Pastoral News: 26 July 09

Our love and prayers go with many of our church family who are travelling the world this summer – to Jonathan and Sue Winship spending the summer in Australia, Claire Scott and family in Canada, Jonathan Longhurst in Zambia on medical and dentistry work, and our young people starting their Brigades Camp at Folkestone tomorrow (Monday).

Whitaker Events

There’s lots of good news coming from the Whitaker family. Next Saturday 1st August sees the wedding ceremony of Frances Whitaker and Craig Chandler, here at 12.30pm. All are welcome to the ceremony and tea and cakes will be served after the service in the Tickford Room. Please join us.

Also, Marian Whitaker has a new grandson. Heather and Herbie's baby, Finlay Christopher Hopkins, was born on 23rd July, a healthy boy weighing 9lbs 3oz.

From the Church Meeting

At the Church Meeting on Tuesday we were delighted to welcome Deborah Morris and Joy Finch into membership of the church. The meeting approved working amendments to the church’s Constitution, and heard of the steps the church is taking to counter the spread of swine flu amongst us. Reports on the finances and the ongoing work on the premises were received, and the meeting spent time in prayer for the many ministries and organisations of the church. We have seen much encouragement recently in large numbers of new people joining the fellowship and seeing God at work through things like the Alpha course and baptisms. The meeting was in good heart!

Swine Flu Precautions

The leadership have discussed what could be done to lessen the spread of the Swine Flu virus at NPBC and the following items are to be implemented:

· For Communion individual disposable cups are to be used at all services; the bread will be from a sliced loaf that has been pre cut
· Disposable cups are to be used for teas/coffees and the children’s squash
· Parents to be requested to bring in their own feeder cups for small children
· Antibacterial hand wash to be available in the kitchen and toilets
· Antibacterial gel to be available in the kitchen
· Antibacterial wipes in the offices for use on telephones etc
· All door handles, taps and work surfaces are to be cleaned before and after events
· Carpets will not be used for crèche, or parent and baby/toddler groups
· Please do not attend any service/event if you have any of the flu symptoms

Thank you for your understanding and willingness to co-operate with the above precautions.

Food4Thought

Offers of homemade cakes for Food4Thought on Sunday 2nd August would be much appreciated with many of our regular ‘bakers’ away this coming month. Please indicate on the sheet on the foyer what type of cake you will be bringing. Thank you.

Family BBQ and Quiz Night

A quiz night and BBQ are to be held on Thursday 13th August! This is to help raise funds for Amy McLeod’s mission trip to South Africa. It will also create an excellent opportunity to utilise what’s left of our summer evenings to enjoy some fun, food, frolicking and friendship! For tickets please contact Caroline McLeod or Chris & Alan Webb. Tickets are £7.00 for Adults and £3.00 for children (discounts for families). We look forward to seeing you there!

Parking Complaint

The church has received a complaint from the Rose and Crown Public House (opposite Lovat Hall) because some people attending Sunday morning worship are using the pub’s car park (this is a private car park). They have requested that we refrain from this practice as it limits the spaces available for their customers. Please can we ask for everyone’s co-operation in this matter?

Homegroups Through the Summer

Our Monday & Tuesday homegroups are continuing to meet as usual during the month of August. The Monday homegroup is commencing a new series from the book of Proverbs with the following titles: Wisdom’s Character – the Fear of the Lord 1:1-3:12; Wisdom’s Enemies – Sexual Immorality 5:1-23 & 6:20-7:27; Wisdom in Action 10:1-22; Handling Money Wisely 22:1-16; concluding with The Wife of Noble Character 31:10-31.

Our Tuesday Homegroup will meet in the chapel this week and will conclude the series “Great Men of Faith”. The group will then start a series covering the smaller books of the OT and NT.

If the group you normally meet with is in recess, you are most welcome to join with one of the groups above, as also are any newcomers. The meeting venues will change but Junction 14 will keep you informed.

Service Details 26/07/09

This morning our service is led by our minister Paul Rosier. Paul will be completing the series from the letter of James with James chapter 5 “Learn Prayer In Trouble”.

Preaching Elsewhere 26/07/09

This morning we remember in prayer our member Keith Bedford as he leads the service at Litchborough.

Service Details 02/08/09

Next Sunday 2nd August Paul will be leading our service and will be speaking from the book of Zechariah chapter 1 on “True Vision”. The service will also include communion.

CHURCH DIARY

SUNDAY 26 July
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Paul Rosier

MONDAY 27 July
7.45pm HomeGroup meeting at Giffard Park studying Proverbs 5:1-23 and 6:20-7:27.

TUESDAY 28 July
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Toddler Group (12-24 months) contact Janet Rosier.
7.45pm HomeGroup Meeting in the chapel studying “Great Men of Faith” (last in the series). All welcome.

WEDNESDAY 29 July
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club for Senior Citizens. Contact Peter Faulkner for bookings and Elsie Smith for transport.

SATURDAY 1 August
12.30pm Wedding of Frances Whitaker and Craig Chandler

SUNDAY 2 August
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship & Communion led by Paul Rosier
4.00pm Food4Thought hosted by Paul and Janet Rosier