Notices – week beginning 23/03/08

Easter. Welcome to our only service today which is Holy Communion. Both Steve & Antoine will be playing for us today, and Elkana will join with Antoine in singing ‘Hosanna in the hightest, during Holy Communion.

MaMaD project. Today is the last day for our MaMaD project to support a Tear Fund, giving aid to Zimbabwe. Some envelopes on the table at the back of Church. Let’s get these envelopes in as soon as possible, so that the people can receive aid as soon as possible. There is huge suffering in Zimbabwe due to poor harvests and astronomical inflation.

Annual meeting. Our APCM this year will be at St Columba on Sunday April 23rd @ 6.30 p.m, beginning with an informal meal.

Youth Project (True colours). No meeting either today or tomorrow. There will however be a meeting on Friday (11-3) instead.

Nomsa. Do please continue to remember Nomsa in your prayers as Zimbabwe has a general election on March 29th, which could be very important for Nomsa’s own future.

Easter Praise. Hot Gospel Choir will be taking place in the Easter Praise event this evening at the City Hall (7 pm). If you haven’t got a ticket yet, Jean Clark (St Columba) may have a few over (782537). Otherwise, I understand that the tickets have now all gone, but you may be fortunate if you just turn up. .

Drypool Walkers – there will be a walk on Easter Monday. Lorelli has given me the following info: Easter Monday 24 April. Walk in the Wolds west of Hull. Moderate length. Meet outside St Columba at 9:30 with packed lunch. If possible please let Lorelli know if you are coming (323840).

Prayer meeting. There will be a half night of prayer this Friday (28th) in the Upper Room (8-11). If you’re coming but may be late do let me know (07824324167) so you can be let in!

Growth Group. Meeting this Wednesday at Jo & Antoine’s at 7.30 p.m. Elkana will be sharing the word. Do come if you can. 140 Summergangs Road.

Time off. We’re trying to take some time off this week – Monday, Wednesday & Thursday look to be the best days. It’s fine to ring though, leave messages etc.

Holiday Club. Advance notice that there will be a holiday club this summer led by youth workers from my previous parish, Bruce & Chris Paterson. The dates will be 19-24 August with a special service on the Sunday. Age group 5-12.

Next Sunday the service will be All Age Worship (10.30), with Elkana preaching.

St John’s Annual Report for the year 2007

2007 was a challenging year for all of us at St John’s. From early January onwards, there was a steady build-up (and much sorting out) before we finally left the building to Jonathan Hobson and Halls for the Project to get underway. Right from the start it was a real team effort, with Brian Webster (Halls site manager) doing an excellent job of co-ordinating the work ‘on the ground’ and John Hallaway (Project Manager) doing an equally remarkable job of both fund-raising and managing the finances as well as the Project itself. As a result, not only was the work completed on time, but also, after a number of variations along the way, some £200 within budget. All in all a remarkable achievement!

Meanwhile, St John’s was continuing to meet for services, but from early June in the very different environment of Estcourt Primary School. This in turn presented us with a great opportunity to explore new ways of being Church. One such was BCP (‘Breakfast Club Plus’). In C of E ‘speak’, BCP is a fresh expression of Church. It starts with a basic breakfast, followed by the ‘plus’ which is relevant Church for children, including games, Bible story, puppetry, songs and short talk. Whilst numbers can be misleading, there are now 30-40 regularly attending this service, and in February 08, we had our first BCP baptisms with over 100 in Church. In this, I have been ably assisted by John Saunderson (on 6-month loan from St Columba), who did an excellent job in first supporting and then co-ordinating BCP. Other highlights of 2007 were the work done by Godwin Obot in the early part of the year (which really got us re-started with young people’s work), and street-dance workshops from mid-year onwards led by Shelly Jones. Shelly also did an excellent job of leading worship in the school for much of the time when Steve was unavailable. In summary, whilst we have had much to get used to, it’s been great to see how St John’s has held together during a very challenging time, with new folk also joining us. I’m not sure I’d agree with Emily (98) though who, when asked how she was getting on with all the changes, responded promptly that ‘A change is as good as a rest!!’

