Sunday - 1st November 2009

Pause for Thought…

Well, we are at the end of the theme on Discipleship, and my prayer is that, even though we have gone back to basics in some areas, our faith is deepened and our relationship with God is stronger than it was at the beginning of September.

My prayer is that at the end of this time we will have realised how important it is to be part of the larger body of Christ, worshipping, praying, studying the Bible together, and having fellowship.

But more importantly I am hoping that we have all realised how important it is to be right with God, and how we need to be true disciples - Disciples that seek every day to live righteous lives, disciples who endeavour to share the love of God with others they meet.

It’s hard I know, but I am sure we will all agree, it is a vital task that we are called to undertake as part of our calling to Christ.

The Great Commission in Matthew’s Gospel calls the disciples to ‘make disciples in all nations.’ Well we could try and do this, if you have got the time to travel that is and can speak many languages. But there is nothing wrong with starting small.

Maybe you could begin with someone in the congregation here at St. Mary’s, maybe a neighbour, maybe a member of your family, or a friend. God’s love is vast and is for everyone. It is up to us as God’s True Disciples to make people aware of God’s love for them.

With love and prayers, Richard

Please pray…

… for the sick:

Muriel Cunnington, Michael Read and Stern Hughes.

… for the continuing recovery of:

Jake, grandson of Marc & Pip, Simon Beilby, Bill Owen,

Gloria Tune, Pip Seccombe, David Gagg, Karen McCormack

and Oliver Shaw.

… for the housebound:

Pat McGregor, Mary Bell, Nora Mason and Geoffrey Oates.

… for the bereaved relatives of:

Maurice Young and Phillip Burton.

… for those who live on: Auckland Road and Avenue Road.

Fourth Sunday before Advent

(1st November 2009)

Sunday Services:

10.30 Holy Communion & Baptism

Psalm 86 1-17 (p.596)

John 8 31-41 (p.1074)

p.m. Root Groups Psalms 15, 84, 149 (p.549, 595, 634)

Luke 9 18-27 (p.1039)

Wednesday

10.30 Holy Communion Luke 14 25-33 (p.1048) 6.00 WOW Matthew 18 21-35 (p.985)

Please join us at 6pm for fellowship, with worship beginning at 6.45pm, followed by a short study on the Fruit of the Spirit: Patience.

Collect

Almighty and eternal God, you have kindled the flame of love in the hearts of the saints: grant to us the same faith and power of love, that, as we rejoice in their triumphs, we may be sustained by their example and fellowship; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The month ahead…

November

3rd 1200 Feed the body, feed the soul

4th 1200 Church Lunch

7th 1900 Praise Concert (Barnby Dun)

8th 1030 Morning Prayer

(Micah 4 1-5/Philippians 4 6-9)

1630 Tea

1730 Bereavement Service

12th 1030 St Mary’s Nursing Home

1400 Thorndene

1445 Town Moor House

14th 10-12 Big Tidy Up (St Paul’s)

Praise Concert…

The Halifax Celebration Band will be giving a Praise Concert at Barnby Dun Church on Sat. 7th Nov. at 7pm. The speaker will be Bishop Steven. Admission is free, but a collection will be taken in support of a family of asylum seekers, who are members of the band's church in Halifax.

Bereavement Tea and Service…

Please see Rosemary or Pam if you can help with ‘tea’. Please come to the service to support those who are grieving.