Autumn 2008
A new term of life at
Pastor’s Words
Dear Friends
It is great to reflect on what is going on within our fellowship. My prayer is that as you read this newsletter you will be informed and encouraged, but also challenged, to seek your place in God’s family here at the
I just wanted to give a flavour of the sort of things that we have been looking at on Sundays. In our morning service we are looking at the gifts of the Spirit and how we can use them as God intended. The gifts are to be used to encourage, strengthen and comfort. In the past few weeks we have looked at healing, prophecy, tongues and discernment. (You can check out the messages on the audio page of our website www.rushdenmission.co.uk) In the evening service we have just finished a series on the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ manifesto for His ministry and His blueprint for us. We are now about to start looking at the book of James, a letter that deals with maturity and the practical outworking of our faith. Our morning service is quite lively with a worship group and our evening service is more traditional with hymns. Both are times when we worship God and look at God’s word together. Please feel free to come and join us.
In addition you will see that we are running an Alpha course at the end of September. There are many people who have found this course to be a real blessing. It is a place where we can discuss and work through all aspects of what it is to follow Jesus, no question is off limits, everyone is welcome and it is both fun and informative. I really want to encourage you to come along; I know you won’t regret it.
I’m really excited about what God has for us as a church.
God bless you all
Ian
So let’s take a walk through a week in the life of our Church to find out what meetings take place, what they get up to and hopefully a few secrets too.
Beginning with
Sunday
On the first day of the week we meet for Worship. Ian has said in his letter we shall be continuing with our studies of the gifts of the Holy Spirit during our Morning Services and working our way through the book of James during Evening Services.
The Morning Service begins at 10:45pm under normal circumstances the first Sunday morning of each month includes communion, the third is Family service and the fifth Sunday (when there is one) is a Prayer & Praise Service. All of that said, the next couple of months are so busy that you will need to follow the table below to keep up to date.
The Evening Service is at 17:30pm in the summer and 16:30pm in winter. The service times change when we change to clocks on 26th October. On the first Sunday of each month we travel to Wymington to join with the congregation there, but again not always so please see the table below. The second Sunday Evening of the month includes communion.
Sunday Worship Service Plan for Sept to Dec 2008
Morning at 10:45am Evening
07-Sep | Pastor Ian Fall | Circuit United Service at | 18:00pm | ||
14-Sep | Peter Davies | Bill Franklin | Communion | 17:30pm | |
21-Sep | Pastor Ian Fall | Pastor Ian Fall | 17:30pm | ||
28-Sep | Pastor Ian Fall | At Wymington for their Harvest Festival | 18:00pm | ||
05-Oct | Pastor Ian Fall | Harvest Family Service | Pastor Ian Fall With Rushden Mission Band | 16:30pm | |
12-Oct | Sue Over | Sue Over | Communion | 17:30pm | |
19-Oct | Pastor Ian Fall | ThankOffering/ Communion | Pastor Ian Fall | 17:30pm | |
26-Oct | Peter Davies | David Rooksby | 16:30pm | ||
02-Nov | Bill Franklin | Communion | United @ Wymington - Pastor Ian Fall | 18:00pm | |
09-Nov | David Rooksby | Remembrance | Pastor Ian Fall | 16:30pm | |
16-Nov | Pastor Ian Fall | Family Service | Pastor Ian Fall | 16:30pm | |
23-Nov | Linda Crawley | Pastor Ian Fall | 16:30pm | ||
30-Nov | Pastor Ian Fall | Prayer & Praise | Pastor Ian Fall | 16:30pm | |
07-Dec | Pastor Ian Fall | Communion | Service at Wymington - Pastor Ian Fall | 18:00pm | |
14-Dec | Pastor Ian Fall | Pastor Ian Fall | Communion | 16:30pm | |
21-Dec | Pastor Ian Fall | Family Service | Pastor Ian Fall | Band Carol Service | 16:30pm |
28-Dec | Pastor Ian Fall | No Evening Service | 16:30pm | ||
04-Jan | Pastor Ian Fall | Communion | Pastor Ian Fall | 16:30pm | |
Sunday School meets during our Sunday Morning service. We meet with the main body of the church at 10:45am and after a time of worship leave for our classes.
At present Sunday School is our only children’s work. There are two groups, one for ages 3-7 and one for ages 7-12. We aim to teach the children about God in a way that they can understand and enjoy. At the moment there are a group of 12 teachers and helpers who teach the children on a rota basis. There are about the same number of children in total, but not usually more than 8 in any one week. One of our difficulties is in finding material that makes sense as ‘one off’ lessons since not all children are able to be there every week.
