Principal Services April to June

In this season of services we follow the disciples from their fearful and feeble worst, through their discovery of the miracle of Christ's resurrection, to bold and powerful acts of witness.

Come and join us through Easter, Pentecost and beyond in exploring the possibilities of resurrection faith.

1 April 7.30pm Holy Communion for Maundy Thursday
The Servant King
John 13.1-35

2 April 7.45pm Good Friday Service with Churches Together in Oadby
Mine the tomb wherein He lay

4 April 10.00am Holy Communion for Easter Day
Jesus has risen
Acts 10.34-43 and Luke 24.1-12

11 April 10.00am All Together Church and Baptisms
God's way
Acts 5.27-32

18 April 10.00am Holy Communion
Turned around by Jesus
Acts 9.1-20 and John 21.1-19

25 April 10.00am The Word Service
Tabitha lives
Acts 9.36-43 and John 10.22-30

2 May 10.00am Holy Communion
No limits?
Acts 11.1-18 and John 13.31-35

9 May 10.00am Parade Service
Where next, God?
Acts 16.9-15

16 May 10.00am Holy Communion
Believe and you will be saved
Acts 16.16-34 and John 17.20-26

23 May 10.00am The Word Service
Pentecost Celebration
Acts 2.1-21

30 May 10.00am The Lord's Supper (Book of Common Prayer)
Justified by faith
Romans 5.1-5 and John 16.12-15

6 June 10.00am The Word Service
Jesus raises the widow's son
1 Kings 17.17-24 and Luke 7.11-17

13 June 10.00am All Together Church
Forgiven!
Luke 7.36-49

20 June 10.00am Holy Communion
Simon Harvey's last Sunday as Vicar of St Paul's

27 June 10.00am The Word Service
Looking forward, not back
1 Kings 19.5-16, 19-21 and Luke 9.51-62

Don't be late for church

With the clocks going forward this Sunday (British Summer Time begins on 28 March 2010) chances are the first thing affected is the time you need to leave home for church.

We'll ensure that the heating clocks are changed, it'll be nice and toasty inside so don't roll over and pull up the covers. Come to church for ten and you'll gain a whole extra hour in your weekend.

Church Grounds Clearing

It all began with a call to arms, “the garden is taking over” Mick planned and Anita booked a Saturday morning. These professional gardeners! Who else would choose a day when it rained, and rained, and rained! Some people were there before 9.00am, probably hoping it would be postponed. Mick just allotted tasks and provided tools where necessary. There were 6 of us at 9.05am. Then our faith was rewarded and more and more people began arriving until every task was given out and that young chap David began snapping us. I have included some of the pictures, with one of Vivien trying to blow other members of the team away. Many thanks to all those who gardened on Saturday, the grounds are looking good again.
Paul

Big Church Day Out - Saturday 29 May 2010

It's billed as "an event for all ages and across all church backgrounds to gather to celebrate Jesus and the faith that is bigger than us all."

This year we're heading off to Stanford Hall, Loughborough. The day includes corporate worship hosted by Pete Greig (24-7 Prayer) and Diane Louise Jordan (Songs of Praise); the Saltmine Theatre Company; The Kids Tent for age related worship, drama and fun; exciting bands for younger people; The Tea Tent featuring music from Graham Kendrick and Stuart Pendred and most importantly cream teas and cakes! Leslie is willing to purchase tickets but needs to know numbers by next Sunday 21 March (payment by 27 March). The price of a ticket is dependent on numbers but will hopefully be approx. £18. Please contact Leslie as soon as possible if you wish to go.

More details at www.bigchurchdayout.co.uk

Grounds and gardening morning - 20 March 2010

Dave does a fabulous job in keeping things neat and tidy around the Church. Now that spring is finally approaching, we're seeing flowers appearing.

Every now and then we get a bigger team together to tackle some of the larger jobs. We've had an encouraging response but no one need feel left out as many hands really do make light work. Jennifer has kindly offered to provide bacon butties and a cup of tea to keep us going. Come along from 9.00am.

Google Street View comes to Oadby (and most other places too)

View Larger Map

Google's Street View now includes the whole parish of Oadby, except for a number of the smallest streets. The enormous amount of new data is likely to generate further concerns about privacy and not everyone will be keen on having their front gardens on display to the world. Google's camera car snapped someone outside the church carrying his paper but while I have a hunch who it might be, at least his face has been blurred.

What do you think? Is this a leap forward in digitizing our world for greater convenience, or a step in the wrong direction?

Mothering Sunday - 14 March 2010

Our special Mothering Sunday service is on 14 March, from 10.00 to 11.00am. It's a service for the whole family and mums will all receive a gift.

The service follows Breakfast at Barney's, where you can enjoy a full-cooked English breakfast. Breakfasts are served from 8.30 to 9.30 and you need to book a place with Anita Chettle on 0116 271 4465.

Announcement of appointment

The Bishop announces the appointment (subject to CRB clearance) of the Revd Simon Harvey, Team Vicar, St Paul’s Church, Oadby as Vicar of the benefice of St Mary, Islington in the Diocese of London. Simon’s institution will take place on Thursday 15 July at 8.00pm.

Simon writes,
I am thrilled at the prospect of serving God in a new way and in a new place. St Mary's is at the heart of a busy London district, with a strong vision for the gospel - it's an exciting move for the whole family. But it also makes us very appreciative of the people of Oadby, especially church members. We have been blessed in belonging here for seven wonderful years. We have put down roots. We have made friends. We will never forget the generosity, fun and partnership in faith of that we have found.

The coming months will give us time to express personally our thankfulness and the confidence we have for the future of St Paul's and St Peter's.

St Mary's, Islington, has a fascinating history and is very active in mission, with a large staff and an extensive ministry through its Neighbourhood Centre and Crypt. The church has been served by some well known clergy, including Charles Wesley, Daniel Wilson, Maurice Wood, David Sheppard, Donald Coggan, George Carey and Graham Kings.

Islington is a very popular place and Upper Street, with all its restaurants, bars, theatres and shops is quite different from Hamble Road! We will have to get used to all-night buses passing our door and the colour and noise of a vibrant neighbourhood. Ten thousand people live in the parish, where very wealthy people and very poor people live in close proximity. There are over two hundred and thirty on the church electoral roll and most worshippers live outside the parish. There are big challenges too. In seeking a new vicar, the church described its vision for growth, and to be “known for the love of the people among whom we live.” There are also demanding financial issues.

I will be joining a large and gifted team, which includes a curate, two Readers, three full time staff and over twenty part-time employees.

But for now, we thank God for Oadby, for what is, what has been, and what will be. To him be the glory! Amen.