11th February 2018

 

Sunday 11th February 2018

Sunday after Lent 

For the cold and homeless

God of compassion,
your love for humanity was revealed in Jesus,
whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable
and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross:
we hold before you those who are homeless
and cold especially in this bitter weather.
Draw near and comfort them in spirit
and bless those who work to provide them
with shelter, food and friendship.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Today

8.00am     Holy Communion

10.00am     Parish Communion

4.00pm     Church at 4 

Diary – Week Commencing Sunday 11th February

Monday 12th February

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

10.00am       Bible Study Group – 11 St John Road

7.30pm        Mission Matters Meeting

Tuesday 13th February

8.30am         Morning Prayer

11.30am       Pancake Party – Willows Gardens

2.00pm        Funeral Service – Clarice Hardiman

6.00pm        Clergy Surgery

Wednesday 14th February

The Parish Office will be closed today

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Parish Office

6.30pm         Ash Wednesday Eucharist

Thursday 15th February

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

7.30pm        Choir Practice – Church

Filling Station         – Paul & Hazel

Friday 16th February

The Parish Office will be closed today

8.45am         Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice

7.00pm        Bellringers Practice

Saturday 17th February

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 18th April- 7.30pm– Nicola’s licensing service at St Mark’s Church, Kempshott, Basingstoke

‘Walk through the Bible’

Saturday 23rd June- 10am- 4pm, Parish Hall- ‘Walk through the Bible’ is an opportunity to explore the big picture of the Bible with a trained presenter, alongside The Stowe Church. Booking fee and further details to follow.

Wednesday 14th February

6.30pm       Ash Wednesday Service

Preacher:      Revd Nicola Such

Intercessions: Marion Colton

Reading:       Isaiah 58: 1-12

Reader:        Cheryl Hawkins

Sunday 18th February 2018

Lent 1 

8.00am       Holy Communion

Preacher:      Dr John Godfree

Sidespeople: Jean Reens and Christine Wrixon

10.00am     Parish Communion

Preacher:      Dr John Godfree

Intercessions: Margaret Penfound

Reading:       1 Peter 3: 18-end

Reader:        Jean Ford

Gospel:        Mark 1: 9-15

Servers:        Kathy Gregory and Kathy Leach

Sidespeople: Lillian Wicks and Jean Leo

4.00pm       Church at 4

Led by:         Joan Orman 

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Alan Lilley, Emily Comley, Joan Orman and Alan Wrixon on their birthdays during the coming week.

Floodlighting

The Church will be floodlit on Monday 12th February by Joyce Pounder & family in memory of her husband, Denis;
On Thursday 15th February by Mrs Edmonds in memory of her husband, Roy Edmonds on his birthday.

Heating

Thank you for being patient and practical while we’ve been trying to fix the boiler– we’re glad to say that a new boiler is being installed during the coming week!

Vacancy Update

We are pleased to say that having shortlisted we will be welcoming and interviewing candidates over two days on 22nd and 23rd February. Please continue to keep this matter in your prayers. We will keep you updated with any further developments. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask Nick Orman or Paul Woolley.

Shrove Tuesday- Pancake Races– 13th February

As it is half term we will be racing on Shrove Tuesday– races will start at 11.30am at Willow-Brook Gardens followed by pancakes for eating in the Parish Hall.

Ash Wednesday Eucharist– 14th February

What better way to reflect on the meaning of true love this Valentine’s Day? Our a short reflective Ash Wednesday service is at 6.30pm and includes the imposition of ashes.

Lent Groups– starting w/b 19th February

In our Lent groups this year we will be ‘Journeying with Jesus’ over five studies. Small groups are a great space to get to know new people, ask honest questions and grow in faith– sign up for one this Sunday, even if you can’t do every week.

Monday- 10am at 11 St John Rd (Margaret)

Tuesday- 7.30pm at 12 Artis Ave (Carolyn/Sadie)

Wednesday- 7.30pm at the Parish Church (Tracy/Mark)

Thursday- 7.30pm at 49 Perry’s Lane (Nicola/Barbara)

Friday- 3pm at 11 St John Ave (Margaret/Teresa)

Friday- 7pm at 9 Marlborough Rd (Clive/Sally)

Lent Lunches

Lent lunches start on Friday 16th February at St Joseph’s Parish Centre every Friday during Lent from 12 noon to 12.45pm. Donations for Christian Aid / Cafod.

Lent resources

There are plenty of things to accompany you on your journey through lent this year…why not give one a try?

Live Lent: Let Your Light Shine takes you on a six week discipleship journey through the Gospel of John, exploring what it means to be a witness to the Christian faith. Find out more about #LiveLent at www.churchofengland.org/lent

NEW! Alongside the booklet, you can also download the Live Lent app for iOS and Android devices.

40 Acts

40 days, 40 reflections, 40 challenges to make a difference.

Join forces with a global, generous community of over one hundred thousand people who have completed the 40acts generosity challenge during Lent. 40acts.org.uk

Mean Bean Challenge

Sign up with Tearfund online for Lent reflections or try ‘The Mean Bean Challenge’- 5 days eating nothing but plain rice and beans, experiencing hunger, raising money and helping to end poverty.

‘Say it to God’ by Luigi Gioia

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s book for Lent 2018.

Have you ever felt a stumbling block in your prayers? Something you just can’t say, or don’t know how to say?

Or even just want a breath of fresh air for your prayer?

‘Say It To God’ is not a step by step formula for turning prayers into gold, but an exercise in trusting God. There are no specific word you need to utter, but rather you’ll find a world of reassurance and theological insights into prayer that will get you started on a road to a deeper, more meaningful prayer life.

Nicola’s Licensing

We have booked a coach so we can attend Nicola’s licensing at St. Mark’s Church, Kempshott on April 18th. We will leave Wroughton at 5.30pm. Cost per person will be £15 please see Jean Ford or Ross Fralley if you are wishing to attend.

Church Cleaning

We have inherited a wonderful building in which to meet together and worship God. However, it takes time and effort to keep it clean and tidy and this is all done by teams of volunteers from among our congregation. Recently, some of these have had to give up this valuable work and we need other willing volunteers to replace them. It only requires a couple of hours every 6 weeks and the ability to wield a duster, broom or vacuum cleaner. If you are able to offer your services, please speak to Margaret Penfound (tel. 812139).

Volunteers needed for Swindon Youth for Christ

SYFC are looking for some voluntary assistance with various administrative tasks– could you or someone you know help?

Volunteer in the office (general admin help needed til end of April), Volunteer to help with fundraising or Volunteer to help with data protection compliance.

Please contact Dave Howell (chair of trustees) by emailing david.howell@syfc.org.uk

Women’s World Day of Prayer

This year’s service will be on Friday 2nd March at St Josephs Church at 11am and will be followed by a Lent lunch. It focuses on the women of Suriname. I will be looking for readers for the service nearer the time but feel free to let me know if you are interested. Thank you Janet Henderson 525856

Willows Counselling and Training Service Conference

On Friday 9th March 2018, 9.30am to 4pm ‘Help! My Empathy is Killing Me!’ with Tony Buckley. A day conference for the Counsellors, Therapist and other Helping Professionals. Cost £150. For more information please contact 01793 426650 or willowstraining.org

CHURCH IN THE WIDER WORLD 

Swindon Youth for Christ

works in a number of secondary schools in the town. They take lessons and assemblies to enhance the curriculum, run lunchtime clubs to give students the opportunity to consider what Christ’s good news means for them, and mentor students, particularly those at risk of exclusion from school.

Please pray for the team and the volunteers who support them in this work, that what they say and do will help the young people in making the best life choices.

Knitting for Mission to Seafarers

Thanks again to all our keen knitters. I have received a letter from The Mission to Seafarers thanking us for the knitwear I sent in September and last week I was able to send off another batch of 22 hats and 21 scarves to the charity. Also thanks to those who have donated wool – there is a good selection in the white boxes on the bench by the choir vestry together with patterns, so please help yourselves if you want to get started on a hat, scarf or gloves. Completed items should be put in one of these boxes. As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in this is an ideal time to get those needles busy. For further information talk to Janet Henderson (525856).

This week please also pray for:-

  • Swindon Youth for Christ
  • The residents of Baileys Way and Ewden Close
  • Those organising and attending the pancake party
  • We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Iris Higgins, Francis Perry, Betty Spalding, Patricia Harris, Andy Kachkan, and Clarice Hardiman. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.