Bulletin

Welcome and News of the Church

H.P 28      O worship the King

Prayers

Lords Prayer

H.P 9        Immortal Invisible

Reading    Psalm 90v1-8, 12 read by Marjorie Bettison

H.P 785    A charge to keep I have

Reading    Matthew 25v14-30 read by Marjorie Bettison

Sermon

H.P 377    Come to us creative Spirit

Collection

Prayers Intercession

H.P 802    O master let me walk with thee

Blessing

 

Thanks to Betty Wordsworth, our Accompanist this morning.

 Dear friends,

16^th to 22^nd November is Prisons Week. One of the passages set for today is The Parable of the Talents – Matt25v14-30. The organisation behind prisons week suggests this to aid us in our reflections on the passage:

Which of these two words would you use to describe those in prison? - Worthless or Talented?

This parable of Jesus is the Gospel Reading set for the Sunday in Prisons Week and provides a contrast between those servants who received talents from their master and developed them, and the one servant regarded as worthless because he did nothing with the talent he had been given. It is a challenge to us all for we have all been given gifts and abilities by God and it is our responsibility to use and develop those gifts aright.

As with us all, prisoners have talents and gifts and while they are in prison there is opportunity for them to discover and develop those gifts and talents for the benefit of society. The Prison and Probation Services invest a great deal of energy in the Seven Pathways to Rehabilitation their risk of re-offending on release and to live creative lives.

The Gospel message is that all are valuable, and that this includes those in prison who are also valued and loved by God, and that with help, and the grace of God, we should not see them worthless but as talented and able to contribute to society.

We ask for your prayers each day for prisoners, prison staff and victims during this week.

God Bless,

Luke

News of Members and Friends

Congratulations and best wishes to Wilf Jones, who celebrates his 90^th birthday on Monday 17^thNov, we hope you have a great day.

Bible Society

Audrey would be delighted to receive donations for the Bible Society from anyone who normally contributes or anyone else who feels that they would like to make a donation this year. Please help if you can.

Christmas Card Boxes

The Christmas card boxes will be in the vestibule for the two Sundays 23^rd and 30^th November. As usual the cards should be separated A-H; J-R; and S –W cards to worshiping members only please. Please let Jacky know if you can help.

Selby Street News

Recently we had our Autumn 24hrs + 1 of prayer; we had a rather quiet and very reflective time.  Thank you to all who joined us and especially to Dorothy and Deacon Peter for their generous giving of time for God.  Much time was spent on prayers for Central Hall and our Circuit and this is the first time I am not able to report back with clear messages or stories of people’s involvement or Reponses.  We did however have Revelations come up a few times in different ways, discussion, Angels voices musical, studying the text and finally, as I packed away the activities and took down the pictures that I had placed around, a piece by Ann Lewin struck me, called Revelation  'God's work of art.  That's me? Then beauty must lie in the eye of the Beholder.  I feel more like One of those statues Michelangelo left Half emerging from the marble block; Full of potential, On the verge of life, But imprisoned still By circumstance and Fear.  Maybe this is something we could all reflect upon as a corporate body. 24 hrs of prayer next year will be 24/25th Jan, 25/26th April, 25/26th July and 24/25th Oct 2009.

Another date for your diary is our Christmas Fair 29th Nov with usual stalls, food/drinks and a special Angels workshop so you can make your wings and halo for the Angels parade!

Lastly we have news to celebrate and welcome Dorothy Smith as our newest member, we are delighted she has decided to join us, she already does plenty of mission with us (in support of the prayer times and 'come as you are' group). As much has yet to be done the harvest is ripe!        

Jacky Goaten