What's on | Church notice sheets
Church notice sheet - 21 October 2007
This week's prayer topic
The children away from home through education, work or family commitment, and for the families at home.
Thank you...
...to all who worked so hard to make yesterday's dedication service, buffet and entertainment evening such a success. A full report on this unforgettable event in the life of St John's will appear shortly.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Uganda
The retiring offerings for the Uganda Crisis Appeal have so far totalled £282 (plus Gift Aid recovery to come of £56). Any further gifts can be passed to Andrew marked 'Uganda Appeal. Cheques should be made payable to St. John's PCC.
Love in a box, lolly in a bottle!
Last Sunday we launched the Shoe Box and Jars of Grace appeals for 2007.
Each year, on Harvest Sunday, we launch our Jar of Grace appeal and, between Harvest and Christmas, the clinking of coins (or the rustle of notes!) can be heard at mealtimes throughout the parish of St. John’s, Haydon Wick, and beyond, as men, women and children thank God for His provision of their needs by making a special thank offering.
Last year, the total was a magnificent £2,073 from 81 jars!! Can we reach 100 jars this year?
The proceeds will be shared between UNICEF (to save the lives of children) and Luweero. There are specially labelled jars available in the foyer at the back of the church, or you can use your own jar (clean please!) – BUT DO START NOW and use your Jar of Grace for your mealtime thank offerings between now and Christmas.
The second appeal is for shoeboxes of gifts for children who will receive no other Christmas present this year. Samaritans Purse International runs Operation Christmas Child and distributes over one and a half million shoeboxes of gifts to children in over 100 countries world-wide regardless of their nationality, political background or religious beliefs.
In recent years, St. John's has sent over 700 shoeboxes – a truly magnificent effort! If you would like to fill a shoebox, please take one of the leaflets from the table (this is essential reading for full guidance, instructions and labels) and a shoebox (or you can use your own). Please bring your shoeboxes back on National Shoebox Sunday (18th November) at the latest.
Thank you to the 'bag ladies' (and men!)
And while on the subject of shoe boxes, what a tremendous response! I asked for 100 bags to be made to go into the shoeboxes and received 169! Almost 100 of these have already gone out and I anticipate that more will go in the next couple of weeks. Any left over will be held until next year so none will be wasted. Thank you all so much for such a fine effort. And thank you, Lyn, for dressing so many dolls and knitting lots of hats and mitten sets. Watch this space for next year's project - it will interest the 'knitters' rather than the 'sewers'.
Building Project
We received the new chairs for the quiet room in time for yesterday's dedication service and, after two and a half years, the project is now almost complete. After receiving two further gifts totalling £800, we are approximately £2000 from reaching the total amount needed for all aspects of the Building Project (including furniture, furnishings and equipment). The phials are still coming in - we have received 106 so far containing £704 and we would like those still out there to be brought back as soon as possible. Further gifts can be passed to Andrew - cheques payable to St. John's PCC please.
The Pram Club harvest lunch and service
Last Monday Pram Club's celebrated harvest with a service in church followed by lunch. Approximately 30 adults including helpers and 30 children attended. Raymond led the service and Joe spoke of God's abundant love in supplying out needs using the story of the loaves and fishes. He had to keep it short, however, as the children were eating the props! Thanks to Raymond, Joe and all who helped.
Mark Mortimer writes
A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me on my walk along the Thames. I walked just over 31 miles in 10 hours 45 minutes. Your generosity meant I raised over £300 from St John's alone. Please can you pray for me and my friends as we help churches in Rwanda to set up and lead the Alpha course.
Can you help?
This year's seniors lunch is being held at the Haydon Centre on Saturday 8th December at 12:30. As in previous years we will be asking for volunteers to help with providing food and transport and also helping out during the lunch. Please put this date in your diary now. More details nearer the time.
Parish administrator
The applicants for the position of Parish Administrator have been interviewed and we hope it will prove possible to make an appointment, and have the Parish Administrator installed in the new fully equipped Parish Office, within the next few weeks. The opening hours and telephone number of the Parish Office will be advertised in the bulletin once an appointment is made and a start date is agreed.
Do you buy on line?
We have received our first commission cheque amounting to more than £50! Log on via our website or go directly to http://www.buy.at/StjohnsHW. The church will receive commission from 2% to 12% on anything you purchase.
There are over 100 retailers involved (including M&S, Amazon, John Lewis, Comet) some of which offer exclusive discounts and promotions - and best of all ... there is no extra cost to the purchaser!
Tape Ministry
If you or someone you know would like a recording of the service, please contact Nigel Crowhurst, our Tape Co-ordinator.
What's on | Church notice sheets
Page last updated: 22 October 2007