Spring Edition Ramsden Bellhouse Baptist Church Review

It seems a long time ago but Christmas was the time of the last newsletter and a lot has happened in that time. We give thanks for a lovely carol service which was blessed by the return of Rev. John Hopper and Linda on a surprise visit. An overflowing church was a wonder to behold.

We started off the New Year in good form with the welcoming of Barbara into membership; this was followed in February by also receiving Ian into membership - a great blessing for the fellowship. Sadly on 13th March Ian passed into the presence of his Lord having fought bravely against a brain tumour. We will remember him for the humour and laughter he brought to many people's lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and all the family, together with his daughter Michelle.

We held our own New Years party, late as usual, but it was worth waiting for. Many thanks to Richard Jerrom and friend Dave for the time and effort put in to organising us and giving such an enjoyable time. The food laid on was of course in the excellent Baptist tradition! Our Annual General Meeting took place in February and it was good to remember what the Lord had done over 2005 in the work of the church. Jenni Newton had at last been able to come off the diaconate (and I am sure we will miss her expertise) but she was replaced by Roger - just to keep it in the family. Marion and Jenny were re-elected.

Geoff commenced a series of Bible Studies on Prayer and they have been very useful. We need to continue in prayer for many within, and in the wider fellowship. David Want, who had taken many services faithfully over the years and has become a dear friend of the church, underwent major heart surgery in January and is still recovering. It was good to see him at morning worship recently and we commit him and Elizabeth into the safe keeping of our Lord.

Paul went for scans in March and awaits the results as I write this. We uphold him and Shirley in our prayers and seek healing for Paul.

We remember Jim, a dear friend of Tiny, who underwent surgery to a fast growing tumour before Tiny's funeral. At the time of writing he has been admitted to a local hospice. Sibyl & Jean remain in touch with him and we commit him to the Lord.

There are others who need a special touch from the Lord, I'm always afraid of listing people as It's guaranteed that I will miss somebody out, but I mention the following for prayer: Greta, Janet Jeffree, Jenny Jacques and her mother Win, Barb, Freda, Bert, Marilyn. Please let me know if specific prayer is requested so I can include it in the prayer calendar.

We look forward to our 'Drop-In Brunch' on 25th March from 10.30 am. If you can resist breakfast you're in for a treat, as a jet-lagged Marion will be cooking up her usual concoction. We seek, once again, to reach out to the people of the villages. This is followed on the Sunday by a parade service, as this will be Mothering Sunday.

We look forward to the Easter period. On Good Friday, April 14th, there will be a service of meditation at 10.30am and on Easter Sunday a communion service at 10.30 am to give praise to our risen Lord.

May you experience the real blessing that He waits to give.