Magor Baptist Church

Newsletter for 16th to 26th January 2026

Sunday 18th, Morning Service, 11.00 a.m.

Upcoming events

Sunday 18th, Morning Service, 11.00 a.m.

Monday 19th, Church Members’ Meeting, 7.30 p.m.

Sunday 25th, morning service, 11.00 a.m.

From Mark

 

Hi Folks

 

This year we are diving into the most dynamically dramatic and fast moving of the Gospels : Mark. If you picked up an individual copy of Mark’s Gospel on Sunday, make sure you bring it with you each Sunday.

 

Each week, to prepare you for what’s coming, I’m going to give you a very brief summary of the passage immediately before the one I’ll be preaching on. That way you’ll be ‘up to speed’ when you come on Sunday morning. It’s called ‘Mark on Mark’ and here is the first one (on Mark 1v1-13, which we looked at last Sunday).

 

Mark on Mark

 

Mark 1v1-13 functions as a tightly compressed overture to the whole Gospel. With characteristic economy, Mark announces the “beginning” of God’s decisive action, rooted in Scripture and inaugurated by John’s prophetic ministry. John stands at the hinge of promise and fulfilment, preparing for one greater than himself.

 

Jesus’ baptism marks both divine endorsement and the paradox of a Messiah who identifies with repentant Israel. The tearing of the heavens anticipates the disruptive inbreaking of God’s reign. The Spirit who empowers Jesus also drives him into conflict, as the wilderness temptation foreshadows a ministry shaped by obedience, suffering, and cosmic opposition.

CAP Money Coach Course 2026

 

Are you interested in how to manage your money more effectively to keep out of debt? This four part (2 hours each) course can help you budget, save and spend wisely.

A successful pilot course was recently held in conjunction with St Luke's, Tidenham and Caldicot Methodist Churches, and a new course is planned for the New Year.

A local venue will be decided once we have enough interest. If you would like further details and/or to register interest, click or tap on the button below to send an email.

Or speak to Mark, Anne, Liz, Helen in person.

Next Church Members’ Meeting

The next church members’ meeting is on Monday 19th January at 7.30 p.m. Non-members are welcome although cannot vote. Please use the button below to see the agenda.

From the Communications Group

 

It is planned to have an outreach leaflet for the new houses built between Rockfield and the motorway, hopefully starting in March. The leaflet will be going out as our church’s outreach. As has happened with other successful promotional ideas, e.g. our logo and the current Welcome Leaflet, whole church input is welcome.

 

The idea is to use a stiff A5 card, easy to put through the doors of the new houses. Please pass on your suggestions, for both design and information to include, by the next church meeting on 19th January 2026.  The communications group will meet to consider all suggestions.

 

Information which could be included is:-  Sunday Service (11am Sunday), Toddler group (9am -11am Monday) and Coffee Morning (10am -12 noon Friday); information on where to find the church (maybe small map); symbols for social media and a QR code that will link to the short videos that have been produced; a welcome to a new home, to Magor and Undy, and to the friendly Baptist Church in the Square. All other suggestions for details that could be added are welcome.

 

Please send in any ideas before the next church meeting on 19th January. Ideas and designs can be sent in by email, bookings@magorbaptistchurch.org.uk, or on paper and put in the box on the bookcase.  The Communications Group will then look through everything, possibly with a visiting graphic designer, to prepare a final leaflet.

 

The aim is to be ready by the beginning of March to start delivering the leaflets. This will be an opportunity for everyone to take part. More details about the deliverer programme will be given nearer to March.

January Charity Offering - CRISIS

 

“We are the national charity for homeless people. We help people every day of the year and have a strong tradition of helping people over Christmas. We know that homelessness is not inevitable. We know that together we can end it.

 

“Your donation helps to fund our year-round work with people experiencing homelessness. We offer individual tailored support to help people access benefits, healthcare services, employment opportunities, and more. Our main aim is to relieve the huge pressure of homelessness, by helping people find safe and affordable homes.”

Bring a friend to the Valentine’s Tea !

Bring a friend to the Valentine’s Tea, 2.00 for 2.30 p.m., Tuesday February 10th - a lovely tea with the Ukulele Band and a few treats!

Church Giving Envelopes

Offertory envelopes for 2026 are available from John Loebl. If anyone else would like to have weekly/monthly envelopes for giving to the church or would like details of how to give online please speak to John Loebl. Also as more and more people get caught up in paying some income tax you may be eligible for Gift Aid, which is a great benefit to the church. Speak to John for more details.

Heather Thornton, one-time regular and now occasional visitor to Ebenezer, has written an account of her experience of walking a 268-mile trail in one go, on her own. Extending from the Derbyshire Peak District up to the Scottish borders,  the Pennine Way is considered one of the UK's toughest National Trails due to its length, elevation, and often harsh conditions.

 

With testimony of God’s presence, the book includes mention of answers to the prayers of people at Ebenezer concerning her progress and setbacks. The last chapter is an article she wrote for the website of her current church about her experience of God on the trail.

 

Heather’s book, based on her diaries, has about 100 pages, and is fully illustrated with her photos and maps. Copies can be ordered from Andrew or Chris Leighton, price £7.50.

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