If you feel that you should be involved in this work see Linda. Even if you don’t feel able to help with Sunday School please commit to pray for the adults and children involved, that will make all the difference.
Monday
Pillow Talk meets every Monday, except Bank Holidays and Christmas week at 14:15pm to encourage each other and to enjoy one another’s company as we work on our pillow lace. For more information contact Ann Sanders on 01933 317377
We have 33 members ranging in age from Teens to 90’s, we are close to our maximum numbers, but have room for a few more yet. Most of our ladies make Pillow Lace, Bobbin Lace and we have one Knitter. During the meeting we take a break and enjoy Tea (and Coffee) and cake. Weekly subscriptions are 25p per week and we still make a profit, which we are pleased to give to the
Two Autumn Specials are being arranged and will be called “Widget Days”. We are going to be taught to turn widget’s (from beer cans) and the roller ball’s, from roll on deodorant bottles, into Christmas Decorations, although places will be limited everyone the invitation is extended to everyone. More details nearer the time, but for now book the dates Saturday 25th October and Saturday 22nd November.
Saturday 31st January 2009 is our “Annual Lace Day” when we welcome Lace Makers and suppliers of craft materials from across the area to our Church for the event, which is much appreciated by our guests.
Prayer Meetings are held on Monday from 19:30pm to 20:30pm contact Linda Crawley 01933 350491 and on Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:00am contact Cynthia Parkin on 01933 313256
Monday Night Prayer meeting
Do you believe prayer is important? Do you believe that God responds to his people’s prayers? If so we invite you to join us on a Monday evening at 19:30pm for an hour to bring to God the issues that concern us as a church. At the moment we are a select group but would love to grow. Even if you cannot commit to come every week please come when you can.
Tuesday Prayer Group meets at 10.30am in the Green Room for around half an hour of prayer and thanksgiving. We begin by bringing to the group any prayer requests we have received and any person or situation which we have knowledge of being in need of prayer. We often receive feedback and keep each other up to date on how things are progressing. During our prayer time we will bring to the Lord requests, situations and upcoming events and services, as well as the various groups which meet in our church and in people’s homes, together with our thanks. Anyone wishing to join us would be most welcome. Afterwards, most of us adjourn to Coffee Stop for a drink and chat.
On the third Monday of the month at 19:30pm is “Focus on Renewal”, this a special time of prayer, worship, ministry. It is difficult to describe the meeting as each meeting is different and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. At most of the meetings in our church only the people at the front get the chance to contribute. “Focus on renewal” is a time and place to allow God to speak through anyone, to share with each other what we think God is saying. There is no sermon the only ‘word’ is that which we bring ourselves. It can be a Bible verse, prayer or prophetic word of some kind. There is also time to give and receive prayer ministry in response to what God is saying. During this meeting we aim to give space to practice those ‘gifts of the Spirit’ we’ve been hearing about on Sunday mornings, in a safe family environment. We want God to renew us so that we become more effective for him in the world outside.
Tuesday
"Coffee Stop" is held on Tuesday between 10:00am to 12:30pm. Everyone is welcome to pop in for Coffee, Tea and the Toasted Teacakes are very popular. Find a warm welcome, meet old friends and make new ones. Contact Alan Richardson 01933 355302
Daisy says Coffee Stop has been from running for over five years and from small beginnings it now has up to 50 people coming in every Tuesday morning. Most come for the friendship and they have a very nice warm welcome. Some are in a moment of despair or confusion, grief and bereavement, but reality with us is a friend who cares.
Margaret and Alan Richardson are the hosts with a wonderful team who prepare and serve the refreshments, Jackie, Karon, Daisy, Joy. Ray helps with putting up the tables. Michelle runs the monthly Fair Trade stall. The coffee and tea is very good, only a small charge, toasted teacakes are the most popular items we sell.
Our regular friends include the line-dancing club and our adoptive family and their carers from Rushwell House. The Prayer Group also come in after their meeting with Pastor Ian and Sandra Fall, when Church duties allow.
People mostly come for the fellowship and it's lovely to hear the laughter and the talking. Everyone involved feels it is an absolutely fabulous way of giving something to the community, such a lovely feeling. Here at The Mission we're non-judgmental and we do have a need for each other. For six weeks each year which also serve Lent Lunches. May God bless everyone.
