Hi From Vicar Dave
I hope you have a great weekend. It would be great to see you in church if you are able to join us - 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, 6:30pm.
This coming week we have a special Day of Prayer - do join us at one of the special prayer sessions, or come to pray silently in church. See below for details - and could you reply to this email to tell me which session you can attend.
We also have a Gift Day on Sunday 29th November (and also Saturday 28th) - we would be delighted if you are able to support God's work at St Thomas's. We need your help. (Again, see below for some details.)
Living the Dream?
What would it mean for you to live the dream? Fast money? Fast cars? Fast......? Or maybe the ‘Good Life’ for you is more a relaxing beach or garden, a bit of sunshine, a lovely dream cottage in the country? All wonderful things, but.....
Is that all life is about? If it is, then Jesus says it’s an empty dream, or even a nightmare. We were made for more......
Gift Day 2015We are very grateful for the generous giving that enables to do all we do as a Church, and especially for recent responses to our Stewardship Renewal in the summer. Another opportunity to move our Christian work forward (as we haven’t quite reached our 2015 target yet - the November magazine for details) is our annual Gift Day which this year will be on Advent Sunday 29th November. Please pray about your gift to support the work of God through our church. What is God calling you to give? All gifts are gratefully received. Please bring your gifts in an envelope marked ‘Gift Day’ on or around that Sunday. The vicar will also be in Church on Sat 28th Nov from 10am to Noon if you prefer to bring your gifts then. He may also make you a coffee!
Prayer is Vital!Prayer is vital if we are to continue growing and moving forward as a church. Please join us in prayer:
- Your personal prayers. Please keep praying.
- A special Prayer Day on Wednesday 25th November with prayer meetings at 6am, 9:45am, Noon and 8pm. Do join us to pray for the work of the Church as we approach Advent and Christmas and into the New Year.
- During November and up to Christmas there is a new Early Morning Prayer Meeting on Wednesdays at 6am, praying for spiritual breakthrough in Stopsley. Is God calling you to sacrificially get up early to pray once a week to pray for renewal and revival?
- At our Monthly Prayer Meeting, usually on the 2nd Sunday at 5pm, and next month on 13th December at 5pm.
- At the new Homegroups.
- At Morning Prayers on Mon, Tues and Thurs at 9:15am.
Services This Week
On Sunday mornings we continue our exciting investigation of Luke’s Gospel in our series: ‘It’s All About Jesus’.
Sunday AM. ‘Living the Dream?’ Luke 6:12-26
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
On Sunday evenings we are building our faith using Our Creed in our series: ‘We Believe..... And the Vital Difference It Makes’.
Sunday PM. ‘We Believe in Life Everlasting’
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
At our midweek services we are thinking about The Lord’s Prayer in our series: ‘We Dare to Pray - The Prayer Jesus Taught Us’.
‘Deliver Us From Evil’ Matt 6:5‐15, Luke 11:1-13
Tues 6:30pm Community Eve
Wed 9:45am Communion
At our Homegroup meetings we are thinking about Mark’s Gospel
Thurs 8pm Weekly Homegroups
Thurs 2:30pm Women’s Homegroup (1st & 3rd weeks)
Services Next Week
Sunday AM. ‘Jesus and Specsavers’ Luke 6:39‐49
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday PM. ‘The Return of the King’ Luke 21:25‐36
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Midweek. ‘Thine is....’ Matt 6:5‐15, Luke 11:1-13
Tues 6:30pm Community Eve
Wed 9:45am Communion
Homegroups. Meeting together in homes - Mark’s Gospel.
Thurs Weekly 8pm and Women’s 2:30pm 1st & 3rd Weeks
OTHER HEADLINE NEWS
Christmas Services - Coming soon!Put the following dates in your diary and invite your family and friends:
- Thur 17, 7:45pm Rock Carols
- Sat 19 Community Carols
around Stopsley for Charity.
- Sun 20, 10am Nativity Play Service
- Sun 20, 6:30pm Special Carols by Candlelight
- Thur 24, 4pm Crib Service for Children
- Thur 24,11.45pm Midnight Communion
- Fri 25, 9am Christmas Day Communion
- Fri 25,10:30am Christmas Day Celebration
- Fri 25,11:30am Short Christmas Day Communion
Sunday Club and Christmas Nativity Play
StTs Sunday Club is getting ready for the Christmas Nativity Play. Now is a good time to invite new children, who are always welcome, to come along to Sunday Club, meeting every Sunday apart from when we have Parade All-Age Service on Dec 7th.
StTs Sunday Club is getting ready for the Christmas Nativity Play. Now is a good time to invite new children, who are always welcome, to come along to Sunday Club, meeting every Sunday apart from when we have Parade All-Age Service on Dec 7th.
Christmas Tree Festival
Saturday 5th December 2015 10am to 2pm. Refreshments and light lunches served. And Sunday 6th December 2015 1pm to 3pm. Refreshments available. Free entry : Programme £1. Father Christmas, crafts and gifts stalls, 'have a go' stalls, competitions. If you would like to decorate a tree contact the Parish Office or Sara Sammons. (Theme A-Z of Christmas)
Saturday 5th December 2015 10am to 2pm. Refreshments and light lunches served. And Sunday 6th December 2015 1pm to 3pm. Refreshments available. Free entry : Programme £1. Father Christmas, crafts and gifts stalls, 'have a go' stalls, competitions. If you would like to decorate a tree contact the Parish Office or Sara Sammons. (Theme A-Z of Christmas)
Alpha Course Starts in January
During January we will have a new Alpha Course starting. Come to an introductory evening on Tuesday 12th January 2016. A hot meal will be served a 6:30pm or join us at 7:15pm for a talk and discussion. Please come along and is there someone you could invite to join us?
