3rd March 2019

Sunday 3rd March 2019

Sermon Series – Holy Communion 4

Prayer for Uncertainty

When you are doubting or confused you can pray in those uncertain moments.

God makes us holy and keeps us safe.

His peace alone removes all blame and
condemnation.

Let your faith in Christ cast away all uncertainty in your heart.  Amen

Today

8.00am     Holy Communion

10.00am     Parish Communion

  4.00pm     Church at 4

  6.00pm     Evensong

Diary – Week Commencing 3rd March

Monday 4th March

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

11.00am       Bible Study social with bring & share lunch, at 11 St John Road

Tuesday 5th March

Parish Office is closed today

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

7.30pm        Standing Committee

Wednesday 6th March

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Parish Office

6.30pm        Ash Wednesday Service – Church

Thursday 7th March

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

7.30pm        Choir Practice

Filling Station – Sara Jane and Sherralyn

Friday 8th March

8.45am         Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice

11.00am       Women’s World Day of Prayer Service – St Joseph’s Church

12noon        Lent Lunch – St Joseph’s Church

7.00pm        Bellringers Practice

7.00pm        115 Club  (1st & 3rd Friday of the Month)

Saturday 9th March

10.00am       Healing on the Streets – Ellendune Centre

10.00am       Christening Preparation – Church

Dates for your diary 2019

Holiday Club 2019

This years Holiday Club will be Monday12th to Friday 16th August 2019

Wednesday 6th March 2019

6.30pm       Ash Wednesday Service

Preacher:      Revd Phill Harrison

Reading:       1 John 1. 3-10

Reader:        Margaret Penfound

Ash Wednesday Service

This will be a shorter service than usual with opportunity for personal reflection as we begin our observance of Lent, a season of repentance, reconciliation and greater striving for mutual generosity, respect and tolerance.

Sunday 10th March 2019

Lent 1

8.00am       Holy Communion

Preacher:      Marion Colton

Sidespeople: Gillian Pitter and Sally Speller

10.00am     Parish Communion

Preacher:      Marion Colton

Intercessions: Diane Phillips

Reading:       Psalm 91. 1-2, 9-16

Reader:        Lillian Wicks

Gospel:        Luke 4. 1-13

Servers:        Gillian Pitter and Petrina Kingsley

Sidespeople: Alan & Kathy Gregory

4.00pm       Church at 4

Leader:         Tracy Mason

6.00pm       Evensong

Our next Evensong Service will be on Sunday 7th April

Gluten free wafers

If you require a gluten free wafer for holy communion please let a sidesperson know.

Electoral Roll 2019

The deadline for applying to join the electoral roll is approaching! If you haven’t already done so, please complete and return your electoral roll application form before Sunday 17th March.

Every six years we are required by law to make a new electoral roll and this happens in 2019. If you were on the previous electoral roll then and wish to remain on it, you will have to re-apply.  The roll is open to anyone over 16 years old who is either resident in the parish or who regularly attends our services. Being on the roll allows you to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting and, if you are not resident in the parish it gives you certain rights otherwise only given to residents.

You can find forms at the back of church. If you regularly attend our services we would like to encourage you to join the electoral roll by completing pages 1 & 2 of the booklet. If for any reason you attend our services, but do not feel able to be on the electoral roll please would you complete just page 1 and return the form so that we have your consent to hold your details so that we can keep in touch with you. 

Update on The Cornerstone Coffee Shop

We have been working with The Deanery School to understand how we might be involved in the community coffee shop that’s being opened in the new school building. It had originally been suggested that we might run the coffee shop as an activity of the church and we produced a draft business plan for this. After thinking some more about our aims and objectives, as well as the resources available to us, we have now agreed that the business side of the coffee shop will be run by the school’s catering supplier, leaving the church free to focus on using the coffee shop as a base for community outreach. This is an important step forwards in clarifying our vision and means that we now have the freedom to invest all of our energy in connecting directly with the community in Wichelstowe. Please pray for this venture and do let Revd Phill or the Churchwardens know if you want to get involved!

Lent course

We’ll be using the Bible Society’s Lent material this year. Focusing on Jesus’ last words from the cross we’ll discover what the Bible has to say about loneliness as we explore six messages of great hope and great challenge. These themes will be supported by weekly BBC radio services and podcasts leading up to Easter. Sessions will be on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm in church and then REPEATED on Wednesday mornings at 10am in St Joseph’s church hall. People are free to come to a mix of mornings and evenings. The first session will be on Tuesday 12th March.

Lent Lunches

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

Count your Blessings

Today you should be given a booklet from Christian Aid entitled ‘Count your Blessings”. Please use it each day during Lent to remind yourself of the blessings we receive from God and to show your gratitude by engaging with the activities suggested. Any donations you make will be put to good use by Christian Aid for those who don’t have as many blessings as we do. 

Sunday’s World Day of Prayer 2019

There will be a service for the World Day of Prayer (formerly Women’s World Day of Prayer) at St Joseph’s Church on Friday 8th March at 11am (please note that this is a date change from the notice in Wroughton Monthly). Our church is leading the service this year, which has been devised by the women of Slovenia. ALL are welcome and please let me know if you would like to be involved. It will be followed by a Lent Lunch in St Joseph’s church hall. Janet Henderson tel 525856

Tearfund’s Mean Bean Challenge

I shall be taking on the Mean Bean Challenge to eat only plain rice and beans for 5 days from 20th to 24th March to raise awareness of the many people in the world whose everyday diet is very simple food. Any sponsorship money will go to Tearfund to support their work among some of the poorest people in the world. Please sponsor me if you are able. Here is a link to my page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/margaretsmeanbeanchallenge2019   or add your name to the sign up sheet. Having done this challenge a couple of years ago, I know it’s not an easy one to complete. Margaret Penfound 

Ordination of Teresa Townsend

Teresa Townsend is being ordained a priest on Saturday 29th June. The service is 3.30pm. We have hired a coach, if you would like join us for the service or just an afternoon in Bristol we will leave at 1.45pn. Return from Bristol at 6ish. Cost should be £10/12. Please sign up with either Jean Ford or Ross Fralley. 

Floodlighting Requests

If you are wishing to floodlight the Church please would you ensure that the form has been sent to the Parish Office at least a week before the event so that the lighting clock can be set for the week.  Many thanks Janet

CHURCH IN THE WIDER WORLD

The Children’s Society

This children’s charity writes:

We are a national charity that works with the country’s most vulnerable children and young people. We listen. We support. We act. Because no child should feel alone.

Please pray:

  • for children who will have to spend Christmas in homes where they are abused rather than loved
  • for parents struggling to cope with a disabled child
  • for the Children’s Society, reaching out to vulnerable children and families
  • for Christingle services throughout the country, that they will encourage people to give generously for the Society’s work.

Knitting for Mission to Seafarers

The year got off to a good start as I was able to send a parcel of 25 hats and 14 scarves  to Mission to Seafarers this week.  These are distributed to those working on ships in adverse weather conditions who do not own warm clothing.

Thank you to everyone who keeps knitting and to those who provide wool. If you would like to get started there are patterns and wool in the boxes by the choir vestry. For further information please contact Janet Henderson 525856.

Legge House Monthly Prayer Point

Pray that Legge House has the right combination of staff and volunteers for the coming busy months over the Spring and Summer.  May the House continue to be a beacon of Christian hospitality.

This week please also pray for:-

  • Swindon Youth for Christ
  • For the staff and patients of Ladymead Care Home
  • For those who work at Honda during this uncertain time
  • For our Standing Committee as they meet this week
  • Those leading our Lent Courses this year
  • We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Leslie Broderick and David Bashford. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.