Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. (Psalm 96 v1-2)

CONTACT The Small Heath Baptist Church News Magazine.

MARCH 2017

"This church is an assortment of God's people who are committed to giving opportunities to any one to become a disciple of Jesus Christ"

TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS MAGAZINE, PUT YOUR ITEM ON A MEMORY STICK AND GIVE IT TO MAGGIE HAZEL OR SEND IT TO HER IN AN E-MAIL.

NOTE: PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ITEMS FOR THE FEBRUARY EDITION BY MARCH 2nd. THANK YOU.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Registered Office: Small Heath Baptist Church, 14 Jenkins Street, Small Heath, Birmingham, B10 0QH

Pastor’s Letter Hello church! I hope and pray you are all well and having a really blessed year so far. However, having had a rotten cold or flu that seemed to last ages and drain my energy out of my toes, I have heard of so many other people that have been unwell with similar symptoms. Thankfully I am pretty much fully recovered and for those of you that are still suffering, “Be healed in the mighty name of Jesus!” There are many things that can make us feel unwell or tired not only physically but spiritually as well and we need to take care of our spiritual health just as much as our physical. Sometimes spiritual sickness can lead to physical symptoms, unresolved anger, bitterness and unforgiveness can possibly lead to pain in various parts of the body that no tablet can treat successfully. Deliberate and wilful sinning can also manifest physical symptoms. The way to deal with it is to go to Doctor Jesus and ask Him for a diagnosis. Ask Him to show you the things in your life that He doesn’t like and are causing you unnecessary pain and take the prescription he gives you. Please hear me, I don’t want to be a “Job’s comforter” and I certainly don’t believe that all sickness is due to sin or a result of “enemy” activity, but it might be and it is worth checking it out as it shouldn’t take long and you don’t have to wait for an appointment! Whatever the underlying cause the treatment is the same, applying the precious blood of Jesus as in Isaiah 53:4, 5. While I really do believe in miracles and can testify to so many over many years, God can and does heal through medicine as well. If you believe God has healed you and you have been taking medicine, please seek your doctor’s advice before stopping, if nothing else we will have medical confirmation of a miracle. I would like to return to my general life story or testimony! In the mid 1980’s Just after our son Philip was born we moved house to be closer to Parkwood Church. We hadn’t been there long, Philip was still only about a year old, when I was holding him and showing him around the garden, when suddenly I tripped and fell on the garden path. I was hurtling towards the concrete path with him in my arms thinking – NO! I twisted somehow in mid-air and took the full force of the fall on my left arm, mainly around the elbow. As I laid on my back, Philip was on my chest giggling and thinking that was funny, thankfully completely unharmed! Contd. . . . .

I was not sure I wanted to get up at all the pain was that bad. I think Diane was out and I was on my own with Philip and eventually I slowly got up. I found I could move my arm and although it hurt, I didn’t think it was broken and being the brave man that I was decided not to go to hospital. Nearly the whole of the upper part of my left arm became a beautiful rainbow of colours! We often hold tight onto our children wanting to hold them in our arms and protect them as much as possible from any kind of upset and harm. Quite often in our efforts to take care of our children it will cause us indescribable pain and hurt and they will not even appreciate what we have done for them. We do it because we love them. We hopefully will dedicate them to the Lord and ask for His help in taking care of them because as they grow we can’t always be with them. As they do grow, we may not always see as much of them as we like, let alone hold them in our arms and sometimes they will still cause us pain. All we can do is hold them in our arms in prayer asking God to wrap His arms and love and care and protection around them.

Promises of God 10 Isaiah 3 v21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,

“This is the way; walk in it.”

For your prayers: Lynn, god-daughter of John Wiltshire who passed away recently. Also his good friend, Simon Ellis * May Green & family following the sudden death of her cousin Pat * Paul Josephs, his mum and the family (Paul’s Dad passed away just before Christmas) * Adam Brown * Jim Vernal’s son Craig * Pastor Richard’s son-in-law, Steve, & family * Mary Lee * Leigh Jones , Carole’s son, & his girlfriend who is in hospital * Ella Wilkes & Sylvia Harrison (Pauline’s grand-daughter and daughter’s mother-in-law) * Pastor Richard’s friends; Bill, having chemo and Angela following cancer surgery * Andrew & Leonie whose 3-week old baby has sickle-cell * Ruben Douglas & his daughter Selena * Pastor Richard’s friend, Steve * Del Kerr & family * Goldie Mullings * Cornilious Shahbaz * Gloria Wray & her friend, Thurleen Patrick * Hylton & Olive Dale * Leonora Annakie * Hector & Ina Lawrence * Mary Thompson * Gary Patterson * Beth Archer * Ruby Hayles * Bill & Jennifer Dixon * Simeon & Alethia Brown, grandson Thomas, & great grandson Reon * May Green’s father * L ucille Farquharson * Blossom McIntosh * Ricky DaCosta and his sick mother in America * Stephanie, friend of Raph & Jen, who has cancer * Martin & Danielle Ellis’s work with refugees in Switzerland * Our friends in Stockton-on-Tees *

