmas and let them know why I
want to celebrate Jesus’ birth as we chat
about what we have been doing in the
holidays.
As I look at my lists again, I view them
in a different light. Who haven’t I told or
invited? This is now going to be my main
priority. I would love them all to accept
the greatest gift that they can receive.
I sit, stop and pray!
Gaynor Brown | Member
g a n d
at Lansdowne Church
Si n
e b ra t e
cel
w i th u s
5 December:
Advent Prayer Central 7:30pm
8 December:
Students and Internationals Carol Service
6:30pm (at LCC)
15 December:
Carols by Candlelight 5:00pm and 7:30pm
22 December:
All Age Service 9:15am and 11:15am
(no evening service)
25 December:
Reflective Service 9:00am,
Celebration Service 10:30am
29 December:
10:30am service
6:30pm Prayer and Praise evening
When Rev Dr Chris Wright was with us for a Mission
Sunday some years ago, he helpfully pointed out that
there were five Biblical aspects to global mission –
evangelism, teaching, caring for creation, justice
and compassion. There is no doubt that Dennis
and Sheila’s ministry in Malawi encompasses
all these aspects. Evangelism – explaining
the Gospel to children, individuals and groups;
teaching – Sunday ministry and conferences for
men and women, not to mention the audio Bibles;
caring for creation – setting up irrigation systems
so that much needed food can be made available and
water more readily accessible; justice – seeking to
help the vulnerable and marginalised; and compassion
which is expressed in everything they do from a programme
of re-building homes destroyed in the cyclone, taking people to
Sheila Eaton
An evening with
Dennis and
hospital, comforting the sick, the dying and the bereaved.
On Saturday 18 January 7.30 pm Dennis and Sheila will be sharing
something of how the Lord has been working during their last two
periods of ministry. Refreshments served from 7.00 pm.
Linda Fox | Mission Council
Mark Barrell lives in Maputo, Mozambique where he, his wife
Susanna and youngest child Lizzie moved to in January
2018 with BMS World Mission, whom they also served
with in Uganda between 2001 and 2006. He assists
the ministry of the Association of Mozambican
Christian Lawyers (AMAC) helping local Christian
lawyers develop access to justice programmes,
whilst encouraging their witness to Christ in the
legal profession. Susanna’s ministry provides
opportunities for vulnerable, abused and disabled
women through a sewing initiative called “Capaz”
(“Able”).
Mark, a qualified solicitor, was involved in the practice
of family law for twelve years. From 2010, and prior to
moving to Mozambique, he was the Executive Director of
Mark Barrell
A Sunday with
the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship in the UK. Their son Jacob works
for BMS World Mission as their Events Producer and Film Designer and
other daughter Annie is in her final year reading History at Sheffield
University. Mark has appeared in an Oscar winning film and still believes
Wolves will one day win the Premier league.
Mark will be speaking at all our services on Sunday 12 January 2020.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God
that brings salvation to everyone
who believes.
Romans 1:16
“Unashamed”! This gospel of a handful of nails and a
broken body was a message of such glory
Presumably, when Paul the apostle told that Paul would give everything he had to
the Christians in Rome that he wasn’t proclaim it, whatever the consequences.
ashamed of the gospel, he had experienced
in some way and at some point exactly that So as we embrace this text as our Motto
temptation! for 2020, in what will be a year of Mission,
perhaps it's no bad thing to begin by
We know for example, that in his pre acknowledging that we too are not immune
Christian life Saul had hated the gospel. to being ashamed of the gospel.
He had concluded that Jesus of Nazareth ,
a crucified man, was an embarrassment to Our silence or nervousness can be an
good Jews like him. admission that in work, home and
neighbourhood, we don't always find it
But such was the transformation in Saul, easy to live with confidence as disciples of
that not only did he change his name but Christ. Our society with its secular agenda
also the direction of his entire life. All can appear to be a very powerful voice which
because what once he believed to be a weak drowns out the message of the cross. It is
message was in fact strong. tempting to keep quiet and not rock the
boat.
Perhaps even as a follower of Jesus, Paul had
not been entirely without those times when
But Paul would encourage us to speak up.
he felt the awkwardness of faith in Christ.
For there is nothing in science, history or
On numerous occasions the Lord has to
literature which has anything like the kind
reassure him in the middle of a mission,
of power which the good news of Jesus
“don't be afraid.... keep on speaking .”
possesses. In the gospel is freedom and
forgiveness, hope and love, unmatched and
And here he was addressing people
unrivalled.
who lived in the capital of an Empire
synonymous with power, about a message
Let this year of 2020 be one in which we
of a Saviour whom Roman power had killed.
know and tell the gospel with unashamed
confidence. It has saved us and it can save
Yet in this gospel, Paul claimed, was the others.
power of God to save anyone and everyone.
