Hello from Vicar Dave!
Invitation to You!
This weekend I have been vicar in Stopsley for 20 years. I can't believe it! I would like to invite you to join us on Sunday at 10:30am for a special service with Bishop to celebrate all that is good about Stopsley and St Thomas's. Afterwards there is lunch, some relaxing time together, and a cream tea! What's not to like! Come and join us if you can.
Here's some further details and some other e-news:
Celebrating being part of God’s Family in Stopsley
‘It’s good to be here.’ So said a fresh faced new vicar (with hair) 20 years ago, on the 22nd August 1995. And it is still good! In fact so good that Stospley has now had only two vicars in over 55 years! It must be the best parish in the Diocese! Sometimes it is good to celebrate what is good in our lives, and today we celebrate being here, with friends in God’s family.
Over this summer our theme is ‘It’s all about Jesus’. It is! He makes life worthwhile. May our church show Him more and more!
Services This Week
This Sunday we welcome our Bishop as we celebrate being Church in this place. We look back - and forward....
Sunday AM. ‘20 Years, and then....’ John 6:56‐69
(NO Sun 8:30am, 10am or 11:30am service)
Sun 10:30am Combined Special Service
Sunday PM. No 6:30pm Service
Tuesday. ‘How to grow your life.’ John 6:16‐69
Tue 7:30pm Summer Bible Study
Wednesday. ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Ephesians 6:10‐20
Wed 9:45am Communion
Services Next Week
We continue in all our services our exciting investigation of Luke’s Gospel in our series: ‘It’s All About Jesus’.
Sunday AM. ‘Something You Need To Know’ Luke 4:14‐30
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday PM. ‘A Vital Home Truth’ Luke 4:14‐30
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Tuesday. ‘Why Jesus Came’ Luke 4:1‐44
Tue 7:30pm Summer Bible Study
Wednesday. ‘Discovering Fulfilment’ Luke 4:14‐30
Wed 9:45am Communion
HEADLINE NEWS
We Welcome our Bishop to celebrate St Thomas’sThe Bishop of Bedford is here this Sunday (23rd August). This is the day after the vicar’s 20th anniversary at St Thomas’s, and we gather to celebrate being Church together. We have a combined all-together service at 10:30am and then 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 to stay as long as you are able. Unfortunately the forecast suggests it will not be as hot as 20 years ago! (There was a heatwave as your new vicar joined you! Apparently one of the hottest days of the century!)
Family celebrations - Peter Alexander 20 ‘not out’The vicar’s Dad, Peter, is also celebrating this summer. He was ordained 20 years ago by the same Bishop (John Taylor) who ordained David 5 years previously, and also at St Albans Abbey! Peter and Brenda join us for the special service this Sunday. Congratulations to them!
Ladies tea and cake at the Vicarage27th August 2:30-4:30pm for any women interested in joining a Bible study/homegroup starting soon on Thursday afternoons.
Join a Housegroup!To grow as a Christian it is important to worship in congregations, but also share closer fellowship in smaller community groups. We would like to reintroduce housegroups as a foundational part of our church life. There will be a meeting to discover more on Thursday 17th September at 8pm in the Church Hall. Please come and find out more.
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. All are welcome. Drinks, cakes, chat, laughs, love, prayers are also provided!
Back to Church Sunday - 20th SeptemberBack to Share Sunday is an opportunity for us to invite people to return to Church. Some may have been away over the summer and it is good to return for the autumn season. Others may have been away for longer. They are all welcome back, and this Sunday is a great time to return. Will you be there? Who are you praying for, that they may return? Who are you inviting? Who are you bringing?
Coming Soon - Sermon Series in the AutumnThe Autumn is coming and we have some exciting subjects for our church services coming up.
+Sunday Mornings: Radical Jesus - Friend of Failures. Luke 4-6. We continue our ‘It’s All About Jesus.’ Investigating Luke’s Gospel series with the next section of the Gospel. Jesus is the true radical and came to lift failures into the life and love of God. You need Him!
+Sunday Evenings: We Believe..... And the Vital Difference It Makes. A look at the powerful Christian beliefs we find in our Creed. Not just words, but statements that strengthen our lives, and make a vital difference, especially when life is hard.
+Tuesday and Wednesday Services: We Dare to Pray - The Prayer Jesus Taught Us. Many people still know the Lord’s Prayer - but do we know its power. Dare we pray like this? Warning! This series could change your life!
+Sunday Mornings: Radical Jesus - Friend of Failures. Luke 4-6. We continue our ‘It’s All About Jesus.’ Investigating Luke’s Gospel series with the next section of the Gospel. Jesus is the true radical and came to lift failures into the life and love of God. You need Him!
+Sunday Evenings: We Believe..... And the Vital Difference It Makes. A look at the powerful Christian beliefs we find in our Creed. Not just words, but statements that strengthen our lives, and make a vital difference, especially when life is hard.
