Hello from Vicar Dave!
We are not closing down!
I was sorry to hear that HSBC is closing its Stopsley branch - sorry for the staff and for the many customers, especially those who will struggle to travel down town instead. (Sign the petition - see below). I am not wanting to brag or score cheap points but simply mention that the Church is not closing down in Stopsley. Whilst there are Christians in our community (of any denomination or brand) we are committed to share God's love in this place. Let's all join together in building community and love in this place, in practical and spiritual ways. Which brings me to our theme and Stopsley e-news this week.....
'I wanna know what love is....'
We all ‘want to know what love is’ to quote the Foreigner song. To quote the song further: ‘I gotta take a little time, a little time to think things over, I better read between the lines, in case I need it when I'm older’. All good advice. And summer is a great season to take a little time to think things over. According to Luke’s Gospel, which we are investigating at the moment, love is focussed on Jesus. By looking at him we discover how to love, and by inviting him into our lives we discover love itself. That’s worth taking a little time, mate! But will we put it into action in our lives, and in our situation?
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 AM. ‘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 PM. ‘Know What Love Is’ Luke 3:21‐23,31,34,38
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Tuesday. ‘Know What Love Is’ Luke 3:21‐23,31,34,38
Tue 7:30pm Summer Bible Study
Wednesday. ‘Know What Love Is’ Luke 3:21‐23,31,34,38
Wed 9:45am Communion
Services Next Week
Sunday AM. ‘Why You Should Resist Temptation’ Luke 4:1‐13
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday PM. ‘Why You Should Resist Temptation’ Luke 4:1‐13
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Tuesday. ‘Why You Should Resist Temptation’ Luke 4:1‐13
Tue 7:30pm Summer Bible Study
Wednesday. ‘Why You Should Resist Temptation’ Luke 4:1‐13
Wed 9:45am Communion
HEADLINE NEWS
Bishop Coming to Stopsley to celebrate 20 YearsThe 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 about 4:30pm. The emphasis is on celebrating being part of such a lovely church family. All are welcome. Let’s hope it will be as hot as 20 years ago! (There was a heatwave as your new vicar joined you!)
HSBC Branch to Close
The Stopsley branch of HSBC to close for good on 25th Sept. This will affect a lot of people in the village, especially those who would struggle to get into town. There is a petition in the Co-op.
The Stopsley branch of HSBC to close for good on 25th Sept. This will affect a lot of people in the village, especially those who would struggle to get into town. There is a petition in the Co-op.
Prayer Meeting this Sunday
Come along to our Prayer Meeting this Sunday 9th August at 5pm. There will also be another one 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.
Come along to our Prayer Meeting this Sunday 9th August at 5pm. There will also be another one 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.
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!
Ladies tea and cake at the Vicarage27th August 2:30-4:30pm for any women interested in joining a Bible study/home group starting Thursday afternoons in the Autumn.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Interesting Quote:
“If Christians would follow God’s law, there would be no rich and no poor.” Leo Tolstoy
“If Christians would follow God’s law, there would be no rich and no poor.” Leo Tolstoy
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
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PLEASE PRAY FOR
- For our ‘It’s All About Jesus’ sermon series investigating 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? Pray that people will know God’s love through His Son.
- For planning of services and sermons for the autumn period.
- 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 people affected by the closure of the Kid’s Company and other Charities struggling with drastic cuts and terrible social problems.
- For people recently made redundant at Millbrook Proving Ground, and those seeking to help them including our vicar who is chaplain there.
- For the family, train driver and work colleagues at the Town Hall after a recent suicide. For all who seek to help those affected, including the chaplaincy, and all who seek to prevent suicide including Samaritans.
- 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 our schools, children and school staff as term has ended, especially those moving up to new schools, and on to new opportunities.
- For the forthcoming visit of the Bishop to our Church and the special services and events on 23rd August
- 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: Dennis Stubbles, Jan Healy, Alan Hawkin, David Morfett, Don Jupe,Peter Greaves (recently diagnosed with cancer),Melvyn Butcher (who has been admitted to Trefoil House),Joyce Warren (giving thanks she is hoping to come home), Maddy & Olivia Reynolds (who have in and out of hospital),Samantha Parsons (giving thanks for some ‘good news’),Don Bardon (who is now home but still unwell),Gavin Mills (who recently burnt is leg at a bbq),Joyce Cox (Gavin Mill’s mum who is hospital)Mrs Clarke (relative of Debbie Newbound’s, in hospital)Bernie (mum of Angie who used to run coffee shop, and who is seriously ill)Long-term: Seyan Tills, Peter Pullan, Kathleen Steventon, Craig, RoyThose grieving for: Carol Greenham, Joan Woodham, Harold Kilby, Michael Fensome, Dennis Bosley, Grace Golds, Alan Manley, Chris Burden, Ashley Goodchild,Tom Kelly (whose Burial of Ashes is at the Vale Thurs 13th),Phoebe (newborn granddaughter of Ian Marshall, who has sadly died at Great Ormond Street Hospital - praying for Fiona and Olly her parents, and the rest of the family)
- 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
Contact us: 01582 729194, office@stopsleyparish.org.uk
Have a great weekend!
GB!
Dave
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