Welcome to our Sunday service, especially if you are joining us for the first time. During our morning service we have Youth and Children’s groups, please let us know if you need information about these or you have any other queries before, during or after the service. Our welcome team are around to assist in any way we can. After the morning service we have a Welcome Desk in the foyer that serves tea, coffee and biscuits where you can discover more about the church, its events and activities. We hope you will feel at home here today.

Youth morning activities: The Crib (0-2 years) & Quest (age 3-16 years). Youth evening: Night Quest (school years 6-9).

NORWICH CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH

MARCH 2019

SUNDAY SERVICES IN MARCH

Morning Worship (10.45am) Evening Service (normally 6pm)

Preacher: Donald Menga with Communion “One thing… I do” Phil 3:12—4:1

Preacher: Matt Richards

Preacher: Ian Charles Lent 1 Jesus—High Priest Hebrew 4:14—5:10

Preacher: Cathy Luland (in the main sanctuary)

Preacher: David Adams Lent 2 Jesus—Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5: 1-11

Preacher: Alan Barnes With Communion

Preacher: Paul John Lent 3 Jesus—Author & Perfecter of our faith Hebrews 12: 1-13

Preacher: Alan Gidney

Preacher: Peter Hope Jesus—Living Stone 1 Peter 2: 4-13

Preacher: Paulo Mussi

3rd

10th

17th

24th

31st

testimonies of church members, intros to sermon series, etc.

testimonies of church members, intros to sermon series, etc.

Do join us in Room 3 as we gather for a time of prayer before the morning service, 10.15 - 10.30am. If you have any items you would like included in the prayers in the services, please give them to the person at the welcome table in the foyer before the morning service. If you would like someone to pray with you at the close of the service, please come down to the front of the church.

BIBLE-BASED & PRAYER FOCUSED

MARCH ENCOUNTER: Parking available at St Mary’s Works as the Church premises will be busy with the Norfolk

County Music Festival.

Week of 24/7 Prayer: March 31 – April 7

We are having a week of prayer at Norwich Central Baptist Church. Everybody is invited to take part and commit to a time (or times) in the week to pray. We will be using the prayer space near the church entrance and there will be a sign –up sheet available.

The focus of the prayer week is If my people, who are called by my name, will hum-ble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

We believe that God is calling us to pray as this is a crucial time for our church, our city and our country. We want to use the week to seek God's presence and to listen to Him.

The April ‘Encounter ‘ meeting falls in the middle of the 24/7 prayer week - Wednesday 1st April at 7.30pm - and will be a time of sharing and testimony.

BIBLE-BASED & PRAYER FOCUSED

1 Pray for the elders and deacons within the church. Pray that they will be protected by the Holy Spirit and that they will be inspired to carry out their work within the church with God filling their vision at all times.

2 Please pray for the young people who are going on their weekend away at Horstead today. May they have wonderful fellowship together and may they have a new experience of God. Pray for the leaders who will be teaching them, that they will be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

3 Pray for all those people living in Indigo Yard. Why not prayer walk the street as you pray

4 Prayer for our pastor Mark that God would work a complete healing in his body and that he would be restored to full health and strength.

5 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3

6 Pray for tonight’s Encounter. May we gather to pray for protection around our church family and that the Light will remain strong.

7 In You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed. Psalm 57:1. The Lord has protection over us. He fights our battles and comforts our souls. May we rest in Him today.

8 Pray for all those who are struggling with life today. Pray that they will remember that our circumstances are temporary and our God is enough.

9 Pray for the Messy Church happening today at Mousehold Hub. Pray for all those involved in organising this important ministry and pray for the people who attend that this may be the catalyst in their walk with Christ.

10 Pray for all those people living in Dyers Yard. Why not prayer walk the street as you pray

11 Thank God for our young people. Pray that those who were baptised recently would continue to grow strong and firm in their faith and that others would come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.

12 Pray for complete unity in the church. Pray against disruption and distraction. May we as Christians have total focus on Jesus.

13 May this be our prayer today: Lord be my Shepherd. Lead me and feed me in everything that comes my way today.

14 You have never yet forsaken those who trust in You. Psalm 9: 10

15 Pray for those who are unemployed. May they find complete trust in the Lord’s plan and know that He works everything for good.

16 For the Spirit God gave us did not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7. May this truth strengthen us this day.

