Weekly notices 11th January

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Morning Service

10:30am

Alan Kennell

junior church / crèche

Evening Service

6:15pm

Rev. Graham Wassell

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

2Peter 1 v.3

Notices

The David Battye House Group will meet on Wednesday 14th January 2pm (please note the time).

Cafe Church with theme "Generosity" on Sunday 25th January. We’ll gather in the church hall for a more relaxed and informal sort of worship. Tea, coffee and pastries will be served from 10:15am onwards, throughout the various activities, discussions, crafts, etc... which will commence at 10:30am.

The next Council Meeting is on Tuesday 27th January at 7:30pm at church.

Interfaith 'Food & Friendship': you are all warmly invited to the next discussion evening at Shirley House on Thursday 29th January at 5.30pm. Topic: How does our faith affect our response to our neighbours during these times of economic hardship? Please bring some food to share, your thoughts and ideas, newspaper cuttings or scriptural texts.

Chippy Church is back on Friday 30th January at 6:30pm at church (as every last Friday of the month). Come and join us for discussion, fun, games and, of course, fish and chips.

Feedback Questionnaires about the small groups that have been happening during October, November and December are on the welcome desk. Please fill one in (you don't have to have attended a group) and leave for Becca. Thanks.

Ladies’ Guild Group will NOT meet in January / February.

Branching out: all articles for the spring edition of the magazine to be handed or emailed to Stuart Craigen by Sunday 1st February. Thank you.

Flower fund: if you do not wish to be on the flower rota but are willing to donate to the flower fund two or three times a year, see Pat Schofield. We do need this fund for funerals and other special occasions.

Lyceum Pantomime “Aladdin” will be on Friday 11th December 7:00pm. All tickets for seats in the stalls (rows C, D and E) will be £16 if 25+ people book and tickets are paid for by Sunday 15th February. Cliff.

NO Wesley Guild meetings until Monday 16th February. John G.

Ashing / Holy Communion service: on Wednesday 18th February 7:30pm.

Thinking Day / 1st in Lent service: on Sunday 22nd February at 10:30am.

Talk about your beliefs: I need at least 6 volunteers to complete a short questionnaire (either in writing or, if you prefer, I could interview you) so that I can pull together a document to demonstrate that you don't have to have a set of predefined beliefs (or even know what you believe) to be part of the Church. All responses will be anonymous. Let me know if you wish to take part. Wendy.

Mission Shaped Ministry course will be running again at Psalter Lane soon. It is a great chance to explore fresh expression style church and learn how other people are trying new things. If interested, see Becca.

“Bring Me Sunshine”: a light-hearted look at the ups and downs of family life on 3rd March 7:30pm at the Double Tree (Hilton Hotel) S8 8BW, run by Care for the Family, with Rob Parsons and comedian/magician John Archer. Tickets £4 till 12th Jan, then £6 (£7 on the door). Group discounts available. See Becca.

Appeal for help (advance notice): Wisewood church is going to host a district circuit meeting on Wednesday 11th March. It could be attended by 150-200 people. We have been asked to provide tea/coffee between 7:00-7.30pm before the meeting starts. If you could help in any way please see Stuart/Sue R.

Ebola Outbreak Appeal: as a result of some of us exhibiting a greetings’ card to all their friends at Wisewood church (instead of sending several individual ones) and making a charitable donation, a sum of £150 has been forwarded to the British Red Cross. Many thanks to those who chose this method of greeting. Margaret T.

Gift Day this year will be on Sunday 22nd March.

Prayer Group

We read from Psalm 105: 'Let the hearts of those that seek the Lord rejoice' and gave thanks for the reassurance we find in the psalms.

We gave thanks for all the reminders of God's love we see today, especially over the Christmas period (HARC, Samaritans' Purse, various food banks etc.). May this draw more people to seek to know more about Jesus.

Thanks too for all the agencies helping those in need, wherever they are, to make a difference for good and bring hope to desperate people. May their workers and volunteers find renewed enthusiasm for the tasks in hand.

We prayed for families and friends grieving following the plane crash near Indonesia and gave thanks that an international force is working together to help find and recover the bodies of the 150+ people killed.  

May all countries realise that the way to a peaceful world is for reconciliation between warring groups and for all to work together.  

Prayers also for those affected by the fire on board a ferry in the Adriatic and for the hundreds of Syrians hoping to enter Italy but abandoned by unscrupulous con-men on a cargo ship with no crew.

Our prayers continued for a resolution to the Ebola crisis. We remembered the nurse suffering from this disease in a London hospital following her return from west Africa and prayed for her recovery.

In Romans 8 we read - 'We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us'.

We give thanks for God's word which lifts us into the light of His love. May we reflect His love and light and may it soar far and wide.