Principal Services – July – September

Dear Friends,

This year Back to Church Sunday has grown into
Season of Invitation where we pick up 5 services
through the Autumn term that we can specifically invite
people to. In readiness for this we begin this month by
focusing on the importance of invitation and look at
some areas that stop us from inviting. My prayer is that
this will give us confidence going forward to invite
others. An excellent, inspiring book written by the
founder of Back to Church Sunday, Michael Harvey,
called Unlocking the Growth is well worth a read.

As we head into August we begin a sermon series
based on Richard Foster's classic book Celebration of
Discipline. Over 12 weeks we will look at each of the
disciplines in his book. These break down into the
inward disciplines, the outward disciplines and the
corporate disciplines. I would recommend this book as
a summer read in readiness. It also contains some
study questions which Home Groups may wish to make
use of.

God Bless

Steve
(Revd Steve Bailey)    
See our programme of services

Welcome to the Revd Neil Griffiths

Neil Griffiths has been a long time member of St Paul’s Church, Oadby. Some three years ago, he felt the call of God to become a full-time Christian Minister; someone committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ as a leader in a church. After a selection process, Neil has spent two years studying at Queens College, Birmingham.

Today, in a service led by Bishop Christopher, Neil was ordained deacon in Leicester Cathedral. In his sermon, Bishop Christopher spoke about the importance of the commitment made by a minister in their ordination as they committed every aspect of their life and work to Christ.

After the service, family and friends, and members of St Paul’s congregation, joined together at St Paul’s for a “Bring and Share lunch.” Both Steve Bailey (team Vicar of St Paul’s) and Michael Rusk (Rector of the Parish of Oadby) welcomed Neil and wished him well on the next instalment of his life. Neil joins the Parish of St Andrews Broom Leys and starts his ministry at their service this evening, when he will be preaching.

Metal Studs to prevent Rough Sleepers

Here is another interesting article on Tearfund's Rhythms community page. It is written by the guy who took a photo of some metal studs he spotted on his way to work that have been put in place to discourage rough sleepers.

The photo has been shared over 100,000 times! Read more of his thoughts and the reactions here

The beautiful game?

Here is an interesting article about the World Cup from Tearfund's Rhythms community. How fair is the World Cup?? Here

Global Christianity in the 21st Century

This week the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke at the UK National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast. One of our congregation was present at the event.

Here is a link so you can watch and listen to what was said  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=623-9Yvs33I

World Cup Prayers

The Church of England has written a selection of prayers for the 2014 World Cup.

The Prayer for the England Team simply says, "Oh God..."!

To see the full selection of prayers, which includes a prayer for those who are simply not interested visits http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2014/06/church-releases-world-cup-prayers-including-prayers-for-england-team.aspx

Three Cheers for Fathers!

Last Sunday was Father’s Day. Although, traditionally, much less is made of this than Mothering Sunday, fathers play a vital role within the family as they bring up children and provide a role model. It is also important that if people are to understand the fatherhood of God, they should have good role models of earthly fathers.

So in our service, we celebrated fathers. And as mothers usually receive posies of flowers, the children of the church went forward and collected chocolate “Yorkie” bars and gave them to her fathers. They then distributed Yorkie bars to all the men in church.

Thank you, fathers.

New Role for Megan

Congratulations to Megan Lloyd, one of St Paul’s younger members, who has just been appointed as Children and Family Liaison worker at St Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth. At St Paul’s, Megan has been involved with helping to lead Super Troopers (our Sunday School) and works with Little Angels, the weekly mothers and toddlers group.

Megan has a degree in French & Education. She plays the flute and sings with our music group. She will start her role at St Wilfrid’s in early July.

Megan, thank you for all that you have done here, and we wish you well in God’s service in this new position.

All the Fun of the Vicarage Garden Party

We held The Annual Vicarage Garden Party today. It looked as if it might be spoiled by poor weather, but although the plant sale moved inside the Barnabas Centre, it was thought that that may actually have increased sales. As the weather improved, many people moved back outside.

Delicious teas were available with a wide variety of cakes – a temptation to anyone’s diet! There was also a delicious fruit punch. People stayed on to make sure that they were there when the raffle was announced.

It was good to see and meet many of the church’s friends and neighbours. Thank you, Steve and Angie for putting your garden at our disposal.

Did one of your raffle tickets win? If not, there’s always next year!

St Paul's Youth Blog

St Paul's Youth now have their own blog!
Take a look at http://stpaulsyouthoadby.wordpress.com/ to see what they are up to.

A New Start – Pentecost

Today is Pentecost. Pentecost was the Jewish feast which, in about 33 A.D., saw incredible events which rocked the world. The Holy Spirit, signified by wind and fire, fell on the timid and frightened group that remained of Jesus’ disciples. Endowed with power they were able to proclaim the news that Jesus Christ had come as Saviour and by a miracle, they were understood by the multinational crowds, present for the feast, in their own languages. 3000 people became believers – the church of Christ was born.

As we celebrated Pentecost at St Paul's today, there was much that was different, here. Many of the congregation sported red clothes (red is the symbol of Pentecost) and the young people led the service, led by our youth worker, Lou McGoldrick who also gave a talk. The young people’s band provided a lively modern musical lead; they also provided a drama group with a modern take on the Pentecost story, and read the lesson.

As the church of today and the future, it was good to welcome them on this special occasion.

Caffeine Nation

Here is a fascinating article in June's edition of Christianity Magazine by Martin Saunders. He reflects on the book Caffeinated: How our daily habit hooks, helps and hurts us.

Given that most churches (including St Paul's) offers tea and coffee after the service and that people now drink, and expect, good quality coffee this article should make us sit up and think....

http://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2014/June-2014/Caffeine-Nation

Social Media

“This media we call social is anything but, when we open our computers and it’s our doors we shut”…
Watch this interesting video/poem by Gary Turk which offers an interesting reflection on Social Media.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7dLU6fk9QY

Food and Fun – the Big Picnic

Today, Ellis Park in Oadby rang with chatter, laughter and music as the churches in Oadby played host to the local community. 1000 bags containing sandwiches, crisps and fruit juice were distributed to all who came. Each church was responsible for different activities and stalls encircling the park.

A “stage bus” (a converted double-decker) provided stage facilities on which different local groups, including schools and churches, performed their musical offerings. They were watched by people from many different backgrounds, and all ages, united in enjoying a good day out.

Everyone who came concluded that it had been a happy and successful time. Many prayers had been answered as the weather was dry and sunny. Hope to repeat it!