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
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121.1-2
The events of last week are momentous. It is rare that a country loses its Head of State and leader of the government in the same week, unless there is a coup or revolution. People feel understandably stunned and shaken. It feels like the country is on pause at a time when we know so much needs to be done.
We pray for the King and Prime Minister. That they would quickly and wisely get to grips with their new respective roles.
The Psalmist often knew trouble and adversity, times of crisis and perplexity. They had learned that their only hope was in the Lord. The late Queen expressed similar faith in our Lord, increasingly so in later years. We cannot understand the weight of responsibility high office brings, but without the help of God it must be a burden too great to bear.
We pray that those who follow in her footsteps might, like her, follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Things to pray for
- Give thanks for the life, faith and witness of our late Queen.
- For our nation, with a new King and Prime Minister.
- For peace and stability across our continent.
Services
Morning Worship on Sunday at 10am, meeting at Abbeyfield House with CoGs group.
This week’s readings are: Luke 16.1-13
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 6pm.
Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the eve of her funeral. In Abbeyfield House.
10am on Thursday
Holy Communion will continue at Pitsmoor Methodist Church (corner of Christ Church Road and Burngreave Rd) followed by coffee. Lunch Club has restarted, 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 at Abbeyfield House (Rear Rm)
or
Sat 24/9 at 10am at Abbeyfield House (Main Rm)
Session 2 (Worship)
Sunday 25/9 at 4pm at the Vicarage
or
Thurs 29/9 at 7.30pm at Abbeyfield House (Main Rm)
CCP Churchyard Autumn Clear-up
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 last 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.