Gifts for Christmas

We have just had our gift service. During the course of the morning service, people brought up gifts and left them at one of two tables. For one table, people wrapped gifts, for which tags with the age and sex of a child in a hostel or refuge (but no names) had been issued in advance. These had been notified to us by the institutions concerned.

On the other table were unwrapped gifts of items that would be special for asylum seekers being cared for by the Welcome Project at St Martin’s house, the diocese of Leicester headquarters. All those organising the gift service were thrilled by the generosity of the congregation.

Giving is an integral part of the Christmas festivities as we remember the greatest gift of all; the gift by God of his only Son, Jesus. It’s a joy to be able to share these gifts with those who might otherwise receive little, this Christmas.

Mess || Christmas Spoken Word

A Christmas card from the Oadby Churches

A Christmas card from all the Oadby Churches has now been delivered to everyone in Oadby. There was a competition for the cover design, which was won by a Supertrooper (Sunday School) member from St Paul’s. Inside are details of the Christmas activities of most of the churches in Oadby.

It’s good to be able to work together like this. Do take the opportunity to join in any of those services.

The Nativity (as it wasn’t!)

The Christmas season at St Paul’s started with a community film night showing “Nativity”– the hilarious story of a school Nativity play, where everything goes wrong, but everything finishes up happily. It seemed to be enjoyed by all.

The next community film night is at 630 p.m. on 12 January, when we will be seeing “Paddington 2.” Do come along and join us.

Seasons Greetings from PAG

At St Paul's we support the work of TearFund through their Connected Church project. Follow this link to watch a short video from them bringing Seasons Greetings and to find their latest prayer requests.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

This week marks the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to join Christians all over the world in prayer and action. We’ve seen countless seemingly impossible situations turned around through prayer, so let’s pray together that God would do immeasurably more than we can expect or imagine through our prayers this week. 

Father God,

As one Church, united under your holy headship, and knowing that we are all one family in Christ;

We pray for those who suffer in your name all over the world, our brothers and sisters,

Who share in that same great gift of salvation through your Son, but who face injustice, oppression and even death because of their faith in you.

We want to walk with them as they journey through the valley of darkness,

And we pray knowing that you are a God of compassion, comfort, and justice; who hears their prayers and moves in power to protect them, whatever they face.

We pray that you will grant them strength, courage, and protection from those who seek to harm them because they follow you;

Guidance and wisdom for when their path seems impossible to tread, and hope for a future where they have the freedom to worship you without fear.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

We will remember them

To give credit where it is due, a big thank you to Sue & Sue who helped created the poppy display, along with the knitters from Needles & Pins, and to Anona who did the lettering. What a stunning display. We will remember them.

We will remember them

Thank you to the lovely ladies from our Needles and Pins craft group who have knitted 100 poppies for our display and thank you to Anona who has put it all together. A striking and fitting display as you walk into church, ready for Remembrance weekend.

Oadby Remembers

To commemorate the 83 Oadby men who gave their lives during the First World War different community groups have decorated soldier silhouettes. Here are the 3 decorated by our young peoples groups at St Paul's. In the order they appear in the picture from left to right, Little Angels Toddler Group, Tribe and Supertroopers our Sunday morning groups for Secondary and Primary aged children. All 83 will be gathered together and displayed in the St Peter's Centre over Remembrance weekend along with the displays put together by the Oadby Remembers project over the last 4 years.

Prayers for all those affected by the Helicopter tragedy

On Sunday afternoon I visited the King Power stadium with my family and we left an electric tea light each 'with love and prayers'. As we added them to the ever growing tributes to those who lost their lives we were struck by silence of such a large crowd. We prayed for the family and friends of those affected by what had taken place and for the emergency services doing their jobs.
The Bishop of Leicester has written this prayer

God of all grace,

You love all that you have made,

And your mercy is over all the world,

Comfort those who grieve for loved ones,

Strengthen those who care for the bereaved,

And support this great city of Leicester,

As we work together to express your love,

We ask this in your holy name.

Amen