In Mary Street—Daisy Coleman St. Joseph’s House, Erdington —Hilma Campbell

Letter received recently from CHRISTIAN AID

Dear Mrs Hazel, With millions of people around the world displaced from their homes by war, conflict and disaster, there has never been a more important time for Christian Aid to be offering life-changing assistance. Unfortunately, at the end of 2016 we had a £1.5 million shortfall in expected income, which will make it difficult for us to continue many vital areas of our work. With our partners, we are doing everything we can. But I'm afraid that such a big shortfall will put some really crucial projects in jeopardy.

Your gift could provide emergency food and shelter for a desperate family who've had to flee their home.

Your support for our work tells me that it matters to you that everybody should have a safe place to call home, and I'd like to thank you for everything you do

to support us. But we desperately need more funds to enable us to continue to save lives and rebuild communities. You only have to glance at the news to see that the world has become a much more unstable, and violent place. In Nigeria, huge numbers of displaced people urgently need food, water and emergency shelter because of the terror group Boko Haram. The cause may be different, but the same need exists in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines - to name just a few of the places we're working in right now. Your donation could help support our life-saving work around the world. Thank you in advance for your support.

Nick Guttmann Head of Humanitarian Division

NB—CHRISTIAN AID WEEK IS MAY 14th—21st THIS YEAR

CHILDREN’S BIBLE QUIZ 2

CHILDREN’S BIBLE QUIZ 2

1 What is the first book of the Bible?

2 Name the first woman created by God.

3 Which bird did Noah send out FIRST from the ark?

4 How many brothers did Joseph have?

5 Where were the Israelites made to work as slaves?

6 Name Moses’s brother.

7 What was David’s job before he became king?

8 Where did Adam and his wife live before they disobeyed God?

9 How many sheep were there in the story of the lost sheep?

10 How many Commandments did God give to Moses?

11 How many disciples did Jesus choose?

12 To which country did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to be safe from King Herod?

Answers later in the magazine – but answer

the questions first and don’t cheat!

Did you know that . . . “Silence" star Liam Neeson has shared how the film impacted his faith and said that he believes God is a God of love. The 64-year-old actor said that the film was "a meditation on doubt and faith; a serious study about belief". "You strike up a relationship with Christ through the Gospels, so that ultimately Christ becomes your brother, someone you talk to regularly, every day, throughout the day," he said. "Silence", directed by Martin Scorsese, tells the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver), who face violence and persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor, Father Ferreira ( Neeson), who renounced the faith under torture at the hands of the Japanese regime. The film is based on the acclaimed 1966 novel by Japanese Catholic writer Shusaku Endo. "I think Ferreira's idea of God was ultimately one of love, but this is what I choose to believe myself," Neeson said. "If God were a stern master, I would have given up the faith long ago. God is love, love is God. I have had personal experiences of God's love, beautiful and calming, all the things the Psalms talk about. " Neeson's co-star, Andrew Garfield, has also shared how the film impacted him spiritually, saying he "fell in love" with Jesus while preparing for the role.

"What was really easy was falling in love with this person, was falling in love with Jesus Christ. That was the most surprising thing," Garfield said. " That was the most remarkable thing - falling in love, and how easy it was to fall in love with Jesus.” The actors were sent on a silent Retreat in Wales as a preparation for the film. The star told The New York Times. “On

retreat, you enter into your imagination to accompany Jesus through his life from his conception to his crucifixion and resurrection.“You are walking, talking, praying with Jesus, suffering with him.” The actor, who recently starred in Hacksaw Ridge , another faith-based film, said that he felt frustrated that others had given Jesus a "bad name," and that Christianity has not always been used for good.

EASTER SERVICES Palm Sunday (April 9th)

‘Open Doors’ service with a visiting speaker

Maundy Thursday (April 13th)

7.30 Service inc. foot-washing & Communion

Good Friday (April 14th)

10.00 Service

12.00 Walk of Witness (venues to be announced)

Easter Sunday (April 16th)

11.00 Service with Baptisms & Easter bonnet

parade

Recent Events in t he life of the church

Marleigh Alexandra Forbes (Fern Springer’s granddaughter) at her dedication on 12th February.

Ben Parkinson is prayed for before he returned to the Butterfly Project in Uganda last week. He announced that all the recent cohort of children have been found sponsors, and that the CONTAINER is set to go!

More Recent Events

The Youth group, who were awarded £500 by Asda, Small Heath, for winning the ‘Green token’ charity vote in the store.

Kathleen Samuels cutting her 80th Birthday Cake

JOHN WILTSHIRE 11th January 1922 – 13th February 2017

Welshman, Member since 1955 and Deacon of Small Heath Baptist Church, surrogate father and grandfather, lover of Welsh

hymns, school governor, rugby & cricket fan, and friend. JOHN WILTSHIRE By Pauline Wilkes

I suppose my memories of John go back some 50 years, as I grew up knowing OF him being a member of the Church, but not knowing him personally, until in more recent years. But I DO know of his reputation, and remember what a caring, loving man he was. Born in the Rhondda, he came as a very young man to the Midlands and after working in Northampton moved to Birmingham. He lodged in Hawkes Street with Mrs. Meredith, a faithful member of this Church, and I imagine originally came along with her – his introduction to Small Heath Baptist. They later moved to Sheldon, and their roles became reversed, as HE cared for her! He was baptised and became a Church member in 1955. His love of music – particularly Welsh hymns - drew him to the Church choir, where it was the norm to sing an introit and anthem for both morning and evening services. He sang further afield, as he joined the Welsh Canaldir choir in Birmingham, so was unable to commit to both and left the Church choir. John became a deacon, and made many close friendships within the Church – notably Eddie Vaughan (another Welshman) who lived in Cyril Road. Continued overleaf . . . .

His caring and helpful manner was apparent in many instances – calling for an elderly lady every Sunday, to take her to Church, and supporting several young people who were having difficulties. He was a tremendous support to Kin and Wai Lan when they returned from the Mission field in Nepal, sharing his house with them. John served in the St John Ambulance Brigade, and I recall on occasions, seeing him in his uniform. He had a tremendous heart for children - helping financially and practically where he saw the need; His prayers at House Group always included those for children. He had attended Simon and Heather’s House group for several years, where he enjoyed the fellowship and discussion, only being prevented by ill health from getting there. He was for a time, a Governor at Mapledene School. John was the instigator of our connection with Kablatstane and supported all fund-raising to support them. He took part in one of Florence’s plays – when we were all astounded when he was `finished off’ in the first Act! He was a good cook, and always made a good meal for himself, and often had visitors to share his lovely food – he made a mean apple pie! His garden too, was his pride and joy in his fitter days, and he produced the vegetables he cooked. John was one of the stalwarts of our Church over many years, and we are sad that he is no longer with us, but rejoice that he is now with His Lord.

JOHN WILTSHIRE – Cricket Club President—by Simon

John first attended a Church cricket match on a Church holiday to Oswestry when we played a midweek friendly match at Llanfyllin Cricket Club. Continued . . . . . .

He attended the next match when we returned to Birmingham and immediately became a regular for many years. He had a great knack of taking wickets for the team. Whenever we were struggling he would get up from his chair and go for a walk around the boundary edge. Our luck would regularly change at this point and wickets would begin to fall. He would then return to his seat and beer to wait until we needed him again. John particularly enjoyed our annual Tour weekend where we stayed at Coed-y-go Farm in Oswestry and travelled to play two games at Llanfyllin and Bishops Castle. He would regularly be up early to start breakfast and took a full part in the social aspects of the weekend. On the Saturday evening we went out for a meal but one year we were struggling to find a place to eat. John was anticipating steak and many vegetables as usual, so imagine his face when presented with a pizza, not an item on his regular menu at home! John always found the time to talk to everyone during this weekend, especially those players who did not attend church or did so on occasions. Many players expressed their sadness on hearing the news. We all have happy memories of having John as part of our team. Simon Ellis John is seen here with Ian Godfree, Martin Ellis and Pauline John (who was then

Pauline Wright)

John Wiltshire by Ken Hazel

I have many memories about John, which I guess will be shared by others. One in particular has been in my mind for many years as a seminal moment. When I mentioned it to Simon he had no recollection of it, nor had Maggie when I asked her, so I thought it ought to be recorded. In the late 1980s, our Pastor, Bill Dixon, wanted to encourage us in the things of the Holy Spirit. He had a new experience of God which he wished to share with the church. He had invited a team from Brick Hill Baptist Church, Bedford to take a church weekend at Small Heath. At this time John came to church evening services, but left straight away at the end of the service. (I know this because later he talked to me about it). On the Friday evening of the weekend a lady from Brick Hill brought a bunch of closed daffodils in a vase of water to the front, and she suggested we see how they open up over the weekend and ask God to do that in our lives. The weekend then followed where the Holy Spirit moved very powerfully. On Sunday evening we were asked to give testimony. John came to the front and said as the daffodils had by then opened beautifully, so he had been opened up by God and realised how closed he had been in the past. It was the first time in my years at church that John had come forward. His testimony was powerful, and for him, life changing. What followed was years as a church leader and supporter of all the changes Pastor Bill was encouraging. There are many other memories of a great man of God, but that weekend is what I remember!!!

