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Church notice sheet - 18 July 2010
Readings
10:30am - Luke 19:1-10 and Ephesians 4:22-24
Paraguay
Thank God for the continuing work of Peter & Sally Bartlett and for their Faith. Pray for the pastors and their families facing similar challenges that we all do i.e. Tiredness, temptation & difficulties balancing their responsibilities. Protect them, nourish them, and grant them wisdom to fulfil their duties.
Flowers in church
If you would like an arrangement of flowers in the church in dedication of a loved one, please can you put the money and a covering letter in an envelope and give it to one of the Wardens (or Raymond if no Warden is available). Then we can send the money to the treasurer and the request to Pam Fletcher and Pat Edge to make up the display.
What's happening today?
For many years St John's has given 10% of our income to mission throughout the world and here in Swindon. We ask church members to give out of their income, so the church needs to be setting an example and doing the same. Giving has always been strong - but that is not the whole story.
I think it's probably fair to say that ten years ago most people knew that we supported many missions, and some people could have identified some of the organisations we were supporting. Just a few would have been able to give us more detailed information. But, most of them would have been members of the PCC. Although we were engaged financially, the news hadn't really filtered down to church members. So, altogether, not a very satisfactory situation. Giving was plentiful, but prayer was probably not. After all, how can you pray for something when you don't know anything about it?
When Melanie Griffiths started to lead the Mission Team she felt it was very important that we should be as fully informed as we can be about the organisations we actually support. As a result, you been getting information in your bulletin more regularly, and today's insert is an example of the kind of thing the Mission team are producing.
In addition, over the last few years we have had a number of visitors to the church from various parts of the world. We were able to welcome a speaker from the South American Mission Society who introduced us to Peter and Sally Bartlett. They came to visit us in 2009 just before Peter went off to become Bishop of Paraguay.
Frances David is a great friend of this church and always a welcome visitor. (In fact, she was in church on Wednesday lunchtime speaking to the newly formed Swindon Deanery Uganda Team.) Frances is a mine of information about Uganda, and it is through her that we first got seriously involved with the diocese of Luweero. And of course, Raymond and Chris have visited Uganda and seen for themselves the school we have built and the many projects we support.
We also support mission at home.
This time last year we had a visit from Charles Burgess from the Church Pastoral Aid Society. Growing Leaders arose out of that visit.
Sandra Tebbutt from Bible Society came to St John's last January to tell us about Albania. Oldi Morava, one of our 11:00 AM congregation, is now employed by Bible society to translate the Bible into Albanian.
We are also called to do good, as well as to spread the gospel. Some of you will remember the helpful presentation by Swindon Pregnancy Crisis Care. That was a few years ago now, but they continue to do invaluable work among young people in this town, as do Swindon Food Bank and Willows Counselling Service both of whom we support, and from and will hear in due course.
Today we have visitors from Swindon Youth for Christ, another one of our mission partners -- so we look forward to hearing what they have to say.
It's not one-way traffic! Sharing the gospel these days is a two-way street. Those of you who are in St John's last summer, and heard the band from Uganda will be delighted to know that there is a plan to bring them back to the diocese for a two-week mission in 2012. Our aim this time is to bring about fifty people, forming two groups, and use them around the diocese. They are just marvellous musicians, and tremendous evangelists. So, a lot has to be done between now and then. There will be a lot of planning and organising, but we look forward to receiving the gospel back from Uganda in 2012, over 200 years after it was taken out there in 1878.
The Rock Café
The Rock Café is in need of some more volunteers please, for a Friday morning to help set up the lounge furniture in preparation for opening at 10:00am, and also for clearing again. Please contact Mark Sansome if you are able to help.
Treasury service
The church's usual Treasury service will be resumed as soon as possible. In the
meantime anybody who has incurred expense on church business during
Andrew's absence should let Pauline Davis have the receipts so that she
can see that they are paid. Likewise, anybody holding money to be paid
into the church account should also pass to Pauline Davis with an
appropriate note.
Where are the biscuits?
This question has been asked more than once recently by those making coffee. The biscuits are not in the large cupboard, which is usually locked. There is a smaller cupboard to your right hand side as you look out through the hatch into the lounge. That is where you will find them.
Parish Office
The Parish Office is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am to 1pm. Please provide all items for the bulletin 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. We have also started to podcast some of our sermons.
What's on | Church notice sheets
Page last updated: 10 August 2010