Weekly notices 18th January

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Notices

Methodist HQ in London have sent us 3 copies of a new magazine. These can be found on the office desk and the accompanying letter on the noticeboard.

Cafe Church with theme "Generosity" on Sunday 25th January. We will 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 S. 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, run by Care for the Family, with Rob Parsons and comedian/magician John Archer. Tickets £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.

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

Prayer Group

We read again from the book of Romans - the Spirit himself intercedes for us as we ponder how to pray.

We gave thanks for words of encouragement found in the Bible and for God's guidance.

As we start another year of hope may God help us to be instruments of hope and peace in our neighbourhood and beyond, giving us the right words to say. We ask God's blessing on the church and its worshipers worldwide.

The terrorist shootings in Paris led us to think of Jesus prayer before He was crucified. He prayed for himself, his disciples, all believers and all who hear the message that they will believe and be brought to complete unity and know that God sent Jesus to show us how much He loves us. Only by living and loving like Jesus, whatever faith we follow, will there be peace and reconciliation. But there are so many divisions.

We prayed for all those affected by the Paris attacks.

We also prayed for the people in power or leading world organisations (NATO, UN, IMF etc...) who have influence in decision making, to guide us into peace.

Various conflicts are still ongoing and causing severe distress to thousands of people - Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Palestine, several parts of Africa etc... So many people displaced from their homes, mourning loved ones and suffering hardship. We prayed for peace.

We prayed for Justin Welby (the Archbishop of Canterbury) who is recovering from pneumonia, for the Pope - who has a heart for the poor - and for leaders of other denominations and faiths.

We gave thanks for agencies and food banks helping the needy thinking especially of the Parson Cross 'Share' project. May resources and volunteers be available to keep these projects going so that their necessary help for the poor can continue.