Pastoral News: 19 April 09

We remember in prayer Ann Goodwin, friend and member of our Bethany group who has recently moved from MK Hospital into Castle Mead Care Home. Ann is frail and easily tired and with that sensitively in mind asks that we might give her time to settle before visiting her there.

It’s good to hear that Marvin Chilton is continuing to make good progress. He is standing with assistance and is sitting out of bed for 2 hours each day. We continue to pray for him and the family.

Peggy Christopher is recovering after a recent fall and we remember her and Lesley at this time.

Thanks from Lesley

Lesley Christopher would like to thank everyone who supported her on Easter Sunday. “I know those who were not able to attend were praying for me. Thank you for all the cards and presents. 'Hugs' were marvellous.”

Alpha Restarting

Alpha will start on 29th April at 7.45pm until 20 May and recommencing on 3rd June until 24th June. If you would welcome the opportunity to explore the Christian faith please let one of the leaders know. The course will be led by Eric Eyre and Mary Buckell.

Who to Contact During Paul’s Sabbatical

During Paul’s sabbatical, the elders will take it in turn to be the main point of contact for a period of one week at a time, starting at the end of each Sunday morning service. They will be at the door at the end of the service, will coordinate with the pastoral assistants and submit pastoral news for publication in J14.

If you need to leave a message, please be aware that you can do this 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.

Our Elders are here to serve you in the place of Paul, so do please feel you can approach them whenever you need to. The name of the duty elder will be published here each week. If you don’t have access to J14, please phone the office on 01908 618898 for details.

New Rotas

The new rotas for the summer period June to September are due shortly. If you have dates when you will not be available please let Catherine in the office know.

Extra Help Required

If you would be interested or willing to be included in helping on a Sunday morning with either setting the rooms up for worship, stewarding, crèche or refreshments please see Catherine for what is involved.

In particular we require a third person to help each week with refreshments. This is because we are no longer using the plastic cups as environmentally, they were very unfriendly. The ‘Green’ cups we are currently using are recyclable but expensive. Therefore, we are considering using mugs that will require washing up. To achieve this we are inviting you to donate a mug to the kitchen. Thank you.

Lent Lunches

Thank you to all who participated in the Lent Lunches held at the URC church. The total profit to be donated to Christian Aid amounted to £1,071.32.

Revised Date for Church Meeting

The May Church Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 19th May has been brought forward a week to Tuesday 12th May.

Service Details 19/04/09

A warm welcome to our worship which is led this morning by Bev Wright and Steve Wood. Our guest preacher is Rev. Derek Tidball. Amongst his many roles Derek was Principal of the London School of Theology (formerly London Bible College) and President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. We look forward to hearing what God has to say to us through Derek.

This morning we remember in prayer our member Roy Freestone as he leads the worship at the Bunyan Meeting, Bedford.

Service Details 26/04/09

Next Sunday 26th April at 10.30am our worship will be led by one of our elders Eric Eyre.

CHURCH DIARY

SUNDAY 19 April
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Bev Wright, Steve Wood & Rev Derek Tidball.
7.00pm Service of Worship & Communion led by Rod Ruston.
7.00 – 9.30pm The Hub at Water Eaton Church Centre.

MONDAY 20 April
6.15pm Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys & Junior Sections. See Roger.
7.45pm Amicus – Contact Sam Downton or Mark Nicholls
7.45pm HomeGroup Meeting at Great Linford. An evening as prescribed in 1 Cor. 14 v26.

TUESDAY 21 April
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.
7.45pm HomeGroup Meeting at Newport Pagnell.

WEDNESDAY 22 April
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club for Senior Citizens. Contact Peter Faulkner for bookings and Elsie Smith for transport.
8.00pm HomeGroup meeting at Newport Pagnell.

THURSDAY 23 April
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

SUNDAY 26 April
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Eric Eyre.
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood.