Pastoral News: 30 November 08

We remember in prayer Keith Bedford as he leads a joint service at Litchborough today.

It is with great sadness that we report the death on Monday evening of Peter Foster. Peter had become very much part of our church family in the last year since the death of his wife Kay, and had become very involved with our activities in the Bethany Centre and the Alpha group, as well as at worship on a Sunday. We shall miss him enormously, and remember his sons Adrian and Duncan in our thoughts and prayers. The service of thanksgiving for Peter will take place at Crownhill Crematorium on Tuesday the 9th December at 11am and all friends are invited.

Elsie Smith returned home from MK Hospital on Monday, and we remember her as she continues to undergo tests and treatment.

We are also glad to report that Joan Swain returned to Tickford Abbey from MK Hospital on Monday, as did Dorothy Paul, mother of our member Julie Williams, and we remember them both as they recuperate. We are also glad to report that Bob Keech, father of Suzanne Church, has returned home from hospital following his heart attack.

Congratulations

Our congratulations and best wishes to Jim and Sheila Wiles as they went to Buckingham Palace on Friday to receive their MBE’s from the Queen. We trust they enjoyed a truly memorable day.

Food4Thought

Sunday 7th December will be the Christmas Food4Thought and we are anticipating a full house. We would therefore appreciate donations of home made cakes for tea. If you would be willing to bake a cake for us it would be appreciated. Please refer to the leaflet in the foyer as to the type of cake you will be making. Thank you from Catherine

Census Sunday

Sunday December 7th is Census Sunday and willing volunteers of all ages are sought to complete a tally of people as they arrive for worship. If anyone would be willing to assist with this (it would mean being on the church premises by 10.00am) please see Catherine or ask at the church office. Many thanks.

First Aid Course

The Brigades have a First Aid Course planned for Saturday 7th February at NPBC. If anyone else would like to join us for this ‘Appointed Persons First Aid Certificate’ Training Day they would be most welcome. The cost is £50+vat. Please see Catherine Hall or ask at the church office.

Bband

The Bband will meet in the Portfields room on Thursday 4th December at 7.00pm to practice for the Brigades’ Carol service on Monday 8th December. Please see Bev Wright for more information.

Flower Rota

The flower rota for next year is being put together. If you have never volunteered before and would be able to 'do' the flowers in the church and/or the chapel please talk to Janet Brown or Catherine Hall. Also contact them if you are already on the rota and would prefer to donate your flowers on a particular date. Thank you.

In the afternoon at 4.00pm we have our monthly Food4Thought meeting for the elderly and especially those who live alone. This month Roger and Catherine Hall are the hosts.

New Year’s Eve

We will again be hosting our very own New Year’s Eve party here at Lovat Hall and it promises to be another opportunity for fun, food and fellowship. As ever we need your participation, so start thinking and we’ll provide more details next week.

Advent Series – Welcome to Bethlehem!

Homegroup B is looking forward to commencing a new series during Advent starting Tuesday December 2nd at the home of Rod and Beth Ruston. The scriptures record “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah ..” Come and join us in finding more treasures in Bethlehem starting in Genesis ch.35 – Bethlehem a place of departure! Subsequent weeks will find us discovering Bethlehem to be a place of depravity; a place of delight; and a place of .. .. do join with us in discovering the remaining two d’s!

MOPS Cookbook

Stuck for ideas for Christmas? Well look no further than the back of the Church where you will find a recipe book produced by the MOPS mums! Many of our mums have contributed to the book which includes a mixture of sweet and savoury recipes. We are asking for a minimum donation of £3 which will help us to continue to provide refreshments, good quality play and Christian care for the mothers in our community. Please support us by buying a copy or two and perhaps you can use the book to spread the word in your neighbourhood about MOPS.

Thank You...

...for your generosity last Sunday in the support of the work of Bridgebuilder Trust in our schools in Milton Keynes. We shall be sending a minimum of £1560 to Bridgebuilder for their work, and we can still add to this sum if there are gifts that are outstanding.

Men's Breakfast

Gentlemen, our next Men’s Breakfast is taking place next Saturday 6th December when we will be welcoming David Tompsett as our guest speaker. David, who worships at the Parish Church, will be bringing us a talk entitled “You Ought to Write a Book”; a theme based on personal experience. As ever, we will enjoy some warm friendship and great food, all for just £2. Please pass your name to Andrew Turner TODAY if you would like to attend.

Christmas Cracked Request

Once again we are hosting “Christmas Cracked” and therefore need the cardboard tubes from kitchen rolls. Please pass them to Mary Buckell.

Service Details 30/11/08

Our worship for Advent Sunday is led by Steve Greenfield, and our minister Paul Rosier will be speaking from the series "What on earth are we doing...?" on “Announcing The Time”. We are delighted to welcome Fiona and Stuart and their families as they bring Amy in an act of thanksgiving and dedication.

Service Details 07/12/08

On Sunday 7th December at 10.30am our worship is led by our minister Paul Rosier, who will be speaking from the Christmas Series “Christmas Letters” from Galatians 4/4+5 “Jesus the Time Lord”. The service also includes communion.

SUNDAY 30 November
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Steve Greenfield & Paul Rosier.
4.00pm Drama Rehearsals for Community Carol Service
7.00 – 8.00pm Singing Rehearsals in the Chapel for Community Carol Service
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood.

MONDAY 1 December
6.15pm Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys & Junior Sections. See Roger.
7.45pm Amicus – Contact Sam Downton or Mark Nicholls

TUESDAY 2 December
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 Continuing the series “The Coming King”.
7.45pm HomeGroups: Meeting for Bible study and fellowship.

WEDNESDAY 3 December
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club Contact Peter Faulkner or Elsie Smith.

THURSDAY 4 December
6.15pm Girls’ Brigade Explorers For all sections see Sue Garnham
6.45pm Girls’ Brigade Junior Section
7.00pm Bband Practice in the Portfields Room.
7.45pm Pastoral Assistants Prayer Meeting.
7.45pm Boys’ Brigade Company Section Contact David Wright
8.00pm Girls’ Brigade Senior and Brigader Section

FRIDAY 5 December
9.45 – 11:30am MOPS Group. See Wendy Turner or Elaine Hope

SATURDAY 6 December
7.30am Men’s Breakfast with guest speaker David Tompsett.

SUNDAY 7 December
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Paul Rosier.
4.00pm Food4Thought hosted by Roger & Catherine Hall
4.00pm Drama Rehearsals for Community Carol Service
7.00 – 8.00pm Singing Rehearsals in the Chapel for Community Carol Service
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Andy and Sam Hall.