MARCH 2019 CALENDAR

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

4 19.30 English Folk Dancing 21.00 Winter Shelter

5 12.00 Lunch Club 14.00 Ladies Housegroup 1700 Roller Kids 20.00 Football for Fun @ UEA 21.00 Winter Shelter

6 10.00 Café Tots 19.30 Encounter Prayer Evening

10.00 Café Tots 13.30 Foodbank 14.00 Badminton19.00 Alpha @ Mousehold Hub

Aaron Lizzie William & Esther Baker

Tristan Helen Trinity & Jemimah Baldry

Alan & Sally Barnes Peter & Wendy Barnes

11 12.00 Chapelfield Road Lunch Club 19.30 Leaders Meetings 21.00 Winter Shelter

12 12.00 Lunch Club 14.00 Ladies House Group 17.00 Roller Kids 20.00 Football for Fun @ UEA 21.00 Winter Shelter

13 10.00 Café Tots

10.00 Café Tots 13.30 Foodbank 14.00 Badminton19.00 Alpha @ Mousehold Hub

Nieva & Natalie Blackstone Christine Bond Julian Williams & Helen Boutell-Williams

Jason Brighton

18 12.00 Chapelfield Road Lunch Club 19.30 English Folk Dancing 21.00 Winter Shelter

19 12.00 Lunch 20.00 Football for Fun @ UEA 21.00 Winter Shelter

20 19.30 Church Meeting

10.00 Café Tots 14.00 Badminton19.00 Alpha @ Mousehold Hub

Gerald & Sue Brown Marion Bryant Jason Sarah & Abigail Burgess

Chris Sarah Adam & Matthew Burnham

25 21.00 Winter Shelter

26 12.00 Lunch Club 14.00 Ladies House Gorup 17.00 Roller Kids 21.00 Winter Shelter

27 10.00 Café Tots 10.00 Café Tots

13.30 Foodbank 14.00 Badminton

Dennis & Cym Cant Ronald Cristin Shaina Malachai & Olivia Ceria

Ellie Chapman Ian & Marlene Charles

Please pray regularly for those in our church. Some names appear in the calendar below to guide you.

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

1 1900 20:20 Games Evening 19.30 XT Youth

2 7.30 Leaders Prayer Breakfast

3 10.45 Morning Worship with Communion, Crib, Quest 18.00 Evening Service & Night Quest 21.00 Winter Shelter

Marie, Paul Katie & Lewis Andrews

Becky Andrews Christine Atkin

7 10.00 Café Tots 13.30 Foodbank 14.00 Badminton 19.00 Alpha @ Mousehold

8 19.30 XT Youth

9 8.30 Child Contact Centre 16.00 Messy Church @ Mousehold Hub

10 10.45 Morning Worship Crib, Quest 6pm Evening Service & Night Quest 21.00 Winter Shelter

Peter & Wendy Barnes Peter Becca & Ella Barry Terry & Gill Baxter Philippa Baxter

14 10.00 Café Tots 13.30 Foodbank 14.00 Badminton 19.00 Alpha @ Mousehold

15 19.00 NCBC Film Night 19.30 XT Youth

16 8.30 Caleb @ Witard Road

17 10.45 Morning Worship, Crib, Quest 18.00 Evening Service with Communion & Night Quest 21.00 Winter Shelter

Jason Brighton Dan Naomi & Jonah Brocklehurst

David & Joan Brooker Suzanne Charlotte & Fergus Broom

21 10.00 Café Tots 14.00 Badminton 19.00 Alpha @ Mousehold

22 19.00 20:20 Games Evening

23 7.30 Leaders Prayer Breakfast 9.30 Child Contact Centre

24 10.45 Morning Worship Crib, Quest 18.00 Evening Service & Night Quest 21.00 Winter Shelter

Chris Sarah Adam & Matthew Burnham

Rex & Ann Burr Edith Bygrave Alan & Bev Cant

28

10.00 Café Tots 13.30 Foodbank 14.00 Badminton

29 30 31 10.45 Morning Worship Crib, Quest 18.00 Evening Service & Night Quest 21.00 Winter Shelter

Ian & Marlene Charles Alf Chiddicks Chris & Teresa Cleary Jen Cochrane

Please pray regularly for those in our church. Some names appear in the calendar below to guide you.

BIBLE-BASED & PRAYER FOCUSED

17 Pray for all those people living in Barnards Yard Block. Why not prayer walk the street as you pray

18 Thank God that Cafe Tots is so well attended. Pray for good conversations with those that come and that they would experience God’s love through our love for them.

19 For the Kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28. May we be able to remember this truth as our Government continues to face urgent decisions over Brexit.

20 Praise God that many communities in Niger are benefitting from improved access to safe drinking water thanks to the work of our partners. The overall need for improved water supplies and safe toilets, however, remains high. Pray for those affected, and for Tearfund's partners in Niger working to improve people's health and wellbeing

21 There are now severe restrictions on getting aid into Venezuela due to a roadblock ordered by President Maduro, who is trying to hold on to power. Political unrest has resulted in a severe lack of food, medicine and essential services. Please pray that the blockade is removed and for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

22 Pray for all those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives following the mudslides in Freetown, Sierra Leone.. Pray that they will all be able to restore their homes, livelihoods and their inner strength – so that they can face the future with hope

23 Pray for the last session of the Alpha Course happening tonight. May this not be the end of the road for the attendees. Pray that this will be the start of an exciting journey ahead with Christ

24 Pray for all those people living in St. Miles Alley and Rosemary Lane. Why not prayer walk the street as you pray

25 Thank God that the contact centre provides a safe place for children and parents to meet and play together. Pray for healing and restoration in lives and relationships.

