Leeds Vineyard

Spoiler Alert 

downton abbeyIt has been alleged (can you believe it?) that I have postponed the launch of our evening service so that I can get back home after Sanctuary in time to watch Downton Abbey on Sunday evenings! What a preposterous suggestion. I watch it out of pastoral duty, purely in order to keep the congregation abreast of current culture (sic).

In truth the current series has actually provided me with some excellent material for our teaching series on Sex & Marriage. The first two talks (Covenant or Consumer and Sing the Lord’s Song in a Foreign Land) are up on the website but I need to issue a spoiler alert in case you have yet to catch up on the deep and engaging plot – I do reveal something of Lady Mary’s state of mind about her romantic life (as much as there is anything in her mind to reveal at all).

Better move on.

Here’s another spoiler alert, our evening service, “weekly worship at seven”, will spring into being on Sunday January 25 2015. Over the coming weeks we will be gathering a core of people to launch this. I am asking you to consider committing to this group so that we know we have a nucleus we can rely on to be there. Out of this group we also need people who will serve in the evening (there are lots of ways to join in – you can read them here) but, crucially, I would love you to continue serving once a month or more at weekly worship at eleven as well. Why?

Well there are several reasons for launching the evening service which I will comment on in the coming weeks but one of them is to support parents of young families. If you’ve got young children then you probably can’t get out easily in the evening (at least not together - if you’re a couple) so you put your energy into going to weekly worship at eleven. But you probably find yourself serving on rotas in the morning as well so that your chance to fully join in with the adult worship, teaching and ministry is limited. Wouldn’t it be great if people who can join in in the evening are able to serve in the morning thus releasing more parents to enjoy weekly worship?

It would help me a lot if you could indicate your intention to get go to weekly worship at seven by responding to the article here. Thanks.

God Loves You

It’s easy to say, “God loves you” to almost anybody. And we have given you cards which say it for you. I’m on a bit of a campaign at the moment to encourage you to give a card to one person a day and tell them that God loves them. That’s all – if you would like to pray for them or share your testimony with them and have opportunity to do so, tremendous, but that’s not what I am asking for here! So in the last few days I have given a card to the staff at the hairdressers, the waitress at the restaurant, the delivery man at the front door. Tomorrow I will give one to the bus driver in exchange for exact change. The day after I am being sent to Wickes so some lucky soul on their payroll is likely to end up with a card and then on Friday it will be the person who serves me a cappuccino in Headingley. Taxi drivers are sitting ducks – give them the card when you give them the tip, they can’t say no to that!

The Vine logo
Thank you church for the support you give to the Vine – many of you give money and time and energy to serving some needy people around Leeds. Lives are being changed and families restored – lots of evidence of God’s love for people being shown! If you can give some time during the week or on Saturdays, or if you would like to support the work of the Vine with a regular gift and make a real difference to our community please visit the website or talk to Gwen and Elaine.

In addition, during November we will be highlighting some of the work of the Vine and giving you the opportunity to make a Christmas gift to some of the needy families we work with. This will be the focus of our Love in Action Sunday on 30 November.

Mystery Giver

Some lovely person started a standing order to Leeds Vineyard on 1 July and we don’t know who it is – there’s no reference on the bank details. If you wish to stay anonymous that’s obviously fine. But (1) I like to say thank you when people start to give and (2) we would like to claim Gift Aid from the HMRC if available! So, if you are happy to let us know who you are, please could you contact Anne or Molly (molly.ovenden@leedsvineyard.org). If not, here’s my thank you: THANKS!

Jeffrey and Yvonne Hodge

Many of you will have fond memories of Jeff and Yvonne from the earlier days of the Leeds Vineyard (when we were Wharfedale Vineyard). They moved to Harrogate Vineyard some time ago. We were sorry to learn that Yvonne fell seriously ill a couple of weeks ago and eventually died last Saturday in Harrogate District Hospital. Jeffrey & Yvonne were able to renew their vows beforehand (after 37 years of marriage). Jeffrey and their two sons were with Yvonne when she passed away. Please pray for the three of them at this time. Nik & Maggie and the Harrogate Vineyard are supporting them and we have sent a message from the church.

Don’t forget to check out Cause to Live For, Curry & Quiz Night for Movember (men only), and the Community Choir being assembled for the Christmas Carol Service on 7 December.

Peace

David