Pastoral News: 25 October 09

We are sad to report the death of Charles Meyrick in the Broomfield Residential Home, Olney. Charles has been a friend of the church for many years, and thanks to the loving care of Yvonne Higgins and Phil Mitchell in particular has been able to join us at worship again in recent times – Charles was last here at our Harvest thanksgiving in September. Details of the funeral service will be published soon.

We also report the death of Peggy Oliver, a member of our Food4Thought congregation, and our love and prayers go with her daughter Sheila and family at this sad time. Peggy had been in failing health, and Paul had been able to minister to her in her latter days in hospital. The service of thanksgiving for Peggy will be here in the Tickford Room on Wednesday next the 28th October at 2.30pm, followed by a reception at Fulwell Court, St. Leger Drive, Great Linford where Peggy was a resident.

Several of our people have been in hospital recently and we remember those who are recovering - Elaine Hope, Adrian King, Eric Eyre and David Hutton. Harold Heath-Coleman is back in Ward 1 at the Hospital having suffered a fall and infection, but hopes to return to Water Hall Care Centre before going to Westbury in Newport Pagnell.

We also remember in prayer Joan Swain in Tickford Abbey who has had a fall recently, but is making a good recovery now.

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.

Men’s Night Out

The NPBC Men's Breakfast team have organised another tenpin bowling evening on Friday 6th November. Like last year we will meet at 8.00pm at Tenpin (Old Megabowl), Leisure Plaza, Milton Keynes to enjoy a leisurely game followed by a get together at Wetherspoons round the corner (201 Midsummer Boulevard). Please pay Jonathan Winship £5.75 as soon as possible so we can make an early booking.

North-South Double for Willen Hospice

One month ago Trevor Ransome and Keith Bedford completed the Great North Run and today will be on the streets of Portsmouth for the Great South Run for the second part of the North-South Great Run Challenge. They are raising money for Willen Hospice and you can still sponsor them at www.justgiving.com/KeithsGreatNorth-SouthRun. Thank you for your support for Willen Hospice.

MOPS

God is growing MOPS! This is great news, but also means that moppets is also growing, and although one new mum comes through the door to MOPS, she quite often brings more than one toddler with her! I am looking for extra helpers with the children. Perhaps you could be that person? It’s hard work, but rewarding.

Qualifications: An ability to get down on the floor and zoom cars around, good at doing puzzles, sculpting with play-dough, and generally having fun playing! Much patience and love is required but God will supply all that you need. If you feel that you can get down onto the floor and play, but can’t get back up again.. don’t worry!...you’ll be part of a fantastic team of people who will give you a hand. We have a real mix of children; some of them are very quiet, some are very noisy, some will come in and start playing and totally ignore mum who goes out, some will cry like mad when mum disappears. It would be great to have a really strong team of committed people who have ‘caught’ the vision of MOPS but if you can only help out now and again, then that too is SO much appreciated!
Please speak to Yvonne Wilkinson .

Samaritan’s Purse – The power of a simple gift

Wanted: empty shoeboxes and shoebox fillers. All boxes are checked before leaving the UK to ensure they all contain similar items. Sometimes they are short of soap or toothpaste etc and these have to be bought. Therefore multiple packs of soap, pens, rubbers etc which can be used as fillers are very welcome. Please leave in the box provided in the foyer.

X:Site – The Place of the Cross

X:site is an event for 7-11 year olds (school years 3 to 6):

· Learn about Jesus
· Bring your mates
· Fun & games
· Live music

X:Site MK launches on Saturday 14th November from 6.00 to 8.00pm at The Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton Mill with further events in January, March, May and July 2010.

X:Site is an event supported and run by local churches in partnership with Scripture Union and Bridgebuilder Trust. You can visit their website at www.xsiteuk.org

Please see Chris Sparkes for invitations and registration forms and if you would be interested in joining the team of volunteers working on X:Site MK, please email mk@xsiteuk.org or phone Lesley Blight

Christmas Stall

Christmas is coming very fast, so come along and buy your cards, calendars and candles etc. Barbara will be having the stall on two Sundays only, 8th and 15th November. Any profit this year will go to Open Doors to send Bibles to persecuted Christians.

Alternative to Hallowe'en

This year's event will take place in the URC on Saturday 31st October starting at 5:30pm. We will be visiting Narnia this year in an event more aimed at the whole age range rather than just for Children. We will share a meal, play some games, sing songs etc So if you want to avoid the trick or treaters then come along dressed for winter - or in your best Narnia outfits! - and bring some food to share. For further information please contact Geoff Morris.

Service Details 25/10/09

This morning our minister Paul Rosier leads our worship. Paul will be speaking from Mark 10 on “Doing It The Jesus Way” on “Finding The Kingdom”. We are delighted John and Louise Ecclestone will be bringing their young son Albert as they give thanks to God and commit themselves to Christian parenthood, and we welcome them along with their daughter Grace and their wider family.

Service Details 01/11/09

On Sunday 1st November our pastor Paul Rosier leads our service of worship and communion. In the afternoon at 4.00pm we have our monthly Food4thought meeting. This month our hosts are Paul and Janet Rosier.

Swine Flu and You!

The second wave of swine flu is forecast and a guidance paper for churches has been produced. Below is an extract from that paper.

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease. Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

How is it spread?

When you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets can spread and others will be at risk of breathing them in. If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are then easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on those surfaces for some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computer keyboards, mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common surfaces where flu viruses can be found. If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their systems and they can become infected. That’s how all cold and flu viruses, including swine flu, are passed on from person to person.

What can you do to reduce the spread of swine flu?

Always carry tissues. Don’t use handkerchiefs. Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. ‘Catch It’ Bin the tissues after one use. ‘Bin It’ If you put the used tissue back in your pocket or bag, it will contaminate your pocket / bag, which will recontaminate your hands. Wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitiser gel often. ‘Kill It’

At NPBC

In the church we have reviewed and changed some of our practices. You will notice tissues and hand gels around. We will continue to have individual pieces of bread served at communion and continue our normal practice of individual cups. Disposable cups will be used for serving of teas, coffees and juice. It is advisable if crockery is used it is put through the dishwasher.

Many of our church groups use carpets for the children to sit/play on. The decision to use these carpets lies with the individual group. Each group is responsible for the cleanliness of their own equipment.

CHURCH DIARY

SUNDAY 25 October
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of worship led by Paul Rosier
7.00pm HomeGroup at Giffard Park. Food, for Body, Soul & Spirit.
7.00 – 9.30pm The Hub at Water Eaton Church Centre.

TUESDAY 27 October
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
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Baby Group in the Tickford Room. See Yvonne Wilkinson
7.45pm HomeGroup meeting at Newport Pagnell. 2 Peter 3.
8.00pm Baptism and Belonging Group Session 1 in the minister’s office.

WEDNESDAY 28 October
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club for Senior Citizens. Contact Peter Faulkner for bookings and Elsie Smith for transport.
2.30pm Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Peggy Oliver
8.00pm HomeGroup meeting at Newport Pagnell

THURSDAY 29 October
7.45pm HomeGroup Giffard Park. David: 1 Sa 24
8.00pm Boys’ Brigade Company Section Contact David Huckle

SUNDAY 1 November
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship and Communion led by Paul Rosier
4.00pm Food4Thought hosted by Paul and Janet Rosier
7.30pm yPod (years 10 up)