CGC office

This Sunday 25^th March is Palm Sunday.  Cyclists to meet at the Rose Garden in Preston Park at 10.50am.  We look forward to welcoming you with the waving of branches when you arrive at Brighthelm (please bring any foliage you have if you are not cycling)

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

John 12:13

We will also be celebrating Passover together this Sunday.

“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus

“As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Matthew 26:2

Having rhythms and seasons can help us; this is why for some, engaging with Lent can be purposeful and provide a time of discipline, particularly in the area of fasting.  Ultimately, it will only heighten our anticipation of Easter, and the death and glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

City Gaters have been sharing ways to mark the season of Lent, and how we can get involved.  Here are some ideas that we have been speaking about for 2018!

1. Plastic-less Lent 2018

Would you like to find a way to reduce the amount of plastic in your life? Then join Ruth Valerio and a whole lot of other people in doing a Plastic-Less Lent this year.

2. ‘40 Acts’ from Stewardship is always good!

The challenge begins TODAY! Go to – https://www.stewardship.org.uk/

3. Eschew grumbling and embrace positivity!

One of our church members shared that “The Archers characters are being encouraged to eschew grumbling and embrace positivity for Lent!”

In response to this, you might like to look at Steve Backlund’s ‘Negativity Fast + Positivity Feast’

To find out more and sign up for daily encouragements, go to: http://ignitinghope.com/negativityfast/

4. Forty Days – Forty Items: an idea that sprung up on Facebook this week!

Try adding other items from around the house to make up your 40!

If you have started any other activities for lent, please let us know about them by emailing office@nullcitygatechurch.org.uk

ASH WEDNESDAY

Here is a poem by Walter Brueggemann  ‘Marked by Ashes’ that will lead you into today… Ash Wednesday.

Marked by Ashes

Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day…

This day — a gift from you.

This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received.

This Wednesday dazzles us with gift and newness and possibility.

This Wednesday burdens us with the tasks of the day, for we are already halfway home

     halfway back to committees and memos,

     halfway back to calls and appointments,

     halfway on to next Sunday,

     halfway back, half frazzled, half expectant,

     half turned toward you, half rather not.

This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday,

   but all our Wednesdays are marked by ashes —

     we begin this day with that taste of ash in our mouth:

       of failed hope and broken promises,

       of forgotten children and frightened women,

     we ourselves are ashes to ashes, dust to dust;

     we can taste our mortality as we roll the ash around on our tongues.

We are able to ponder our ashness with

   some confidence, only because our every Wednesday of ashes

   anticipates your Easter victory over that dry, flaky taste of death.

On this Wednesday, we submit our ashen way to you —

   you Easter parade of newness.

   Before the sun sets, take our Wednesday and Easter us,

     Easter us to joy and energy and courage and freedom;

     Easter us that we may be fearless for your truth.

   Come here and Easter our Wednesday with

     mercy and justice and peace and generosity.

We pray as we wait for the Risen One who comes soon.

By Walter Brueggemann

On the first Sunday of every month we open our doors at Brighthelm Community Centre and welcome people to join us for hot nutritious food! Between 1.30-3.30pm, a team of volunteers serve in our very low cost cafe, which is overseen by City Gate Church.

This month, the team served 70 meals, which included a delicious sausage casserole, jacket potato, cheese and red cabbage! There was also a variety of home made cakes available.

Everyone is welcome… for £1 you can get unlimited hot drinks, a hot main meal and a dessert.  Sandwiches are also sold separately for 30p.

Our next Drop-In cafe is on Sunday 4th March, 1.30-3.30pm.

We’re always looking for volunteers, so if you would like to help in future please get in touch with the City Gate Church office.