Stratton Methodist Church

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Love

The "Unbounded Love" Lent campaign for 2024 invites the Methodist community into a spiritual journey, deeply rooted in the exploration of divine love. This year's theme, inspired by Charles Wesley's hymn "Love Divine," seeks to unfold the layers of God's transformative and unbounded love through a carefully curated series of weekly themes. Each week, congregants are encouraged to engage with scripture, hymns, and reflections that illuminate aspects of God's love and justice.

As Lent is a season of preparation for Easter, "Unbounded Love" guides the congregation through a process of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It offers a path to explore the depths of God's love, inviting each person to experience this love as a transformative force in their lives and in the world. Through this campaign, the Methodist Church aims to cultivate a community that not only understands God's unbounded love but is also empowered to live it out in every aspect of their lives.

  1. Sunday 18th February 2024 - Unbounded Love
  • Old Testament: Genesis 9:8-17 - God's covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, promises salvation and a never-ending commitment to all living beings.
  • New Testament: Mark 1:9-15 - The baptism of Jesus, where God declares Jesus as His beloved Son, and the initiation of Jesus' ministry proclaiming the nearness of God's kingdom.
  1. Sunday 25th February 2024 - Visit Us With Thy Salvation
  • Old Testament: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 - The covenant between God and Abraham, marking the promise of a multitude of nations and everlasting covenant with Abraham's descendants.
  • New Testament: Mark 8:31-38 - Jesus predicts His suffering and death and teaches about the cost of discipleship, emphasizing self-denial and the pursuit of eternal life over worldly gains.
  1. Sunday 3rd March 2024 - Pure and Spotless Let Us Be
  • Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments, laying out God's laws for living a holy and righteous life.
  • New Testament: Not specified in the provided content, focusing on themes of purity, obedience, and the moral and ethical framework God provides for His people.
  1. Sunday 10th March 2024 - Finish Then Thy New Creation
  • Old Testament: Numbers 21:4-9 - The Israelites' impatience and the bronze serpent as a symbol of God's salvation for those who look upon it in faith.
  • New Testament: John 3:14-21 - Jesus references the bronze serpent, relating it to His crucifixion, and elaborates on God's love for the world and the gift of eternal life through belief in Him.
  1. Sunday 17th March 2024 - Changed From Glory Into Glory
  • Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The promise of a new covenant, written on hearts, where all will know the Lord directly and forgiveness is freely given.
  • New Testament: John 12:20-33 - Jesus speaks of His death as a necessary act to bring life and draws all people to Himself, emphasizing service and following Him

  • These readings collectively highlight the themes of God's covenantal love, the call to faithful obedience, the necessity of self-denial for the sake of the Gospel, and the transformative power of Jesus' death and resurrection. They invite reflection on the expansive nature of God's love, the commitment to living in accordance with God's laws, and the hope and renewal found in Christ's sacrifice and victory over death.

This Lent the Methodist Church is looking at Unbounded Love.

The hymn "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" by Charles Wesley is a profound expression of Christian faith and devotion, emphasizing divine love, salvation, and sanctification. It begins with an invocation for God's love to descend from heaven to earth and dwell within the believers, bringing all of God's mercies. The hymn continues to request the Holy Spirit's guidance to breathe into troubled hearts, leading to a life free from sin and full of divine love. Wesley's words call for the Almighty's deliverance, allowing believers to receive God's life fully and never depart from His presence. The final verse looks forward to the completion of God's new creation in believers, transforming them until they are pure and spotless, ready to take their place in heaven, lost in wonder, love, and praise.

The hymn is structured into four verses, each carrying a powerful message of hope, transformation, and the aspiration towards Christian perfection. Wesley's lyrics capture the essence of Christian theology—emphasizing the transformative power of divine love and the journey towards sanctification.

