Hello from Vicar Dave!
I hope you are enjoying the summer. Yes, it is summer! The sun may not be out (very much) but it is that time of year when many people are taking a rest from what they normally do. So if this catches you in Ibiza as you sip your sangria in the sun, or in England as you desperately try to warm up with a cup of tea after being caught in another downpour, I hope life is treating you well. As you consider that, here's some e-news from me. Here we go......
Be Fruity! Be Fiery!
This week we continue our new series 'It's All About Jesus' as we discover him in the Gospel of Luke. And we are reminded that Christians should be anything but boring. We are called to be fruity! We are called to be fiery! The fruit of the Holy Spirit is not a bland, inoffensive mildness. But a coming to life of human possibilities in God. John the Baptist warned people to ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance’. In other words put your money where your mouth is. Let your walk match your talk. What difference does it make to your life if you claim to be a Christian? A challenging thought! (see Luke 3:11!) And to meet the challenge we need the fire of the Holy Spirit that Jesus came to bring (Luke 3:16). Please Jesus change me! Make me truly live!
Services This Week
We continue in all our services our exciting investigation of Luke’s Gospel in our series: ‘It’s All About Jesus’.
Sunday Morning. Luke 3:7-20 ‘Be Fruity and Fiery’
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday Evening. Luke 3:7-20 ‘Be Fruity and Fiery’
Sun 6:30pm Communion Service
Tuesday Evening. Luke 3:7-20 ‘Be Fruity and Fiery’
Tue 7:30pm Summer Bible Study
Wed Morning. Luke 3:7-20 ‘Be Fruity and Fiery’
Wed 9:45am Communion
Services Next Week
Sunday Morning. ‘Know What Love Is’ Luke 3:21‐23,31,34,38
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday Evening. ‘Know What Love Is’ Luke 3:21‐23,31,34,38
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Tuesday Evening. ‘Know What Love Is’ Luke 3:21‐23,31,34,38
Tue 7:30pm Summer Bible Study
Wed Morning. ‘Know What Love Is’ Luke 3:21‐23,31,34,38
Wed 9:45am Communion
HEADLINE NEWS
Summer Bible StudyOur usual Tuesday Community Evening Meal, and Cafe Church is now taking a break over the summer, restarting on September 1st. However, we are holding some special Summer Bible Studies at 7:30pm in the church hall. Maybe you could come to one or more of these over the summer, even if you are not normally able to attend? All are welcome. Drinks, cakes, chat, laughs, love, prayers are also provided!
Bishop’s Special Service and Events at StTsThe Bishop of Bedford is coming to St Thomas’s on Sunday 23rd August (the day after the vicar’s 20th anniversary at St Thomas’s) for a combined all-together service at 10:30am. We will then have a buffet lunch, some time relaxing in the church gardens, a cream tea, and a brief informal service to finish. The emphasis is on celebrating being part of such a lovely church family. All are welcome. Do put it in your diary to join us. Let’s hope it will be as hot as 20 years ago! (There was a heatwave as your new vicar joined you!)
Family Discovery Mornings at St Albans Abbey
are an excellent opportunity for children and parents to learn about the fascinating history of St Albans Cathedral by following an exciting trail packed with activities, and by taking part in a fun craft session! Suitable for ages 3-11. We advise arriving before 11.30am to complete all the activities. Meet in the North Transept. No booking required. Please note: children must be accompanied by an adult.
Angels Thursday 6th August 10am - 12.30pm: Let us help you discover where over 200 angels are hidden in our church! The morning combines an exciting, fascinating trail packed with activities, followed by a fun craft session.
Good King, Bad King Thursday 13th August 10am - 12.30pm: Celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta with our royal trail! The morning combines an exciting, fascinating trail packed with activities, followed by a fun craft session.
are an excellent opportunity for children and parents to learn about the fascinating history of St Albans Cathedral by following an exciting trail packed with activities, and by taking part in a fun craft session! Suitable for ages 3-11. We advise arriving before 11.30am to complete all the activities. Meet in the North Transept. No booking required. Please note: children must be accompanied by an adult.
Angels Thursday 6th August 10am - 12.30pm: Let us help you discover where over 200 angels are hidden in our church! The morning combines an exciting, fascinating trail packed with activities, followed by a fun craft session.
Good King, Bad King Thursday 13th August 10am - 12.30pm: Celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta with our royal trail! The morning combines an exciting, fascinating trail packed with activities, followed by a fun craft session.
‘Giving in Grace’ - ThanksThank you to all who returned their response forms for ‘Giving in Grace’. Many thanks indeed, and praise be to God! Please keep praying.
Prayer Meetings over the Summer
Our usual morning prayers in church at 9:15am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday is taking a rest now till early September. The Wednesday communion at 9:45am will continue over the summer, as will the prayer meetings - and the next one is Sunday 9th August at 5pm, and then on Tuesday 25th August at 10am.
Our usual morning prayers in church at 9:15am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday is taking a rest now till early September. The Wednesday communion at 9:45am will continue over the summer, as will the prayer meetings - and the next one is Sunday 9th August at 5pm, and then on Tuesday 25th August at 10am.
Know anyone leaving school or changing school?
The Luton charity, Level Trust, has a Uniform Exchange in the town. If anyone you know has some good quality school uniform bring it to church and put in the box in the porch. It will help some family who can’t afford school uniform.
