17 November 2013 STOPSLEY PARISH CHURCH - ST THOMAS‘

(2nd Sun before Advent) WELCOME. Do join us if you can this Sunday.

Sunday Morning’s Theme is: Exodus 3:11-22. Dependable God.

Readings: Exodus 3:11-22 (p59), Luke 21:5-19 (p1056)

Sunday Evening’s Theme is: 1 Peter 2:11-17. Good News in a Harsh World.

Readings: Mal 4:1-2a (p962), 1 Peter 2:11-17 (p1218)

Midweek Theme is: John 4:1-26. Jesus is for Everyone.

Readings: Mal 4:1-2a (p962), John 4:1-26 (p1066)

HEADLINE NEWS

• Philippines Crisis After the terrible damage due to the typhoon your Church Council (PCC) decided to make an immediate donation to the relief effort, through the charity Tear Fund which is able to work through local churches and bypass many of the administrative bureaucracy obstacles. There will be buckets in church for people to give generously to this emergency need.
• Hands of Mercy Philippines Prayer and Praise Evening on Thursday 28th November 7.30pm - 9pm at 10 Lothair Road Stopsley. All welcome.
• Christmas Bazaar this Saturday (16th) at 2pm.
• Newsheets Online These newsheets are not available online via our website or  http://stopsleyvicar.blogspot.co.uk
• Non-Alcoholic Communion Wine Option If you would prefer non-alcoholic wine this is now an option. Pick up a laminated ‘Non-Communion Wine’ card at the back of Church and present at the communion rail. You can also pick up a ‘Gluten Free Communion Bread’ card if this is requirement.
• Day of Prayer and Fasting Wed 27th Nov It is important to seek God’s blessing , guidance and strength for the coming Advent and Christmas seasons and the New Year. Please set aside this day for an extra personal focus on prayer. You may like to fast as well, either from food or something else. On that day there will be an early Communion at 6am, Communion at 9:45am, Midday Prayers, Meditation at 6:45pm, and Communion at 8pm. Afterwards, for those who wish to join the Vicar he will be breaking the fast at a local curry house!
• Advent Challenge. The title this year is Encounters and offers a short journey through the Bible exploring different ways and places in which we can encounter God. Receive daily emails or texts at www.livethechallenge.co.uk. Or follow the Challenge @live_challenge on Twitter. Leaflets for the first two weeks of the Challenge can now be downloaded from http://www.livethechallenge.co.uk/download/lent_challenge_weekly_sheets/
• Community Eve will be meeting this week for a meal and fellowship time.
• Community Evening Christmas Dinner 17th Dec 6:30pm. All welcome but we need names in advance. Limited numbers so book early - contact the Office.
• Cafe Church at 8pm this Tuesday evening. Join us to study the Gospel of John.
• 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.
• 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, 3^rd 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.
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• 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
  Parent and Baby Group Mon 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 Fri 7:30pm
  Choir 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:  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: James Dyer, Ian Richardson, Emma, John Grace, Betty Dowling, Shirley Hutchings

More Info www.stopsleyparish.org.uk 

Contact us: 01582 729194, office@stopsleyparish.org.uk