St. Paul’s Church, Chippenham

JAMES & INGER DENNISTON - are sadly leaving us and we will have opportunities to say Goodbye! The final service will be a BRING A BOTTLE service at 6.30pm on Sunday 7th October at Langley Burrell. The idea is that we will have a short service to pray for James & Inger and send them on their way – followed by drinks & nibbles. Just come along and wish them well!

Their time with us has been marked by their special contribution to individual lives. For instance I will miss James’ caring and wise words of support and encouragement and help in knowing when I get things wrong (as I often do!) And, in all honesty, I am going to find it difficult not having him as a colleague here. Please be very patient with me as I try to balance a number of things. I know that I will be rather stretched taking midweek communion services and school assemblies and trying to support and encourage the wonderful group of leaders in our 4 churches who give direction and purpose to our life in Christ.

Inger has been very much part of St Nicholas’ church and she will be greatly missed as a member of the Body of Christ and also for her special contribution to the EARLY BIRDS services. Her wise support and counsel are greatly valued and she has lots of good ideas that have helped to develop this style of worship. Also there are particular people that she has been a good friend and companion along the way to. James & Inger will leave a gap in our lives and parish that will not easily be filled. Thank you both for all that you have been and will continue to be in God’s service – we wish you every blessing for the future as you continue in his service.

HARVEST FESTIVALS - there are still 2 to celebrate on Sunday

• 7th October 9.30am - Kington St Michael
• 7th October 11.00am - Hardenhuish

…come along and praise the Lord of the Harvest!

HARVEST SUPPERS - it seems that both Hardenhuish church and Langley Burrell church are holding their Harvest Suppers on the evening of Saturday 13th October. So, this year, you will have to make your choice – you can only manage one of them! I am sure both will be splendid occasions and people from any of our churches will be most welcome!

DAVE KILMISTER - please keep David in your prayers – following his priesting on 30th September he will be celebrating Holy Communion at all our churches during October. On the 7th at Langley Burrell; 14th at Hardenhuish; 21st at St Pauls and 28th at Kington St Michael. We’ll certainly keep him busy!

SERVICE CHANGES - please note the 9.30am service at Kington St Michael on 14th October will be Morning Praise and the 6.30pm on 28th at St Pauls will be Evening Worship.

TAIZE COMMUNION - will take place at 6.30pm on Sunday 14th October at St Pauls.

LAY MINISTER’S LICENSING - please keep Tim Woodward & Anjali Kanagaratnam in your prayers as they are licensed on Saturday 6th October at 5.30pm at Bristol Cathedral as Readers/Lay Ministers.

STUART TOWNEND - a date for your diary – on Thursday 4th October at 7.30pm Stuart Townend will lead an evening of worship, performance and chat from one of today’s leading worship songwriters. And in case you are wondering …. Stuart wrote How Deep The Father’s
Love; In Christ Alone;The Lord’s My Shepherd (and I will trust) and many others!

OPEN TO GOD - takes place at 7.00pm on Sunday 21st October in St Paul’s hall.

ST PAUL’S ALL-AGE SERVICES - the PCC have decided that we will not always hold an all-age service on the 2nd Sunday of the month at St Paul’s church. We have many services for all-ages together and we want to try and see if this gives more time and space for the work with children and young people and for worship in church. I would value your feedback!

THEMES & READINGS - we are continuing our autumn series called A WORLD ON THE MOVE during our morning services in October. These will be the main readings:

• October 7th - Harvest Festival - Psalm 67:1-7 (Hardenhuish and Kington St. Michael churches)
• October 7th - Settling Down - Ruth 4:1-22 (St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s churches)
• October 14th - Needing to escape - Matthew 2:13-18
• October 21st - God & Justice - Isaiah 58:6-12
• October 28th - Hospitality & Gifts - Genesis 18:1-15

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS - at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Pauls – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are going to be continuing with the theme of 2 CORINTHIANS. I hope it is not too much for those who come to these services – but I have found it really helpful to follow the whole of 2 Corinthians over a 6 month period!

• October 3rd/4th - Boast in the Lord! - 2 Corinthians 10:12-17
• October 10th/11th - Put up with me! - 2 Corinthians 11:1-11
• October 17th/18th - Not a fool! - 2 Corinthians 11:12-21a
• October 24th/25th - Dare to boast! - 2 Corinthians 11:21b-33
• October 31st/1st - Thorn in the flesh! - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – is again (if it is worth using in September it is worth using this month also!) the Bristol Diocesan Collect for Growth which are being encouraged to use as we seek to create COMMUNITIES OF WHOLENESS WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTRE.

Gracious God,
grant us the imagination
to see fresh possibilities for growth
and the passion to bring them to birth.

Deepen our commitment to your ways;
expand our partnership in your cause;
increase our influence for your purpose;
and add to the numbers of those who
acclaim you as Lord.

Lead us from the fear of failure
to that confidence which flows from faith
and to lives of fruitfulness and joy.

In the power of your Spirit
help us to create communities of wholeness
with Christ at the centre;
for in his Holy name we ask.
Amen.

Simon Tyndall