Soul Sister meet at the
About a dozen or so of us meet and we do all sorts of activities – chatting, laughing, singing, bible studies, discussions, pray together, creative activities, street dancing, eat chocolate, sweets, (all sorts of goodies!), make ice cream smoothies, sundaes, fruit dishes, watch DVD’s, go to cinema, have sleep overs and lots more…….
In June we had a young ladies conference day, with a guest speaker, worship, activity workshops, discussion workshops, beauty and pamper corner, café, chocolate fountains. The title for the day was ‘Beauty: shining from within’, and Deana spoke to us about our self confidence, our image, our values and encouraged us to view ourselves as God sees us. About 45 young ladies attended and had a really enjoyable day.
House Groups meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in various homes from 19:45pm until approximately 22:00pm.
We meet for prayer, Bible study, discussions, friendship, to get to know one another better, fellowship, mutual support and being the
Our plans for House Groups in autumn 2008 are not yet finalised. As you will read elsewhere in this Newsletter we shall be running Alpha course from mid September and only when we know the uptake for Course, will it be possible to effectively plan the House Groups. So there will be more information on House Groups as soon as possible. In the meantime if you want to attend a House Group, then speak to Pastor Ian Fall.
Wednesday
The “Art Group” meet on Wednesday mornings from 10:00am to 12:00noon during term times. Contact Elaine Birch 01933 350586
Age and artistic skills are not relevant, our eldest members are in their 80’s and youngest about 40. The group varies in numbers from about 10 to 20, sometimes more.
We all do our own thing and we help each other by passing on tips and skills learned on the way. It tends to get noisy at times because we talk as we draw and paint. At about 11 am we share a cuppa and continue chatting. It is a very friendly multi skilled group. We have a retired Vicar and wife, grand parents and disabled. If the weather is good we have on occasions made visits to local sites to paint and of course lunch out is a special treat at Christmas.
The next group will commence Sept 17th; new members would be made very welcome Registration fee is £2 and 25p per week thereafter.
The Nene Valley Writers Group meets on the 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday of each month at 19:30pm at the
The Nene Valley Writers is a group of people who enjoy writing for pleasure, and sometimes for publication. Although we are not connected to the church, except by geography, we welcome any church member to join with us, the only criteria being that you want to write.
None, as far as I know, are professional writers, though some are good enough to have been published. Among those you might know already are Jackie, Daisy, and
On the site you will find videos, photographs and since February this year we have been adding many of the Morning Service sermons (19 in fact).
If you can’t lay your hands on the notice sheet you need look no further than the website.
Find a bit of our Church history.
Read the comments of our on-line visitors in the guestbook.
All of this and more, join the visitors from around the corner and around the world, visit the site and have a look.
Thursday
Curry Club (sorry ladies men only) meets on the first Thursday of each month and travel to a local restaurant or pub to enjoy a curry and fellowship. Sometimes we stay at the
Contact Bill Franklin 01933 350969
Those who know the
It all started quite low tech with really with Bill as the organiser. Bill would find a restaurant that he and his good lady Hilary would check out first and report back the suitability for the club to sample. We'd then meet at the church car park and make our way to the restaurant, eat, talk, pay and go home.
Things started to change when on one occasion back in June 2006, when the bill arrived and Bill collected the money as usual. He then announced that the total bill was £153 and when we asked how much he had collected he said “£137.22!” This had become the norm, with Bill not having enough money to pay and the situation had to stop. Tony agreed to act as treasurer and ensure that we collect the right money and have enough to pay in the future. So suddenly we had a small Curry Club committee forming. This then expanded on a subsequent month when Colin designed a great emblem and underlined it with “MCC” and become the club Designer. Now we are, to this date, not sure whether “MCC” stands for Mission Curry Club or Mens Curry Club, both suit. In July 2006 we welcomed Pastor Ian as, well, the Pastor of the Curry Club. To recognise all members of the Curry Club we have the official Curry Club Key Fob, a great monument of plastic that has bored many a hole in trouser pockets. Curry Club members range in age from teens to those who – well lets say they have been teens a number of times over.
It’s funny how once you attend something a few times you start to compare and contrast. We of course started to comment on which was our favourite restaurant, or whether the one we were currently eating in was better than the month before. This lead to some unofficial rising of the hand type voting. The whole voting process has now become far more sophisticated, with scores given between 1 and 5, for Quality, Quantity, Price, Staff and Ambiance. The problem with this, is that some of our members can not get into their heads that 5 is high and 1 low, so the amalgamated scores can become somewhat misleading. Jim usually makes a trip to the loo to check on the cleanliness and give it the thumbs up or otherwise.
