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Church notice sheet - 4 October 2009

Readings

9:00am - Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
11:00am - Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Growing Leaders

The first session of Growing Leaders took place yesterday. This is all part of the Living Stones agenda. We want to invest in leadership, both in supporting present leaders and developing new ones. Please pray for this course, which we are doing in conjunction with Canon Michael Johnson, vicar of Wroughton Parish Church.

St. John's Giving Scheme

For those who give regularly to God's work at St. John's through the envelope scheme, the sets of envelopes are ready for 2010. Please pick up your set from the table in the church foyer. If you would like to have a set of giving envelopes, or wish to know more about giving by Standing Order, or Gift Aid, please speak to our PCC Treasurer, Andrew.

Harvest Sunday – Sunday 11th October

For some time we have been looking at the issue of leadership in St John's under the banner Living Stones. PCC has agreed to form a ministry leadership team consisting of Raymond, the two churchwardens, and four other members of the church. They will meet together on a regular basis in much the same way as the old staff meeting did. You will hear much more about this between now and harvest.

Right now we want you to once again Save the Day. The day we'd like you to save is Harvest Sunday at 6:00pm. There will be a meeting in church for us to pray about the membership of this group. This is one of those things which we really want to seek the help of the Holy Spirit, so please make it a priority.

Leadership

We are placing an emphasis on leadership in St. John's this year. Over the last ten years a number of people have helped to shape St John's. I guess you could easily tell me who they are. Through leadership in the worship group, the children's ministry, our home groups, the staff meeting and the PCC, St. John's has continued to develop.

Many of those people will continue in their present roles. However, the staff meeting which provided such strong leadership for a number of years has come to an end. We need to replace it, and the PCC has thought long and hard as to what we should replace it with. We have decided to initiate a group we are calling the Ministry Leadership Team to meet with Raymond to help shape the church's direction for the future.

Who will be on that?

This is where you come in. We would like you to have a say in its make-up and composition. Automatically, on that body will be Raymond, and the two church wardens. But there are four other places to fill, and we want to ask you prayerfully to consider who should fill them.

You will be receiving a letter on Tuesday inviting you to nominate the people you would like to see giving direction to the church over the next few years.

In order to keep our eyes [and ears] fixed on the Holy Spirit in this matter, we will be meeting for prayer and worship next Sunday (Harvest Sunday) at 6:00 p.m. for an hour. Please come along and join us then, as we lay this issue before God.

Dave Day

We officially say farewell to Dave next Sunday at 12:00 noon. He may not have much to report from Wichelstowe since, at the time of writing, the Portacabin has not arrived. We will make a presentation to Dave in the church room. A big thank you to those who have offered to bake a cake.

Jar of Grace and Operation Christmas Child

Christmas may be a time for giving, but we like to start early in St. John's. As ever, our Jar of Grace appeal will begin next Sunday and conclude at Christmas. Half the money raised will go to UNICEF and the other half to Luweero. As well as a Jar, please take away a shoe box. These initiatives mean we will be able to provide children with clean water, education and a present for Christmas.

Don't forget

Next week is Harvest Sunday. Please bring your harvest gifts. We are supporting two charities, Swindon Food Bank and the Filling Station. A list of items they require are on the table in the foyer.

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?

If so, please consider buying through http://www.buy.at/StjohnsHW. The church receives 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 October 2009