Our Core Purpose “We are a gospel-focussed town centre church rejoicing and revelling in the grace of God. We live to equip and commission all God’s people to bless others in word and deed in the power of the Holy Spirit.” New to St Giles? Please introduce yourself at the information desk - there you will also find some helpful leaflets. If you intend to worship regularly with us, please complete a blue ‘New to St Giles’ card and return it so that we can get to know you!! Holy Communion If you are visiting us and normally receive Communion in your own church you are welcome to join us at Communion here. If you prefer to receive non-alcoholic wine and/or gluten-free wafers, they are available in the side chapel – please indicate to the person administering Communion. Offering An offering is taken up during evening services. Alternatively, please place your offering in one of the receptacles by the doors. Gift Aid declaration forms and envelopes are nearby please do use either of these if you are a UK tax-payer; this will enable us to claim an additional 25% on top of what you give. Valuables Please keep handbag, keys, wallet, etc with you at all times. The Vicar’s slot Isaiah 60:2 “Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.” Isaiah’s message of hope pointed to the One who would come to bring light into the world. Jesus has placed the light of His love in our hearts. We need to let it shine for others to see! Noel Richards wrote: May now Your church rise with power and love This glorious gospel proclaim In every nation salvation will come To those who believe in Your name Christmas is a time to let the light shine… everywhere! Thank you on behalf of the whole staff team for your love, encouragement and support for us in 2014. We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas time. ~ Steve and Maggie Prayer Points... We have been asked to pray especially on 21st for: Alf & Hilary Cooper in Chile. The work of Streetchurch. The Hope Centre. On 28th December: Ruth and Izaias (currently visiting the UK from Brazil). The Nene Valley Christian Family Refuge. Those in the armed forces and others working in support of the armed forces. On 4th January: Gill and Peter Vriend in Thailand with YWAM. The Manna House. Peterborough Diocese. those who are unwell or bereaved, especially for: The wife & family of Sandra Randall’s brother, David, who passed away recently. The families and friends of the 136 school children killed in Pakistan, that they know God’s comfort and his healing. The Eley family this Dec on the 10th anniversary of the death of their 17-year-old daughter/ sister and the recent inquest. Maggie Marr’s sister Patsy. Joan Simmons. Helen Mounstevens. Wanda Davies. Angela Nash. Peter Ford (Lois’ friend). If you know someone who needs our prayers, please contact the clergy or the parish office. We will only include their name here for 2 weeks; please contact us after that time if you would like them to be included for a further 2 weeks. Streetchurch: Sunday meetings to foster the sense of family at a time when many guests grieve for what and who they have lost. Healing of broken relationships and hearts. For hope & the will to change. Sunday 21st December 10.00am Worship Together: ‘Every voice will sing’ Reading(s): Revelation 5: 1-14 Led by Diana Rees-Jones and Jo Smith Speaker Steve Kelly 3.00pm Hymns of Praise: Carol Service Led by Peter Scott; Speaker Maggie Kelly Reading by the Dexter home group 7.00pm Holy Communion: ‘Hope in the darkness’ Reading(s): Luke 2: 25-35 Led by Steve Kelly; Speaker Prester Coleman Reading by Ruth Hamson Intercessions by Steve Kelly Christmas Eve 3.30pm Children’s Carol Service ‘We have come to worship’ Led by Jo Smith 11.30pm Midnight Communion ‘The hopes and fears of all the years’ Reading(s): Luke 2: 8-20 Led by Steve Kelly; Speaker Steve Kelly Christmas Day 10.00am Communion Together ‘The Saviour of the world’ Led by Steve Kelly; Speaker Maggie Kelly Sunday 28th December 10.00am Worship Together ‘They opened their treasures’ Reading(s): Matthew 2: 1-12 Led by Bob Steele; Speaker Alison Steele 7.00pm Evening Worship ‘The hope of heaven’ Reading(s): Revelation 20:11 - 21: 5 Led by Simon Bridgens; Speaker Peter Scott Reading by Rocky Coles Intercessions by Simon Bridgens Sunday 4th January 10.00am Morning Worship with Family Communion ‘In the beginning...’ Reading(s): John 1: 1-18 Led by Diana Rees-Jones and Helen Lidbetter Speaker Steve Kelly Reading by Keith Davidson Intercessions by Diana Rees-Jones 7.00pm 1st Sunday Joint Celebration with Holy Communion, plus café afterwards ‘The wisdom and power of God’ Reading(s): 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31 Led by the 1st Sunday team and Steve Kelly Speaker Chris Dommett Staff availability during Christmas and New Year Steve is off Tues 23rd Dec. Diana is off Tues 23rd Dec. Peter is available Mon 22nd/Tues 23rd. Chris is off 22nd onwards. ready for Christmas and New The staff are then generally off for the period between Christmas and New Year. Year in the vicarage. The church office will close at 3pm on Friday 19th Dec and Mark Richards, due to get the results of a scan & blood reopen at 1pm on Mon 5th January. test a couple of days ago to For a pastoral emergency during this period please call: confirm if he has cancer. 