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The blog of David Alexander, Vicar of Stopsley Parish Church (St Thomas's).
Further details on www.stopsleyparish.org.uk

Thursday, 31 October 2013

Remember, remember November…. Newsheet for 3/11/2013

STOPSLEY PARISH CHURCH - ST THOMAS‘
NEWSHEET
3 November 2013

Here is some of our news, with an invitation to join us for our services or activities.

Sunday Morning’s Theme is: Exodus 2:11-22. God has heard your cry.
Readings: Exodus 2:11-22 (p59), Luke 19:1-10 (p1053)
Sunday Evening’s Theme is: 1 Peter 2:4-10. Find Life with a Purpose.
Readings: Isa 1:10-18 (p685), 1 Peter 2:4-10 (p1218)
Midweek Theme is: John 3:1-21. How to Enter Limitless Life.
Readings: Isa 1:10-18 (p685), John 3:1-21 (p1065)

HEADLINE NEWS
  • Bonfire Night Tuesday 5th November join us at 6:30pm for a bonfire party with special food. We meet in the Church Hall and hopefully the weather will allow us to gather round a small bonfire in the Hall garden.
  • Commemoration On Sunday 10 November, at 6.30pm, we will be holding our annual Commemoration Service where we can remember with thanksgiving those of our loved ones who have died. If you would like any names of loved ones read out in the prayers of thanksgiving at the service, please write the names down and give to the Church Office, or use the list in the porch. Everyone is welcome to this service. 
  • Remembrance We will be holding our usual Remembrance at our morning services on Remembrance Sunday, November 10th.
  • Act of Remembrance on Monday 11th November, with the service organisations and schools involved as usual, at the Stopsley War Memorial (please assemble at 10.50am). This will be preceded by a service in Church starting at 10am. This is for anyone who would like to attend a short (half-hour) service with members of the British Legion and other service organisations before the Act of Remembrance. Children from local schools will also be present. It will be followed with a procession to the War Memorial. Following the event, refreshments will be served in Stopsley Primary School.
  • Community Eve WILL be meeting this week again for a meal and fellowship time - with a bonfire celebration.
  • Cafe Church at 8pm this Tuesday evening. Join us to study the Gospel of John.
  • Christmas Bazaar on 16th November at 2pm. All welcome. Donations for the Bazaar may be brought into church and left at the back on and from Tuesday 12th Nov. Stall Holders Meeting Sunday 2nd November after the 10am service. Help Required setting up the bazaar (emptying the loft etc) on Friday 15th Nov from 5pm, and on Sat 16th Nov setting up stall and tables from 10am.
  • Parish Lunch on Wed 6th Nov at 12:30pm. Sign up in the porch.
  • Sleepout in aid of homeless charities at St Albans Abbey on Friday 6th Dec, 9pm-7am. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested.
  • Pledges by Banker’s Orders. From Sunday, 3rd November, there will be slips available for those members of the congregation who donate by banker’s orders, and wish to make use of them when the offertory is collected. The slips can be picked up by the Gift Aid Envelopes stand as you enter the Church and will be recycled for use each week.
  • 2014 Church Family Camp - There is a sign up sheet for anyone who would like take part in the camping weekend on 20-22 June next year at Henlow, speak to Parish office for further exciting details. All church members who are not camping are invited to join us for a special Parish Day on Saturday 21st.
  • Getting your kids through church without them ending up hating God is an event being run at Stopsley Baptist Church on 19th November by Care for the Family.  There are some posters in the hall.
    FORTHCOMING EVENTS
    Christmas Tree Festival 30 Nov & 1 Dec
    Christmas Choir Concert 6th Dec, 7pm
    Christmas Dinner 14th Dec
WEEKLY EVENTS
Sunday Morning Services Rolling Worship
8:30am Communion 
9:30am Breakfast Club
10am Parish Communion
11am Coffee Time
11:30am INformALL worship
Sunday Evening Worship 6:30pm 
Midweek Communion Wed, 9:45am
Community Eve Tue 6:30pm
Cafe Church Tue 8pm
Morning Prayers, Mon, Tue, Th 9:15am
Parish Office Mon -Thurs, 10am-Noon
New Parent and Baby Group 9.30am
Homeless Soup Kitchen  Mon 6:30pm
Sewing Group Tue 1pm
Christian Meditation Wed 6:45pm
Scrabble Thurs 10am
Tent Project - weekly social, Thur 2pm
Music Group Practice, Fri 7:30pm
Choir Practice Fri 6:30pm

  • Visitor? Welcome! Please say hello and sign our ‘Visitors Book’ near the Church door.
  • Loop Please switch your hearing aid to ‘T’. 
  • Safeguarding children & vulnerable adults: any concerns contact: Judi Kingham 619432, David Alexander 729194
  • Photos are sometimes taken in services.
  • Join Us on our Congregation Members Roll and our Giving & Serve Scheme.
  • Gluten-free communion wafers available- request via a sidesman.
  • Children’s Corner is Open for Play for children to use during services.