Recent conversations have been as diverse as the speed of light, bus passes and the value of these over taxi tokens, cars, different size coffee's at the local Costa Coffee, buying a caravan off eBay, making your own records in a booth at the station, Britain's Got Talent and why non UK nationals had got through, perhaps it would have been more accurate to call it “People Living In Britain Have Got Talent”, Fats Domino, Jasper Carrot and funky mopeds. That was all in one week.
We have had the odd occasion where women, disguised with beards and hats, have attempted to come along. But they are of course caught and immediately banned.
To find out more about our conversations and scores visit the Curry Club blog on “rushdenmissioncurryclub.blogspot.com” or link from “www.rushdenmission.co.uk”
The Curry Club is a great night out and all men are very welcome to join us, just call Bill to find out where the next venue is to be.
Rushden Mission Band meet at the Church on Thursday evenings from 19:30pm until approximately 21:30pm to practice for their wide range of concerts and other engagements.
The Band and the Training Band have now completed most of their summer engagements, with The Band just having one Garden Party left to fulfil during September. We again visited Hunstanton and had a very windy day there. The wind from the
We have been delighted to see three young people from the Training Band starting to attend practice. That is the problem with leading a Training Band, just when they get good The Band pinches them!
The diary for the remainder of this year (and there are already about fourteen dates in next year's calendar) includes our “Music for a Summer's Evening” concert at the Church on 18th September, and we are playing at Strixton Church on the 20th, on November 6th we are at Harrold U.R.C. Our Festive Concert at the
For more information about the Band contact visit the website at http://www.missionband.com/
Band Engagements coming up
Sunday 14th September | 2.00 - 4.00pm | |
Thursday 18th September | Concert at | 7.30pm |
Saturday 20th September | 7.30pm | |
Sunday 21st September | 10.45am | |
Sunday 5th October | Harvest Festival at | 4.30pm |
Thursday 6th November | Harrold URC | 7:30pm |
Sunday 9th November | Remembrance Day at Rushden Cenotaph | 10.45am |
Thursday 20th November | AGM at | 7.30pm |
Thursday 4th December | Festive Concert at | 7.30pm |
Thursday 11th December | Christmas Concert St. Andrew's Church, Wellingborough | 7.30pm |
Thursday 18th December | Carols in the Car Park of | 7.00pm |
Sunday 21st December | Carol Service at | 4.30pm |
Thursday 5th February 2009 | Charity Concert in aid of MIND | 7:30pm |
Friday
Lunch Club meets on Friday at 12:30pm. For those retired and living alone, where they can share a meal and good company. There is a waiting list but for further information contact Jean and Roy Blenco 01933 359515
When we are asked to talk about Lunch Club, it's usually expected that the emphasis will be on how it impacts upon the lives of those who attend as members each week. I hope it's OK with you if I approach it from a different angle-the volunteers who cheerfully and tirelessly give of their time each week to make it happen.
We have a diverse mix of folk with all sorts of interests and talents. Our common bond is a wish to serve God within this church through our work in the community. There is nothing quite like working together to get to know other people and often more importantly, to get to know yourself. Because we are such a mix of people, we do not always see things in the same way. (Did I just say 'not always'! sorry, I meant very often.) Seriously though, I find that very encouraging. It means that we respect each other enough to feel comfortable offering an opinion. It means that sometimes we get things done how we would choose, but at other times we have to allow someone else's preference to prevail. No one has ever stomped off because they are not appreciated. Sometimes, our volunteers say things like 'oh, I don't do much', but believe me they only have to be away one week to show just what their contribution is. I hope that it doesn't mean that they have to be away before we show each other how we value that contribution. Everyone knows their job. What to do and when to do it. It's a brilliant team.
I never quite knew how to refer to our visitors each week. Should it be customers, members, diners? But the answer has come so naturally with time. I think of them as friends. During my recent enforced absence from Lunch Club I found so much caring support and generosity, from not only the team, but from Club members too. In September we celebrate seven years of Lunch Club, during which time we have seen it go from strength to strength. As team leader I rarely get a week off. Although the team can well manage without me, the idea of catering for up to 50 + people can be a bit daunting. Although I don't want a week off, it has long been in my prayers that someone with the confidence to take over occasionally would come our way. THANK YOU LORD, for answered prayer! That help came in the form of Michelle offering to help when she could. Her help was soon regular, her talent obvious, and she was about to take her Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene. AND she is holding her own in the banter from
Love Joan.
