Welcome!

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

Thursday, 30 April 2015

What’s your favourite crisp flavour?

What is your favourite flavour of crisps? Hedgehog? Slow Roasted Lamb With Moroccan Spices? Chilli Heatwave? Marmite? Nettle Flavour? Chilli & Lemon? Chicken Madras? (Yes, these are all available!) Personally, I think it is difficult to beat a good pack of Ready Salted. The New Testament also ask suggests we should be ready salted! Our talk salted with grace - Col 4v6.
What is your chat like? What flavour? Seasoned with the salt of grace? I wish mine always was! No wonder we need prayer.

Services This Week
Sunday Morning. Colossians 4:2-6 ‘Prayer and Ready Salted’.
Sun 8:30am Communion
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday Evening. Acts 8:26-end ‘Ready to Share’
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Tuesday Evening. John 15:1-8 ‘Be Fruity’
Tues 6:30pm Community Eve
Tues 8pm Cafe Bible Study
Wednesday Morning. John 15:1-8 ‘Be Fruity’
Wed 9:45am Communion
Services Next Week
Sunday Morning. Colossians 4:7‐18 ‘Be Encouraged’
Sun 8:30am Communion
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday Evening. Rev 3:14‐end ‘Open the Door’
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Tuesday Evening. John 15:9‐17 ‘Love Actually’
Tues 6:30pm Community Eve
Tues 8pm Cafe Bible Study
Wednesday Morning. John 15:9‐17 ‘What Jesus commanded’
Wed 9:45am Communion


HEADLINE NEWS:

