Pride of the Borough.

St Paul told the early churches to pray for the authorities, while Jesus told his disciples to love their neighbour as themselves. It therefore gives us great joy to support Oadby and Wigston Borough's  "Pride of the Borough" project.

After church yesterday, members of the congregation picked up litter pickers and collecting bags and went out into the surrounding streets, verges and grassy areas, to pick up litter.

Here are some pictures of it taking place.

Privilege Priority and Purpose and the Gospel

The preacher at St Paul’s morning service today was Liz Wilson, the vicar of St Peter’s, who has recently been appointed to the parish of St Anne’s, St Pauls and St Augustine’s in the city of Leicester. We wished her well.

In the 2^nd of a series on St Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians (end of chapter 1), Liz pointed to Paul’s sense of privilege, priority and purpose – a sense of privilege in being allowed to help spread the gospel, his sense of priority in spreading the good news of Christ, and his purpose; that whatever was done to him, including his imprisonment, was being used by God to spread his good news.

It was a challenge to us to see life in the same way. We shall miss Liz as she moves on.

Ute Short

Yesterday we said farewell to Ute who loved her garden and flowers. She planned and arranged most of her service herself and was keen for family and friends to enjoy time together with nice food to celebrate her life.

Father's Day

This morning in Church we gave all the men a certain chocolate bar and prayed for them. Watch this video from Care for the Family about the Fatherhood Journey.

Fun@4 - Pentecost

This welcome board in our foyer was cleverly created by Anona with the words 'Jesus Christ is Lord' displayed in many different languages. During Fun@4 the children made flame head bands to resemble the tongues of fire.

Another symbol of the Holy Spirit is a Dove. Derek used his wood work skills to make these jigsaws which the children had fun putting together.

More wood work, this time to assemble windmills which all worked when the fan was going. Reminding us to the wind of the Spirit and the breath of God.

Flames of Fire

The music group with coloured clothes

Today – Pentecost Sunday – the anniversary of the Birth Day of the church – the day when the Holy Spirit fell upon the first disciples with what looked like flames of fire and all the crowd around heard what they were speaking in their own language. In celebration the congregation was encouraged to come to church today in brightly coloured clothes. Many people did so, so there were red, yellow and orange shirts, sweaters and saris all around the church. Many of our young people formed our music group and they took this very much to heart.


Singing in Portuguese

The theme of the different languages was also taken up as the children sung a song in Portuguese and when it came to the Lord’s Prayer, the different lines were said by different members of the congregation in their own languages.

The service was led by Angie and in her sermon, Lou took up the importance of bringing the good news of Christ’s forgiveness to everyone, not just people like us.                                                                                                                                                                                

His Holiness Pope Francis message to the Church for Thy Kingdom Come 2019

Look to the Skies

Today is Ascension Day, when we remember the end of Christ’s earthly ministry and his return to his Father in heaven.

It is also the beginning of the “Thy Kingdom Come” event that has been organised by the archbishops of Canterbury and York. It runs from Ascension Day (today) until Pentecost Sunday in 10 days time. It varies in character from church to church, but at its centre is a commitment for each person to pray for 5 people who do not at present acknowledge Christ as Saviour. Additionally, there is a commitment to pray the Lord’s Prayer every day – Thy Kingdom Come.

These themes were particular subjects for prayer at the midweek communion service held this morning, led by Liz Wilson.

Additionally, this evening, we have an Ascension Day service with commissioning of the new Parochial Church Council. Afterwards, there will be the first meeting of that council. Although this happens annually, this will be rather special as within months the Oadby Parish will be divided into two (St Peters at St Paul’s) but also uniting with the Great Glen parishes into one group. So this will be the last meeting of Oadby PCC in the present structure.

 We would value prayer for the future that the changes may strengthen our witness for Christ in the locality.

Confirming Their Faith

Last Sunday, 19 May, Bishop Martyn came to St Peter’s for a confirmation service. In this, the candidates had the opportunity to confirm for themselves, the promises made in their baptism service. These include turning to Christ and rejecting the devil and all that is evil.

The service was unusual in that it was in the context of St Peter’s regular “Peter’s Place” messy church. In the service, there were the usual prayers, hymns and commitments, but children of all age were welcome and provision was made for them, and special crafts and activities.

Most of the candidates came from St Peter’s, but there are also some from St Cuthbert’s, great Glen, and Emina Kwakha, who with her family is a regular member at St Paul’s.

We pray for all of them in their future Christian life.

He Is Risen Indeed – Alleluia

The Easter season continues until Ascension Day (30 May). Until then our thoughts and prayers focus on the risen Christ – how his resurrection shows us that his promise of forgiveness is genuine – and that for us too death is not the end.

Here is the display that we have had in our foyer reminding us of that truth. Our thanks for it go to Anona.