Dear Friends
Quite a lot of info this week. Read, and note it in your diaries.
We are currently juggling quite a few things around so do remember to check in to our facebook page or the website regularly for updates.
A little word
But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; … So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Acts 9.13,17
In some senses Ananias is a bit part player in the bigger story of the conversion of Paul (Saul). I think he has a lot to teach us, despite his one fleeting mention. He knows the man by reputation and says, more or less, Lord, I think you are mistaken (never a good line!) After reassurance about God’s plans, he goes to Paul, not reluctantly or suspiciously, and greets him as a brother. Wow!
Ananias is able to see someone with God’s eyes. He believes in the ability to change, of redemption, and he embraces it.
Things to pray for
- Give thanks for God’s saving and transforming power.
- For groups and activities restarting for the Autumn.
- For places struggling with climate change induced natural disasters.
Services
Holy Communion on Sunday at 10am, meeting at Abbeyfield House. CoGs group restarts.
This week’s readings are: Luke 15.1-10
Refreshments to follow.
As we are back in a building, we can now resume collections, thanks.
September will see us continuing to meet in the house at Abbeyfield Park with the restarting of CoGs too. If you are driving, park on Abbeyfield Road by the Park entrance. We will use the main door, which has a couple of steps up to it. If you need to use the level access round the back let us know.
The toilet has a couple of steps down to it.
If accessibility is likely to be an issue for you, we will do our best to help. An alternative is to worship with St Peter’s Ellesmere, who start at 10.30am.
Sunday at 7pm.
No reflective services in September.
10am on Thursday
Holy Communion will continue at Pitsmoor Methodist Church (corner of Christ Church Road and Burngreave Rd) followed by coffee. Lunch Club restarts on 15/9, roll up from 11.30 if you haven’t come earlier.
Autumn Confirmation
There is a Deanery Confirmation service pencilled in for 6 November for us to host. If you are interested in finding out more please let Pip or Sara know asap.
Big questions and 5-Marks follow-up
We are following up on our thinking over the last few months with a couple of meetings in September.
The first session will focus around our Church life and how we are interacting (or not) with the Five Marks. Are there areas we need to address? Is something missing altogether? Have we got a balanced approach? Do we need to change or start something new?
The second session will focus on our worshipping life. What is good? What not so? Have we got times and days, right? Do we have enough variety? What will people come to?
There are two opportunities for each session, but you only need to come once. Venues will be confirmed but note the times and dates in your diary now.
Session 1 (5 Marks) – Thurs 22/9 at 7.30pm or Sat 24/9 at 10am
Session 2 (Worship) – Sunday 25/9 at 4pm or Thurs 29/9 at 7.30pm
CCP Churchyard Autumn Clear-up
Church yard. Sara will be chopping and weeding and glad of company, 10-12 on Friday 9 September.
Sara also says… Autumn leaves, the smell of rich earth, laughter, and hot drinks! You are warmly invited to such on Friday 7th or Saturday 8th of October Starting at 10.00, finishing 12.00.
Please sign up for the day you can come and ‘bag’ any of the jobs on the to-do list. The list will be on display in Church, or I can email it to you if you prefer. If you can’t make the days, you are welcome to bag a job, and do it whenever you can – thanks!
Also, please bring your own tools – including gloves and any large pots – it would be great to dig up our saplings and pass them onto tree planting initiatives.
Church family news
David Middleton died peacefully surrounded by his family this week. Please remember Josie in your prayers. His funeral is planned for 2pm on Tuesday 4 October in Christ Church.
John Harrold’s funeral service is to be on 21/9 at 11am at City Road Crematorium.
A message from Deacon Dave
You are all invited to celebrate my free bus pass on Saturday 24th September at St. Cuthberts Church, Barnsley Road, Sheffield. 6pm to 10.30. Please bring finger food to share, drinks, dancing shoes and musical instruments. There will be a DJ and an open mic.
We Who Worship Workshop Session
St Peters Church Lyons Cl, Sheffield S4 7EP. At 7pm on 22nd September. We aim to finish by 9 pm at the latest.
We will try to go through the song The heart of Worship by Matt Redman. Chord sheets and lyrics will be provided. We also intend this to be a fact-finding meeting to find out what sort of help people need.
Keeping up
The church building (including the Welcome Centre) is closed and must not be accessed without permission. There are now people working on site which is encouraging.
When there is more certain news, we will let you know, but we expect to be out of the building for a little while yet. Hopefully, we might be able to start using the building again in October, but no promises at this stage.
Reminders of contact details:
Maureen (for admin queries). office@pitsmoor.church, 07765 232789.
Pip (for everything else!). vicar@pitsmoor.church, 07799944436.
Earlier news
Previous editions of this news update are on the website if you can’t find it in your in-box.