Help Nepal
We have all seen the terrible images of Nepal after the earthquake. There is an opportunity to give in church to the appeal for help. Either put some money in the normal collection in an envelope marked ‘Nepal’, or put some money in the plate on the font. We will pass the money to Tearfund who are one of the ‘D.E.C.’ charities and have a proven track record of getting the funds direct to those in need. 
Thanks
From Bryan Sexton: “A sincere thank you to all members of the church family here at St Thomas’s. I would very much like to thank you for all the cards, prayers, kind thoughts and support received recently because of the passing away of my youngest daughter Elizabeth. It is, and has been much appreciated, not only now but in the difficult times ahead. God bless you all. Love and prayers, Bryan.”
Another Thanks
Many thanks from Dave the Vicar for all the crowd of people who came from StTs to the special Evensong at the Abbey to celebrate 25 years since ordination as a presbyter. I wasn’t sure what to expect and the singing and readings were beautiful. I felt very honoured having you all there, and thanks also to those who couldn’t be there but sent greetings. Now to the next 25 years..... :)
Living God’s Love - Inside Out
May 23rd, 9am-1pm at Christchurch Bushmead. Come for a day of fun and ideas to help enrich church, community and outreach. When we live our 'inside church', outside with our neighbours, we see a gospel far bigger and more wonderful than just our congregation. This is how we make disciples and transform our communities. The day will have some inspiring speakers, encouragement and a 'can do' atmosphere.
We will be joined by practitioners talking about a whole host of practical ideas which may help to enrich your church and community.
A Musical Evening
Motor Neurone Disease Association has organised a Musical Evening with Bedfordshire Police Choir to be held at St Augustine’s Church Icknield Way, Luton, Beds on Saturday 9th May 2015 commencing 7.30 pm. Entrance £6 including Interval Tea or Coffee. For further information contact: Ann Murphy 01582 521604 or Steven Dolby 01582 412792 ann.murphy@ntlworld.com steven.dolby@btopenworld.com
Flower Festival art Lilley Church
“Travellers Tales” on Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th May 10.30- 5pm. Stalls and refreshments served all day. Entrance £2.
Pentecost Serving Others
It has been decided not to have a Pentecost Praise gathering this year but seek to replace it with a day serving the people of Luton doing various servant evangelism projects in conjunction with the council and various residents associations. The day set aside for this is Saturday 6 June. In brief this will involve –
· People from our churches gathering with other members of the community at the Hat Factory in the morning
· Be allocated to teams to do “clean up” up activities in walking distance from the Hat Factory
· Be given a T shirt, equipment, a voucher for coffee and lunch
· They will return to the Hat Factory to have lunch all together
Preceding the cleanup day will be an opportunity for us to celebrate together on Friday evening 5 June, at Stopsley Baptist Church. This will give us the chance to pray for the day, lay the foundations of why we are doing it as well as worshipping God!
Level Trust Second Hand Uniform Appeal
Level Trust are launching a Uniform Exchange in May which will provide free second-hand uniform to parents across the town. Before the launch on the 12th of May, we need to gather as much school uniform as possible to stock the Exchange. We are running a collection at church for a few weeks We need any school uniform and will also take good quality school shoes and children’s coats. Many thanks in advance.
Prayer Meetings
Join us to pray! Our next prayer meeting is on Sunday 10th May at 5pm, and Tuesday 26th May at 10am.
Lunch Date Invite!
Fancy a lunch date with some beautiful people? Wed 6th May at 12:30pm. Sign up in the porch or via the Parish Office.
Coach Trip
Saturday 4th July To Great Yarmouth. Cost £13. Sign-up sheet in Church Porch. Coach departs from Stopsley Memorial 9am
Woodland Burial Trust Open Day
At Keysoe MK44 2JP. You are invited to a special open day on Saturday 16th May 2pm-5pm at our woodland, set in 60 acres of beautiful countryside. All the family, including dogs, are welcome and refreshments will be provided. Follow signs to The College Equestrian Centre, Details on: www.woodlandburialtrust.com.
Theology Brain Stretcher
The Hitchin Christian Centre, Bedford Rd, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1HF. Theology Cafe Evening event series continues on Tues 26th May - ‘Is the God of the Old Testament genocidal?’ All events are free with refreshments and will take place at 7.30pm each evening. www.hcc.org.uk.
‘How to read a church’
Holy Saviour Church Hitchin. A talk by Richard Taylor, TV presenter and author of ‘How to read a church’ on Sunday 10th May at 3pm. Admission £8 including refreshments. Contact Clarefleck7@gmail.com or tel 01462 646257
Reading the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) Today
Belief Spring Course 2015  Course runs for 5 sessions: Wednesday 13th May-10th June. at 8pm St Andrews Church Centre Kimbolton Rd. Bedford MK40 2PF For further information about each session visit www.beliefbeds.org Cost is £4 per session, payable on the day (inc. refreshments). 01234 330314 or email belief@ standrewsbedford.org 
Deadline for Copy for Newsheet
Send any information for the newsheet by Wednesday 5pm.
Interesting Quote:
“God’s providence is not in baskets lowered from the sky, but through the hands and hearts of those who love Him.  The lad without food and without shoes made the proper answer to the cruel minded woman who asked, “But if God loved you wouldn’t He send you food and shoes?”  The boy replied, “God told someone, but he forgot.” George A. Buttrick
DATES FOR THE DIARY
  • Sat 3 May, 10-Noon Coffee Morning
  • Wed 6 May, 12:30pm Parish Lunch
WEEKLY EVENTS @ StTs:
Sunday Morning Services Rolling Worship
8:30am Communion 9:30am Breakfast
10am Communion 11am Coffee Time
11:30am Informal service
Sunday Evening Worship 6:30pm 
Midweek Communion Wed, 9:45am
Community Eve Tues 6:30pm Cafe Bible Study Tue 8pm
Morning Prayers, 9:15am Mon, Tues & Thurs 
Counselling, Wed afternoon (by appointment)
Parish Office Mon -Thurs, 10am-Noon
Baby & Toddler Group Mon 10-11:30am
Homeless Soup Kitchen  Mon 6:30pm
Sewing Group Tue 1pm
Christian Meditation Wed 6:45pm
Scrabble Thurs 10am
Tent Project - weekly social, Thur 2pm
Choir Fri 6:30pm Music Group Fri 7:30pm
CAN WE HELP?
We would love to help!
To contact our Vicar, Pastoral Worker, Care Team, Wardens, Counsellor or Administrator please contact the Parish Office.  01582 729194 office@stopsleyparish.org.uk
  • Visitor? Welcome! Please say hello!
  • Loop Please switch your hearing aid to ‘T’. 
  • Safeguarding concerns contact:
    Judi Kingham 619432, David Alexander 729194
  • Photos are sometimes taken in services.
  • Join our Congregation Roll and Giving Scheme.
  • Gluten-free and/or Non-Alcoholic communion available via special cards near entrance.
  • Children’s Play Corner available for children 
  • Lending Library of books and CDs in the Foyer.
_____________________________________
PLEASE PRAY FOR
Unwell: Ray, Mike Clark, Daphne Ward, Joyce Cox, Alg, David Saunders, Mary Barden, Donna Batchelor, Connie Blackburn
Long-term Needs:  Bob Norman, Philip Francis, Harry Smith, Gary Berris / Julie Windsor, Joyce Burgess, Alan, Roy / Seyan Tills, Peter Pullan, Kathleen Steventon, Craig /

Those grieving for:  Elizabeth Sexton, Derrick Abrahams, Dick Ward, Betty Smyth, Geoff Robbins, Audrey Gibbins

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