07553 117956. (Note this is different to that published last week!) Kings Heath Church: Jo and Cathy Story, getting tel: 01604 628623 (admin) or 230360 (pastoral) web: www.stgilesnorthampton.org.uk stgilesnorthampton Growing Up… Joining In… Spreading Out… Giving Away… Streetchurch catering: Sun 4th Jan Can you please help to make it a good start to the year for those at Streetchurch? On Sunday 4th January, it is St Giles’ turn to provide food for 60+ people. They will need: 22 loaves of sandwiches (egg, cheese, chicken, tuna, ham), 2 kinds of soup (1 veg), cakes plus some other items and 5 people to serve. Needed at Salvation Army for 1pm. Please sign up at the information desk, indicating if you’ll deliver to Streetchurch or bring to St Giles that morning. More details from Renèe Dixon. Tuesday 13th January @ 7.30pm alpha is a series of Come and join us to pray together Focus You are invited to cut down on expenditure on cards, write a greeting and make a donation for TearFund’s work for prevention of and recovery from child trafficking - see information on display. Focus is a one year course in basic Christian discipleship aimed particularly at those who have completed the Alpha course and want to learn how to grow in the Christian faith. Focus follows a similar pattern to Alpha, with the opportunity to socialise at the beginning of the evening, a short talk and discussion in small groups. However Focus adds the additional ingredients of worship, Bible Study and prayer to the mix. The next term starts on 21st January. To find out more and to register, contact Peter Scott on 01604 230360 or email [email protected] Man Walkie-Talkie Shared lunch on Sunday 18th Jan Mince pies! Please leave any contributions (for this afternoon’s carol service and children’s carols on Christmas Eve) in the serving area of church. Please label any of your containers and collect them afterwards! Shared Christmas card Sat 10th Jan. To prove men can do two things at once we have a man walk where you can also talk to other walkers (if you want to!) A modest walk of a few easy miles finishing with a cheap lunch in a local hostelry… suitable for all ages (!) so bring the younger guys too. Great opportunity to invite your work friends/friends/relatives to a fun event. Team Leader is intrepid explorer Mark Allenby - more details to follow on email or speak to Mark. alpha On 18th Jan we look forward to welcoming our mission partners, Ruth, Izaias and Jonathan. Please plan to stay on after the morning service for a bring and share lunch. BE! Women @ St Giles: book now! Be Transformed - the Winter Glory women’s conference at Kettering is on Sat 31st January. Guest speaker: Jennifer Rees Larcombe. Tickets £14 from the Manna House or [email protected] Get your own tickets and share transport. interactive sessions to discuss the Christian faith in an informal, fun and friendly environment. No pressure, no follow up, no charge. Please invite friends and neighbours along. Invitations to the launch meal are available at the information desk. Launch meal is Wednesday 14th January at 7pm in church. Please book tickets for the meal via the church office (from 5th January) or from Vikki Beale after Sunday services... Advance notice: cake sale After the morning service on 25th Jan. Leonie Robertshaw will be raising funds for her World Challenge expedition to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands in 2015. Women’s prayer breakfast Saturday 17th Jan at 8.30am in the centre. For more details contact Serena (628623). Notice sheet deadline: All notices must be with the church office by 9am on the preceding Thursday at the latest. Notices received after the deadline will not make it into the services! Due to Christmas and New Year, the next notice sheet will be available on Sunday 11th January. What’s on ... Monday 22nd Wednesday 24th Thursday 25th Saturday 3rd Jan Monday 5th Tuesday 6th Wednesday 7th Thursday 8th Friday 9th Saturday 10th Sunday 11th 12.00noon 9.00am 3.30pm 11.30pm 10.00am 2.00pm 9.30am 9.30am 9.00am 7.00am 11.00am 12.15pm 7.45pm 7.00pm 10.00am Town centre carol singing Staff prayers & meeting Staff prayers Children’s Carol Service (see front of notice sheet) Midnight Communion (see front of notice sheet) All Age Christmas Celebration with Communion On 24th Dec, gathering at 2.45pm on the steps of All Saints Church, for a 3pm start. Coordinated by Donovan Allen and Cyril Curtis on behalf of town centre churches. (see front of notice sheet) Wedding of Marcus Gibbs and Cara Witheyman Mon 5th January 7.30-9.30pm at Abington Avenue URC. Refreshments from 7pm. Come and pray together with Christians from different churches. All welcome. Staff prayers & meeting Prayer meeting in the centre - all welcome Staff prayers Prayer meeting in the centre - all welcome Holy Communion - in the church centre Simple Lunch Prisoners of Faith ministry The Base (boys: 11-14s) Man Walkie Talkie Morning Worship “Follow me” Reading(s): John 1: 29-51 Led by Maggie Kelly and Jo Smith Speaker Steve Kelly Reading by Liz Kitwood Intercessions by Maggie Kelly 7.00pm 7.00pm Other local events Evening Worship ‘One Lord, Jesus Christ’ Reading(s): 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13 Led by Simon Bridgens; Speaker Peter Scott Reading by Emma Brown Intercessions by Frances Jones Youth Zone meeting in the centre Prayer & Praise for Northampton New 2 You donations Thanks for the support from St Giles in terms of donations for New 2 You at Kings Heath. We continue to be encouraged by steady trade and are sponsoring the new Christians Against Poverty initiatives on the estate with the launch of the CAP Money Course in Jan. We also plan a Community Fun Day in June, in partnership with other local organisations. Donations continue to be welcome and especially at this time of year - toys! God, are You there? Biblical praying. A topical study day in the Word of God. Sat 31st Jan. Newport Pagnell, Bucks. 10-4 (registration 9.45). North Crawley Village Institute. £10 on day. See flyer on board or www.precept.org.uk (and follow link from calendar).
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