PLEASE PRAY FOR
Unwell:  Anneke Wellsman, Pauline Fowler, Bill Gearing, Margaret Jones, Rita Joyce, Joe, Bob Norman
Some of Those with Long-term Needs: Peter Pullan, Kathleen Steventon, Craig, Roy, Sally, Harry Smith, Gary Berris  Sadie Oliver, Brian Gorham, Stella Rutty, Thelma Hill, Julie Windsor, Evelyn, Joyce Burgess
Those grieving for: Denise Racine, James Dyer, John Richardson, Emma, John Grace, Betty Dowling

Thursday, 24 October 2013

Newsheet 27/10/2013


27 October 2013 STOPSLEY PARISH CHURCH - ST THOMAS‘
(Last Sun after Trinity) WELCOME. It is wonderful to have you with us today.  
Sunday Morning’s Theme is: Exodus 2:1-10. Need Help in Deep Waters?
Readings: Exodus 2:1-10 (p58), Luke 4:16-24 (p1030)
Sunday Evening’s Theme is: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3. Do you need some good news?
Readings: Isa 45:22-end (p732), 1 Peter 1:22-2:3 (p1217)
Midweek Theme is: John 2:12-25. Challenging Jesus!
Readings: Isa 45:22-end (p732), John 2:12-25 (p1064)

HEADLINE NEWS
  • Commemoration On Sunday 10 November, at 6.30pm, we will be holding our annual Commemoration Service where we can remember with thanksgiving those of our loved ones who have died. If you would like any names of loved ones read out in the prayers of thanksgiving at the service, please write the names down and give to the Church Office, or use the list in the porch. Everyone is welcome to this service. There are letter invites in church to funeral contacts - could you deliver some for us?
  • Remembrance We will be holding our usual Remembrance at our morning services on Remembrance Sunday, November 10th.
  • Act of Remembrance on Monday 11th November, with the service organisations and schools involved as usual, at the Stopsley War Memorial (please assemble at 10.50am). This will be preceded by a service in Church starting at 10am. This is for anyone who would like to attend a short (half-hour) service with members of the British Legion and other service organisations before the Act of Remembrance. Children from local schools will also be present. It will be followed with a procession to the War Memorial. Following the event, refreshments will be served in Stopsley Primary School.
  • James Dyer, local historian and greater supporter of St Thomas’s, sadly died last Tuesday after a short illness. Our prayers and love go out to the family. The funeral will be on Wednesday 30th October at 12 Noon.
  • Community Eve will NOT be meeting this week due to half term and various people away. It will restart next Tuesday evening 6:30pm for a meal and fellowship time - with a bonfire celebration.
  • Cafe Church at 8pm is ON this Tuesday evening. Join us to study the Gospel of John.
  • Coffee Morning on Sat 2nd Nov, 10am-Noon.
  • Parish Lunch on Wed 6th Nov at 12:30pm. Sign up in the porch.
  • Bonfire Night 5th November join us at 6:30pm for a small bonfire and celebration food.
  • Sleepout in aid of homeless charities at St Albans Abbey on Friday 6th Dec, 9pm-7am. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested.
    • Pledges by Banker’s Orders. From Sunday, 3rd November, there will be slips available for those members of the congregation who donate by banker’s orders, and wish to make use of them when the offertory is collected. The slips can be picked up by the G A Envelopes stand as you enter the Church and will be recycled for use each week.
    • 2014 Church Family Camp - There is a sign up sheet for anyone who would like take part in the camping weekend on 20-22 June next year at Henlow, speak to Parish office for further exciting details. All church members who are not camping are invited to join us for a special Parish Day on Saturday 21st.
    • Getting your kids through church without them ending up hating God is an event being run at Stopsley Baptist Church on 19th November by Care for the Family.  There are some posters in the hall.
    FORTHCOMING EVENTS
    Christmas Bazaar 16th Nov
    Christmas Tree Festival 30 Nov & 1 Dec
    Christmas Choir Concert 6th Dec, 7pm
    Christmas Dinner 14th Dec
     WEEKLY EVENTS
    Sunday Morning Services Rolling Worship
    8:30am Communion 
    9:30am Breakfast Club
    10am Parish Communion
    11am Coffee Time
    11:30am INformALL worship
    Sunday Evening Worship 6:30pm 
    Midweek Communion Wed, 9:45am
    Community Eve Tue 6:30pm
    Cafe Church Tue 8pm
    Morning Prayers, Mon, Tue, Th 9:15am
    Parish Office Mon -Thurs, 10am-Noon
    New Parent and Baby Group 9.30am
    Homeless Soup Kitchen  Mon 6:30pm
    Sewing Group Tue 1pm
    Christian Meditation Wed 6:45pm
    Scrabble Thurs 10am
    Tent Project - weekly social, Thur 2pm
    Music Group Practice, Fri 7:30pm
    Choir Practice Fri 6:30pm

    • Visitor? Welcome! Please say hello and sign our ‘Visitors Book’ near the Church door.
    • Loop Please switch your hearing aid to ‘T’. 
    • Safeguarding children & vulnerable adults: any concerns contact: Judi Kingham 619432, David Alexander 729194
    • Photos are sometimes taken in services.
    • Join Us on our Congregation Members Roll and our Giving & Serve Scheme.
    • Gluten-free communion wafers available- request via a sidesman.
    • Children’s Corner is Open for Play for children to use during services.

    PLEASE PRAY FOR
    Unwell:  Heather Harrison, Martin, Natasha, Nathan, Anneke Wellsman, Hayley  & Katherine Barker, Pauline Fowler, Bill Gearing, Margaret Jones, Rita Joyce, Joe, Bob Norman
    Some of Those with Long-term Needs: Peter Pullan, Kathleen Steventon, Craig, Roy, Sally, Harry Smith, Gary Berris Sadie Oliver, Brian Gorham, Stella Rutty, Thelma Hill, Julie Windsor, Evelyn
    Those grieving for: Denise Racine, Carol, Mary Jarvis, James Dyer, John Richardson, Emma