Peter Baker | Senior MinisterSomething for Everyone
(check website for latest information)
Stepping Stones (for children under 2), Footsteps (for 2-4 Year Olds), Ground Breakers
(for School Years Reception – Year 6) Sunday mornings at Woodbury Avenue, 9:15am
and 11:15am. Children stay in for the first 15 minutes of the service.
Jelly Tots (Toddler group for pre-school children and their parents/carers)
Woodbury Avenue, 10.00am – 11:30am on Wednesdays (Term-time)
St Augustin’s Church Hall, 10:00 – 11:45am on Thursdays (Term-time)
Hi5 (school years 2-6)
Kids club, Friday evenings, Term-time, 6:30pm -7:45pm
Mum’s Bible Study (For mums with young children)
Alternate Mondays, Term-time, 10 – 12pm, Woodbury Avenue.
Lansdowne Youth (for school years 7-9).
Focus - Fridays: 7:30pm - 9:00pm (term-time).
Focus- Sundays: 11:00am - 12:30pm.
CYFA (school years 10-13)
Wednesdays: 7:30pm - 9:30pm (term-time).
‘Life’ for Students and 18- 30s
Mondays at 7:00pm at Naked Coffee (4 Christchurch Rd)/and other locations.
Women of Lansdowne
All meetings start at 10:00am with tea/coffee and brunch.
Men of Lansdowne
All meetings start at 8:00am with tea/coffee and breakfast.
Life Explored (check website for dates)
Join us on Monday evenings for dinner and the chance to explore the bigger picture of
life together. Evenings include dinner, a short film and chance to discuss informally.
Castle Coffee
Thursdays between 10:00am-12:00pm at Woodbury Avenue.
Join us for a coffee and a chat. Everyone welcome.
In Touch
Providing practical and spiritual help to the homeless.
Every Tuesday and Friday at 11:45am at St Augustin’s Church, Bournemouth.
International Cafe
Fridays at 8:00pm at Naked Coffee (4 Christchurch Rd).
Prime Time
Daytime group that meets on a monthly basis at Woodbury Avenue
Connect Groups – An informal introductory group for newcomers or those who don’t
yet feel connected to Lansdowne Church.
www.lansdownechurch.ukKey Dates
December 2019/January 2020
1 December SUN AM Peter Baker: Isaiah 9: 1-6 The Promise of a Divine Child
1 December SUN PM Peter Baker: Isaiah 11:1-9 The Promise of a New Creation
2 December MON Exploring Christianity 7:00pm | WA
5 December THU Advent Prayer Central/Forum 7:30pm | WA
7 December SAT Women of Lansdowne 10:00am | WA
8 December SUN AM Peter Baker: Isaiah 40 The Promise of Great comfort (Communion)
8 December SUN PM Mike Smailes: Luke 1: 26-38: The Promise of a Suprising word
W/C 9 December: Small Groups meet at various times/locations
10 December TUE Elders’ Meeting 7:00pm
11 December WED Building Prayer 12:30pm | WA
14 December SAT Men of Lansdowne 8:00am | WA
15 December SUN AM Miles Tradewell: Luke 1: 39-56 The Promise of a Kingdom
15 December SUN PM Carol Services 5pm/7:30pm | WA Peter Baker: Luke 2: 1-20
19 December THU Members’ Meeting 7:30pm | WA
20 December FRI In Touch Christmas Lunch 11:45am | SA
22 December SUN AM Keith Jewell: All-Age Christmas Service (No evening service)
25 December WED Reflective Service 9:00am/ All-Age Celebration 10:30am | WA
29 December SUN AM (10:30am) Miles Tradewell: Luke 2:22-40 The Promise of a longing fulfilled
29 December SUN PM Prayer and Praise 6:30pm | WA
5 January SUN AM Motto Sunday: Romans 1:1-17
5 January SUN PM (WA) Motto Sunday:
7 January TUE Members’ Meeting - provisional
11 January SAT Men of Lansdowne (8am) Women of Lansdowne (10am) WA
12 January SUN AM Guest Speaker: Mark Barrell (Communion)
12 January SUN PM Guest Speaker: Mark Barrell
15 January WED Prime Time 2:30pm | WA
16 January THU Mission Prayer Central 7:30pm | WA
18 January SAT Dennis and Sheila Eaton Evening 7:00pm | WA
19 January SUN AM Romans 1:18-32
19 January SUN PM 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11
25 January SAT Wedding Celebration for Michael and Rebecca Ots 3:30pm | WA
26 January SUN AM Romans 2:1-3:8
26 January SUN PM 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a (Communion)
Lansdowne Church 01202 297977
Woodbury Avenue lansdownechurch.uk
Bournemouth office@lansdownechurch.uk
BH8 0HH Registered Charity No 1158579
Lansdowne Church is a name of Lansdowne Baptist Church Bournemouth. CIO. Charity No. 1158579.You can also read
