Hello from Vicar Dave!
Christmas Tree Festival
Welcome this weekend to our Christmas Tree Festival at StTs! We hope you have an enjoyable time looking at all the trees and lights, having something to eat and drink, visiting the stalls and participating in the services this Sunday. We also hope you have a wonderful Christmas - join us at our services as we seek God’s peace for our lives and world.
Either way, hope 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. ‘Lights on the Tree’ Luke 1:68-79
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Parade Service
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
On Sunday evenings we also get ready for Christmas: ‘Peace on Earth’.
Sunday PM. ‘The Return of the King Pt2’
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’.
Amen! And Then....’ 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. ‘Nothing is impossible with God’ Luke 1:26‐38
Sun 8:30am Communion Service
Sun 10am Communion with Sunday Club for Kids
Sun 11:30am Informal Service
Sunday PM. ‘Why am I so favoured’ Luke 1:39-45
Sun 6:30pm Evening Service
Midweek. ‘His name is.....’ Luke 1:57-66
(Tues 6:30pm No Community Eve until January 12th.)
Wed 9:45am Communion
Homegroups. Meeting together in homes - Mark’s Gospel.
Thurs Weekly 8pm and Women’s 2:30pm 1st & 3rd Weeks
HEADLINE NEWS
Christmas Tree Festival
Saturday 5th December 2015 10am to 2pm. Refreshments and light lunches served.
Sunday 6th December 2015 1pm to 3pm. Refreshments available. Free entry : Programme £1. Father Christmas, crafts and gifts stalls, 'have a go' stalls, competitions.
Saturday 5th December 2015 10am to 2pm. Refreshments and light lunches served.
Sunday 6th December 2015 1pm to 3pm. Refreshments available. Free entry : Programme £1. Father Christmas, crafts and gifts stalls, 'have a go' stalls, competitions.
Present ‘Toy’ Service - Dec 6th at 10amThis year’s ‘Toy’ Service is on Sunday 6th December at 10am. For many years we have held this to make sure those less fortnate than us receive a present at Christmas. You can bring a toy, or alternatively a present for the homeless. You could also bring some items for the Foodbank. If you Wrap your present (which you don’t need to do) please mark it with the suitable age and sex. Make others happy this Christmas!
Christmas Services - You are warmly invitedInvite your family and friends:
- Thur 17, 7:45pm Rock Carols
- Sat 19, 11:30am Community Carols
onwards 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
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.
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.
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 - Christmas SpecialThis week we have a special Christmas gathering at our Community Evening. Bring some Christmas nibbles and we shall sing some carols and have a good time! All welcome. 6:30pm this Tuesday (8th Dec)
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?
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.
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 from 23 people for a Grand Total of £1886. If you would also like to give some cash to God’s work here work we would be very grateful.
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER
A fun packed Christmas play coming to SBC bursting with seasonal stories and puppets for all the family.So pull open this delightful cracker packed with comedy, puppetry, and seasonal storytelling, as Riding Lights offers the whole family a magical glimpse into the heart of Christmas. Touring nationally for Christmas 2015 and coming to Stopsley Baptist Church FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER 7pm. Tickets on the door: Adults £6/ Concessions £4/ Family Ticket £15
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 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.
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 most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it’s going, that knows where the source of strength is; it is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness.” Max Lacado
“The most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it’s going, that knows where the source of strength is; it is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness.” Max Lacado
OTHER DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Wed 3 Feb, 12:30pm Parish Lunch.
- Sat 2 Jan, 10-Noon Coffee Morning (within Christmas Tree Festival)
____________________________________
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
- For some of those with Long-term Illness:
Gary Berris, Daphne Ward, Joyce Cox
- For those grieving for:
Calton Coleman, Gordon, Margaret Newing, Jack Rankin, Evelyn McFarland
_____________________________________________________
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
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)
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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