News

News Sheet for week beginning 5th February 2012 

WELCOME TO OUR WORSHIP

• Our ministry and vision for the future, our giving of ourselves to God
• Peace in the world 
• Pupils, staff, governors and families at our Primary School
• Those who live and work in Clappers Meadow
• Those who have been Confirmed: adults: Sue Brett, Shelley Summers, Rachel Harris, Michael Murwisi, Katheryn Russell children: Michaela Murwisi, Daniel Harris, Katie Harris, Philippa Russell, Nathan Summers, Matthew Summers, Rhys Bartholomew
• The sick and those who care for them: Gillian Fitzpatrick, Tim Williams, Win and Len Reynolds, Nick, Katharine, Steve N. Hilary Fortnam, Stephen Sands, John Francis, Beryl Horsham, David Holden, Melanie, Betty Galliers, Carl Bartholomew, Jo Jones, Glyn Jackson ,Ted Stevens, Katie, George, Ina, Philip Snelgrove
• Those who have died recently, and those who mourn them: Vivian Oliver, Andrew Drummond, Roy Smith 

by Ann, Matthew, Harriet and Andrew Burdett
to celebrate Richard’s 50th birthday on 4th February

(The church floodlighting can be sponsored for £10 a week. There
are forms at the back of church to complete with requests.)

What’s happening at St Luke's...

WORSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY:
Pools of Stillness: An opportunity for quiet reflection in church: Next dates 15th February, and 18th April from 7.30 pm. For more details ask Sally.

Time out: A topical discussion group open to all. The next meeting will be at Clare Price's home (23 College Avenue) at 8pm on Tuesday 28th February

BRF Quiet Days: 17th April at Highmoor Hall is now fully booked. However the same day is to be repeated on the 16th May (Bluebell time) please contact Enid.

Quiet day with Bishop John: Bishop John has kindly agreed to lead a Lenten quiet day here on Saturday 31st March. Do put the date in your diaries. Details to come when we have them. 

Westminster Abbey Annual day of Prayer: Saturday 17th March, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm in St. Margaret's church, with free admission to the abbey all day. A day called 'A Fragile Grace', led by Sister Meg Evening. Details from Sally 

Prayer for St. Luke's Primary School: A reminder that we meet at school to pray at 12.15 pm on the first Wednesday each month (next, 7th March). All welcome,

Women’s World Day of Prayer. This is being held at St. Mark’s Methodist Church on Friday 2nd March at 2.00 pm with refreshments afterwards. This year’s service has been prepared by the Christian Women of Malaysia. The theme is “Let Justice Prevail”, echoing the present day concerns of the unjust actions endured even today by the women who are discriminated against in the fields of education and employment. All are welcome – women and men. There is limited parking at the church, so car sharing would be advisable. Ruth Sheppard.
Lent, Holy Week and Easter at St. Luke‘s: A leaflet is available from the back of church.

An Hour Out: Do you sometimes wish you could talk to someone about what you do and don’t believe, how you feel about church services, how you try to pray, what you’d like to understand about the Bible but never dared ask? An hour out is an opportunity to do just this. There are cards at the back of church explaining more. To take this offer up book your time with Sally

Readings: If you are reading in church and would like a copy in advance to practice please let the office know

INFORMATION
Church Security: Would anyone locking the church please ensure that the outer gates are also padlocked every evening. Thank you.
Also, please take care of your own possessions in church, you may wish to bring handbags up to the communion rail with you. Please also be aware of not leaving property on show in cars.

Vestry Hour: The vicar will be in church from 11.00 am to midday on Friday’s and therefore available for anyone who wishes to drop in to see her.

Churches Together in Maidenhead: Next meeting is on 9th February at 8 pm at the URC church in West Street. 

Lost Property: There will be a box of lost property at the back of church for two weeks for owners to claim – it will then be thrown out!

HELP NEEDED
Sparklers leaders: The Sparklers leaders would appreciate other adults to 'assist' in their sessions. This would not involve any preparation, just a presence as it is a requirement to have two adults present with all young people. If you think you could sometimes help please talk to Gill, Johanna, Fran, Serena or Roger. 

Baby and Toddler group: This group meets in the Community Hall on Thursdays from 9.30 - 11.15 am (and comes into church sometimes) if you can come along to help out and just chat please let Sally, Mary Pennington or Judith Edwards know .

Sunday Mornings from Vansett: We need a small team of people to sit with the residents from Vansett during the Sunday morning worship. This is purely to help them follow the service and just to be on hand. If you think you can help, please speak to Sonya. 

Palm Crosses: As usual Roger Clarke will be pleased to receive last years palm crosses as soon as possible in order to make the ash for this year.

St Martin in the Fields - the Connection - mobile phones. This project which we sometimes support through Don Luff and Ian Gilchrist is seeking old mobile phones and chargers for a project with people they work with. If you can help or would like to know more please see Don or Ian. 

SOCIAL and FUNDRAISING
Used Postage Stamps: I am still collecting used stamps for charities. Please collect all your stamps, and leave in the box at the back of church. Chris Sawyers.