Join the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Commissioning of Bute Mills
Join Youthscape (formerly LCET) at St Mary's Church at 3pm on Sunday November 29th with the Most Rev. Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury followed by commissioning & prayer at Bute Mills. Hosted by Diane Louise Jordan, with worship led by the All Souls Orchestra accompanied by Beverley Trotman, the service will also include presentations from Meg Cannon, local school choirs and young people we work with. Following the commissioning at Bute Mills there will be the opportunity to tour the building and see the newly refurbished interior and facilities. The service is open to everyone - but you can also get a ticket to reserve a seat. Tickets are available free in person from our current office at 3a Upper George Street, by emailing us at butemills@youthscape.co.uk or through churches. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Parking available for a small fee at the Bute Mills shoppers car park.
Join Youthscape (formerly LCET) at St Mary's Church at 3pm on Sunday November 29th with the Most Rev. Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury followed by commissioning & prayer at Bute Mills. Hosted by Diane Louise Jordan, with worship led by the All Souls Orchestra accompanied by Beverley Trotman, the service will also include presentations from Meg Cannon, local school choirs and young people we work with. Following the commissioning at Bute Mills there will be the opportunity to tour the building and see the newly refurbished interior and facilities. The service is open to everyone - but you can also get a ticket to reserve a seat. Tickets are available free in person from our current office at 3a Upper George Street, by emailing us at butemills@youthscape.co.uk or through churches. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Parking available for a small fee at the Bute Mills shoppers car park.
Foodbank Christmas FoodDuring December Luton Foodbank will distribute food to some 600 people. The Churches of Luton invite you to put together a Christmas themed bag, or provide items of special Christmas Food to supplement the normal food distributed to claimants during the three weeks before Christmas. Please return this bag to Church between Monday 30th November and Wednesday 16th December. Any enquires to Peter or Rebecca on 01582 721 867 or admin@stmarysluton.org
Christmas Home-CommunionsEach year we take communion to those who are not able, through ill health etc, to attend Church at this festival time. If you would like a visit please contact the Church Office.
Poinsettia Sunday, December 13
Bring a small poinsettia plant to our services, which the Care Team will take to take to people as a gift for Christmas to express our love. If you have any names to suggest to receive a poinsettia then please pass to the Parish Office.
Bring a small poinsettia plant to our services, which the Care Team will take to take to people as a gift for Christmas to express our love. If you have any names to suggest to receive a poinsettia then please pass to the Parish Office.
Get Confirmed in 2016?
We are are hosting a confirmation service in 2016 and this might be an appropriate time to consider being confirmed, or renewing your confirmation vows. Confirmation is a time of confirming your baptism and praying for the Holy Spirit to (continue to) fill and empower you. It is often associated in Anglican churches with beginning to receive Holy Communion. Contact the vicar if you are interested in thinking about this.
We are are hosting a confirmation service in 2016 and this might be an appropriate time to consider being confirmed, or renewing your confirmation vows. Confirmation is a time of confirming your baptism and praying for the Holy Spirit to (continue to) fill and empower you. It is often associated in Anglican churches with beginning to receive Holy Communion. Contact the vicar if you are interested in thinking about this.
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:
“The chief dangers that confront the coming centuries will be religion without the Holy Spirit; Christianity without Christ; forgiveness without repentance; salvation without regeneration...” William Booth
“The chief dangers that confront the coming centuries will be religion without the Holy Spirit; Christianity without Christ; forgiveness without repentance; salvation without regeneration...” William Booth
OTHER DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Wed 2 Dec, 12:30pm Parish Lunch.
- Sat 5 Dec, 10-Noon Coffee Morning (within Christmas Tree Festival)
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PLEASE PRAY FOR
- For the reintroduction of homegroups into our church life.
- For peace in Syria and the Middle East, and for all those persecuted and oppressed and all those caught up in the terrible Migrant situation throughout Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa and the Middle East. For a wise and generous response in the short and longer terms.
- For those who are Unwell:
Anne, Maddy & Olivia Reynolds, Ken Pullan, Owen Thomas, Jane Healy, Jim and Betty Sexton, Paige, Chris
- For some of those with Long-term Illness:
Alan, Seyan Tills, Peter Pullan, Kathleen Steventon
- For those grieving for:
Calton Coleman, Gordon, Margaret Newing, Jack Rankin, Evelyn McFarland
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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
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
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
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.
MORE INFO& CONTACT DETAILS
www.stopsleyparish.org.uk + 01582 729194 + office@stopsleyparish.org.uk
stopsleyvicar.blogspot.co.uk + @stopsleyvicar + facebook: Stopsley-Parish-Church or revdavidalexander
St Thomas’ Church is at: 585a Hitchin Road, Stopsley, Luton. LU2 7UL (This is also the postal address for the Parish Office)
David Alexander
Vicar of Stopsley Parish (St Thomas's) ; Chaplain at Vauxhall Motors
01582 721911(Vicarage) ; 01582 729194 (Parish Office) ; 07796 334300 (Mobile)
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