Notices : 31st December 2006

31st December 2006

Welcome to our Services today!

10.00 am Every Sunday - Morning prayer for our services.

All welcome

10.45 am Morning Service

After the service, prayer is available for anyone who would like to be prayed with – please make your way to the front of the church where the prayer team will meet you.

Please join us for tea and coffee after the service in the hall. If you are a visitor here today, we have a welcome leaflet available. Please ask if you have not received one.

6.00 pm Time of Reflection and Prayer for the New Year.

Large print copies of the song words and notice sheets are available on request from the door stewards.

Hearing Loop – There is a loop system available downstairs in the centre seating block for those who need it.

Prayer Focus:

Please pray this week for our leadership as they spend time away together next Friday and Saturday seeking God’s direction. Pray that God will bring them closer together as a leadership team and they will hear His will for the church. Please also pray for the Alpha Supper and Alpha course coming up in January.

The Alpha Supper – Monday 8th January

An Alpha Supper has been organised for Monday 8th January at the Mortimers’ home, with the Alpha course starting on Monday 15th January. However, the course will only go ahead if there are enough guests who want to take part. The course is provided as a vehicle to help people understand more about the Christian Faith and the Alpha Supper is an ideal opportunity to invite your friends along for an informal meal and the chance to decide for themselves if they would like to take part in the course.

Invitations to the supper and the course are on the table at the back of the church – please help yourselves and invite your friends and neighbours. Monique will be co-ordinating the course, so please speak to her if you have any questions. Monique would also like to hear from you if you would like to help out during the course, and in particular if you would like to pray with others for the guests.

This evening …

The Kembers are hosting an Open House evening at their home from 8.30pm until midnight. Everyone is welcome to come and go as they please – bring a plate of sweet or savoury for `bring and share’.

Bible Reading Programme

Graham has prepared bible readings with scripture memorization for 2007, which are available from the back of the church, and also on the church website.

Nana and Sita

Graham has spoken to Nana on the phone this week. They have an urgent need. Nana has received documents from his country that will help him complete his Asylum process successfully. Nana and Sita have waited four years and understandably do not wish to let this opportunity slip through their hands. The lawyers who offer free advice to refugees cannot handle cases at this level and Nana and Sita have to hire the services of an attorney in Vienna. This of course costs money and the process will cost 2000 euros which is about £1400. Please pray that God would provide this money. If you would like to contribute for this purpose only, you can either send money direct to Nana and Sita or you can make gifts through the church which will not be eligible for gift aid in this case. You can obtain their address from Graham.

A note to Budget Holders

It is the Church’s year end on the 31st December, which means that all the 2006 budgets end on that date. Chris would be grateful therefore for all receipts and ‘Requests for Payment’ to be with her by Sunday 7th January 2007. Thank you.

Offering Envelopes

The 2007 offering envelopes are now available from the Treasurer. These comprise a set of numbered envelopes, which are date-stamped for the whole year. They are usually given in during the morning service, or left in the box provided at the evening service. You can give as little, or as often as you wish, and by cash or cheque. If you would like to give by this method please contact Chris.

NB: If you are a tax payer, giving by this method means the church can gain an extra 28% from the government at no extra cost to you.

Flower Rota

There is new flower rota for Sunday services next year up in the hall. Please sign up if you are able to bring flowers for a Sunday service. If you would like to bring flowers but prefer not to arrange them, please contact Marilyn, who will be pleased to do this for you.

Mission to Romania

We have an opportunity to send a short term mission team to Romania in the summer of 2007 with International Teams. The IT Mission in Timisoara have asked if we could send a team of between 6 and 8 folk for a 2 week period, from 11th-25th July, starting on a Wednesday so that you can participate in a village ministry from Saturday to Saturday. This would mean living in the village, getting involved in outreach, children’s work, building repair, and whatever else we are asked to do! We realise this is not everyone’s cup of tea - it will be a challenge, but also a tremendous blessing. If you are interested, please speak to Alan or Graham who would love to talk this through more with you.

To hear it again …

If you miss the Sunday sermon or would like to hear it again, you can now find it online on the Church’s blog, @ www.psbchurch.blogspot.com, as well as by borrowing tapes from Mitch.

Coming up in 2007

Debt Advisors’ Meeting : 4th January

Leadership Retreat : 5th/6th January

Alpha Supper : 8th January

Alpha Course begins : 15th January

This week:

Today : This evening’s service will be a time of prayer and reflection together; New Year’s Eve Open House @ The Kembers

Tuesday : Prayer for the Persecuted Church at 21a Pockeridge Road

Thursday : Debt Advisors’ Meeting 7.30pm

Friday/Saturday : Leadership Retreat