Notes and News from St Paul's
Read this Sunday's Notes and News.
A big thank you to all who helped to make St Paul’s party an enjoyable event, the Catering Team and those who entertained us.
Many thanks to everyone who helped to clean the church on Saturday. All will be welcome to help with cleaning on Saturdays from 10am each week until the Lighting work is finished.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25. Services this week, Monday 23, 2pm (preceded by refreshments) at Bromley Methodist Church, Bromley Road and Wednesday 25, 8pm at Avenue Road Baptist Church.
Next Sunday 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.
Keith Howick will be standing down as Churchwarden at the AGM in April, after an exceptionally long service. Please will you give serious thought to who might be his successor and consider prayerfully whether this is something which YOU could do? Please don’t be like Moses in Exodus 4:13, but read and ponder 1 Peter 5: 2. If you would like to know more about what the position entails, please ask Ann Birkett, Barbara Saunders or Anthea Prendergast. Suggestions please!
Men’s Group Committee After many years’ service, Ray Ives, Jim Vice and Simon Dalwood all stood down at Christmas and the committee urgently now needs a new Chairman and at least two committee members in order to plan the year ahead. Please contact Brian Woolmer if you feel you could fill any of these positions. We look forward to your continuing support.
Our Mission of the Month is Christians Against Poverty. CAP is steadily growing as a national debt-counselling charity based at local churches, having a Christian ethos but whose services are non-judgmental, free of charge and available to all. Last Sunday morning’s speaker, Emma Blizzard, manager of the local CAP centre at St John’s Church, Penge, explained how the scheme works with home visits together with professional guidance and a debt solution plan prepared for each individual by the agency’s professional headquarters staff in Bradford. Many struggling with uncontrolled debt are unaware of the help available to them. We are asked to speak of CAP to any we know to be in serious need. Anyone feeling a call to help Emma in the work of home visiting should have a word with Vince. To learn more, please see the display and take some of the literature to read at home.
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. Details are posted at entry points.
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.
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.
This week at St Paul’s
Mon 23rd Jan 2.00pm Keep Fit
Wed 25th Jan 2.45pm Wednesday Fellowship-Holy Communion with Rev Vince Short
Thur 26th Jan 10.00am Babies and Toddlers
Fri 27th Jan 8.00pm A time for prayer at 23b Brackley Road
Tea & Coffee
Many thanks to the Lakeside Home Group for serving tea and coffee today.
Next week the Mistletoe 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.
Join with the rest of Rochester Diocese in praying for St Paul’s Church Beckenham on Thursday 26 January. Thank God for the vision leading our church as reviewed at the recent Away Day; pray for the safety and progress of work on the Lighting Project; for Vince, the Wardens, other members of the Ministry Leadership Team, the PCC and its Committees; and all who hold office or work behind the scenes to make possible the smooth running of St Paul’s and its outreach. Pray also that 2012 may see us all become increasingly aware of needs outside ourselves and that we can each make a difference in practical ways to the lives of others.
For those mourning the loss of a loved one especially the family and friends of Barbara Hollingsworth.
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.
On our Electoral Roll this week we pray for Rosemary Dear, Jonathan Debrunner ,Alison Dockray, Margaret Doubleday and those in Kingshall Road.
Almighty God,
who caused the light of the gospel
to shine throughout the world
through the preaching of your servant Saint Paul:
grant that we who celebrate his wonderful conversion
may follow him in bearing witness to your truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
