How Great Is Our God
Our 2025 Memory Verse
Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me. Psalm 66:16 NIV
Messy Church does not meet in August. Please pray momentum will not be lost and for a good start in September.
Lunch Club does not take place in August.
Gift Aid
Annabel has written letters to everyone who is able to claim Gift Aid, thanking them for their gifts, and asking them to check that the amount being claimed for is correct. She will be taking them to church on Sunday 27th July to give out, but unfortunately will be away for a few Sundays after that, so will leave them at the back of church, in envelopes with names on. Could you please check if she doesn’t manage to catch you on 27th? She’ll post the letters to those who can’t get to church.
Major Works are needed on St Nicholas Church roof and stonework
Thank you to those who have expressed an interest in helping Lynn and Jim progress the repairs to St Nicholas Church’s roof and stonework. A meeting is being arranged for August to take this forward. It is not too late to join the working group, so please would you get in touch with Lynn or Jim if you would like to participate in the initial meeting. Please also pray for wisdom for the PCC as this major project is going to cost at least £250,000.
Notifications for the diary on the website
If you would like events listing in the diary on the parish website, please let Mark have the dates even if they are regular events.
Visits
If you regularly visit people from Church, especially if you visit those who are unable to attend, please let the pastoral team know so that we can ensure we are covering everyone.
Pastoral Team
We need a couple more people to join the pastoral team. The requirement for this role is a willingness to be in touch with people either by telephone or visit. Please speak to Mark if you are interested.
PCC Minutes Secretary Urgently Needed
Are you willing to attend PCC meetings to take minutes? You do NOT need to be a member of PCC. No experience is necessary, just an ability to take notes and type up the minutes. Please speak to Mark, Jim or Lynn urgently. We are desperate so that PCC members can concentrate on discussions.
Visit of The Clarke Family – Sunday 17th August at in St Nicholas
The Clarke Family will be visiting St Nicholas on Sunday 17th August. We will be hosting them with a BBQ after the morning service. Tickets priced £5 are now on sale from members of the Mission Team.
N&B Table Tennis Club meets at St Barnabas Church on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. They are going to take a break during August and will start playing again on Thursday 4th September. If you would like to join us then, please speak with Jim or Cheryl.
Praying for Peace
St Nicholas’ Church will next be open for prayer for peace in Ukraine and between Israel and Palestine/Gaza/Lebanon/Iran between 9:30 and 10:00 on Monday 1st September (not on 28th July or in August).
Lunch Club – Monday 1st September at 12.45 in St Barnabas
New folks welcome. Please contact Pauline on 01934 415401.
Will regulars also please contact Pauline if they are unable to come this month.
Please pray for those who attend and those who cook and serve but most importantly, that the Lord will make himself known.
Messy Church – Wednesday 3rd September
Please pray for the team which runs Messy Church and for all those who attend. May Jesus be made known and may the Lord bring us new families too.
Services
Sunday 27th July 10:00 a.m. – All Together Service live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Theme to be announced
Wednesday 30th July 10:30 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Songs of Praise – Please give your choices to Nina.
Sunday 3rd August
9:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting at St Nicholas – PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME.
10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Instructions for Christian Living Part 1
Ephesians 4:17-32
Wednesday 6th August 10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Sunday 10th August 10:00 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Luke 15:11-32 The Father who Lost Two Sons
Wednesday 13th August 10:30 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Unity and Diversity in the Body
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Sunday 17th August 10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
The Healing of The Leper and The Paralytic – Joe Clarke is preaching.
Luke 5:12-26
Wednesday 20th August 10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Sunday 24th August 10:00 a.m. – All Together Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Theme to be announced
Wednesday 27th August 10:30 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Intelligibility in Worship part 1
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Sunday 31st August 10:00 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Instructions for Christian Households part 1
Ephesians 5:21-33
Wednesday 3rd September 10:30 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Barnabas
Intelligibility in Worship part 2
1 Corinthians 14:13-25
Sunday 7th September 10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Instructions for Christian Households part 2
Ephesians 6:1-9
9:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting at St Nicholas – PLEASE NOTE THE TIME.