Love divine, all loves excelling,

joy of heav'n to earth come down,

fix in us Thy humble dwelling;

all Thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

pure, unbounded love Thou art;

visit us with Thy salvation;

enter every trembling heart.


Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit

into every troubled breast!

Let us all in Thee inherit,

let us find the promised rest.

Take away our love of sinning;

Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith, as its beginning,

set our hearts at liberty.


Come, Almighty to deliver;

let us all Thy life receive;

suddenly return and never,

nevermore Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

serve Thee as Thy hosts above;

pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,

glory in Thy perfect love.


Finish then, Thy new creation;

pure and spotless let us be;

let us see Thy great salvation

perfectly restored in Thee.

Changed from glory into glory,

till in heav'n we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before Thee,

lost in wonder, love, and praise.




Historic Stratton Methodist Church Clock Set to Tell the Time Once More!

Clock 3

The historic clock on the Stratton Methodist Church, frozen in time, needed restoration after a century of service. The community rallied together to fund the revival, and Smith of Derby Ltd, a renowned clockmaker, was chosen for the job. The clock's hands were refurbished, and a state-of-the-art pulse slave movement ensured accurate timekeeping for generations. The restoration was eagerly anticipated by the community. 

More details here


The Methodist Church is committed to Justice, Dignity and Solidarity.

We believe that all people are uniquely made in the image of God, and we aim to live this out in the Church and in our communities. Use this link to find resources to help you become part of this work which is a crucial part of the Gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

Equality

A prayer for the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine

Link

Almighty and Great God, accept our gratitude for your boundless mercy towards us. Hear the supplication of our afflicted hearts for the land and people of Ukraine, as they confront foreign aggression and invasion. Open the eyes of those who have been overtaken by a spirit of deception and violence, that they be horrified by their works. Grant victory over the powers of evil that have arisen and bless Ukraine with your gifts of liberty, peace, tranquillity, and good fortune. 

We implore you, O Merciful God, look with grace upon those who courageously defend their land. Remember the mothers and fathers, the innocent children, widows and orphans, the disabled and helpless, those seeking shelter and refuge, who reach out to you and to their fellow human beings looking for mercy and compassion. Bless the hearts of those who have already shown great generosity and solidarity, and those who prepare to receive their Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Ukraine’s greatest time of need. Bring us together as your children, your creation, and instil your strength, wisdom and understanding in us. May you be praised and glorified, now and forever, and to the ages of ages.

Amen


Prayers for others






The bible in 4 minutes - Dai Woolridge



Our prayer tree continues growing

Prayer Tree


The Bible Course

If you have missed the start of the 8 week bible course Stephen ran, you can always get a copy of the course yourself using this link.

Over eight interactive sessions, The Bible Course combines video teaching, group discussion, personal reflection and daily readings. It is produced by The Bible Society.


What is it like to be a minister?

At Stephen's last church he featured in a video answering this question. To find out more about Stephen click here



Care for the family - bereavement support.

Help for those who are hurting

Coping with the pain and heartache of a close bereavement is always difficult – not least when it’s accompanied by a sense of loneliness and a feeling that no one understands. We want to help those who are living with loss to discover hope for the future, and the strength to rebuild their lives and the lives of their families. Check out this website and resources for anyone impacted by bereavement.  


BBC Songs of Praise - 60th anniversary 

Check out the programme celebrating the 60th anniversary of Songs of Praise. Link here. To celebrate the anniversary here are the top 20 hymns for baptismsweddings and funerals


John Wesley's New Room Tours

John Wesley’s New Room are introducing tours that bring the Museum to life. They provide a wonderful introduction to the collection and will give an insight into the fascinating stories behind the oldest Methodist building in the world. Step into the preachers’ rooms above the chapel to see John Wesley’s bedroom and study, discover the earliest membership book, and try on costumes from our dressing up cupboard.

Find out more about the Museum and book your tour here


The Evolution of Sunday School Music - this will bring back some memories for many people.




Tap Twinning

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