And then in December, we were back. Not of course in St John’s as we knew it, but in St John’s now as both a Church and Community Centre. And my, what a transformation! Freshly decorated, with snack-bar area, lift, mezzanine floor, meeting rooms, new seating, and all mod cons, instead of being ripe for closure (as once seemed inevitable), we are now state of the art, complete apparently with a ‘wow factor’! Both the Bishop and John Prescott did us proud - first in the re-dedication on December 16th 07 and then the official re-opening of our building on January 19th 08. Present on both occasions was a Hot Gospel Choir originally from Hornsea, who now use St John’s regularly to rehearse on Thursday evenings. HGC is led by Helen Garnett, and St John’s has now become their spiritual ‘home’. Quite how this will work out in future remains to be seen, but it has exciting possibilities, and their keyboard player, Antoine Robinson, wife Jo and daughter Bethany now worship with us regularly.

All in all then an exciting and quite extraordinary year in the life of St John’s. And whilst many have prayed for and supported us in different ways, I would like to mention four in particular. Firstly, my two fellow directors of the Project and also Churchwardens, Steve and Sharon, who despite all the changes have always supported me to the best of their ability - for which I am grateful. Next, Peter Crook our Project Development worker. For Peter, this has been an enormously challenging year, but I am grateful to him too for his support, encouragement and often unseen hard work behind the scenes. And lastly to my wife Ann, without whom I couldn’t possibly have managed - constantly encouraging, tireless in her support but also challenging me in ways that only a wife can do! She too has worked really hard behind the scenes, and it’s mainly due to her efforts that so much of the children’s work is now beginning to get established. We’d value your prayers as we look forward to another full year in 2008.

Rev Chris Grundy (15/03/08)

Notices – week beginning 16/03/08

Welcome to our service of Holy Communion today. Whilst today is Palm Sunday, it is also Passion Sunday in the Church’s year. As we will not be having a Good Friday meditation this year, we will be thinking this morning about the death of Jesus. Palm crosses for those who would like. Do take one as a reminder.

Layout. Today, and following on from our DCC meeting last week, I will be celebrating Holy Communion from the chancel step, and you are invited to receive standing, rather than kneeling at the rail. As usual, if you are either too young to receive or do not wish to, you are welcome to come forward for prayer instead. Alternatively, you may prefer to remain seated. As mentioned last Sunday, this arrangement resolves the problem of distance between the Communion table and congregation.

Easter services. These will be as follows:
*Maundy Thursday. Service of Holy Communion at 7.30 p.m. Preacher: Jason Taylor (Victoria Dock)
*Good Friday. Churches Together in East Hull service at 7.30 p.m. This will be a service of quiet reflection, following the themes ‘Into the tomb’, ‘Life in the darkness’, ‘Glimmers of hope’ and ‘Voluntary self-sacrifice’. This will be the only Good Friday service at St John’s. In the morning, you are encouraged to attend a 10.30 Service at Holderness Rd Methodist, followed by march of witness to St Columba; and/or in the afternoon between 2-3pm a Meditation on the Cross at St Columba.
*Easter Sunday. Holy Communion 10.30 a.m. This will be the only Easter service at St John’s. Also, in the evening (7 p.m.) however there will be Easter Praise at the City Hall. Tickets available through Bible Outlet, 67 Wright Street or phone the ticket hotline and leave your message (07504239644). Hot Gospel will be there, and hopefully some of us as well. See you there?

All Age Worship. Because there will be no All Age Worship next Sunday because of Easter, it will be on Sunday week instead (30th), which is possible because of there being 5 Sundays in March. I’m hoping that Elkana will preach (haven’t asked him yet!).

Electoral Roll. Forms available if you aren’t yet on our ER and would like to be. This is the roll of our Church members which is updated annually before the Annual Meeting, which this year is on April 20th @ St Columba 6.30 p.m. Wiggy is our ER officer – see her for more info. Closing date for ER forms is 6th April.

