Good News! 

GOOD NEWS STORIES FOR THIS WEEK 29 August 2020
The Methodist Church, Stoke-on-Trent South Circuit
Collected by: Hil Hands (Local preacher)
Dear friends,
A few years ago, I remember being fascinated with the poppies which grow in our garden: in the warmth and sunlight they appeared bright and strong, but stormy weather seemed to take its toll and their petals became crinkled as their heads bowed. Yet the arrival of sunshine again brought out their strength and beauty as they recovered. Recently, it has been the dahlias in our garden which have shown the same miraculous recovery. The stakes to which they are bound, and which hold them up are doing an excellent job in recent windy, wet weather. There are many Good News stories which reflect God’s love lifting people who have travelled through their own stormy times. Their faith has ensured that they have remained bound to Jesus, our saviour.
John 15 (NIV)
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

How have our testimonies changed as a result of 2020 so far? Which ‘stakes’ have held us firm? How will we SHARE our Good News stories? I give thanks to God for WhyPay bible study, which has taught me so much and leaves me wanting to learn more! I am grateful to hear the voices of church family on WhyPay and Zoom services as we have continued to worship in community with others. And the voice of prayer has certainly not been silent! God hears and answers as we ‘ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you’. It is encouraging to hear about small steps of healing for those who we place in God’s hands.
This is the 24th weekly edition of Good News. I am grateful to God for inspiring the idea at the beginning of Lockdown, when things perhaps felt a little bleak. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far, and to those who have encourage me to keep going – it is great to have feedback! I am now moving to monthly sheets which I will send to Glenn on the last Saturday of each month. Please keep your stories coming – it is good to give thanks to God!
God bless
If you have good news, please let me know: email - hands.hilary@yahoo.com Please send news to me by Friday 25 September, ready for that weekend.
 
From Stuart and Sylvia - Update on Ashley
Ashley continues to improve very slowly.  He has been fed with a tube up his nose and one intravenous. They are gradually weening him off the intravenous one so he will be totally being fed by the tube up his nose.  It is then they can start to try him on soft diet.  He is still being sick but the paediatric consultant is very happy with his progress.  For a couple of weeks, he has had to use a nebuliser due to the fluid in his lungs.  Today (Thursday) they have taken him off that.  He looks a lot better and his communication is vastly improved. (Ashley was never a talker) but now he talks to anyone who comes into his room due to the pictures the staff put up. As I have mentioned in the past, he should have been going to Newcastle College in September. That obviously wasn't going to happen but we have received the good news this week that the college are deferring his start date on the course to September 2021.  We still have a long way to go but signs are very encouraging and we praise God for what He has done so far.  We do appreciate the prayers and concern of all in the Circuit and would simply ask you to continue to remember Ashley, Debbie and Jess in your prayers.  Thank you.
 
Prayer time – taken from The Methodist Church website
Loving God,
If we are ill, strengthen us.
If we are tired, fortify our spirits.
If we are anxious, help us to consider the Lillies of the field and the birds of the air.
Help us not to stockpile treasures from supermarkets in the barns of our larders.
Don't let fear cause us to overlook the needs of others more vulnerable than ourselves.
Fix our eyes on your story and our hearts on your grace.
Help us always to hold fast to the good,
See the good in others,
And remember there is just one world, one hope,
One everlasting love, with baskets of bread for everyone.
In Jesus we make our prayer,
The one who suffered, died and was raised to new life,
In whom we trust these days and all days,
Amen.
(The Revd Barbara, President of the Methodist Conference)
 
Jesus says, “Love” and I say, “Who?”
Jesus says, “Give” and I say, “What?”
Jesus says, “Follow” and I say, “Where?”
And Jesus says:
“Whoever.”
“Whatever.”
“Wherever.”
Jesus, help me to respond to your call with everything that I am and everything that I have.
Let me hold nothing back in response to your great love for me. Amen.
(Rachel, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District Chair)