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
Diana
Bill says: “Diana had her procedure on Thursday afternoon in Bristol: one artery was furry but no stents needed (medication will suffice). More monitoring & tests to come - maybe home Friday or Saturday.
Thanks to all for prayers.”
Funeral of Linda Lawford Thursday 11th September 11:30 at Weston Crematorium
The funeral of Linda Lawford (Georgina’s mum) will be as above. The family request that people do not wear black. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Worlewind Band are doing a concert at Worle Baptist Church this Sunday (7th September) at 6:30pm. Speak to Caroline if you are interested as there are tickets available.
Some great news from Lyn and Rich Star about their work in Tanzania
Lyn sent the attached photograph of the water tank that she and Rich helped build. It is now in full use.
She writes: “Claire from GoMad said 'Everyone is delighted with the water tank' and she also sent a video of a local lady using it.
It has been in use for a while but it has been difficult to get someone over to the remote area to take a photograph on a Sunday with some of the church congregation. It was such a thrill to see it completed & being used.”
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 15th September (not on 8th).
Messy Church:
On Wednesday 3rd September there was a meeting to discuss the future of Messy Church at St Nicholas.
It was decided that Messy Church would resume in February. There will a small leadership team - Pauline, Annabel, Martin and Gail - to plan the monthly sessions as well as craft leaders.
Please pray for the whole team.
If you would like to help, please let one of the leaders know.
We will keep you updated.
Repair to St Nicholas’ Church Wall
Thanks to Lynn's perseverance and your prayers, the church's insurers have paid £4,800 towards the cost of £5,249 for repairing of the unsightly damp patches on the wall behind the table where we serve coffee.
Major Works are needed on St Nicholas’ Church roof and stonework
Lynn and Jim want to thank those who offered to help with planning these major repairs. At their initial meeting on Monday, it was agreed that we need to get the input of the Diocesan buildings advisor on what actually needs to be done. Lynn has received helpful advice on setting out our needs to grant-making bodies, most of whom will want to know how we might use the church building for the benefit of the wider community. Please also pray for wisdom for the PCC as this major project is likely to cost at least £250,000.
St Barnabas Church Quinquennial Survey
We are required to ask our church architect to carry out a detailed inspection of our church buildings every five years and act upon his recommendations for remedial repairs. Please pray for a good report on St Barnabas Church which is being inspected on Tuesday 9th September.
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.
Scarecrow festival - Sunday 21st September
We will be providing refreshments between 2pm and 4pm. Please sign up if you can spare some time to help or can provide cakes or scones. Thank you.
Caroline
Coffee and Cake Evenings:
Wednesday 24th September, 7.30pm, Jo Buchanan Hay, local author.
Wednesday 22nd October, 7.30pm, Mark Mason from Mason's funeral directors.
Wednesday 19th November, 7.30pm, either Helen Sworn about Cambodia, or Paul and Peggy
Penhaligan.
Please invite your friends to hear these interesting journeys of Christian Faith. More to come after Christmas.
Harvest Sunday - 28th September
There will be a collection of food for foodbank during the service. A shared lunch will take place at 12pm.
Please sign up at the back of church where there will be a list of food needed.
Caroline
Quiz night with fish and chips - Friday 10th October at 6:30pm.
£15 including food (the price of the fish and chips has increased). Bring your own drinks. Tickets on sale from Sunday 21st September.
Caroline
St Nicholas' Christmas Tree Festival:
Friday 12th and Saturday 13th December from 10.00am to 5.00pm.
If anyone could help with serving refreshments for an hour or two, please contact Cheryl or Gail.
If you know a local business/organisation that would like to decorate a tree please let us know. Also if you would like to decorate one.
Services
Sunday 7th September
9:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting at St Nicholas – PLEASE NOTE THE TIME.
10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Instructions for Christian Households part 2
Ephesians 6:1-9
Wednesday 10th September 10:30 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Barnabas
The Resurrection of Christ
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Sunday 14th September
10:00 a.m. – Morning Worship live and by zoom from St Nicholas
“Where is your focus?”
Mark 10:17-34 and Mark 10:32-45 (a long passage split into two parts with an intentional overlap in the two readings)
Wednesday 17th September
10:30 a.m. – Songs of Praise live from St Barnabas
Not available by zoom.
Please let Nina know of any requests.
Sunday 21st September 10:00 a.m. – Holy Communion live and by zoom from St Nicholas
Visit of Pedro Santos from Tel Aviv
The Armour Of God
Ephesians 6:10-24
The next Parish Update will be produced on Friday 19th September.
Please pray:
Joan Bailey
Ann Butt
Rene Eaton
Malcolm and Edna Hunter
Steve Insley (Lily Insley’s son) - Steve has been diagnosed with blood cancer.
Angela James
Ada Keeley
Georgina Lawford – Please pray for Georgina and family at this difficult time as they prepare for her mum’s funeral on Thursday 11th.
Paul and Barbara Lewis
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 - Thanksgiving for the wonderful time that Rachel and Ben had on their two Christian venture holidays and for all that they learn. Pray for Caroline, Rachel and Ben returning to their various educational establishments.
Stella Middleton
Gwen Purnell - Gwen is keeping well at the moment and remains in good spirits. It varies from day to day how her memory is, but overall her character is still caring for others, enjoying joining in with activities and especially listening to music. Thank you for your prayers.
Mac Reid
Jo Scott
Diana Thomas
Peter and Val Tullett
Gill and David Willis
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.
Prayers for Mission
Pedro Santos – visiting on 21st September
The Clarkes
Heather Johnstone - Heather and the Rehema Team are thankful for a good Summer with the GoMad Teams.
CMS mission partners Alison Giblett, Anya and Pastor Valery in Kiev
As we all know, Kiev has had its worst attacks of the war, with buildings damaged, people killed and many injured. Thank God for keeping Alison, Anya and Pastor Valery safe and pray for the Holy Spirit to equip them spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically as they minister to the bereaved, injured and traumatised.
Bisoke Baligenga, a CMS local Partner in Bunia, DR Congo:
Note the prayers in Prayerlines for September 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Also, please pray for safety from any attack from rebel groups and comfort for Bisoke and those who mourn loved ones after an attack on Christians praying in a church on a night vigil, not far from the Peace Centre.
Pray for Bisoke in any trauma counselling he may be involved with.
Contact Details
Mark’s contact details are mark@mibtravel.co.uk and 01934 620156.
Our Church Wardens
Jim: 01934 644623 or loringjim@outlook.com
Lynn: 01934 813763 or lynnmarypack@gmail.com
The Pastoral Team
Angela James 07792 133403
Barbara Lewis 07773 087439 (mobile preferred to landline 633655)
Joy Realff 625545
Parish Office
When Duncan is in the Parish Office it is usually at the following times:
Mondays and Wednesdays 09:00am - 2:00pm, Fridays 2:00 – 4:00pm.
Telephone – 01934 641 863 or 07766 482 850 Email - stnickswithstbs@gmail.com