St. Paul's Church, Chippenham

CHURCH WARDENS  -  I want to welcome John Hartley as a new Church Warden (at St Paul’s) and thank all those who have been re-elected this year as Wardens -  Michael Meilton; Caroline Preston & Sarah Cook; Derek Boulton & Debbie Loveday; and Colin Labouchere.  Thanks for what you do – you ARE appreciated!

MORE!  -  I am delighted that Mike & Sarah Watkins are continuing with MORE! And the next dates are Wednesdays 2 & 16 June from 7.45-9.30pm in St Paul’s church hall.  Do come along and try it …this is what it offers…
Do you feel there must be more to life than this?
Do you want to live the life Jesus calls us to?
Do you want to experience the adventure that following Jesus really is?
Do you want MORE?!
A fortnightly evening of worship, teaching and discussion as we look at Mark’s gospel together.

GROUP SERVICES  -  during the summer months, these will not be taking place on the 1st Sunday of the month but rather we have 2 special services:

• Sunday 27 June at 4pm at Langley Burrell  Evensong sung by a choir from the Lord Mayor’s Chapel (Bristol)
• Sunday 18 July at 4pm at Hardenhuish an outdoor Songs Of Praise.

I do hope you’ll want to come along to them!

CHURCH FETES  -  dates for your diary are:
Saturday 12 June from 2-4pm Kington St Michael fete in the Manor gardens
and the following week 19 June at Langley Burrell Village Hall.
They are good fun – especially if the waether is nice!  Come and enjoy the sunshine and spend your money!

OFFICE CO-ORDINATOR  -  Jackie Beeney is returning to teaching in the autumn and so the office role will fall vacant.  (We will miss her!)  At the moment a group from St Paul’s PCC are looking at what that church wants from the post (especially to do with the hall etc) and then we will talk with the other 3 churches and see what shape of appointment we want to make this time.  If you might be interested and want to find out more about what is involved please talk to me about this!

DEANERY MEETING  -  will be on Wednesday 9 June at 7.30pm at St Peter’s Frogwell as the Rev Andy Gubbins (our deanery missioner) leads us on the theme of ‘The Great Commission’.  An open meeting – all are welcome – and it should help us in our thinking of outreach in Christ’s name!

THEMES & READINGS  -  will be as follows at the morning services during June.  In GOING DEEPER (great themes from the OT) ….(i) GOD’S CALL we are looking at well known passages from the Old Testament and trying to understand what they are saying to us today.

• June  6 – The call of Abram – Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 5:1-12
• June  13 – God chooses David as King – 1 Samuel 16:4-13, Matthew 5:13-16
• June  20 – God sends Moses – Exodus 3:1-15, Matthew 6:25-34
• June  27 – Isaiah’s commission – Isaiah 6:1-8, Matthew 6:5-15

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS  -  at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Paul’s – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are starting a series on THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.

• June    2/3 – Blessed are … – Psalm 90 – Matthew 5:1-12
• June   9/10 – Salt  -  Light – Psalm 91 – Matthew 5:13-20
• June  16/17 – You have heard it said … – Psalm 92 – Matthew 5:21-30
• June  23/24 – Simply yes or no – Psalm 93 – Matthew 5:31-37
• June  30/July 1 – Be perfect – Psalm 95 – Matthew 5:38-48

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH  –  is one that I often use asking for God’s Spirit to lead and equip us as we serve others.  Why not use it in your own quiet time?

Eternal God & Father
you create us by your power
and redeem us by your love.
Guide and strengthen us by your Spirit
that we may give ourselves
in love and service
to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Simon Tyndall