Passion and Glory is a monthly youth worship event, led for young people: by young people. It takes place on the first Sunday of every month, usually at the
Passion and Glory is an ecumenical event, set-up by Rushden Area Christian Youth, and has been running for about three years now.
Passion and Glory is a community of young people passionate about God, eager to worship and keen to deepen their relationship with Him. The worship is both vibrant and reflective, and prayer and testimony is central to the event.
Passion and Glory has provided young people with the opportunity to hear about God and experience Him for the first and millionth time.
Passion and Glory has inspired young people who have never set foot inside a church before, to regularly attend churches on a Sunday morning and fully participate in the life of the Church.
At the start of summer, we went to Newton Bromswold for the afternoon, where we went on a treasure hunt around the village and fields! Once finished we returned to the village hall for a picnic and some jelly and ice cream. We then had a time of acoustic worship and a thought provoking message in the church, encouraging us to be bold in our faith, and discerning in the ways in which we share it with others: living out our faith and love of God through our actions, as that can speak volumes.
We do value the support given to us by the
Money is not a subject that we like to talk about too much in publications like this.
There are many people in our church who give sacrificially to our cause in money, time and their talents. Thank you to all for everything give.
As a charity we are able to increase the value of gifts to the Church by use of the “Gift Aid” scheme. This scheme enables us to claim back the tax paid and therefore every £1 given to the church under this scheme becomes £1.28.
If you pay tax on your salary or your pension you can increase your giving to the Church by 28% by simply completing a Declaration Form and returning it to Hilary Franklin. At present our annual income from this source is approximately £4000, but could be more.
If you want more information about this scheme, please speak to Hilary.
Whilst on the subject of making the most of our money, please do the other thing that we do in our own homes, minimize the expenditure. This winter fuel costs are going to be an issue with gas and electricity price increases. Please do all you can to avoid waste of light and heat.
Last day of August by Roy Blenco
Tomorrow, we start eating rabbits and game
There's an "R" in the month, and it isn't the same.
The flowers are dreary that used to be gay
And the skies that were blue are now a dull grey
The fields that were hitherto sparkling with dew
Now soak up the rain showers that keep passing through.
The evenings get darker much earlier, now.
Already the stubble fields fall to the plough.
Is that why I feel so sad at the fall?
The harvest is in, and I've missed it all
It's a strange contradiction, or is it a curse
As the planet gets warmer, the weather gets worse.
Is it because of some thing I have done,
Or a natural consequence, born of the sun?
If I placed all my newspapers in the right bin
Will I save the whole planet and absolve it of sin?
Should I accept every lie I've been taught?
NO! I don't think so. It's only a thought
If we go back to horses. Ditch all our cars
Stop sending probes out to Venus and Mars
Stop flying aeroplanes, and stop cruising the seas.
Cease trains, and other daft measures like these
We'll save enough carbon to light a whole town
And happily live till the wind-farms break down.
I understand that every section of
Let me talk you through my week. On Sunday I uphold the congregation in the Church, Monday I move into the Band Room for Pillow Talk and stay there for Tuesday ready for Coffee Stop in the morning and for the Training Band in the evening. Wednesday I am there for the Art Group, if the need me. Thursday, it’s into the Church for Band Practice, then back to the Band Room for Lunch Club. Then on Sunday, yes, you guessed, I go back into the Church again. Sadly no one ever needs me for Prayer Meeting. Passion & Glory don’t need me either, but only because they are young and would rather sit on the floor!
So who am I?
I am a chair in the service of the Church, wherever I am needed, I will serve.
As I said earlier I moved into the Church in 1968, September in fact, just in time for the Harvest Festival. So happy 40th birthday to me, and my surviving brothers, there were once 100 of us. We cost £4.18.00 each, making a total of £490.0.0. (Does that remind you how difficult it was to calculate money before decimalisation? I do have some younger brother, the ones with the thicker padded seats, there were 30 of them, and they moved in during 1992 at a cost £27.68 each.
So that is my contribution, I am vital to our Church, but am happy to remain in the background, being a part of the furniture, doing my role and meeting your needs, serving you all. Finally a quick thank you to all of you who look after me, keep me in order and make sure that I am in the right place at the right time, you know who you are.
In 2009 the Rev Geoff Lee and Pastor Ian Fall are leading a trip to The Holy Land.
It is hard to underestimate the impact of visiting the places that we so often read about in God's word. You only have to speak to someone who has been there to appreciate the difference that it makes, the rich experience of walking in Jesus' footsteps, seeing the sights and being able to discover the places that you have heard about in scripture. Many will attest that it was a life changing experience.