John on the 1992 Church Holiday at Coed-y-Go with Patrick Hylton, Andrew Dixon (who passed away some years ago) and myself—we had a cricket match at Bodfach Hall.

Fond memories of John from Phil & Jackie:

A very good friend of ‘mom’ before and during her illness going out to the theatre & meals. family times - spent time going out and at his house. The support he gave mom through her illness. The support and care he gave to mom on our Wedding day (5thFeb 1983). Travelled to and from hospital in the ambulance with mom. Walked mom in her wheelchair in to church, stayed with her and ensured she safely got back to hospital (mom passed-away 6 days later on 11th Feb 1983). Continued support of the whole family .... His hand written letters - staying in contact with Jeanette when she went to uni. A nest of tables – his wedding present, that we still have and use daily. A gentle man empowered by God to share in the evening Sunday services – usually singing… John & Jude baby-sitting for us ...... John taking a keen interest in and supporting Lizzy in his own quiet way. Cricket on a Saturday – with a beer afterwards! Cooking breakfast on Cricket tours. He has been missed for a while now. Often in our thoughts. Phil & Jackie

John with Phil & Jackie’s mom, Jean, in 1983

Bill Dixon read this letter at John Wiltshire’s Thanksgiving Service:

Dear Family and Friends of John, My name is Sodhiawire. You do not know me and I doubt we shall ever meet. I live in South Africa but I was born in Lilongwe, Malawi. I have one brother and three sisters. When I was around ten my father died of Aids and Mum looked after us the best she could but by the time I was twelve Mum also died of Aids and we were left as orphans to do the best we could looking after each other. Every Sunday we went to the Baptist Church where now and then we met people from Small Heath Baptist Church. You were all very kind to us and one man, called John, wanted to try and help me. Without him I would never have gone to school. He sent me money to pay school fees and he would always encourage me. Though I never met him I knew he must love me and pray for me. When I left school I wanted to work and learn a trade. I managed to get to South Africa hoping to try to better myself. There I trained to be a qualified butcher. I now work for a big company called Spar in Durban. I am the man that I am today because of a man I never met. I want you all to know how grateful I was when Bill told me I could send you a message as you meet to say goodbye to such a wonderful man. Much love, Sodhiawire Mdhiuli.

Open Doors news Christians in Asia and India at risk amid rising religious

nationalism - 2

Among the trends of the past 25 years noted in the report is the falling rank of China: “The days of hundreds kept in detention, a ban on Bibles, and house-church gatherings brutally broken up by police thugs seem to have receded in favour of more sophisticated manipulation.” Secular intolerance in the Western world will be reflected in the top 50, the authors predict, “sooner than we might think”. In a series of recommendations, the British Government is urged to take more steps to champion freedom of religion and belief, including during post-Brexit trade negotiations. But it should cease making “casual references” to the UK as a Christian country, it says, given the rise of religious nationalism. Open Doors notes that, despite persecution, the Church has grown “with amazing rapidity”. Pastor in Nigeria describes persecution. A leader in the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Aminu, has seen his congregation in Yobe State shrink in size from 400-500, before Boko Haram entered the state in 2011, to fewer than ten today. This week, he described how the militant Islamist group had gone from door to door in the night, killing Christians. Many had since fled to neighbouring states. A convert from Islam, he described the “terrible experience” of seeing churches destroyed, and the refusal of the state’s authorities to meet him. Many Christians were worshipping under trees. In addition to violence, he described marginalisation and discrimination in education and employment, and a lack of basic infrastructure in “Jerusalem”, the Christian community in which he lives, in the state capital Damaturu. He identified illiteracy, poverty, and political manipulation as roots of Islamic extremism. Christians must not retaliate, he said. “I will be the last person to close my church. I will never leave Damaturu, because I am the shepherd.”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in pray-er. Share with the Lord's people who are in need..." Romans 12:12-13

Small Prize for first child or teenager who can find and write out any verse of the Bible that says something very similar to this – with its Bible reference!

And explain what the person who said it actually meant. . . . . . .

