A real fun alternative

Halloween, The holy evening before All Saint’s day, has recently grown into a social event that mostly entertains and grossly misses the point. We as Christians have few expectations of the presence of evil spirits in any form coming to a party to haunt us! However the unknown can be a wonderful attraction especially when fright and horror are involved.

This evening a special party called Night Lights took place at St Pauls for primary kids and their Mums and Dads. Big cable drums rolled and candles were lit, some lanterns were made and many hot dogs devoured. It was an evening full of spectacular lights and shining fun. If you are under 10 and around next year come along! But let us know you are coming so that we can get Vivien cooking the bangers again!

One Minute Sermon

Here is a great clip with a simple gospel message in a minute and a half.
Watch it here.
Enjoy!

Aigburth – a Churches Together in Oadby Service

Over 60 people from different churches in Oadby met this evening for a combined service, held at the Roman Catholic Church. It was a service to celebrate the work of Aigburth – a local care home run by the Methodist Homes Association. The Revd Lindsay Pelloquin, chaplain of Aigburth led the service and introduced us to the home. The current home is a purpose-built design caring for elderly people both with and without dementia.

The service was based on the type of service regularly used at Aigburth. The hymns were led by a music group from the home. During the service a resident of the home spoke of what the home meant to him and how it provided for his spiritual, mental and social needs. Three of the staff also spoke of their different roles.

During the service we sang the hymn “let us build a house where love can dwell” as it was felt that its chorus was particularly relevant to Aigburth’s ethos: “All are welcome in this place.” The service concluded with a favourite song of the residents: “He’s got the whole world in his hands.”

Anyone who is able to help Aigburth in any way was encouraged to get in contact with the staff. The Mayor of Oadby and Wigston, Councillor Sarah Dickinson, whose charities for her year in office include dementia care, was present at the service.

It was good to know more of, and to be able to pray intelligently for, this local Christian resource.

Free to Read the Bible!

Today was Bible Sunday. At a time when numerous Christians, in many parts of the world, are being imprisoned for possessing Christian literature – particularly Bibles, it is right that we celebrate our freedom to read the written word of God.

We had a display of Christian literature provided by CLC, the Christian bookshop. Their manager told us that they hold nearly 200 different versions and presentations of the Bible – enough choice to satisfy most people! After the service, the congregation was free to examine and purchase from the selection that he had brought with him.

In his sermon, Steve spoke of how easy it is to discourage ourselves that we do not spend sufficient time in the undoubtedly important activity of reading our Bibles. Instead, Steve challenged us to set goals as to how frequently, and for how long, we want to read our Bibles, and he encouraged us to share our decisions with others.

May everyone who has undertaken this challenge be enabled to meet it!

Bollywood comes to St Paul's

On Saturday evening our church was visited by a group of Bollywood Dancers. They demonstrated several dances and even the youngest member of the group, she was only 3 years old, was able to dance her way into the hearts of those watching. Everything was calm and relaxed  until... their leader invited everyone to learn some of the dances.
The energy and verve that was shown by everyone who got up to try was electric and occasionally amusing; everyone had a good time. Refreshments in the form of bhargees and samosas were served and followed by sweet cakes and desserts. An excellent opportunity to discover the joys of a different culture and try to follow dance moves that some of us were real beginners at!!!

Celebrating 50 years of Service

Today we took the opportunity to mark Dr. Keith Waddell's 50 years of service in Uganda and beyond. Keith is a gifted Opthalmologist who spends most of the year working in Africa with a brief visit back to the UK each summer. Yesterday a service of celebration was held in Mbarara Cathedral in recognition of Keith's work and today we were privileged to be able to contribute to his 'Fund for Disavantaged Youngsters'. This fund is aimed at educating orphans, children with disabilities and those from poorer families and some of Keith's current nursing team have come up through this scheme.                                                                                                                                                     

Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of
Opthalmologists

In this morning's Service we also focused on the work of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), a Christian organisation that provides aviation, communications and learning technology in regions such as Africa, Asia, Eurasia and Latin America. Since Keith and his team frequently rely on MAF to fly them into inaccessible areas, it was good to be able to celebrate these two ministries which have brought such great benefits to so many people.

Coffeepot Harvest Lunch

Today's meeting of Coffeepot was special because we held our harvest Lunch. Some 60 slightly mature! people sat down to a lovely meal provided by Jenny, Gill and the team. The meal of soup, sandwiches and sweets was very well received and everyone left realising the goodness of what our God provides

. Over the year the group has raised over £500 and Chris Young of the RLNI was invited along to collect a cheque for that amount. She explained that the money would form the basis of a much larger collection to pay for a new boat. This will replace the Leicester Pride which is nearly 15 years old.

St. Paul's Youth weekend away

This weekend we took 9 young people away from Tribe and FNY to the Harby Christian Centre for a time of fellowship, God time, fun and food!
We had 4 sessions looking at what God says about us, what he has done for us and the difference he can make in our lives. We also had football, basketball, volleyball, team games, challenges, a great British bake off competition, worship, prayer, music jam time, star gazing, time with friends, lots of food and a chance to get away from the pressures and challenges of life.
We all had an awesome time with the young people feeling that they had learned more about God and how loved and valued and amazing they are - and we couldn't ask for more than that! :) a huge thank you to the young people and leaders who made it possible. Bring on the next one! :) Lou.

Harvest

Today at St Paul's we celebrated our Harvest Thanksgiving service.
As a sign of our gratitude for all the good things we have been given people brought gifts to give to those who are less fortunate than us. All the tinned and dried goods we collected today are to be given to Oadby Foodbank. The Foodbank has been up and running for about 4 months now and sees about 35 people on a fortnightly basis.
We give thanks for our daily bread and pray for those who don't have enough to eat.

New Programme of Main Services – October-December

The new programme of services for the final quarter of 2014 is now available. Details

As we journey through the last three months of the year, we complete our journey through the disciplines described by Richard Foster, in his book book "Celebration of Discipline."

Our vicar, Steve Bailey writes: "I hope and pray that through our focus on these disciplines you have been drawn deeper into your relationship with Christ."

This programme includes the special services of Harvest – on 17 October and Remembrance Sunday – on 9 November

And then, as Christmas approaches we come again to the familiar story of Christ's birth and remember that He is Emmanuel – God with us. There is Carols by Candlelight at 7.0 p.m. on Sunday 21 December and then Christmas services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

We would love to meet you at any of these services – do come along!

National Prayer School

There is a National Prayer School coming to Leicester in November.
Follow this link to find out more!