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Matlock Methodist & United Reformed Church, also known within the community as Bank Road Church, is a wonderful building with access for all and modern facilities and is located on the hillside above Matlock Town centre in the Peak District of Derbyshire.
As well as the worship services each week, the Church has a wide variety of groups and activities that meet and provide fellowship and fun for all ages including community groups that regularly use the premises.
This Church is constantly looking to ways of working in the community and reaching out to those in need both locally and further a field with more than just donations. We have committed to supporting Fairtrade products and the Make Poverty History campaign.
Everyone is welcome to come to this Church and it is prayed that they will find rest, refreshment and peace in a caring, praying community and our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Message From Our Minister
Latest Manse Musings
New Year Greetings from the manse at Matlock, January 2010
A new year and a new decade begin and I guess we all look back reflecting as much as we look forward, hoping and praying for the world and a less troubled year ahead.
A brand new 2010 stretches out before us like an empty page as we each make our plans which shape our future. We may make New Year's resolutions which realistically probably won't last and then think about mistakes we've made.
How often do we think that it would be good to tear out our blotted copy book, wipe the slate clean and start afresh? But surely its impossible?
So many of our wrong judgements and mistakes can stay with us for the rest of our lives, and no matter how hard we try to put things right, there's no way of putting the clock back. At best we carry on, making the most of life and wearing the scars.
The Bible gives us a story of hope. From the Old Testament (before Jesus) comes the message God gave through Ezekiel: 'A new heart I will give you - a new spirit I will put within you'.
Then from the New Testament (with Jesus) the words from the Apostle Paul: 'If anyone is in Christ (i.e. has Jesus in their lives) they are a new creation; everything old has passed away - see everything has become new'. I think that's rather good news for us all at the start of this New Year and decade.
God CAN take the past, transform it and heal the hurts for us. We can't change what has gone by, but we can influence the future. Since God holds the future too, why not step into the future with Him?
You could use this prayer to get you started:
Loving God, in Jesus your promise is to make all things new, in heaven and on earth. We turn to you in this New Year with new hopes and old fears, new dreams and old weaknesses. Because you are a God of love and hope, we know you accept all our mistakes of the past and create all the possibilities of the future. Help us to step into the future with you, trusting and glad to follow your ways, in Jesus name. Amen.
Every Blessing and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Rev Lyn <><
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Church Membership
The Church has a membership that has been between 100 and 150 in number
in recent years. We are always pleased to welcome new Members and to have the opportunity to encourage non-Members to consider membership.
Membership is transferable between Churches so when Church Members move
to and from an area they can transfer their membership to their local
Church if they wish so that they can fulfil their
obligations as Church Members.
Membership of the Methodist or United Reformed Church is not a requirement
of attending worship services or
any of the regular meetings or activities held in the Church premises.
Church Membership is for when an individual
has reached a decision in their faith life that means they are prepared to
commit themselves to following Jesus Christ
in their daily lives.
As a Member of the Methodist Church you are called to: -
Church Membership preparation classes are held for Christians of all ages and the Church provides the
ongoing support and infrastructure for Church Members to fulfil their commitment to the Church and to Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Worship ServicesThe regular worship services held in our Church are open to anyone to come to, whether Christian or non-Christian. We would ask that when you do come, you respect the setting for those who are worshipping.Sundays other than first of the month
First Sunday of the Month
Third Sunday of the Month (Apr-Sept)
Third Wednesday of each month Our services are led by both ordained Ministers and non-ordained worship leaders, called Lay Preachers and thereby we enjoy a variety of styles of worship that all bring glory to God and seek to strengthen our love of our Lord Jesus. Our Sunday Morning Worship Services regularly have around 70 people attending and other services enjoy a range of attendances with the Worship Room capable of accommodating over 200 people. We enjoy the sound of children and if you do have youngsters with you, they are welcome too. For those who would prefer to retire to our crèche with their youngster,
the sound system in the Church relays into the crèche so that you may still hear the service.
Within the Church chairs there are copies of each of the hymn books and bibles and other service books are provided as
required. We also have large print versions of the books for those who may need them. It is asked that all of these
resources are respected.
Rev. Lyn Houghton is also Minister for Matlock Moor Methodist Church.
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