+Tuesday and Wednesday Services: We Dare to Pray - The Prayer Jesus Taught Us. Many people still know the Lord’s Prayer - but do we know its power. Dare we pray like this? Warning! This series could change your life!
Prayer Meeting
Come along to our Prayer Meeting on Tuesday 25th August at 10am. There will also be another one on Sunday 13th September at 5pm. 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 on Tuesday 25th August at 10am. There will also be another one on Sunday 13th September at 5pm. 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.
Quiz Night
On Saturday the 5th of September in the church hall. Starting at 7pm Tickets £5 each: tables of up to 6. Hot meal included but bring your own drinks. Any profits to St Thomas' Church. For more info please contact Ian or Ruth.
On Saturday the 5th of September in the church hall. Starting at 7pm Tickets £5 each: tables of up to 6. Hot meal included but bring your own drinks. Any profits to St Thomas' Church. For more info please contact Ian or Ruth.
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 and Women’s Aid refuge in Luton are looking for good 2nd hand towels, blankets and bedding. Bring items and place in the containers in the porch. Donna Alexander would like to thank all on behalf of Women's Aid for the kind response to our need for bedding, blankets, towels and other soft furnishings for our refuge. The offerings are be greatly appreciated and most welcome.
Homeless hostels and Women’s Aid refuge in Luton are looking for good 2nd hand towels, blankets and bedding. Bring items and place in the containers in the porch. Donna Alexander would like to thank all on behalf of Women's Aid for the kind response to our need for bedding, blankets, towels and other soft furnishings for our refuge. The offerings are be greatly appreciated and most welcome.
Bake Off
Calling all Mary Berry's and Paul Hollywoods! St Thomas Church are hosting our very own version of a big bake-off on Saturday October 24th. Entry is £3.50 and you can enter as many cakes and tray- bakes as you want. Our lucky judges will be testing our cakes then awarding rosettes to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Local MP Gavin Shuker will also be popping in to say hello and try some cake! Proceeds going to Women's Aid in Luton & St.Thomas Church. To enter speak to or contact Donna Alexander. Alternatively see poster and sign-up sheet provided for full details.
Calling all Mary Berry's and Paul Hollywoods! St Thomas Church are hosting our very own version of a big bake-off on Saturday October 24th. Entry is £3.50 and you can enter as many cakes and tray- bakes as you want. Our lucky judges will be testing our cakes then awarding rosettes to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Local MP Gavin Shuker will also be popping in to say hello and try some cake! Proceeds going to Women's Aid in Luton & St.Thomas Church. To enter speak to or contact Donna Alexander. Alternatively see poster and sign-up sheet provided for full details.
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:
“Within each of us exists the image of God, however disfigured and corrupted by sin it may presently be. God is able to recover this image through grace as we are conformed to Christ.” Alister McGrath
“Within each of us exists the image of God, however disfigured and corrupted by sin it may presently be. God is able to recover this image through grace as we are conformed to Christ.” Alister McGrath
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 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 the reintroduction of housegroups into our church life.
- For Luton and Stopsley Foodbank as they seek to help those in great need.
- For peace in the Middle East, and for all those persecuted and oppressed.
- For the victims of recent bomb blasts in Thailand, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and elsewhere.
- 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 in the summer holidays, especially those moving up to new schools, and on to new opportunities.
- For all young people who received their A level results (13 August) and GCSE (20th), for wisdom in choosing the way ahead, and comfort for those not done so well as they hoped.
- For the 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:
Ellis Glantz (30th August at 1pm)- For those getting Married at St Thomas’s soon:
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)- For those who are Unwell:
Edna Staples, Anne,Don Jupe (staying for a while in Morelands Care Home)Peter Greaves (recently diagnosed with cancer),Melvyn Butcher (staying in Trefoil House),Joyce Warren (giving thanks she is coming home soon),Maddy & Olivia Reynolds (in and out of hospital),Don Bardon (struggling with his mobility),Gavin Mills (who recently burnt is leg at a bbq),Bernie (mum of Angie who used to run the coffee shop, and who is seriously ill)Judy Vyvyan (who has recently had a stroke)Philip McDonough (who has recently had a stroke)
- For some of those with Long-term Illness:
Philip Francis, Harry Smith, Gary Berris, Daphne Ward
- For those grieving for:
Carol Greenham, Joan Woodham, Dennis Bosley, Grace Golds, Chris Burden, Ashley Goodchild, Bob Evans, Mrs Clarke, Tom Kelly, Peter Mathams, Ivy TandyPhoebe (newborn granddaughter of Ian Marshall, and who has sadly died - praying for Fiona and Olly her parents, Ian and Ruth and the rest of the family)Yvonne Musson (funeral on Tuesday 25th August at Crem)
- 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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