26 As tensions mount once more in Kashmir between India and Pakistan - please pray for calmness, and that peace can be found. And for the wider relationship between the two nuclear-weaponed countries

27 Venezuela's president is refusing to step down or call new elections, despite mounting international pressure - pray a good and just outcome is reached and that the failing country doesn't sink further into trouble.

28 With Brexit edging ever closer, the main UK political parties are showing significant divisions, and business unsure of the future - please continue to pray for our country and future - especially in the spiritual rather than political and economic sense.

29 After years of people fleeing Syria and its civil war, there are now long queues to enter the country each day. Please continue to pray for the safety of all those travelling home, and that peace will return once more to the war-torn country

30 Pray for all those people living in Throckmorton Yard. Why not prayer walk the street as you pray

31 Roller Kids: Thank God that Roller Kid’s provides a safe place where children can have fun. Pray that this group would be an important step in the faith journey of all those who attend.

headings based on content.

The Norwich Central Mosque is having an open day on Sunday 3rd March 2019 They are taking part in the national #VisitMyMosque initiative by the Muslim Council of Britain and in the spirit of friendship and conversation hope to give members of the local community an engaging insight into the life of the mosque and to promote greater understanding of Islam.

The Centre has a daily congregation as well as Friday congregation and on Friday prayers it attracts more than 150 worshippers. Its unusual classical architecture draws visitors from schools and the public throughout the year. The open attitude of the mosque and its people make a major contribution in fostering interfaith and intercultural understanding in the local community.

The Mosque will be open from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM. In particular, if you are able to arrive by 12:30 you can observe the midday prayer followed by light refreshments and a Special Talk on Marriages in Islam.

English Folk Dancing. Normally we meet on the 1st & 3rd Mondays each month at 7.30pm However in March we will only be meeting on Monday 4th. (note that this is dancing in sets and is a healthy / social activity, not for display purposes)

The Ecumenical Easter Service held for many previous years in the Cathedral on Good Friday, is, this year, replaced by a Service to be held on Palm Sunday 14th April, 6pm at Chapelfield Road Methodist Church. See notices for details.

NOTICES and EVENTS If you miss the monthly notices but have an event or item to advertise please send it to bev@norwichcentral.org and we will make sure to get it up on the weekly rolling notices for services and the foyer.

SHARING LIFE

Matthew 28 v19-20

‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age’

INVITING

Connect Lunch

Three times a year the leaders host a

Connect Lunch, an opportunity for those

new to the church and also for anyone

involved in our church life who would like

to get to know the leaders better, to join

them for a light lunch after a morning

service.

Our next Connect lunch is on Sunday 3rd

February. If you would like to book in

please contact the church office, we would

love to see you.

SHARING LIFE

ROC conversation. Around 160 people from Norwich churches, Christian organisations, civic bodies and the police gathered at the King’s Centre in Norwich on February 7 to exchange ideas and passions around community engagement.

The aim of the event was to bring together local people to celebrate all the good social action and community engagement activities already happening in Norwich and explore practical ways of doing even more, in a co-ordinated way.

NCBC was represented at the event and it was good opportunity to connect with people from other churches, identify gaps, overlaps and talk about the resources and capacity we have to serve the needs of our community.

Soup Run : NCBC has a regular slot on the rota for the Salvation Army's soup run, which serves food and hot drinks to homeless and vulnerable people on the Haymarket every night of the year. Our slot is on the first Monday of the month. A team of four meet around 8pm at the citadel to collect the food that has already been prepared, fill up flasks of hot water, pray and then head out to the Hay-market to serve people in need.

The team usually returns to the citadel around 9pm to put everything away for the next night. The people we serve are very appreciative of the food and drink but often it's as much about showing we care and listening to them as it is

about the food. If you would like to find out more or are interested in joining the team, speak to Aaron Baker.

CONTACT DETAILS Minister Rev Mark Fairweather-Tall, Call 07828 997518, Email mark@norwichcentral.org, Twitter @revmarkft NCBC Prayer Chain Call 01603 762270, Text 07999 590015, Email prayer@norwichcentral.org Pastoral Care Call 07522 848562, Email pastoralcare@norwichcentral.org Church Office (hours are Monday - Friday, 9am—4pm) Please send items for the April information sheet to the Church Office by the 24th march. Also, please send any additional notices for March to the church office and, where appropriate, they will displayed on the screens (pre and post morning service), placed on the Sharing Life noticeboard and announced in the service. Norwich Central Baptist Church, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 3AP 01603 760497 office@norwichcentral.org norwichcentral.org

by contact details.

INVITING