Pastoral News: 07 December 08

Hilda Meadows suffered a fall and is in the Milton Keynes Hospital (ward 17). We remember her as she recovers, and pray for her, for Tricia and Paul in their anxiety for her.

Elsie Smith is still in MK Hospital as we go to press. We pray for her healing, that she may soon be back home again.

As we pray for the family of Peter Foster, whose service of thanksgiving is at Crownhill on Tuesday the 9th December at 11.30am, we also remember families in our community who mourn the loss of loved ones at this time: for the family of Win Brown, and for the family of Joan Hutchings. May the peace of God be theirs as they miss their parents and friends.

Alternative Christmas Card

We are again supporting the work of World Vision this year by using their ‘Alternative Christmas Card’. This is a fun way of giving each other greetings without the hassle of sending individual Christmas cards. There is one big card where there is room for lots of personal greetings. We then ask everyone who signs the card to donate what they would save in not purchasing cards to help with World Visions work around the world.

Just sign the card and leave your donation in the tin (or hand into the church office clearly marked World Vision). If you are a taxpayer, please fill in your details on the form so that World Vision can claim back tax – about 30p in every pound.

MOPS Cookbook

Stuck for ideas for Christmas? Well look no further than the back of the Church where you will find a recipe book produced by the MOPS mums! Many of our mums have contributed to the book which includes a mixture of sweet and savoury recipes. We are asking for a minimum donation of £3 which will help us to continue to provide refreshments, good quality play and Christian care for the mothers in our community. Please support us by buying a copy or two and perhaps you can use the book to spread the word in your neighbourhood about MOPS.

Advent Readings

On a visit to St Annes-on-Sea Baptist Church last week, the minister gave Chris and Marian a number of copies for NPBC of a book of Advent season readings that their members had written. They are very good! Please take a copy, look for a brown A5 covered booklet “Repeat the Sounding Joy” on the table in the corridor.

Food4Thought

Thank you to all who so willingly offered to make cakes for F4T this afternoon. All those attending will enjoy them.

First Aid Course

The Brigades have a First Aid Course planned for Saturday 7th February at NPBC. If anyone else would like to join us for this ‘Appointed Persons First Aid Certificate’ Training Day they would be most welcome. The cost is £50+vat. It is best practice to have a qualified First Aider on the premises when there is a church group activity e.g. Bethany, Parent and Toddlers, MOPS etc. Please see Catherine Hall (612292) or ask at the church office.

HomeGroup B on the Move

Please note that it has become necessary to change the night on which Homegroup B meets. As from this week the group shall be meeting on Monday evenings, with an occasional Sunday evening, to ease the pressure that is experienced during the working week.

This week the venue is the home of Stephen and Alice Lewis, 5 Millhayes, Gt Linford, and will start after the conclusion of the Brigades Christmas Concert. The study takes us to Bethlehem once again, this time to the book of Ruth, where we shall discover the town to be a place of delight!

If this is a more convenient day for anyone not currently part of a Homegroup, please be assured you will be very welcome too.

Flower Rota

The flower rota for next year is being put together. If you have never volunteered before and would be able to 'do' the flowers in the church and/or the chapel please talk to Janet Brown or Catherine Hall. Also contact them if you are already on the rota and would prefer to donate your flowers on a particular date. Thank you.

Christmas at NPBC

Sunday 21st December at 10.30am. Worship for all ages “Christmas letters: Jesus the Reigning Lord” from Colossians 1/15-17.

Sunday 21st December at 7.00pm. Community Carol Evening, featuring the musical “There's something amazing...” with cameo appearances by town councillors and the town mayor. Suitable for all ages, the evening includes plenty of carols, and features the work of Spurgeon's Child Care, for whom there will be a special offering. Admission is free - why not join the community and bring your family, your neighbours, and your friends?

Christmas Day 25th December at 10.30am. Worship for all ages “Christmas Letters - Jesus the Saving Lord”. Featuring special music, and something for everyone. Will conclude by 11.15am.

Sunday 28th December at 10.30am. Worship for all, led by Trevor Ransome, with Paul Rosier speaking on “Christmas Letters: Jesus, the Reflective Lord”.

Christmas Cracked

Please remember in your prayers this week the Christmas Cracked presentations taking place as follows:

· Monday 8th December - am with Green Park School
· Monday 8th December - pm with Tickford Park School
· Thursday 11th December - am with Giffard Park School
· Friday 12th December - am at Willen School
· Monday 15th December - am with Portfields School
· Monday 15th December - pm with Cedars School

The Food Bank in Milton Keynes

Hunger is not just a Third World problem. Even in our prosperous new city of Milton Keynes there are many people living on the edge of poverty. All it takes is a sudden unexpected event to throw people into a genuine crisis. You can help through the Food Bank.

