Notices 20th November

Sunday, November 20, 2016

NO Evening Service on Sunday 20th November.

Christmas Fair is on this Saturday, 26th November, at 11:00am, in the church hall. Church will be open from 1:30pm on Friday for preparing the stalls.

First Advent Sunday, 27th November 10:30am Shoebox / All Age Service led by Joan Bugg -

6:15pm Holy Communion Service led by Katie Leonowicz

Church Christmas Cards. For the past three years Becca has produced and delivered the church Christmas cards. This year Katie is producing them, but it is up to the congregation to deliver them. On the welcome desk is a list of streets we hope to cover and the approximate number of residences there are in each road. We are trying to minimise the cost by only printing cards which will be delivered. It would be very helpful if you could sign up against the streets you are able to deliver. The cards will be available from Sunday 27th November. We hope you can help in this outreach to the community. In anticipation of your help, many thanks. David and Enid.

Support UNICEF this Christmas. As in previous years, a panel will be available at the back of the worship area of our church, for those who wish to display a token card to their friends at Wisewood. By doing so, we ask for a donation in lieu of money spent on cards. We will support UNICEF this Christmas 2016. Margaret T.

Christmas Concert by Vivacity Choir is going to be held at Wisewood Methodist Church on Saturday 10th December, at 6:30pm, in support of the charity 'Carmel Care Centre'. For further details, please see the blue poster on the notice board.

Wisewood Christmas Celebration by Friends of Wisewood and District on Sunday 11th December at 3:30pm, at RIVA building and carpark.

“A Journey Through Life” play presented by Sooper Troopers, on Wednesday 14th December, 1:00pm, at Hillsborough Park Sports Arena, free of charge, including tea/coffee and mince pies. Hope to see you there. Si.

Prayer Group Report

We gave thanks to the Lord for being with us and asked that we be prompted in our prayers for those things which will enhance His kingdom.

Thanks too for our church, for our minister Katie, for the stewards and all who attend.

The Pope has made approaches to the Lutheran Church to heal the long-standing rift between them. A joint declaration has been signed confirming that what unites them is greater than that which divides, deepening understanding and trust.

We prayed for the agencies (HARC, Shelter, Centrepoint etc) working with the homeless by helping to provide accommodation, food etc. as the cold weather begins to bite.

'Biblelands' ask us to pray for Ethiopia, which has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Audio bibles in various dialects are being distributed across Ethiopia and this is transforming people's way of living.

Tearfund is working in many areas of Africa, helping construct schools and clean water supplies. We gave thanks for this and remembered especially the work in Democratic Republic of Congo, which has suffered many years of conflict.

We prayed against the hatred and divisions which have arisen since the result of the recent election in the USA and prayed that social improvements such as 'Obama-care' may not be affected by the new presidency. We gave thanks for the outgoing president's call for calm and acceptance.

We read from Psalm 46 - 'God is our refuge and our strength etc. Be still and know that I am God.' May God's Holy Spirit inspire and raise up peacemakers.