Tilehouse Street Baptist Church, Hitchin

OUTLOOK

Outlook February/March 2025

Pastoral Care Report

The glory of the spring how sweet!
The new-born life how glad!
What joy the happy earth to greet
In new, bright raiment clad!
(Words by Thomas H. Gill)

As we enter spring with crocuses and daffodils beginning to flower, birds nesting, new-born lambs arriving and days getting longer let us rejoice in the changing of the seasons. How lovely these months are.

We continue to pray for those in our fellowship that they may know the faithful love of God is forever. Some people of our fellowship need particular prayer at this time:-

Pam Slade has been in hospital and is now in Foxholes convalescing. She seems happy and her health is improving
Sue Apthorpe has been poorly and is having tests done to try and find the problem. We think of her and Brian as he supports her.
Mary Brown has also been unwell and has also had a scan and some tests done. When I visited her last week she was up in her chair, which was a nice surprise. She still enjoys watching the birds and squirrels feed.
Aud and Harry Eastham are finding life difficult at the moment with Harry having treatment and Aud having issues with her balance. They both continue to soldier on.
Mary and Michael Taylor, especially Mary who is struggling with her mobility
Anne Moody has been diagnosed with breast cancer and pray for her as she faces surgery and goes though treatment.

It is not all bad news. Maralyn Clarke now has a hoist in her flat to enable carers to get her out of bed and sit in her chair. We think of her family too at this point. We welcome Gill Donnelly back after a spell of being unwell. It is good to have her back doing the cleaning, which is really appreciated by us all. Lilian has also returned to worshipping with us after being housebound for so long with a broken ankle.

We remember Kath Melot and Audrey Morris at Foxholes and all of the residents there who join us for our Wednesday services and their carers. We thank God that through the wonders of technology residents of Foxholes and Sloe Hill can join us on Sundays for services.

We pray comfort for all those who have recently been bereaved recently, particularly the family of Pam Williams. Her thanksgiving service is on Wednesday February 12th at 11am at Holwell Cemetery.

A thank you and well done to Oliver Glindon for reading so well at the carol service and also lighting the Christmas Day candle (see picture on page 4).

We continue to pray for the work of Phase as they do the Year 6 transition workshops.

Can we remember our farmers at this time who are struggling and toiling through what has been a difficult winter. They are out in the wet and cold, often for long hours by themselves sitting on tractors and similar so that we will have food to eat.

Wishing anyone who has a birthday in February and March a happy one.

Let’s hold each other in prayer, now and for always.

Val Chivers, Pastoral Care Organiser.

World Day of Prayer 7 March 2025

Please come and support the World Day of Prayer Service and encourage the ladies from different churches in Hitchin

Date: Friday 7th March Place: St. Faith’s Church Time:1.30
Entitled: "I made you wonderful"

The service has been prepared by Christian women in the Cook Islands.
We will be supporting and praying with the Cook Islands and its people. (See next page)
There will be refreshments after the service.
Val Chivers (World Day of Prayer Rep.)