Put your name on and hand it to Maggie or Ken.

Who Makes the Tea? A married couple were arguing who would make the tea. The wife said that in the Bible it says that men should make the tea, so the husband asked her where it said that. The wife opened the Bible and said: "Right here in HEBREWS!"

ONE-LINERS

Q - Who was the smartest man in the Bible?

A - Abraham. He knew a Lot. Q - What kind of man was Boaz before he married?

A - Ruthless.

QUIZ ANSWERS 2

1 Genesis

2 Eve

3 A raven

4 Eleven

5 Egypt

6 Aaron

7 A shepherd

8 The Garden of Eden

9 One hundred

10 Ten

11 Twelve

12 Egypt

Soccer Commentaries 1 Actual Remarks Made by Soccer Commentators:

1. Well, it's Liverpool two, Ipswich nil, and if the score stays this way, I've got to fancy Liverpool for the win. 2. He had an eternity to play that ball, but took too long. 3. And so they have not been able to improve on their 100% record. 4. With the last kick of the game, he scored with a header. 5. Well, it's a fabulous kaleidoscope of colour: almost all the Brazilians are wearing yellow shirts.

EATING IN THE UK IN THE FIFTIES (Recognising these will show your age! Ed)

Pasta had not been invented. Curry was a surname.

A takeaway was a mathematical problem. A pizza was something to do with a leaning tower.

Bananas and oranges only appeared at Christmas time.

All crisps were plain; the only choice we had was whether to put the salt on or not.

A Chinese chippy was a foreign carpenter. Rice was a milk pudding, and never, ever part of our dinner.

A Big Mac was what we wore when it was raining. Brown bread was something only poor people ate.

Oil was for lubricating, fat was for cooking Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves and never green.

Coffee was Camp, and came in a bottle. Cubed sugar was regarded as posh.

Only Heinz made beans. Fish didn't have fingers in those days.

Eating raw fish was called poverty, not sushi.

None of us had ever heard of yoghurt. Healthy food consisted of anything edible. People who didn't peel potatoes were regarded as lazy.

Indian restaurants were only found in India .

Cooking outside was called camping. Seaweed was not a recognised food.

"Kebab" was not even a word never mind a food. Sugar enjoyed a good press in those days, and was regarded

as being white gold. Prunes were medicinal.

Surprisingly muesli was readily available, it was called cattle feed.

Pineapples came in chunks in a tin; we had only ever seen a picture of a real one. Continued . . . . . .

1950s contd.

Water came out of the tap, and if someone had suggested bottling it and charging more than petrol for it they would have become a laughing stock. The one thing that we never ever had on our table in the fifties …. Was elbows!

ADVANCE NOTICE – there will be an Easter Bonnet / Hat parade as part of our

Easter Sunday service!

DO YOU WEAR AN NHS HEARING AID?

Did you know you can get new batteries, advice & new tubing at the church in Joshua Room? On the 2nd Wednesday of each

month, 10.00 am – 12.00? Just drop by – and have a cuppa

too! The next few dates are:

Action on Hearing Loss 0121 450 8980

www.actiononhearingloss.org.ukregional.services@hearingloss.org.uk

Wed.Feb 8th Wed.May 10th

Wed.Aug.9th

Wed.March 8th Wed.June 14th

Wed.Sept.13th

Wed. April 12th Wed. July11th

Wed. Oct.11th

The Rotas

STEWARDS WELCOME TEAM

Mar 5 Lloyd, Lemuel, Keano, Denzil Mar 5 Ben & Gloria 12 Ben, June M , Janet James 12 Lloyd & Joan 19 Othniel, Simeon, Mr. Atkinson 19 Ran & Lyn 26 Muriel, Mary, George, Daniel 26 Daphne & Mavis M

April 2 Ran & Leonora April 2 Delores King & Euvine Green 9 Lloyd, Lemuel, Keano, Denzil 9 Janet James & Fern Springer

COFFEE FLOWERS Mar 5 Leonora & Mary B Mar 5 Maggie Hazel

12 Ran & Carole 12 19 Ken & Raymond 19 Lorna in memory of Andrew 26 Robbie & Euvine 26 Alethia brown—birthday

April 2 Pauline W & Alexander J April 2 Fern Springer 9 Joy & Jim 9 Lloyd

WORSHIP BMS BIRTHDAY SCHEME Mar 5 Raphael

March —15th Ricky DaCosta NB If you would like to remember your birthday with a gift to BMS, please see Pauline Wilkes

12 Jennifer 19 Jennifer 26 Maggie

April 2 Judith 9 Ester

Next month’s magazine will be available on Sunday 2nd April 2017