Saturday Ramble: Our next outing will be on Saturday 18th February when we intend to explore the countryside to the west of Reading. We will be walking a maximum of 8 miles over gentle terrain and as usual will finish the day with a pub meal. Meet at church for a 10. 30 am departure. Bring a picnic lunch, drink, waterproofs, walking boots etc. For more information please call me on 01628 632626. Roger Clarke.

Norfolk & The Broads: 5th - 7th May. We have now fully booked the hotel with 41 people coming on the holiday. However, if you would like your name to be put on a "waiting list" in case someone is not able to come at the last moment then please contact Richard or Ann Burdett on 01628 631486 for further information or a booking form. 

Missions & Charities/Outward Giving: The 'Outward Giving' Sub Committee will be meeting on Thursday 9th February - 8.00pm at 5, Wentworth Crescent to discuss and consider which charitable organisations the church might look to support during 2012. Proposals will then be put before the PCC for final approval. If you have any thoughts on this matter, any charities which you feel are worthy of our support, would you please bring them to my attention, along with some supporting information, so that they may be included in our discussions. Roger Clarke

Bread and Cherries: Rhidian and I are presenting a recital of English music on Sunday 12th February at 3pm in church. Tickets at the door will be £6.00 and £5.00 concession, in aid of church funds. Please come along and support us if you can. Ruth Sheppard

Half term: Fun for youngsters, Norden farm are performing Peter and the Wolf with live music in the theatre. The event is suitable for anyone over 3 years old, so if you would like to hear a young person's guide to the orchestra and support Norden Farm, whatever your age come and join a group of St. Lukes Sunday clubbers on Monday 13th Feb. Tickets are £7.25 each and may be bought from Ann Burdett. (cheques payable to St. Luke’s PCC please) 

New Videos: of the Christmas Tree Festival, St Luke's carol singing, the making of 250 Christingles, and the recent Youth Church Post-Christmas party online - click here

Maidenhead Advertiser School Tokens: Please can you put your tokens in the pot at the back of church ready to be taken to St. Luke’s Primary School.

Music for a Royal Occasion: A festival Chorus for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. At Norden Farm on Sunday 26th February at 3 pm. Tickets available from Norden Farm Box Office. £15.00 (£13.00 conc) £12.00 memebers (£5.00 under 18’s). John Contterill 
conducting.

Lent Lunches: Consisting of soup, bread and cheese will be served in the Parish Centre 26th February, 11th March and 25th March. No charge – donations to charity. Please encourage families and friends to come. If you can help on the day and/or provide any of the food, please sign the list in church asap.

Sister Act: Wycombe Swan Wednesday March 14th 7.30 performance I have discounted tickets for this light-hearted and fun musical for £25, (instead of almost £40). If you would like to join in please let Ann Burdett know (Tel 01628 631486) and give a cheque, payable to St. Lukes PCC asap. We can organise lift shares nearer the time. And also from Ann...

Swallows and Amazons: Wycombe Swan Friday February 24th 7.00 performance. We have 20 discounted tickets for £12.50. But our reservation on these is only being kept till 9am on Monday 6th Feb so if you would like to come to this you MUST ORDER TODAY 

Ladies breakfasts: This new activity kicks off on 3rd March. Ladies of all ages are invited to join us for a nice breakfast and a good speaker and to be pampered from 8.45 - 10.30 am, leaving much of the day still to do what you need to do on Saturdays. Tickets on sale now. 
And so the men don't get left out. we'd love to start a men's group too so if men have thoughts about what you'd like to do together please speak to Gerry Knight in the first instance. 

Inspire: Deadline Next Sunday. Please submit material (there are suggestions on a poster in the Parish Centre) for the next InSpire to  inspire@stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk by 12 February. Late content sadly cannot be accepted. Many thanks Andrew Burdett

AND FINALLY …..
Traidcraft: There will be a Traidcraft stall on Sunday 12th February after the 10 am service

Pancake Party: Tuesday 21st February 4.30 – 5.30 pm in the Community Hall – Everyone welcome!

Regular Events & Groups

Brownies meet in the Community Hall every Thursday evening, 6:30pm - 7:45pm.

The Sunday Club, for children aged 3 to 10 years, meet every Sunday at 10.00am in the Parish Centre, (except the first Sunday in the month, which is an all-age worship service in church).

The Sparklers, for young people aged 10+, meet in the Community Hall for discussions. Sparklers leave church before the sermon.

Emmaus Discussion Group about aspects of our faith.
Contact: Eileen Goford (T.638238)

Emmaus 05 (2nd Course)
Contact: Sue Harbour (T.670246)

Timeout – topical issues aired and shared.
Contact: Shula Tajima (T. 546889)

BRF Daylight Group (discussion about bible reading notes)
Contact: Revd Dick Cheek (T.628484)

Prayer Group – 1st Wednesday in the month; 3:00pm in church

This Week's Prayers & Readings

Collect
Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen

First Reading: Isaiah 40. 21-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.



Gospel Mark 1. 29-39
As soon as Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at 
sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their Synagogues and casting out demons.


The Post Communion prayer
Merciful Father,
who gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life,
that those who come to him should never hunger:
draw us to the Lord in faith and love,
that we may eat and drink with him
at his table in the kingdom,
where he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Amen