The Luton charity, Level Trust, has a Uniform Exchange in the town. If anyone you know has some good quality school uniform bring it to church and put in the box in the porch. It will help some family who can’t afford school uniform.
Appeal for old towels and bed linen.
Homeless hostels in Luton are looking for good 2nd hand towels. If someone arrives at the hostel with nothing, even a shower can present problems because previous residents have taken towels with them. Bring items and place in the containers in the porch. Many thanks.
Homeless hostels in Luton are looking for good 2nd hand towels. If someone arrives at the hostel with nothing, even a shower can present problems because previous residents have taken towels with them. Bring items and place in the containers in the porch. Many thanks.
Deadline for Copy for Newsheet
Send any information for the newsheet by Wednesday 5pm.
Send any information for the newsheet by Wednesday 5pm.
Interesting Quote:
“No matter how badly we have failed, we can always get up and begin again. Our God is the God of new beginnings.” Warren Wiersbe
OTHER DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Wed 2 Sept, 12:30pm Parish Lunch.
- Sat 5 Sept, 10-Noon Coffee Morning
CAN WE HELP?
To contact our Vicar,
Pastoral Worker, Care Team, Wardens, Counsellor or Administrator please contact the Parish Office
01582 729194 office@stopsleyparish.org.uk
To contact our Vicar,
Pastoral Worker, Care Team, Wardens, Counsellor or Administrator please contact the Parish Office
01582 729194 office@stopsleyparish.org.uk
---------
PLEASE PRAY FOR
- For our ‘It’s All About Jesus’ sermon series on Luke’s Gospel, that we base our life on Him, and people may discover the good news. Who are you praying to invite to church?
- For Luton and Stopsley Foodbank as they seek to help those in great need.
- For David Newbound’s growing work as Chaplain to Noah Homeless Centre and considering visits to those in prison.
- For David Alexander and the Churchwarden Team as they discuss leadership matters, especially at the moment growth groups for our church, and future Alpha/Christianity Explored courses.
- For the provision of a Curate for our Church to assist in our ministry and be trained for future service.
- For the members and leadership team of St Francis Church as they look to the future having not been able to appoint a new vicar from their recent interview process.
- God of strength, we need your protection for the innocents from ISIS and the Nusra Front, for the 230 people who were captured next to the Khabur River in northeastern Syria, for the nearly 600,000 Syrian Christians have had to flee their own country, for the 3.1 million displaced Iraqis who need our prayers. And we pray for all of the religious minorities suffering in Iraq and Syria.
- For all those caught up in Migrant situation at Calais and in the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa and the Middle East.
- For the people and government of Greece as it continues to have to make hard decisions over its economy.
- God of creation, we are thankful for the beauty that surrounds us each day. We grieve the killing of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe, as well as for the on-going destruction of so many of your creatures. Inspire us to walk upon this earth more gently…a little more tenderly. Let us remind ourselves and one another that only by passing through the darkness can we understand light; that only by bearing witness to each other’s pains and stories can we truly walk hand in hand.
- For our schools, children and school staff as term has ended, especially those moving up to new schools, and on to new opportunities.
- For those being Baptised at StT’s soon:
Maddison Reynolds (30th August at 10am) - For those having Thanksgiving ‘Christenings’ at StT’s soon:
Tyler Haslam (9th August at 1pm)
Jack Collinge (16th August at 1pm)
Ellis Glantz (30th August at 1pm) - For those getting Married at St Thomas’s soon:
Andrew Eggleton and Sally Haines (8 August at Noon),
Rails McNaughton and Charlotte Barr (8 August at 2pm),
Ben Plane and Ritta Howayer (15th August at 2:30pm),
Anthony Copper and Michelle Lench (22nd August at 1pm),
Paul Dooley and Stephanie Weston (29th August at 1pm)Peter Williams and Claire Lumsden (19th Sept at 1:30pm)
Unwell: Melvyn Butcher (who is quite ill in the Royal Free Hospital), Joyce Warren (giving thanks that she is recovering well in the L&D), Phoebe (newborn granddaughter of Ian Marshall, who has been taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital), Maddy & Olivia Reynolds, Dennis Stubbles, Jan Healy, Samantha Parsons, Alan Hawkin, Don Bardon, David Morfett
Long-term: Bob Norman, Don Jupe, Mike Clark, Julie Windsor, Joyce Burgess, Alan / Seyan Tills, Peter Pullan, Kathleen Steventon, Craig, Roy / Philip Francis, Harry Smith, Gary Berris, Daphne Ward, Joyce Cox, Alg, Don & Mary Barden /
Those grieving for: Carol Greenham, Joan Woodham, Harold Kilby, Michael Fensome, Dennis Bosley, Grace Golds (whose funeral is at the Crem this Monday 3rd at 2:30pm), Alan Manley, Chris Burden (whose Burial of Ashes is in the Churchyard this Wed 5th), Tom Kelly (whose Burial of Ashes is at the Vale Thurs 13th)
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
Christian Meditation Wed 6:45pm
Scrabble Thurs 10am
Tent Project - weekly social, Thur 2pm
Choir Fri 6:30pm Music Group Fri 7:30pm
More Info www.stopsleyparish.org.uk , or http://stopsleyvicar.blogspot.co.uk
Contact us: 01582 729194, office@stopsleyparish.org.uk
Have a great weekend!
GB!
Dave
