Pastoral News: 11 January 09

We remember those who are bereaved at this time, and particularly remember the families of our members Hilda Meadows and Joyce Wills. The Thanksgiving service for Hilda is being held in the chapel on Wednesday 14th January at 2.00pm preceded by a committal at Crownhill Crematorium at 1.15pm. All friends are welcome at either or both services, and the thanksgiving service will be followed by a reception in the Tickford Room. The family have asked for donations in Hilda's memory for the work of NPBC.

The thanksgiving service for Joyce Wills is on Thursday the 15th January at 9.15am at Crownhill Crematorium and all friends are welcome. They too have asked for donations in Joyce's memory to be given to the work of NPBC.

We also remember at this time the families of Robert Keen, Norman Daws (who with his wife Elsie had been to our Food4Thought on a small number of occasions), Bernard Grace, and Harry Fox. May the God of peace be with those who mourn the loss of loved ones.

We remember Andrew and Cynthia Howes on the death of Andrew's mother last Sunday, and pray that they will know God's peace in this time of sorrow.

Our prayers continue for Marvin Chilton, who has been admitted to Harefield Hospital to await a heart transplant, and in the meantime he is being given an artificial heart. We pray for him and his loved ones, remembering especially his parents Joy and Michael. Our belated congratulations to them on their Ruby Wedding celebrations last weekend, but we pray for them that they will know the sustaining power of God through these days.

At Christmas we received greetings from friends and former members of NPBC: from John and Judith Layzell in Farnborough, John and Wendy Handley in Australia, Elaine Cox in Australia, James and Lynn Howitt and family in the Isle of Man, Peggy and Bernard Laycock in Peterborough, Lisa and Chris Bateman and family in the USA, Susan Caddy in Southampton, Stephen and Kathryn Packham and family in Lichfield, Joy and Michael North in Minehead, Jean Mooney in Canada, among many others.

NPBC/Bethany Summer Holiday August ‘09

Bethany invites you to join them on their short break to Torquay by coach in late August staying at ‘The Overmead Hotel’. The coach will remain with the group and the cost includes all excursions which of course are optional. They hope to be able to offer a devotional time each day. Dates: Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September 2009.

If you are interested please do ask Catherine Hall for a copy of the itinerary, hotel brochure and costs. There are a limited number of single rooms available at no extra cost.

Giving to the Church

At the Church Meeting in November a budget was approved for 2009. When approving the budget we were aware that most people’s financial circumstances would be difficult during 2009 and that those difficulties were likely to be reflected in the Church’s income. However we set a budget figure for our offering which showed an increase of 3%. I know from what people have already told me that some folk need to reduce their contributions and this is fully understood. The challenge, then, is for the remainder of us to examine our own situations and see if we are able to make an increase in our giving to the Church.

I still have a number of sets of weekly offering envelopes available. These are particularly useful as a reminder that the work of the Church continues even in those weeks when we are not able to be present. Alternatively you might like to consider setting up a Standing Order with your bank so that you can be sure that the Church benefits from receiving your offerings on a regular basis.

Another way of helping is through the Gift Aid scheme. Under this scheme the Government will repay to the Church the amount of Income Tax you have paid on the gift you make. In effect this increases the value of your offering by 25%. Please see me if you want more information on any of the items above. Richard Beesley

African Drumming Workshop

This will take place on Sunday 18th January in the Tickford Room at 3.15pm for 3.30pm. We expect to be making a ‘joyful noise’(!) for about an hour. If you had previously reserved a place but now do not wish to take part, please let Bev Wright know so that your place can be given to someone else. Cost is £3.

Church Members Meeting

A reminder to all church members that the next church meeting is taking place on Tuesday 20th January at 8.00pm in the Tickford Room. The minutes of the previous meeting are available for members to read today.

MATRIX

February will see the publication of a unique edition of the Matrix. Now is the time to think about that story, news item, or comment. Something to encourage, stimulate or enlighten fellow readers.

Why unique? Well make sure of your copy on February 8th to find out and in the meantime get those few lines or full page article to Rod & Chris into us as soon as possible. Thank you.

Service Details 11/01/09

This morning Eric Eyre leads our worship. Eric will be speaking from Acts 2 on the series “A people for his own - committed to serving”. The service also includes communion.

Preaching Elsewhere

This morning we remember in prayer our member Keith Bedford as he leads the service at Yardley Gobion URC this morning.

Service Details 18/01/08

Next Sunday 18th January at 10.30am Steve Greenfield leads our worship, with our minister Paul Rosier speaking on “committed to praying”.

CHURCH DIARY

SUNDAY 11 January
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship and Communion led by Eric Eyre.
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood.

MONDAY 12 January
6.15pm Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys & Junior Sections. See Roger.
7.45pm Amicus – Contact Sam Downton or Mark Nicholls
7.45pm Deacons Meeting
7.45pm HomeGroup Jeremiah 38

TUESDAY 13 January
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. All are welcome.
7.45pm HomeGroup.

WEDNESDAY 14 January
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club for Senior Citizens. Contact Peter Faulkner for bookings and Elsie Smith for transport.
2.00pm Thanksgiving Service for Hilda Meadows in the chapel.
8.00pm HomeGroup meeting at Alan and Chris Webb’s

THURSDAY 15 January
6.15pm Girls’ Brigade Explorers For all sections see Sue Garnham
6.45pm Girls’ Brigade Junior Section
7.30 – 9.30pm Music Group Meeting in the Portfields Room
7.45pm Boys’ Brigade Company Section Contact David Wright
8.00pm Girls’ Brigade Senior and Brigader Section
8.00pm Elders Meeting

FRIDAY 16 January
9.45 – 11:30am MOPS Group. See Wendy Turner or Elaine Hope

SUNDAY 18 January
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Steve Greenfield and Paul Rosier.
3.30pm African Drumming Workshop in the Tickford Room see Bev Wight
6.00pm Service at the Parish Church for the week of prayer for Christian unity
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood