Pastoral News: 15 November 09

Our congratulations to Ivy Etteridge and Harold Heath-Coleman who celebrated significant birthdays this past week. We have sent our love and greetings to them both.

We continue to pray for Marvin Chilton as he has had to return to Harefield Hospital, and we pray for him and those who care for him.

Church Members Meeting

Please note our next church members meeting takes place on Tuesday 17th November at 8.00pm. A proposed budget for 2010 will be presented to the meeting and copies are available today from the Treasurer (Richard Beesley).

The meeting will also be considering applications for membership, reviewing plans for future development and sharing news of all the work that is going on through our many ministries as we pray together for God’s guidance and blessing on His church here. All members are strongly urged to share in this meeting.

The minutes of the September’s meeting are available for members to read today. They can be found in the green folder next to the Steward’s table.

Wanted: singers!!

…for our Community Carol evening on Sunday the 20th December. This year we are presenting “The Xcelsis Factor”, a presentation of the Christmas story with the prominent figures presenting themselves for stardom. The music is a mixture of the best of the last ten years’ musicals and pantomimes we have presented, and we need a chorus to provide the backing! We are looking for people who can hold a note (in tune!) and who are keen to participate in what will be a truly fun event. Rehearsals commence on Sunday 22nd. November at 4.00pm in the chapel, and please sign up on the notice on the Church Notice Board if you would like to take part. Previous experience is helpful but not essential! Please speak to Paul Rosier if you wish to know more.

Believers’ Baptism

Our next service of Believers Baptism is on the morning of Sunday the 13th December. It may be that you have been thinking about taking this step of commitment, and do please speak with Paul if you would like to discuss this further.

Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Appeal

Thank you to all who have left filled shoeboxes. TODAY is the last Sunday of the appeal as the boxes set off on their journey to Belarus on Thursday 19th.
Christmas Stall

Don’t forget, today is your last chance to purchase items from the Christmas stall. Any profit this year will go to Open Doors to send Bibles to persecuted Christians.

Christmas Crossroads

The next issue of Crossroads will be appearing the first week of December, so if anyone has any Christmas event they would like to publicise, could you please let us have it by November 22nd at the latest and we will endeavour to include it. Many thanks. Crossroads Editorial Team

New Year’s Eve Party

As exclusively revealed last week, the theme for this year’s New Year’s Eve party is “Bruce’s Big Night Out”. Our very own tribute to the legend that is Mr Bruce Forsyth CBE, OBE.

As always, Steve Greenfield and Roy Taylor need your help to make the evening a success. They want to know if you have any ideas for a game? Just think of Mr Forsyth and what do you think off?

One feature we will definitely be doing is our very own variety show, “New Year’s Eve at the Palladium”. So start planning your act now. We’re looking for songs, jokes, tricks, sketches, etc. They’ll take anything in fact! Finally a plea, is there anyone willing to look after the catering for the evening? Please let Roy or Steve know if you’re able to help in any way.

Christmas Cracked

Cedars, Green Park, Tickford Park, Portfields, Giffard Park and Willen Schools’ children and teachers are eagerly awaiting this year’s Christmas Cracked. During these six sessions about 400 children will be thinking about what Christmas means to them, to their community and to Christians. The presentation is prepared, presenters are ready, Christmas decorations collected together, activity books printed, “propos” collated and the main hall is booked. All we need now are people to help the children make mince pies and be around to chat or help them if needed.

The dates are as follows:

Monday 7th December morning & afternoon at NPBC
Thursday 10th December morning at NPBC
Monday 14th December morning & afternoon at NPBC
Wednesday 16th December afternoon at Willen School

If you would like to volunteer, there will be a list available at the church meeting (Tuesday this week) and the following Sundays to sign up. Thank you in anticipation for your help.

Kitchen Rolls

Once again the Christmas Cracked team need the tubes from kitchen rolls (sorry but no toilet roll tubes). Mary Buckell is collecting them, so, if you can hand them to her in the next few weeks she will be grateful.

Bridgebuilder Barn Dance

The annual Bridgebuilder Trust Barn Dance is at Lovat Hall on Saturday 21st November at 7:30pm with a new band this year, Sleeping Moggy. Tickets are £10 including a fish/chicken and chips supper with vegetarian option and can be ordered from Barbara or Keith Bedford or from the Bridgebuilder Office.

Service Details 15/11/09

This morning our minister Paul Rosier leads our worship. Paul will be speaking from the series “Doing it the Jesus Way” on “Showing Humility” from John 13.

At 4.00pm at St. Luke’s Church, Wolverton Road, there is a Churches Together in Newport Pagnell event to celebrate the renewal of the inter-church covenant. This takes the form of a relaxed quiz afternoon with brief worship, and followed by tea. All are welcome to share in this.

Preaching Elsewhere

This morning we remember in prayer our member Eric Eyre as he leads the service at Milton Malsor Baptist Church.

Service Details 22/11/09

Next Sunday 22nd November at 10.30am our worship is led by our elder Eric Eyre who will be speaking from Numbers 13 on “Grasshoppers versus Giants”.

The BIANCA project

Bring In A Neighbour at Christmas! Information on this project is on the board in the foyer, and leaflets are available to help you to plan to share in this project. It’s not too early to be planning your event – please sign up on the board with your details so that we can pray for you and all the events happening in the run-up to Christmas.

CHURCH DIARY

SUNDAY 15 November
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Steve Greenfield & Paul Rosier
4.00pm CTNP Event at St. Luke’s Church, Wolverton Road.
7.00pm The Hub meeting here at Lovat Hall

MONDAY 16 November
6.15pm Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys & Junior Sections. See Roger.
7.45pm Amicus – Contact Sam Downton or Mark Nicholls

TUESDAY 17 November
8.45am Team Prayer Meeting in the chapel.
9.30 – 9.45 am TOFTS Bible Time for Toddlers.
9.45 – 11.15am Parent & Toddler Group (24 Months+). See Yvonne Wilkinson
9.45am HomeGroup meeting at Christine & Trevor’s.
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Baby Group in the Tickford Room. See Yvonne Wilkinson
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Toddler Group (12-24 months). See Yvonne Wilkinson
2.00pm Bible Study Group Bible Study group studying Romans 1 to 5.
8.00pm Church Members Meeting in the Tickford Room.

WEDNESDAY 18 November
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club for Senior Citizens. Contact Peter Faulkner for bookings and Elsie Smith for transport.
7.45pm Alpha Course at Old Farm Park.
8.00pm HomeGroup meeting at Newport Pagnell

THURSDAY 19 November
6.15pm Girls’ Brigade Explorers For all sections see Sue Garnham
6.45pm Girls’ Brigade Junior Section
8.00pm Boys’ Brigade Company Section Contact David Huckle
8.00pm Girls’ Brigade Senior and Brigader Section

FRIDAY 20 November
9.45 – 11.30am MOPS Group. See Sue Winship or Elaine Hope

SATURDAY 21 November
7.30pm Bridgebuilder Barn Dance here at Lovat Hall

SUNDAY 22 November
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Eric Eyre
4.00pm CTNP Event at St. Luke’s Church, Wolverton Road.
7.30pm yPod (years 10 up)