'All of you are Christ's body, and each one is a part of it' 1 Corinthians ch. 12 v. 27 'I will be with you always. to the end of the age' Matthew ch. 28 v. 20 'Come to me, all of you tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest' Matthew ch. 10 v. 28 'Peace is what I leave with you, it is my own peace that I give you...' John ch. 14 v. 27 '..... but for God everything is possible' Matthew ch. 19 v. 26 'I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness' John ch. 10 v. 10

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Lonsdale Road Methodist Church Centenary 2009

Lonsdale Road Methodist Church is celebrating its Centenary during 2009. Click here for details of the Centenary Year special preachers and events. Please contact us if you would like further information.

Flower Festival Pictures now on 'Photos' page

Click here for news from the Gloucestershire Methodist Circuit

Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 09 A former county and British Methodist leader is making a return visit to a Gloucester Church to lead it's 100th Birthday celebrations.

On Sunday 25th October 09 the Rev'd Ian White, who for 11 years served as Chair of the Bristol Methodist District (which includes Gloucestershire) is guest preacher for the Centenerary Celebrations of Lonsdale Road Methodist Church, (serving Longlevens, Elmbridge and Barnwood) starting at 10.30am and 6.30pm. An armchair footy fan, Mr. White and his wife Diana served the West Methodist area for 26 years. He says, "After leaving the Bristol Methodist District we spent 6 years in Jersey. We are now very happily retired in Newcastle upon Tyne, but my footballing loyalties remain in Manchester and not the City!". Mr. White says they are looking forward to visiting Gloucester again. "I have special memories of Lonsdale for a number of reasons - the involvement within the community including service on the City Council; the work with young people and children; the welcome to all who worshipped at the Church". He adds, "I have particular memories of Gloucestershire, not least the day spent delivering furniture in Cheltenham as part of a Housing Project; the service in Gloucester Cathedral during my visit to the District in 2002 as President of the Methodist Conference. Both Diana and I are looking forward to being at Lonsdale Road and sharing in the special celebrations". On the previous evening, Saturday 24th October at 7pm the church is hosting a "Life at Lonsdale Film and Exhibition Evening". Using cuttings, pictures, and film the stories of yester year will be shared. Organisers are urging anyone who may have attended any of the church meetings, Sunday School or youth organisations to come along and share it's rich history. Tickets to the evening priced £3, include refreshments, and are payable on the night at the door. The money raised will support the church's chosen charity The Great Western Air Ambulance Service.

NEWS RELEASE

Back to Church Sunday

"Thought for the Day" Methodist Lord leads

Gloucester Church Centenary Celebration

Sunday 27th September 09

10.30am & 6.30pm

It's "Back to Church Sunday" and worshippers at a Gloucester Church are extending an open invitation to anyone who would like to join their landmark Centenary celebrations this coming weekend. Friends who may as teenagers in the 60's, 70's,and 80's attended the 120 strong youth club are very welcome.

A contributor to BBC Radio 4 "Thought for the Day" for 22 years, writer and broadcaster the Rev'd the Lord Leslie Griffiths, currently

Superintendent Minister at Wesley's Chapel London, is in Gloucester this Sunday (27th September 09) as guest preacher for the 100th birthday Celebrations of Lonsdale Road Methodist Church (10.30am & 6.30pm).

Appointed a Life Peer in 2004 by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Rev'd the Lord Leslie Griffiths is a former President of the Methodist Conference. In 1995, during his term as Britain's Methodist leader he urged the then Prime Minister John Major to "undo past wrongs" and restore trade union rights to workers at Cheltenham's GCHQ listening post.

Born and brought up in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, Leslie went to Llanelli Grammar School for boys. In 1967 he played rugby at full back for St. David's College Lampeter within the University of Wales where he was Assistant Lecturer in Medieval English. After graduating to MA at Cambridge and a PhD in London he was ordained to the Methodist ministry in Haiti in 1973 where he lived for 10 years.

As a Methodist minister he previously served in Cambridge, Haiti, Reading, Wanstead and Woodford, The West London Mission, Finchley and Hendon before taking up his present post as Superintendent Minister at Wesley's Chapel in the City of London.

Married to Margaret, a radiographer now retired, the couple have three grown up married children.

Songs of Praise & visit by District Chairman

all part of 3 day Centenary Flower Display

(report-10th-12th July 09)

A Gloucester church celebrating 100 years of worship and work held a three day Flower Festival as the centrepiece of its year long birthday celebrations.

With 18 amazing, stunning and breathtaking floral displays highlighting the theme of "Celebration" adorning the City's Lonsdale Road Methodist Church, the festive weekend showed off the talents and gifts of worshippers and youngsters in the local community.

Around 60 people attended a themed "Songs of Praise" on the Friday night. Arranged by Linda Parsons, the service was conducted by long serving church member and Local Preacher John Bell. On Saturday & Sunday scores of people flocked through the doors to view the incredible arrangements and savour refreshments and cream teas.

Guest preacher this month was Bristol District Chair the Rev'd Ward Jones. Mr Jones who had attended the Methodist Conference congratulated the church and after morning worship cut one of three cakes with 100 iced on them. In his sermon Mr. Jones highlighted the challenge by the church in Korea to double its membership. He said "We have to believe the church in Britain will grow again. We have to have hope and confidence".

And he referred to the Methodist Conference debate about whether its possible to be a member of the BNP and a Methodist. Mr. Jones said " I would suggest the two are incompatible. The BNP challenges the very heart of our faith. We are called to build each other up for our Christian faith is a whole life-world changing commitment".

Evening worship was conducted by BBC Radio Gloucestershire Sunday Breakfast presenter and former minister at Lonsdale the Rev'd Richard Atkins who spoke about his calling and work.

Remaining Centenary year guest preachers include former minister the Rev'd Trevor Payne (30th August), former President of Conference and Superintendent Minister of Wesley's Chapel LondonThe Rev the Lord Leslie Griffiths (27th September), past Bristol District Chair the Rev'd Ian White (25th October), former minister the Rev'd Vernon Godden (29th November) and finally, current Minister the Rev'd Carrie Seaton (27th December).

Proceeds from the Centenary year are for the church's chosen charity the Great Western Air Ambulance Service.

Picture: Rev Ward Jones cutting the Anniversary Cake

Sunday 28th June 09

10.30am & 6.30pm



Parish Vicar & Lay Preacher

& Lay Worker

at City Church 100th Birthday Celebrations



As part of a rolling programme of preachers marking the Centenary Year of a Gloucester Church.

At 10.30am this coming Sunday morning (28th June) at Lonsdale Road Methodist Church, the Rev'd Graham Osborne,Vicar of nearby St. Catharine's Anglican Church in London Road is guest preacher for the worship, led by Methodist Local Preacher Colin Pascoe.

Mr. Osborne's Parish, along with Holy Trinity Longlevens and Kendal Road Baptist Church is one of around four churches serving the Longlevens and Elmbridge areas of the City.



Then at 6.30pm the evening guest preacher is David Walker who served as Lonsdale's Lay Worker from 1990 to 1994. During his time at Lonsdale he worked alongside the Rev'd Vernon Godden and the late Rev'd David Boyle. In 1994 Mr Walker, a retired Probation Officer, founded Gloucestershire's Christian Counselling Service "Listening Post".
TOP 100 HYMNS

JOIN IN or COME & LISTEN

Hi there Hymn Singers! A Gloucester Church celebrating its 100th Birthday year serving the Longlevens and Elmbridge areas of the City is inviting people to come along and help sing 100 top Hymns on Saturday 21st February 09.

From 10am to 4.30pm at Lonsdale Road Methodist Church, off Elmbridge Road, Gloucester the countdown starts. Over recent months worshippers at the church were polled for their favourite hymns selected from The Methodist Hymns & Psalms Book, Songs of Fellowship, and Mission Praise. Well over 2000 to ponder over.

Now after a lot of number crunching a list of 100 favourite choices has been drawn up. Organisers say starting with the 100th hymn, 10 hymns will be sung every 30 minutes.

To whet your whistle lubricate your vocals, tea, coffee and cold drinks are available.When the 51st Hymn is sung at around 12.30pm its time for Lunch. After eating your own packed lunch and drinking another cuppa, its back to singing, hitting the high, low and the right notes.

The afternoon session starts at 2pm with number 50 and at 4pm the Top Ten countdown starts with the remaining 9. At 4.30pm the No1 Hymn is revealed.

Liz Haines a Centenary Committee member and one of the Singathon organisers says, it's all a bit of fun. " It's our version of Top of the Pops. They have no idea what the top Hymn will be. Whether it's a familiar one or a new style hymn. People can just come and sit or they can join in, for as long or as little as they wish".

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