The next Parish Update will be produced on Friday 5th September.
Please pray:
Joan Bailey - It's Joan's birthday this Monday 28th. She's in Lyndhurst Park Nursing Home and continues to welcome visitors.
Ann Butt
Rene Eaton - Rene had a good 100th birthday, although she was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Thank you to those from church who visited and sent her cards. Family of course were there and stayed for the Birthday Tea. Heathwood Care Home celebrated well. We were met at the door by an excited member of staff; other staff were preparing the tea with 100th birthday serviettes, a beautiful cake and card from the King. There was a big birthday banner on the wall and lovely balloons.
Malcolm and Edna Hunter
Steve Insley (Lily Insley’s son) - Steve has been diagnosed with blood cancer.
Angela James
Ada Keeley - Following a recent stay in hospital to treat her heart condition, Ada is now home with the help of carers and recovering well.
Georgina Lawford – Please pray for Georgina and family at this difficult time regarding the very serious illness of her mother. Praise the Lord though that Sam has been granted compassionate leave and hopes to be home early next week. Continue to pray that all goes well.
Paul and Barbara Lewis
Fumbani Limani – Fumbani, Yebo and her Mum Eleanor fly to Malawi on Monday 28th. Please pray for a good journey. Eleanor is returning after looking after Yebo. Fumbani and Yebo and husband Emmanuel, who now has a visa, return to the UK in 3 weeks.
Jim Loring – Jim still has a very low level of residual Prostate Cancer. He started a new treatment in the Spring and the results of his recent blood test show that the cancer is no longer detectable. Praise God that the remaining cancer cells are now dormant.
The Madeleys - Please pray for Mark’s never-ending situation and for Caroline who is carrying so much at this time. Pray they have a good and relaxing holiday. Pray for great blessing for Rachel and Ben at their two Christian Youth Ventures (Holidays) 26th July – 2nd August and 9th – 16th August. Rachel is an assistant leader on both. Ben is an assistant leader on the first and a participant on the second.
Stella Middleton
Gwen Purnell
Mac Reid
Jo Scott
Peter and Val Tullett
Gill and David Willis
Tim Erridge, incumbent at Bleadon and Bournville, retires after taking his last service at both churches on Sunday 3rd August. Please pray for Tim and Heather as they move into their retirement home and for God’s leading for the coming months and years. Please also pray for the church leaders and congregations of both churches and pray that God will guide and sustain them through the vacancy.
St Barnabas Church - Please continue to pray that the Diocese will find the remaining funds needed to employ the lay Pioneer Minister to be based at St Barnabas Church.
Please pray for Jim on Wednesday 20th August participating in a meeting of the Diocesan Finance Group to have further discussions on its budget for 2026. The July General Synod approved a 36% increase to £1.6 billion over 3 years in the funding being made available to Dioceses for mission and ministry between 2026 and 2028. Some of the increase will be used to improve clergy pensions and fund an increase in the clergy stipend. However, even with this new money, it will not resolve the ongoing pressures on parish and diocesan finances.
Prayers for Mission
Pedro Santos
The Clarkes
Heather Johnstone - As mentioned previously, Heather and the Rehema Team have been asked to take over the Anglican Hostel. It is in a poor state of repair due to a lack of maintenance. Pray for the team as they paint the hostel outside and in and deal with security in the kitchen, broken sheet metal roofing, door locks, various plumbing issues and damp in the walls!!
CMS mission partners Alison Giblett, Anya and Pastor Valery in Kiev. Please pray for safety and continued wisdom in prioritising their time and aid.
The Parish Office will be closed on Monday 28th and Wednesday 30th July, and Monday 11th, Wednesday 13th and Friday 15th August.