Gift Day

Laying Gifts on the Table

Christmas is coming, when we remember Jesus, God’s greatest gift to the human race. Christmas is also a time when, traditionally, we too give and receive presents.


But first, at St Paul’s, we delight to give gifts to others in our society who are in great need. We held the gift service this morning. As already mentioned (Blog 19 November) the withdrawal of local authority grants has meant that only one of the homes for mothers in need, to whom we previously gave presents , is still open. So, during this morning's service, members of the congregation took up presents to be given to be children at this remaining home and also presents for asylum seekers with whom the Welcome Project is in contact. Additionally, monetary gifts were received to help the one continuing home keep functioning.

Our prayer, now, is that the gifts may be appropriate and give joy to those who receive them.

Love your enemies

The whole world is mourning the death of Nelson Mandela – someone who managed to rise above the treatment he had received at the hands of the white South African authorities and unite that great nation. It was Jesus who said: "But I tell you: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (Luke 6:27)”

As far as I know, Nelson Mandela had no Christian faith, but by his life he showed the power of those teachings of Jesus. Mandela went much further than simple nonviolence. He went out of his way to include those who had once been his enemies.

With, for once, a united world, we mourn the death of this great statesman and give thanks for his life.

Hark the Glad Sounds!

As we await, with joy, the coming of Christmas, a frequent event is a Carol Service. On Thursday 5 December, it was the turn of the Thursday Morning "Coffee Pot."

As they gathered in the Church, our Vicar, Steve Bailey, led a Service of Christmas carols and readings and reminded us of a God who does not change. Also at the service was the Parkinson's choir, who sang five Christmas pieces and were warmly applauded.

The morning concluded as we gathered round the tables and enjoyed mince pies, sherry and coffee together. It was a good foretaste of other things to come, such as St Paul’s main Carol service at 7.0 p.m. on Sunday 15 December. Do join us there.

The Bible has Arrived

Well, the well-publicised series of two hour broadcasts on the Bible eventually started last Saturday with "Beginnings." Apparently, 1.2 million viewers watched it,  - which is 5.62% of the viewing public.

The series is obviously of great interest to the Jews who trace their lineage back through Abraham to Noah and Adam. But it is also of foundational importance to Christians for whom Abraham is their ancestor not by blood but by faith.

The series already demonstrates how humans have an inbuilt tendency to turn away from God – whether that be Noah's neighbours or the Israelites recently freed from Egypt. But it also tells how God rescued people and how he fulfilled his promises: Noah rescued from the flood, Abraham and Sarah given a son, the Israelites freed from Egypt. 

The next instalment, "Homeland" is on Channel 5 next Saturday, 7 December.

Gartree Mission Week

We have had a fantastic week in Gartree with Christian band, Twelve24. The band led assemblies and RE lessons for every class in the school, which is 750 students in total. They brought an inspiring message about how we encourage and build each other up in the words we say but also the amazing truths that God has to say about us and the awesome love that he has for each one of us. The students loved the music and we saw some impressive dance moves during the week and they really engaged with the lessons and discussions.
We ended the week with an amazing gig, 150 young people came, approximately 120 came out at the response time who I had the privilege of praying for and 43 took away a response pack which included a bible and various contacts and information about becoming a christian and what it's all about.
So all in all an amazing, inspiring and God filled week. I was bowled over by the work God did and we pray that as youth workers leading the CU in that school, we can continue to share God's love and truth with those young people and help and encourage them on their journey with God.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurabley  more than we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Welcome

I was at a training event this week and was struck by this quote from another church present.

'The person you don't know is more important than the person you do.'

In a church community it can be very easy to just speak to those you know. As we seek to be a welcoming community it is important to take the above quote to heart and make time for those you don't know.

Whatever your background or life story, we believe that you are precious to God and we look forward to getting to know you better.

We look forward to welcoming you to St Paul's, you can see how we get on trying to make you feel important and valued.

Stir Up Sunday

Last Sunday, 24th November, we celebrated 'Christ the King'.
This celebration comes at the end of the churches liturgical year. Next Sunday is the start of Advent.
The set post Communion prayer for Christ the King is as follows:
Stir up, O Lord,
the wills of your faithful people;
that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may by you be plenteously rewarded;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This Sunday became known as stir up Sunday and was often the day people went home and made their Christmas puddings!
It is a brave prayer to pray, when we most often prefer the safety of our comfort zones, to ask God to stir us up and use us for His will and purposes.
May it be so! Amen.

Yoga

Spotted this interesting article about Yoga on the BBC website yesterday and how it is viewed by different faith groups. Well worth a read http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25006926

Good News for the Poor ?

Traditionally, like many churches, St Paul's had a "Toy Service" in December, where the toys were given to an orphanage. At Christmas, we remember how Christ came as a baby of a poor family and later proclaimed "Good News to the Poor" and as those who follow Christ, it was appropriate to provide toys for less fortunate children.

With the changing provision for children away from orphanages, in recent years, we have sent our gifts to Mother and Baby Homes and Refuges in the borough. It came as a shock, this year, to discover that council cutbacks have resulted in four of the five homes closing. The other exists entirely on charitable funding.

As a result, this year, our gifts will be limited to the one home. But we will also be collecting money for "Action Homeless’s Winter Appeal." In addition, we will be providing gifts to the diocese’s "Welcome Project" which seeks to help asylum seekers, many of whom are utterly destitute.

We are told that the general public supports the financial cutbacks, but we need to be aware of the effect that they are having on the most vulnerable people in society.

The Bible

Will you be watching? Don't miss it, the Bible brought to life in five two-hour episodes.
1. The Beginning
2. Homeland
3. Hope
4. Mission
5. Passion

Full details are available here
Order a Souvenir Guide here