Farnworth Methodist Walks - 20th June and 25th July

Two very different days

June Walk - wet and windy (but still enjoyable)

Despite everything we all kept on smiling!

July Walk - sunny and breezy - a great day to

celebrate Howard's birthday

End of a great day - Happy Birthday Howard!

Film Night - BOLT

We had over 50 people for the last film night before the summer break, and everyone enjoyed the animation Bolt. Film night returns in September, when our first film will be Miracle Maker.

Fun and Food (and it didn't rain!)

Lots of friends from around the circuit joined us for and afternoon of fun and games, followed by a picnic.


The afternoon was themed around the Old Testement story of Gideon. We acted out parts of the story, played lots of Gideon related games...

... and we finished off with the 'Israelites' charging into battle to find the 'Midianites' had run off. The perfect time to share our picnics.

Refugee Week

The 15th-21st June is Refugee Week.

The main focus this year is the Simple Acts Campaign, where people use small, everyday actions to change peoples perceptions of refugees.

Action 5 is - Say a Little Prayer for Me

When a butterfly flaps its wings, it makes a tiny change in the atmosphere, which in turn can change the path of a tornado or a big wave. This is the so-called Chaos Theory, which describes how small events can influence big events.
Now, if we apply this theory to human beings it works like this:
You say a prayer for refugees. In prayer you use your imagination to put yourself in their place. This experience creates a tiny change in you, which in turn creates changes in those close to you, which in turn sets off a wave of change coming from within your community and affecting the way others perceive refugees

To find about more about Refugee Week visit the website

http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/

To find more simple actions you can perform click here.

http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/simple-acts/simple-acts.htm

I will be free, I shall be free...

... by the power of Him who lives in me.

I will be free I shall be free

By the power of Him who lives in me

And if I should ever stumble and fall

And if I should slip away

And if my life makes no sense at all

I still will know that you can save

I will be free I shall be free

By the power of Him who lives in me

And if I should ever take my chances

And if I should cheat on you

And if I should flirt with hopeless romances

I still will know that you ae true

I will be free I shall be free

By the power of Him who lives in me

Sammy Horner

As used in the June parade service.

Chester Parade

A whole coach load of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Leaders and parents braved some very wet weather at the County Parade in Chester!

World Week for Peace in Palestine

The prayers from today's 10.30 service were based around the World Week for Peace in Palestine.

For more infomation from the world council of churches website click

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/wwppi.html

Beaver Sports Day

Congratulations to the Beavers on their first place in the Widnes sports competition! All the children tried their best, and the practicing of three legged races, sack races, bean bag races and egg and spoon all paid off!

More Jesus Folk Photographs

Christian Aid Week

This week many members of the congregation are distributing and collecting in envelopes for Christian Aid Week.

You can make a donation direct to Christian Aid here http://www.caweek.org/

There is a service at the end of Christian Aid Week at 6pm on Sunday at Cronton Chapel,

An example of the work done by Christian Aid and it's partners : Nadia's Story

In Kinshasa, thousands of children are forced to live on the streets, where violence
and prostitution can claim their future as well as their youth. Christian Aid partner
Humanité Nouvelle (New Humanity – HN) is reaching out to them.

Eighteen-year-old Nadia Kabula experienced family loss, but she has not been
forced on to the streets. HN stepped in before her situation became so severe.
Nadia’s family became desperately poor three years ago when her father died. Her
mother, Brigette, now works exhausting 48-hour shifts, barely earning enough to
cover her journey to work, and Nadia has had to sacrifice her education. But HN’s
sewing course has given her back the chance of a full life, and protection from a life on the streets in the future. Nadia’s unique eye for style is already earning her commissions, and she hopes to open her own business.
Nadia is trusting God as she struggles towards this vision. A talented singer, she
encourages others with songs of worship. Nadia says, ‘Music is an important part of
life here… When I sing I feel good – it is like food. My favourite song is ”Lord I Lift
Your Name on High”.’
Meanwhile, Nadia is also displaying extraordinary determination and selflessness as
she sacrifices her time to care for her four younger siblings, and helps teach other
young women to sew. Her life of love is an example to us all.

Jesus Folk - 160th Church Anniversary

The hall was packed again in the evening for a performance of the musical Jesus Folk - last performed at the church 28 years ago.

It took months of practicing - and admittedly there were a few slips - but it was wonderful to be part of the production.

Some songs are infectious and joyful, whilst others are really moving.

The musical tells the story of the the Jesus Folk - mixing figures from the bible with contemporary characters. It shows how Jesus changed the lives of those he met, and challenges us to invite Jesus into our lives today.

Get On Board - 160th Church Anniversary

The morning service from our 160th Church Anniversary service. The hall was packed for the service, led by Mrs Karen Drayton.

The Beginners and Primary Sunday School children sang two songs for us "Jesus Love is very Wonderful" and "Who's the King of the Jungle?" The youngest members of the Sunday School are just 3, but they knew all the words and actions, and even remembered to smile.

The Shell Group presented "Get on Board", and did a great job singing the catchy songs, including "Jesus want's me to follow Him", "When we are together with Jesus" and "I am so glad ... that Jesus shows His love for me"