Black History Month: honouring the past, inspiring the future
Dear Friends,
October is Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and rich heritage of Black people throughout history and in the present day. It provides an opportunity to learn about stories that have shaped communities, influenced nations, and inspired generations. It is also a time to reflect on the ongoing journey towards justice, equality, and mutual respect.
For Christians, Black History Month echoes the biblical truth that every person is created in the image of God:
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.
Genesis 1.27
The Bible teaches that God’s love and salvation are for all people, regardless of background or nationality:
There is neither Jew nor Gentile … for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3.28
Black History Month also reminds us of God’s vision of a diverse and united people worshipping together:
A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
Revelation 7.9
As we remember the courage, faith, resilience, and achievements of Black individuals throughout history, we are encouraged to work for justice and to value the dignity of every person:
Act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6.8
May this Black History Month be a time of learning, celebration, and thanksgiving for the gifts, talents, and contributions of Black communities, while inspiring us to build a future marked by equality, understanding, and hope for all.
Alison Mills
ALM and Churchwarden
Our Services
Sunday 18th October – 20th after Trinity – Service for Black History Month
10.45am
Join us for Café Church, with a Service of the Word led by our worship team to celebrate Black History Month. Refreshments are served from 10.30am and the service begins at 10.45am.
Music from Christian Fields includes traditional spirituals, gospel classics and congregational hymns. Prayers and readings are led by the St Nick’s team.
Preacher: Jolivia Gaston
Presider: Alison Mills
Readings
| Reading | Passage |
|---|---|
| Old Testament | Genesis 9.8-17 |
| New Testament | Psalm 146.5–10 |
| Gospel | Luke 10. 25 -37 |
Hymns
| No. | Hymn |
|---|---|
| HON 27 | Amazing Grace |
| Swing Low Sweet Chariot | |
| HON 522 | To God Be The Glory |
| Stay with me | |
| HON 54 | Be Still My Soul |
| HON 206 | He's Got The Whole World In His Hands |
Sunday 25th October – Last after Trinity
10.45am
Join us for our regular Sunday Communion. The service begins at 10.45am.
Refreshments, including tea, coffee and biscuits will be served after the service.
Music from Christian Fields includes congregational hymns. Prayers and readings are led by the St Nick’s team.
Please remember that we will be having a ‘Planning Center introduction’ after the service.
Presiding and preaching: Rev. Peter Matthews
Readings
| Reading | Passage |
|---|---|
| Old Testament | Deuteronomy 34.1–12 |
| New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 2.1–8 |
| Gospel | Matthew 22.34–end |
Hymns
| No. | Hymn |
|---|---|
| HON 46 | At The Name Of Jesus |
| HON 169 | God Is Love His The Care |
| HON 95 | Come on and celebrate |
| HON 486 | The Lord is my light |
| HON 237 | I Will Sing The Wondrous Story |
| HON 571 | The Trees Of The Field |
Coming Up at St Nick’s
- Saturday 17th October, 11am–12.30pm – Macmillan Coffee Morning
- Sunday 18th October – Introduction to Planning Center
- Monday 19th October, 7.30pm – LoveJoyPeace
- Tuesday 20th October, 7pm–9pm – The People’s Emergency Briefing, Burnage Library
- Wednesday 21st October, 1pm–3pm – Craft and Coffee Afternoon
- Tuesday 3rd November, 7pm – Taizé Evening Worship
Prayers
Sunday 18th October
A Collect for Black History Month
Compassionate God,
who sent Jesus Christ
to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,
create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,
to see the image of God in every person
irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.
May we be generous in our love of others
as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice;
creating communities of human flourishing,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Sunday 25th October
Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, or know of someone who would welcome a visit or phone call from our pastoral team, please email Alison at alison@st-nicholas-church.org.uk.