The Food Bank provides people with the essentials at a time when they need them most. Referrals come from registered professionals including doctors, health visitors and social workers. The Food Bank collects donated dried and tinned goods which are made available to local families and individuals who have been referred.

As a church we supported the work with the donation of our Harvest goods. The winter months can also be a difficult time. We have made available in the foyer a collecting box for donated food items to be left. Perhaps, when out shopping you might be able to purchase an extra tin or packet of dried goods and donate them to this worthy local charity. Details of suggested food items can be found on the flyer inside your J14.

Our World Mission Link Missionaries

Alan & Anne Penn have now returned to Kathmandu, Nepal for a further 2 years service with the Baptist Missionary Society. Alan is responsible for raising funds for United Mission to Nepal’s work, (with which the BMS is in partnership) with the poor and marginalised in Asia’s poorest country.

In a recent e.mail Alan writes:- “Christmas and Christmas presents are almost upon us and the difficulty of choosing appropriate presents doesn’t become any easier. We can spend a lot of money and time buying either something that was not really needed or something that the recipient already has.

Charities offer ‘alternative’ gift schemes so money that would have been spent goes to a “worthwhile” cause. At UMN we are also introducing “gift” cards in place of presents. There are 4 UMN cards supporting different work. To see these cards and decide how you want them sent, please see the UMN website at www.umn.org.np

African Drumming

The African Drumming workshop will take place on Sunday, 18th January at 4.00pm in the Tickford room. Please see Bev Wright to confirm your place and note that the fee of £3 should be paid as soon as possible.

Service Details 07/12/08

This Morning our worship is led by our minister Paul Rosier and includes the sharing of communion. Paul will be speaking from the “Christmas letters” series from Galatians 4/4+5 on “Jesus the Time Lord”.

Food4Thought Christmas Special

This afternoon at 4.00pm we have our monthly Food4Thought meeting. A time for friendship, singing and praise for the retired of the town. Roger and Catherine Hall host this month’s special Christmas celebration.

Preaching Elsewhere

This morning we remember our member Rod Ruston who is leading the service at Drayton Parslow Baptist Church.

Service Details 14/12/08

Next Sunday 14th December at 10.30am our worship is led by Bev Wright with Trevor Ransome speaking from the “Christmas Letters” series from Philippians 2/6-11 "Jesus the Serving Lord".

SUNDAY 7 December
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship & Communion led by Paul Rosier.
4.00pm Food4Thought hosted by Roger & Catherine Hall
5.00pm Drama Rehearsals for Community Carol Service
7.00 – 8.00pm Singing Rehearsals in the Chapel for Community Carol Service
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Andy and Sam Hall.

MONDAY 8 December
6.30pm Boys’ & Girls’ Brigades Carol Evening carols and readings for all.
7.45pm Amicus – Contact Sam Downton or Mark Nicholls
8.00pm HomeGroup B.

TUESDAY 9 December
8.45am Team Prayer Meeting in the chapel.
9.45am HomeGroup meeting at Wendy and Andrew’s.
10.00am Parent & Toddler Group (24 Months+). See Yvonne Wilkinson
11.30am Service of Thanksgiving for Peter Foster at Crownhill Crematorium
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Baby Group in the Tickford Room Contact Sue Garnham
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Toddler Group (12-24 months) contact Janet Rosier.
2.00pm Bible Study Group Continuing the series “The Coming King”.
7.45pm HomeGroup A.

WEDNESDAY 10 December
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club Contact Peter Faulkner for bookings and Elsie Smith for transport.

THURSDAY 11 December
6.15pm Girls’ Brigade Explorers For all sections see Sue Garnham
6.45pm Girls’ Brigade Junior Section
7.45pm Boys’ Brigade Company Section Contact David Wright
8.00pm Girls’ Brigade Senior and Brigader Section
8.00pm Elders Meeting

FRIDAY 12 December
7.00pm MOPS and MOPS@ Christmas Buffet.

SATURDAY 13 December
8.00am Prayer Breakfast for Deacons and Elders in the Chapel.

SUNDAY 14 December
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Bev Wright and Trevor Ransome.
4.00pm Drama Rehearsals for Community Carol Service
7.00 – 8.00pm Singing Rehearsals in the Chapel for Community Carol Service
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood.