Notices 10th July

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Action for Children Sunday. Gift envelopes are available for donations in support of the continual vital work being carried out, helping neglected and vulnerable children / young people. "Across the UK 3.7million children live in poverty. 1.7million live in absolute poverty." If you are making a donation and are a tax payer able to Gift Aid your donation, please do so. This will provide an additional 25p for each £1.00 at no extra cost to ourselves. Thank you for your support. It will be most gratefully received. Stella.

Wisewood Summer Festival (by Friends of Wisewood and the Sports Centre) will be Saturday 16th July, 10:00am-4:00pm (stalls from 11:00am). Bouncy castle, football tournaments, refreshments in RIVA, stalls and games, fire engine, miniature ponies and more! We are also in need of volunteers to direct car parking, set up gazebos and other small jobs. Please come and support the community. If you would like to help on the combined church stall (us and St Polycarps), please speak to Becca or Margaret P.

The Methodist Conference 2016 unanimously passed a resolution calling for respect and tolerance in our national life in the wake of the divisive EU Referendum Campaign. It asked that a letter be sent to MP's and others in positions of leadership, via www.methodist.org.uk/nationallife which makes it easier, by automatically generating an email based on the postcode you give, addressing it to the correct MP. Alternatively, there is a link on the page to a Word document, if you prefer to send it via Royal Mail.

Ladies' Guild Coffee Morning will be on Saturday 23rd July 10:30am-1:00pm. There will be cakes on sale, and Bring & Buy stalls. Please support us as the money will go to two charities of our choice. Pat & Sue.

Table Top Sale on Saturday 23rd July, at 10:00am, in the flats at the bottom of Laird Drive. It will include a tombola, a raffle and refreshments.

FREE Summer Fun Day on Saturday 23rd July 10:30am-2:30pm at Walkley Ebenezer Church, AFCH Training Centre, Greenhow Street (off South Road) S6 3TP. It will include fun dance & drama, karaoke, BBQ, raffle, free tasters in our arts and crafts, drama games, mock-tail making, hair plaiting, nail painting and lots more. Please use public transport whenever possible (bus 95 is the most frequent). Parking is very limited. Directly opposite the entrance, there is a chemist and a medical centre with a small car park, where you can park for short periods of time. Hope to see you there. Si. Contact: 0114 3485547 / 07788526667 / allfriendscommunityhub@outlook.com / communityhub.yolasite.com.

Becca & Dave’s Wedding. Everyone is invited on Saturday 30th July, at 1:45pm, at Wisewood Church. If you live locally and can avoid using your car, or share lifts with each other, please do, in order to leave room for guests travelling from across the country. Thank you.

Prayer Group Report

We read from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 where Hezekiah is pleading with the people to turn back to God.

We also read Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians Chapter 6 verse 18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

At this time of turmoil in our country, it is essential that we pray for wisdom of the leaders who have to deal with complex issues. We also need to pray for a spirit of unity to heal the divisions that the last few days have revealed and pray earnestly for the future of our country. We prayed for justice, peace, faithfulness and, above all, love.

We prayed for our minister Katie and thanked God for all the inspiration she has brought to our church life. We prayed that she would be encouraged and built up by us all.

We prayed for people who are suffering, especially those who are in pain and facing an uncertain future. We remembered those in our prayer book who are facing difficult situations.

We gave thanks for our Queen and for the faith that has sustained and the nation, through changing and challenging times. Her consistent quiet service has bought deep respect and affection for her and been a blessing for all the country.

We prayed also that we would have the courage to stand up for what we believe in and we have words and actions that help us to witness to our faith.

We remembered especially those Christians facing persecution in difficult situations.