With this in mind we are arranging a visit to the
The visit begins on Monday 20th April 2009 and ends on Thursday 30th April. We understand that security may be a concern for some but can assure you that the situation will be watched very carefully and every precaution taken to ensure that we will travel in safety.
The basic price for the trip is £1,156 plus insurance, taxes and gratuities.
A brochure detailing the full itinerary, please ask Ian Fall.
Wesleyan Reform
When? Saturday 25th October 2008
Where?
Theme? Inspiration and illustration from
Who is it for? All who want to enjoy a day of fellowship and teaching.
What is the cost? £20, lunch provided.
Who is the speaker? The Rev Dr Herbert McGonigle from Enniskillen in
Session Subjects:
"Paul the Preacher" (Colossians 1:24 to 29)
11:40 "Paul and The Cross" (Galatians 6: 11 to 18)
14:00 "Paul and Pentecost" (Romans 8:1 to 16)
14:50 "Paul the Devoted Disciple" (Philippians 3: 1 to 11)
On their Bike
From 11 September 2008 to 13 September 2008 three members of the Chapel in the Valley, Griffydam Wesleyan Reform Church plus a support team will ride the Coast to Coast (C2C) cycle trail from Whitehaven to Sunderland, a distance of 140 miles, to raise funds for the Shalom Birthing Clinic in the Philippines.
This intrepid trio are Cliff Darby and Adam & Kate Shepherd. The support team wish to remain anonymous in case they are asked why they are not cycling.
The money is required to support the work being carried out by Mavis Orton. Mavis left her home in Staffordshire to travel to
At the Church Business Meeting on September 10th we will agree on a figure from the 17% fund to send as a gift to support this work. If you would like to add to this with a personal donation then please give this to Hilary or Cynthia before the end of September.
September to December 2008 at a Glance
September
Friday 5th | 19:15pm | Circuit Preachers Meeting at the |
Saturday 6th | 18:00pm | Circuit Quiz and Fish and Chips at |
Sunday 7th | 18:00pm | Circuit United Service at |
Wednesday 10th | Church Business Meeting. | |
Monday 15th | 19:30pm | “Focus on Renewal” |
Thursday 18th | 19:30pm | Band “Summer Evening” Concert |
Friday 19th | “Taste & See” Launch of Town Wide Events at | |
Wednesday 24th | Alpha begins at | |
Sunday 21st | 10:45am | |
Sunday 21st | 15:00pm | |
Friday 26th & Saturday 27th | Counseling Course Weekend 1 | |
Saturday 27th | Women of Action Quiet Day at Hucknall | |
Sunday 28th | 18:00pm | Wymington Harvest Festival |
October
Sunday 5th | 10:45am 16:30pm | Harvest Festival Services with Rushden Mission Band providing music for the evening service. | |||||||||||||
Friday 10th & Saturday 11th | Counseling Course Weekend 2 | ||||||||||||||
Sunday 12th | Visit of Sue Over, Women of Action President | ||||||||||||||
Saturday 18th | High Street Leaders Away Day at The | ||||||||||||||
Sunday 19th | ThankOffering Sunday | ||||||||||||||
Monday 20th | 19:30pm | Focus on Renewal | |||||||||||||
Saturday 25th | Lace Workshop | ||||||||||||||
Sunday 26th | British Summer Time ends and evening service reverts to 16:30pm | ||||||||||||||
November
| |||||||||||||||
December
Wednesday 3rd | 19:45pm | Church Meeting |
Thursday 4th | 19:30pm | Band Christmas Concert |
Friday 5th & Saturday 6th | Counseling Course Weekend 3 | |
Thursday 18th | 19:00pm | Carols on the Car Park. |
Sunday 21st | 16:30pm | Band Carol Service. |
Wednesday 24th | 16:00pm | Christingle. |
Thursday 25th | 10:30am | United Christmas Morning Service at The |
Monthly Highlights
September
The weekend of Saturday 6th and Sunday the 7th was to have been the visit to the Wellingborough Circuit of the Wesleyan Reform Union President the Rev. Geoff Clark. As you are aware Geoff died on Monday 28th July. The planned events will go ahead with the Circuit Quiz and Fish and Chips at the Mission on Saturday evening and a Circuit United Service at Alma Street Church in Wellingborough at 18:00pm led by the Rev. Phil Hearson of High Street Church and our very own Pastor Ian Fall. Please continue to be in prayer for the family of Geoff Clark, his wife Andrea, his daughters Ruth and Sarah, all of his family and his church family at Bierley.
