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Church notice sheet - 25 November 2007
Prayer topic
This week, please pray for:
- The cyclone crisis in Bangladesh.
- The current data crisis and the concern caused for millions of parents.
- For strength & encouragement for all teachers, youth workers and carers.
- Safety on our streets.
Readings
9:00am - Ephesians 6:10-20 and Luke 10:17-20
11:00am - Joshua 5:13-15 and Ephesians 6:10-20
Cyclone crisis is Bangladesh
Once again, television has brought into our warm, dry and comfortable homes scenes of utter devastation caused by a natural disaster - this time the result of a cyclone in Bangladesh which has made an estimated one million families homeless and killed up to 10,000 people. The aid agencies are doing all they can to bring help to desperate people often in isolated communities. What can we do? We can pray, and we can give. Today, and next Sunday, we will have a plate at the door after both services for your retiring offerings or you can pass your donation to Andrew in an envelope marked 'Bangladesh'. Cheques should be made payable to St. John's PCC.
Jar of grace
Have you started your Jar of Grace yet? You've still got time to do so. Last year, the total raised 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. 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.
Building Project
We are now approximately £1,600 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 121 so far containing £807 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.
Communion at James Wilks House
A communion service has been arranged for Thursday 29th November. All are very welcome.
Church Flowers
If you would like to contribute to the cost of the flowers used to decorate St. John's Church this Christmas, please pass your donation to Andrew by Sunday, 16th December at the latest.
If this is to mark a special occasion or is in memory of a loved one, we will note this in the bulletin on Sunday, 23rd December if you will let Andrew have a note in writing with your donation.
Happy Christmas!
Next Sunday (2nd December) the boxes for your Christmas cards to other members of the congregation will be out on the table in the foyer. Please make sure you put your cards in the correct alphabetical box by surname (NOT Christian name!). Please only put cards in the boxes for members who you confidently expect to be in church during December. And please check the boxes regularly to see if there are any cards for you. We regret we cannot take responsibility to deliver any cards which have not been retrieved from the boxes by Sunday, 6th January, 2008 when the boxes will be put away for another year.
Don't be the weakest link!
Thank you to all those who donated shoe boxes this year. Our total was an amazing 183 boxes and we want to give a big hand to those who helped carry them, load them, and take them to the Collection Point in Abbey Meads. What a fantastic effort! But next year we want more people to be involved in the work! On National Shoebox Sunday (16th November, 2008), we will dedicate the boxes and form a human chain to send them on their way from the church to the cars, from where they will start their long journey to reach those children for whom they will their only Christmas present. So, if you don't want to be the weakest link, or the missing link, mark 16th November, 2008 in your new diary NOW!
Christmas Care
Christmas Care will be operating in Swindon over the Christmas period (24th to 28th December) and help is needed. Collection and sorting of donated goods will take place in the Queens Drive Methodist Church as follows. For further information following Wednesdays meeting and a reminder of the dates, please contact Nick Atkins or Patsy Maloney.
Your church needs you TODAY!
We need 1,000 leaflets delivered THIS WEEK (before next Sunday's Christingle Service) to streets in the parish. Please take a bundle from the table in the church foyer. And please take a couple of leaflets (NOT from the street bundles!) to give to your friends and neighbours to invite them to the Christingle and to our Christmas Services.
Christingle Service
This will be on Sunday 2nd December at 4:30pm. We have had one offer of help with serving refreshments and clearing up afterwards so far but more offers are needed please, along with donations of Mince Pies to enjoy after the service.
Can you help?
This year's Seniors lunch is being held at the Haydon Centre on Saturday 8th December at 12:30. If you can offer help with providing food and/or transport, please speak to Mary Southgate & Carol Nichol who are in charge of the Food, and Julie Hayward who is organising the transport.
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: 28 November 2007