Pastoral News: 10 May 09

Could members please note that the next church meeting is taking place on Tuesday 12th May at 8.00pm. Minutes of the previous church meeting are available for members to read today. You will find them in the green folder by the Stewards table.

Men’s Breakfast

Gentlemen, our next men’s breakfast is taking place next Saturday, 16th May. Starting at the usual time of 7.30am, you can expect a fresh continental breakfast as well as an interesting talk from our speaker Rod Ruston. Rod will be explaining to us why “Men are from Mars”, with appropriate with acknowledgement to John Gray. The price is just £2 per person so please give your name to Andrew Turner today.

Bridgebuilder Trust Climb The Eiger Challenge 2009

Bridgebuilder is holding a family fun day at the Caldecotte Centre on 16th May from 10.00am to 5.00pm. There will be a whole host of activities, including an attempt to climb the equivalent of the North Face of the Eiger. Admission to the day is free. Don’t forget to sponsor the intrepid NPBC climbers - Bev Wright, Claire Scott, James Winship, Jonathan Evans, Josh Brown, Jonathan Winship and Keith Bedford.

News from the Penns

Dear NPBC. I am sorry that we have been such poor correspondents but since we both work full time in offices it is sometimes difficult to think of news that would interest the folk at home. The latest news:

For praise

· There was a spectacular thunderstorm yesterday accompanied by a few hours of rain; not enough to make a difference to the water supply but enough to settle the dust and lower the temperature for a little while. After 4 months with no rain at all we are getting ready for the monsoon to start early next month.
· The Asia secretary for BMS World Mission, Margaret Gibbs is in Nepal for 3 weeks after having visited Thailand where she met up with Brian Leitch. She stayed with us last week and after a visit to a couple working with International Nepali Fellowship (INF) is back in Kathmandu for the GA.
· We have a Baptist minister on sabbatical staying with us now. Despite road blocks and strikes he has managed to see something of Nepal and the work going on here.
· Give thanks that Alan and Dr Maureen our Health and Gender Advisor are involved in meetings with USAID about support for a new women's health project.

For prayer

· You may have seen on the news recently that there is some unrest in Nepal as the Prime Minister is trying to sack the senior general in the army and the President says that this is unconstitutional and the PM resigned. There was a mass rally later in the afternoon and we sent our staff home a little early in case there was trouble. Please pray urgently that the peace process will continue. Ex pats are unlikely to be a target as it is a political argument.
· Pray that all our visitors will be kept safe and enabled to return to their countries as planned in the next week or so.
· Pray for Jennie our retiring Executive Director, this is not a good way to end her almost 9 years service here.
· Pray for Mark as he is thrown in at the deep end. He has been in Nepal with INF for several years and lived through conflict before.
· Pray that all of our precautions will not be necessary and that the peace will hold. The majority of the people do not want more conflict.
· Pray for sufficient funding for all our programmes to continue.

Alan and I continue in good health and are looking forward to a brief visit home in August. Please give our love to everyone and thank you for your patience with us. Every blessing, Anne.

Request from Rhona

Rhona has got a little project on the go and requires our help for additional materials. She’s after packaging such as cereal boxes, t-bag boxes and kitchen roll holders. Rhona also requires plastic bottles and magazines. If you can help with any of these items, please pass them to Rhona. Thanks.

Who to Contact During Paul’s Sabbatical

During Paul’s sabbatical, the elders will be taking it in turns to be the main point of contact for a period of one week at a time. They will be at the door at the end of the service if you wish to speak to them. If you need to leave a message, please be aware that you can do so by leaving it at the church office (under the door if locked!) or by passing it to Catherine. The church answer phone will also be checked regularly.

Service Details 08/05/09

Good morning and a warm welcome to our worship which is led by Tim Cutting from Mission India. The need in India is great and Tim will telling us about the vision of Mission India and how people are responding to the Good News of Jesus in astonishing numbers.


CHURCH DIARY

SUNDAY 10 May
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Tim Cutting from Mission India.
6.00pm United Service for Christian Aid at St Bede’s.
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood.

MONDAY 11 April
6.15pm Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys & Junior Sections. See Roger.
7.45pm Amicus – Contact Sam Downton or Mark Nicholls
7.45pm HomeGroup at Bancroft Ephesians Ch 1.

TUESDAY 12 May
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
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 in the chapel led by Linda Row. All Welcome.
8.00pm Church Members Meeting in the Tickford Room.

WEDNESDAY 13 May
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club for Senior Citizens. Contact Peter Faulkner for bookings and Elsie Smith for transport.
7.45pm Alpha Course meeting at Giffard Park
8.00pm HomeGroup meeting at Newport Pagnell

THURSDAY 14 May
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

FRIDAY 15 May
9.45 – 11:30am MOPS Group. See Wendy Turner or Elaine Hope

SUNDAY 17 May
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship.
7.00pm The Hub meeting here at Lovat Hall