On Friday 19th September is “TASTE AND SEE”. This is an outreach supper event organised by the churches in Rushden and Higham Ferrers to launch various courses being run by the local churches this autumn - a course for couples run by Whitefriars, a debt course at the Full Gospel, and in our case an Alpha Course which begins on Wednesday 24th September. Jeff Crow and Gill Usher will be providing some musical entertainment. You are encouraged to invite interested friends to come along. Ian has tickets priced at £2.00; buy one for yourself and one to give to a friend.
Our own Alpha Course will begin on Wednesday 24th, and run for approximately 10 weeks, the location and format will not be finally decided until we know how many people wish to come along. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find more information about Alpha.
We consider it to be an opportunity for everyone to learn something new, long established Christians, new Christians and those interested in finding out for the first time what the Christian faith is all about. The meetings will have the minimum of formality and the opportunity for anyone to ask questions, give their opinions and hear the views of others. The invitation is here, come to Alpha yourself; bring someone who will benefit from the time. Pastor Ian Fall will be running the course, for more information or to book your place, speak to Ian.
On Sunday 21st September we shall be joined at our morning service by the Royal Air Force Association, The Air Training Corp and other guests for the Battle of Britain Commemoration Service. As you may know Pastor Ian Fall took over from the Rev. Mark Powell the role of Chaplain to the ATC and their presence in our Church is an important part of Ian’s ministry with them. The Music for this, more formal service than we normally hold at the
Sunday 21st is our turn to lead the afternoon service at Avenue House Residential Home, in Avenue Road, Rushden. We shall meet at the
On the weekend of Friday 26th & Saturday 27th Our Counseling Course begins. If you want to involve, please speak to Ian. Please be in prayer for those from our own and other local churches taking part.
The Manna House Counselling Service,
“Introduction to Christian Counselling”
26th/ 27th September, 10th/ 11th October, 14th/ 15th November, 5th/ 6th December
Fridays 19:00pm to 22:00pm, Saturday 17:30am to 16:30pm
Course fee £135 - but financial help available.
Interested? Then speak to Ian Fall.
Want to know what is involved?
Speak to Linda Crawley who did the course last year.
On Saturday 27th Women of Action will be holding a day of “Time Out & Reflection”, led by their President Sue Over at Hucknall Church, Nottingham, from 10:30am to 15:30pm. There will be a Bring and Share Lunch. If you want to go, please speak to Sandra Fall.
October Our Harvest Festival services will be held on Sunday 5th October, the evening service will be at 16:30pm with music by Rushden Mission Band. Proceeds from our harvest will be given to the two Homeless Shelters in our area. The Rushden centre based at the NAASH (the Northampton Night Shelter) have said that their main needs that we can help with are: Tinned Foods - Beans and tomatoes are always in demand, Jams and Marmalade, Cereals, Pasta, Rice, and luxury items, luxury items are: Biscuits, Crisps, Chocolate. The short request is bring what you can and it will be used in the care of the homeless. Sunday 12th will see the visit of Susan Over, Women of Action President. 2008 -2009 to our Church, Sue will speak at both our morning and evening services. Susan is a lady of many talents. Sue has appeared on TV quiz shows one, of which was Countdown (unfortunately she didn't win). She started a craft class at More recently she has used her talents in writing cookery books with associated Christian thoughts accompanying each recipe. These books have been well received and reach many who are not Christians. She has had two books published so far and is now preparing a third book. The proceeds from these books go to the Leprosy Mission. She has also spoken on local radio about her work and faith. Sue is a lady who works unstintingly for the Lord in many ways, with the full support of her husband Ernie. At her church, she is the Leader of a choir which has performed a number of Roger Jones' musicals (among others) which have also been presented at other churches for their enjoyment. She is a lady who wants to serve the Lord in the best way she can, and would be grateful for your prayers during her year of office as President of "Women of Action". On Saturday 18th The Leaders of High Street will be using our premises for an Away Day (well morning actually). Nothing for us to do here, other than be aware that they will be on the premises that morning and to pray for them as they seek God’s leading for them as a Church. Sunday 19th will be our ThankOffering Sunday; Thankoffering has its roots in the history of our church. In the old days, well until the early 1970’s the Minster of the Church would sit in his vestry, and church members would call into see him with their gifts. Now we make a little less ceremony of the day and put our gifts into special envelopes and place into the offering plate. The process may have evolved over the years, but the purpose remains the same. It is an opportunity to bring a special, extra gift of money to our church as thanks to God for the blessings he given us over the year. Please be in prayer before God and seek his will about your gift. Thankoffering is also the opportunity taken by groups within the church to bring there financial gifts. |
