What's on | Church notice sheets
Church notice sheet - 18 January 2009
Readings
9:00am - Nehemiah 1:1-9 and John 2:1-11
11:00am - Nehemiah 1:1-9 and John 2:1-11
Sermon
This week's sermon is available to download.
Prayer topics this week
The many individuals and families affected by the recession. All those that work in our Emergency Services. For our own further growth with God.
Jars of Grace
The Jars of Grace are trickling in. So far this year we have had fewer Jars and gifts (80 - which is well short of our 100 target and six less than the final total for 2007).
But the great news is that we have already smashed the 2007 record total of £2,300 and have almost reached the target of £2,500.
To date, the total for 2008 is £2,456 including the Christingle and Christmas Service Offerings and Gift Aid tax refunds to come of Gift Aided donations.
Every penny given will be donated to the UNICEF Education Project and Luweero. So if you haven't yet brought back your Jar, please do so as soon as possible. And if you didn't use a Jar of Grace, you can still give by cash, or by cheque payable to St. John's PCC. Simply put your gift in an envelope marked 'Jar of Grace' and pass it to our Treasurer, Andrew.
Sermons in January and February
Next week we will be having a visit from the future Bishop of Paraguay, Peter Bartlett, and his wife Sally. That follows on from our visit from Sandra Tebbutt from Bible Society - supported by Oldi Morava - as we look forward to financially supporting the work of Bible translation in Albania.
Close encounters
Recently a UFO caused some surprises when it connected with a wind turbine. During the first two months of 2009, we will be seeing what surprises occurred when Jesus had a series of close encounters with various individuals.
- Jesus Meets a Wedding Party (Jan 18)
- Jesus Meets a Man Possessed (Feb 1)
- Jesus Meets a Royal Official (Feb 8)
- Jesus Encounters a Man with Paralysis (Feb 15)
- Jesus Encounters two Anxious Parents (Feb 22)
Credit Crunch
The Bible has a lot to say about money - and it is not all about giving. In March, we will be looking at what the Bible has to say about the four areas of Spending, Budgeting, Giving and Debt. The psalmist praises for taking his feet from the slippery clay and putting them on the solid rock. Many people have had the same experience financially, when they apply the principles of God's Word to the whole of their life. We will not be specifically using Rob Parson’s wonderful book, "The Money Secret" during that series, but we are highly recommending it. Get your feet on the solid rock.
Alpha course
Raymond is currently investigating the possibility of starting another Alpha course on his return from Uganda. Our Christmas initiative bore fruit, and other people have expressed interest since. Please pray for all those considering the possibility of Alpha - it would be great to do a second course this year.
Is ongoing growth possible?
Why do churches stop growing? Is there a natural plateau? Some churches slide back slowly. Some split. But many remain at more or less the same level year after year. Somehow, it doesn't seem to be the New Testament model. We want to explore the possibility of continuing to grow, and the reasons why we may not continue to grow at our day conference on the morning of Saturday, March 7th when Alan Hawker will be giving the keynote address. He is always worth hearing.
Dealing with stress
A Stress Busting Seminar is being held at the Lawn Community Centre, Guildford Avenue on Friday 23rd January at 7:30pm. It is being presented by a Christian doctor, Stephen Brooke and is presented in partnership with Lawn Community Church. Tickets cost £5.00 and are available from Lawn Community Centre Office. Please call 07870 853431 to reserve tickets and for further information.
Parish Office
The Parish Office is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am to 1pm. All items for the bulletin to Wendy in writing first thing on Wednesday please!
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: 2 February 2011