God of Surprises
‘God is a disturbing God. Our temptation in all religion and in all spirituality is to domesticate God’, said Gerard Hughes. But God will not be domesticated. He constantly surprises. And Mary was certainly surprised by God’s Christmas plan!
Have you domesticated God? Have you ceased to be surprised and filled with wonder? Come anew to the greatest story.....
Christmas Services - You are warmly invitedInvite your family and friends:
- Thur 17, 7:45pm Rock Carols
- Sat 19, 11:30am 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
It would be great to see you in Church on Sunday, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, 6:30pm!
Have a great weekend.
Services This Week
On Sunday mornings we get ready for Christmas: ‘Peace on Earth’.
Sunday AM. ‘God of Surprises’ Luke 1:26‐38
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
On Sunday evenings we also get ready for Christmas: ‘Peace on Earth’.
Sunday PM. ‘ Why am I so favoured’ Luke 1:39-45
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Midweek we are also getting ready for Christmas in our series: ‘Peace on Earth’.
His name is.....’ Luke 1:57-66
(Tues 6:30pm No Community Eve until January 12th.)
Wed 9:45am Communion
Thurs 7:45pm Rock Carols
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. ‘Nativity’ Luke 1:46‐56
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday PM. ‘Peace on Earth’ Luke 2
Sun 6:30pm Carols by Candlelight
Midweek. ‘Christmas’ Luke 1:76‐79
(Tues 6:30pm No Community Eve until January 12th.)
Wed 9:45am Communion
Thur 4pm Crib Service for Children
Thur 11.45pm Midnight Communion
Fri 9am Christmas Day Communion
Fri 10:30am Christmas Day Celebration
Fri 11:30am Short Christmas Day Communion
Homegroups. Meeting together in homes - Mark’s Gospel.
Thurs Weekly 8pm and Women’s 2:30pm 1st & 3rd Weeks
HEADLINE NEWS
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.
Prayer meeting 13th December 5pmJoin us to pray for our Church, Community and World.
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.
Community Evening is taking a break over Christmas and into the New Year.
Join us for Community Carol Singing - Sat 19th DecWe will be sharing the Christmas message with our village of Stopsley on Saturday 19th December from 11:30am. We shall be singing Christmas carols for passersby, advertising our Christmas services, and raising funds for Level Trust, a local charity which helps clothe needy children. The singing starts at 11:30am and we will finish about 2pm. Join us for as long as you can manage.
Messy Church Children’s PartySunday 24th January 3:30-5pm. Children of all ages welcome for a lots of fun, activities, drama and food.
Alpha Course Starts in January ‘Questions of Life’
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?
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.
Tree of Prayer
In our porch we have a Tree of Prayer and Remembrance. Please write out coloured tag with the name of person you wish to be remembered. Also there is a sheet for other prayers for between Advent and Christmas and New Year.
Christmas Tree Festival Many thanks for all who supported and worked hard on the Festival, which was a grat success. We also raised about £556-19
Present ‘Toy’ Service Thanks for all who supported our annual Present and Toy service, and the fantasic gifts donated. You made others happy this Christmas!
Parish Lunch Team Last Meal - but more to come!Our wonderful Parish Lunch team of Maureen, Louise, Chris, Ron and Margaret have handed in their oven gloves after many wonderful meals over the last 5 years or so. Many thanks to them for all their hard work. Some gifts were presented to them to say a big ‘thanks’. We will continue with a Fish and Chip lunch on Wednesday 3rd February at 12:30pm - names and £4 in advance to the Parish Office.
Gift Day 2015We are very grateful for the generous giving that enables to do all we do as a Church, for recent responses to our Stewardship Renewal in the summer, and now for those who have given at the recent Gift Day. So far we have received responses for a Grand Total of £2192. If you would also like to give to God’s work here work we would be very grateful.
Melvyn Butcher's funeral
will take place on Tuesday 22nd December at 9:45am. The service will be held at The Vale Crematorium, Butterfield Green Road, Luton LU2 8DD. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Melvyn may be made, if desired, to The Royal British Legion, Leagrave Primary School or Friends of Ashcroft. Donations will be collected on the day or may be sent to Luton co-operative funeralcare.
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.
- During November and up to Dec 16th there is a 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.
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.
Deadline for Copy for Newsheet
Send any information for the newsheet by Wednesday 5pm.
Interesting Quote:
“If you don’t have a smile, I’ll give you one of mine.” J John
OTHER DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Wed 3 Feb, 12:30pm Parish Lunch.
- Sat 2 Jan, 10-Noon Coffee Morning
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PLEASE PRAY FOR
- For the Christmas Services.
- 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. For a wise and generous response in the short and longer terms.
- For those affected by terror in Europe, Africa and the Middle East
- For those who are Unwell:
Anne, Ken Pullan, Owen Thomas, Jan Healy, Jim and Betty Sexton, Paige, Chris, Mike Clark, Nicky Sylvester, Gill
- For some of those with Long-term Illness:
Alg, Mary Barden, Bob Norman
Gordon, Margaret Newing, Jack Rankin, Evelyn McFarland, Melvyn Butcher
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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
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
- 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 pass this Newsheet on to others! If this Newsheet has been given or delivered to you let us know what you think!
MORE INFO: 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)