December The Christmas season begins at the On Thursday 18th we meet for what has now become a traditional event, although quite young in comparison to the Band Concert, Carols on the Car Park. Carols on the Car Park was only a working title for the event, but we never came up with a better one. What happens? Well we meet on the car park at 19:00pm to sing carols with the Band, with the words of the carols projected onto the side of the Church building. We have a few Bible readings, stand by warming fires, admire Keith’s latest design of an illuminated Christmas tree, have hot soup served to us, eat hot dogs and burgers and hot chestnuts that may or may not have been roasted on an open fire. A few passers by gather into our midst in the murky, smoky darkness. A special time of worship, fellowship and evangelism. On Sunday 21st at 16:30pm we hold our service of lessons and carols accompanied by The Rushden Mission Band. Invite your friends, make it a family party and see if you can sing louder that the Band can play. Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th at 16:00pm is our Christingle Service. Last year over one hundred adults and children joined us for this special time. Get the word around and invite everyone you can to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Again make this time a part of your family Christmas. Christmas Day at 10:30am here at the |
Our own Alpha Course will begin on Wednesday 24th September;
See Monthly Highlights for September in this newsletter for more information.
How Alpha Began
The Alpha Course has been running for over 26 years. It began at Holy Trinity Brompton in central
By 1990, when former barrister Nicky Gumbel took over the course, Alpha was a central feature of the church's life. It was while leading his second Alpha course that Nicky realised how this simple course could also appeal to non-churchgoers and he adapted the course to give it the kind of feel that would suit this group.
The Alpha course spread during the 1990s, initially in the
How the course works
The course is based around small groups of about 12 people, hosted by one or two leaders whose role is to facilitate and encourage discussion.
Courses vary in size, from one small group meeting in a home, to hundreds of people in a larger venue. Some courses are held over morning coffee or during a lunch hour, most are evening courses, typically lasting 2 hours. Whatever the course size, people tend to remain in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships.
The whole course usually lasts for 10 weeks, with a day or weekend away in the middle.
Each session begins with a meal or refreshments - a chance to get to know others in the small group. There is then a short talk, which looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith each week. This is followed by a time of discussion in the small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion, ask questions and discuss with the rest of the group.
The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment.
There is no charge for attending the Alpha course, although courses may ask for a contribution towards the food.
Course Content
The talks each week cover the following topics, which people are then free to discuss in the small groups afterwards:
Week 1 Who is Jesus?
Week 2 Why did Jesus Die?
Week 3 How can we have Faith?
Week 4 Why and how do I Pray?
Week 5 Why and how should I read the Bible?
Week 6 How does God Guide us?
Week 7 How can I Resist Evil?
Week 8 Why and how should I tell Others?
Week 9 Does God Heal Today?
Week 10 What about the Church?
Contacts for
Pastor Ian Fall phone 01933 312919
e-mail ian.fall@virgin.net
www.rushdenmission.co.uk
Why Suffering?
What is the point of life?
What Happens when we Die?
Want to explore any of these questions?
Then Alpha is for you.
What is Alpha?
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith.
Learning and laughter. Learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time.
Pasta & pudding. Eating a meal together gives people an opportunity to get to know each other
Helping one another. The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised in the talks.
Ask Anything. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile.
What's involved? The Alpha course consists of a series of talks looking at topics such as "Who is Jesus?" and "Why and how do I pray?" After each talk we divide into smaller groups and discuss any questions raised from the talk.
Who is Alpha for? Alpha is for everyone, it particularly caters for:
Those wanting to investigate Christianity
Newcomers to the church
New Christians
Those who want to brush up on the basics
What will it cost? There is no charge for the Alpha
Where?
When? On Wednesday evenings from 24th September.
If you have questions, about the Christian Faith, this is your chance to ask.
Contact us for Details: Pastor Ian Fall at ian.fall@virgin.net
Phone Ian on 01933 312919
Together for Purpose |
A conference for all of the family organised by The Wesleyan Reform Union and The Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion At The Hayes, Swanwick, Derbyshire Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June 2009. Speaker the Rev Jim Graham. Plus seminars, worship, more detail and costs when available. |
<< Home