Notes and News from St Paul's
Read this Sunday's Notes and News.
Many thanks to Lindsey Lamb for the altar flowers in memory of her late mother, Rose Etchell, whose birthday it would have been today.
Many thanks to everyone who helped to clean the church on Saturday. All will be welcome to help with cleaning on Saturdays from 10am until the Lighting work is finished
Our Mission of the Month is Christians Against Poverty. Begun in 1996, CAP is steadily growing as a national debt-counselling charity which has a Christian ethos but whose services are available to all. We welcome this morning as our speaker Emma Blizzard, manager of the local CAP Centre at St John’s Church, Penge, who will tell us about the social problem of debt and the help on offer to set people free from its control.
Naomi Rowland has sent her News and Prayer Letter for December. It includes pictures of her father’s visit and her mother’s wedding. She thanks everyone for their friendship, generosity and kindness during her brief visit to the UK and asks us to keep in touch with emails and photos even if only with a brief “hello”. See the letter posted in the South Aisle.
Thank you to everyone who has given clothes etc. for Deptford Reach and especially new things which were used for Christmas presents. The blue box is always there for any donations. Further information from Sue Rodgers.
Lighting Project. Access to the church itself is restricted when the Contractor is at work (Monday – Friday 7.30am-5.00pm and some Saturdays). Details are posted at entry points. The doorbell at the church porch must be used for permission to enter and to sign in. Access to the hall via Lawn Road is unaffected. Please do not use the Bishop’s Porch unless pre-arranged.
Morning Prayer and Bible reading Mon-Wed, 9.20-9.50am in the vestry. Enter by the Bishop’s Porch door nearest the vestry not via the church or hall.
The annual Food Collection for Welcare in Bromley is taking place this month, to provide short-term emergency assistance to local families in times of crisis. Non-perishables and in date please - e.g. tinned fruit, fish, meat, vegetables, tea bags, instant coffee, sugar, pasta and rice. The box will be at the back of church on Sundays. Any queries to Margaret Doubleday (8663 3395).
St Paul’s Party 21st January 5pm Tickets are now on sale at the back of church Adults £1 children free. Sign up for the bring and share meal. Want to entertain us? Please contact the Social Committee as soon as possible.
On 29 January, the 10.30am service will include a presentation to Beckenham Street Pastors in memory of Irene Baker-Hunt, and a brief update concerning their work.
Bishop James will be in the deanery getting to know the area, the churches and the people in May. He loves golf and there will be a 9 hole golf event at Langley Park Golf Club on Tuesday 8 May, tee off at 9am. Coffee, golf & light lunch all for £20. Please apply to Nick Lang 8650 6110 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and also inform Vince or Anne Howick if you will be taking part.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18-25 January. Details of local services on poster in porch.
This week at St Paul’s
Mon 16th Jan 2.00pm Keep Fit
Tue 17th Jan 2.00pm Townswomen’s Guild
8.00pm Property Committee
Thur 19th Jan 10.00am Babies and Toddlers
7.30pm Male Voice Choir
Fri 20th Jan 8.00pm A time for prayer at 23b Brackley Road
Sat 21 Jan 5.00pm St Paul’s Party
Tea & Coffee
Many thanks to the Manor Home Group for serving tea and coffee today.
Next week the Lakeside Home Group will be on duty.
For our Prayers
Pray for the work of Christians Against Poverty nationally and locally as trained and dedicated church members reach out in practical mission to people often experiencing fear, stress, illness, family breakdown and even suicide because of uncontrollable debt. Pray that 2012 may see us all become increasingly aware of the needs of others and that we can each make a difference in practical ways to the lives of those less fortunate in the community.
Naomi Rowland asks for prayer for health in the different climate and for safe travel on the roads and in the air. Also that ongoing legal and financial issues will soon be resolved so that a start can be made on the building of Hope School.
Give thanks for contact with our old friend Samuel Gumedigi who was encouraged to receive our Christmas card and still remembers us in his prayers. Pray for Samuel’s plans for his wife and family to return to the house they are themselves building. Also for an end to uncertainty as to the future of the college where he is Acting Principal.
For those mourning the loss of a loved one especially the family and friends of Barbara Hollingsworth whose funeral was on Wednesday.
Pray for Carol Brownie and John Brittain, those who are ill or convalescing and those concerned for a loved one who is far from well. Full list on the Prayer Board.
On our Electoral Roll this week we pray for Simon, Suzy and Lorna Dalwood, George Davies and those in Ingleside Close.
Eternal Lord,
our beginning and our end:
bring us with the whole creation
to your glory, hidden through past ages
and made known
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
