Magor Baptist Church

Newsletter for 30th January to 9th February 2026

Sunday 1st, Morning Service, 11.00 a.m., with communion

Upcoming events

Sunday 1st, morning service, 11.00 a.m., with communion

Monday 2nd, Light Lunch at 12 midday - all welcome!

Monday 2nd, prayer meeting for all, 7.30 p.m. Blue Room

Sunday 8th, morning service, 11.00 a.m.

Monday 9th, prayer meeting for all, 7.30 p.m. Blue Room

From Mark

 

Hi Folks

 

If you’re a regular reader you’ll know by now that we are diving into the most dynamically dramatic and fast moving of the Gospels : Mark.

 

Ahead of this week’s sermon on Mark 2v13-3v6, here is my summary of last week’s passage to bring you up to speed.

 

Mark on Mark

Mark 1:40–2:12 continues to unfold the authority of Jesus through encounters of restoration and controversy. The cleansing of the leper embodies the nearness of God’s reign, as compassion overrides social and ceremonial boundaries, yet secrecy proves elusive. The healing of the paralysed intensifies the challenge, shifting attention from physical need to the deeper issue of forgiveness. By pronouncing forgiveness, Jesus implicitly claims a divine prerogative, provoking opposition from the scribes. The visible healing functions as confirmation of an invisible reality: the authority of the Son of Man to forgive sins on earth, signalling both the gracious reach and the contested nature of Jesus’ mission.

Church Organisation leaders

Please can you send your annual report  to Frank Miles as soon as possible, as Frank has to collate these for us, and please provide the organisation's annual accounts for Liz Upton.  Thank you.

Elections of Officers and Deacons

 

Please can everyone note that nominations for deacons, for the 3 vacancies, and for Treasurer and Secretary, are now open; the relevant forms are on the notice board by the hatch. Davina Thomas is is eligible for a second term. The last day for nominations is 22 February.

 

Each nomination requires the signature of 6 church members.

 

Officers, i.e. Secretary and Treasurer, stand for 1 year, and deacons for a 3-year term. Officers and deacons are trustees of the church.

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!

Cawl Lunch

Saturday 28th February is to be the Town Eisteddfod as part of weekend celebrations for St David.   We are planning to hold a Cawl Lunch as a fund raiser for St David's Hospice  Care. Please be prepared to help either on the day or to make cakes.  For more details and to offer help please contact  Christine Miles who will be the Co-ordinator for the lunch.

World Day of Prayer

Friday 6th March is World Day of Prayer,  Morning service 10 a.m. Caldicot Methodist Church. Afternoon service 1.30 p.m. St Mary's Magor.

Church Directory for 2026

Would all church members please check that we have your correct contact details for the soon-to-be-published directory. Please speak to John Loebl if your phone number has changed (e.g. from landline to mobile).

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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