Bulletin for Sunday 26th October 2008

A warm welcome to everyone who worships with us today.

Mrs. Judith Edwards will  lead our 11.00am Morning Worship.

6.30pm Evening Praise will be led by Deacon Peter Ogle. 11.00am Morning Worship at Selby Street will be led by Peter Ogle.

Evening Praise

Welcome News of the Church

Introit          We have a gospel to proclaim

382 H&P     Life and light and joy are found

Prayer and Lord's Prayer

166 STTL   When peace like a river

Reading     Deuteronomy 34 verses 1-12 read by Barry Hovell

Anthem      Your words are Spirit and Life

Reading     Matthew 22 verses 34–46 read by Barry Hovell

22 STTL     Down in the valley

Sermon

268 H&P    My heart and voice I raise

Offering

Prayers of intercession

705 H&P    Take my life

Benediction

Thanks to our Accompanist’s today a.m. David Stones, p.m. Inga Williams,

Dear friends,

Recently I sought feedback on the work of the coffee bar. The aim was to look at how much the work was appreciated and look at areas of improvement. Almost a third of readers sent in a reply. Two thirds of those were from regular coffee bar users. If you wish to see the responses, just have a word with me.

Overwhelmingly the best thing about the coffee bar is Debbie, Eileen and the team of volunteers. I agree they all do a great job. One person suggested the staff should go topless, I would prefer not to see Gordon without his shirt on, but each to their own! (Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t think it is going to happen).

It was clear from the responses that those who use the coffee bar do appreciate the friendliness and caring approach.

When asked how improvements could be made. Suggestions included improving the toilet facilities, re-decorating, improving and expanding the menu, offering a counselling service, outside seating, open during the summer and on Saturdays, being made bigger, music, having more volunteers and a clothes swap. I hope improvements to the building envisaged in the next few years will address some of these issues. The counselling service and cloths swap is perhaps something we can consider.

We asked what readers thought the aim was of the coffee bar, there were a wide variety of responses. These included to welcome people in the name of our Lord, to provide community and be open to all, to go between the church and the street, to advertise what is happening at church, to serve the less well off, to make church seem more approachable, an oasis in a sea of commercialism, to give donations to church, and to keep low prices.

I do believe the coffee bar is a fantastic place and you don’t need to sit for long to realise all the work that goes into the facility. Yes we do provide low cost snacks and drinks to all; yes we do listen as well. We offer a bridge between those of faith with those of little or no faith. We are a sign of the church engaging in the real world with social action. We are also a focal point for the church during the week. As coffee bar manager Debbie, not only provides a friendly face she recruits, and encourages volunteers to do the same. Gets the food in, and even makes sure the washing up is done. Eileen makes sure the place is clean for all who use it.

Did you know that the coffee bar is run at a loss? The income of food sales, minus wages and utility bills mean the loss of over £7000 a year is covered by Methodist people.

But as well as showing appreciation for all of those who play their part, I would like to invite anyone who wishes to be considered as a volunteer to have a word with Debbie. It is only through the work of volunteers we can maintain and expand this much needed resource.

Luke

Church Council/Circuit Meeting

The meeting date has had to be changed and will now be on Wednesday 4^th March 2009 at 7.30pm at Central Hall.

Reminder - Coffee Bar Closure

Please Note the Coffee Bar will be closed from 3pm Thursday 23^rd Oct

until Monday 4^th November.

Outing to Eden Camp

Will those people going to Eden Camp on 8^th November please pick up their instructions from the vestibule?

Wesley Guild

The Wesley Guild would like to thank everyone who supported their coffee morning when £102 was raised

World Church Weekend

Collections as follows.

Sunday 5^th services £68.00

Sunday 5^th Lunch £113.30

Monday 6^th Wesley Guild £30.60

Donation £10.00.

The total collected was £221.90. Thank you to every one who gave such an encouraging figure, thank you for supporting the “Methodist Fund for World Mission. I have pinned a card on the notice board from Laurence and Pam Turner, please do have a look!     Roger

World Church Lunch

First of all may I apologise for the lateness of this entry,  thank you, to John, Gordon, and all who helped in anyway to provide us with an excellent lunch on World Church Sunday.

TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH MAXLIFE AT OUR

 ‘UNITE’ FUN DAY

 WEDNESDAY 29TH OCTOBER 10am-3pm

@ KINGSTON WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH

882 HOLDERNESS ROAD, HULL.

For ages 5-10 years & 11 years upwards

 Cost £1.00

Bring a packed lunch

(and signed permission slip)