Happy Christmas from Vicar Dave!
Rock Carols
Christmas rocks! It is great to celebrate Christmas with the old traditional music, but the greatest story rocks - so why not celebrate it with a more rocky beat? Welcome to sing, dance and rock your world.
What does Christmas mean to you? Does it move your heart, your feet and your life? Come anew to the greatest story.....
Nativity
Today we enter anew the wonderful greatest story (part of it, anyway) that will be enacted in churches, schools and community groups throughout the world. Animals, shepherds, wise men, angels... and a baby. Wonderful!
But it is not just A story, but THE story. Are you in it? God born for you. Come anew to the greatest story.....
Carols by Candlelight
A darkened church with the Christmas Tree lights and candles glowing brightly. The opening solo. A tingling sensation down our spine as we sing the old carol favourites and enter anew what Christmas means to our lives.
What darknesses in your world and life would you to like to invite the Christmas light? Come anew to the greatest story.....
Christmas Services - You are warmly invitedInvite your family and friends:
- Thur 17, 7:45pm Rock Carols
Carols with a rocky beat!
- Sat 19, 11:30am Community Carols
Till 2pm. Around Stopsley raising money for Level Trust Charity, who help clothe needy kids in Luton
- Sun 20, 10am Nativity Play Service
Enjoy this year’s nativity play
- Sun 20, 6:30pm Carols by Candlelight
Enjoy the special atmosphere with a combined choir
- Thur 24, 4pm Crib Service for Children
A special service for children, lit by the Christmas tree lights, as we enter this special night.
- Thur 24,11.45pm Midnight Communion
The great service to see the beginning of Christmas Day and all that it means.
- Fri 25, 9am Christmas Day Communion
Early communion on Christmas Day
- Fri 25,10:30am Christmas Day Celebration
Celebrate Christmas with a chance to choose your favourite carol. Bring one of your presents to show.
- Fri 25,11:30am Short Christmas Day Communion
Sunday Club and Christmas Nativity Play
On Sunday 20th we enjoy StTs Sunday Club presenting this year’s Christmas Nativity Play. Many thanks to the children and leaders for all their hard work. Sunday Club will restart in January - all children welcome.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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
Poinsettia Gifts
Many thanks for the poinsettia plants brought to a recent service, which the Care Team took to people as a gift for Christmas to express our love.
Many thanks for the poinsettia plants brought to a recent service, which the Care Team took to people as a gift for Christmas to express our love.
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 in the New YearThe Parish Lunch continues with a Fish and Chip lunch on Wednesday 3rd February at 12:30pm - names and £4 in advance to the Parish Office. All welcome.
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.
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 in the New Year
- The Early Morning Prayer Meeting on Wednesdays at 6am is taking a break until part way through January - look out for details.
- Our Monthly Prayer Meeting is usually on the 2nd Sunday at 5pm, and next month on 10th January at 5pm.
- Morning Prayers are taking a break from Dec 22nd until Monday 11th Jan on Mon, Tues and Thurs at 9:15am.
Prayer meeting 10th January 5pmJoin us to pray for our Church, Community and World.
Community Evening is taking a break over Christmas and into the New Year.
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:
“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” Alexander Smith
“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” Alexander Smith
OTHER DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Wed 3 Feb, 12:30pm Parish Lunch.
- Sat 2 Jan, 10-Noon Coffee Morning
____________________________________
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, Jan Healy, Jim and Betty Sexton, Mike Clark, Nicky Sylvester, Gill, Darren Culley, Ivor Reading, Ian Catchpole
- For some of those with Long-term Illness:
Don Jupe, Don Bardon, Ken Pullan, Owen Thomas
- For those grieving for:
Margaret Newing, Jack Rankin, Evelyn McFarland, Melvyn Butcher
_____________________________________________________
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)
No comments:
Post a Comment