Growth Group. NO Growth Group meeting this week.

Sport Relief. Nick, Bethany & Karl Carter will be running the 6 mile course between them from the Guildhall, starting today @ 11.

Money Day at St John’s on Wednesday (19th) between 2.30-6 p.m. This will be an opportunity to talk to some local experts about managing debt, benefits, savings, pension advice etc. All welcome.

Miss-a-meal-a-day (MaMaD) is our Lent Project for relief of poverty in Zimbabwe, and if you are contributing to this appeal, there are envelopes available for this purpose. Easter Sunday will conclude this appeal, which will be to support a Tear Fund Project.

Enneagram. Advance notice of two Enneagram workshops to be held at St John’s on April 18th & June 27th. The second builds on the first, so you should come to both. Cost of £10 for each is mainly to cover travel costs of our two speakers (from Sheffield).

Godwin will be returning to Nigeria after Easter for about 3 weeks to marry his fiancée Nkeiruka Doris Onummadu, on Saturday, 5th April at the Assemblies of God Church, Lagos.

True Colours Youth Project today (2.30-4) and tomorrow (6.30-8). No project next Sunday/Monday because of Easter, but an extra opportunity in the school holidays - Friday 28th 11-3p.m.

Next Sunday is Easter Sunday, and there will be a service of Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m. (see above).

Notices – week beginning 09-03-08

Easter services.

These will be as follows:

• Maundy Thursday. Service of Holy Communion at 7.30 p.m. Preacher: Jason Taylor (Victoria Dock)
• Good Friday. Churches Together in East Hull service at 7.30 p.m. This will be a service of quiet reflection, following the themes ‘Into the tomb’, ‘Life in the darkness’, ‘Glimmers of hope’ and ‘Voluntary self-sacrifice’. NB. This will be the only Good Friday service at St John’s. In the morning, you are encouraged to attend a 10.30 Service at Holderness Rd Methodist, followed by march of witness to St Columba; and/or in the afternoon between 2-3pm a Meditation on the Cross at St Columba.
• Easter Sunday. Holy Communion 10.30 a.m. Also, in the evening (7 p.m.), there will be Easter Praise at the City Hall. Tickets available through Bible Outlet, 67 Wright Street or phone the ticket hotline and leave your message (07504239644). Hot Gospel will be there. See you there!
  
  Elkana will be back with us (from Birmingham) between March 17-31. It’ll be good to catch up with him again.
  
  Woolly Hat tour. Adrian & Bridget Plass are visiting Hull, and speaking at Hull Central Methodist Hall on this coming Friday (14th) @ 7.30 p.m. I haven’t heard them, but they are well-known and I understand good value. Tickets (£5) available from Sailors Society Charity Shop, 120 Chanterlands Ave or ring 440882. This visit is sponsored by Sailors Society, and you’re expected to bring your woolly hat!
  
  Electoral Roll. Forms available if you aren’t yet on our ER and would like to be. This is the roll of our Church members which is updated annually before the Annual Meeting, which this year is on April 20th @ St Columba 6.30 p.m. Wiggy is our ER officer – see her for more info. Closing date for ER forms is 6th April.
  
  Youth Project. Our ‘True Colours’ project got off to a good start last week, but do please pray for Chris, Anne & Julia as they try to get to grips with running a team they don’t know, working with children they don’t know and putting on a show they’ve never done before! It’s a big ask, and they need our prayers, support and encouragement. On the other hand, there’s no shortage of children – about 20 last Monday, and the Project has only just started!
  
  Growth Group. Meeting at Antoine & Jo’s (140 Summergangs Road) this Wednesday @ 7.30 p.m. Nehemiah 2, 3.
  
  Sport Relief. Nick, Bethany & Karl Carter have signed up to run the 6 mile course between them from the Guildhall, starting @ 11 a.m. next Sunday (16th). If you can sponsor them, they would be appreciative. Forms at the back of Church. Do sign up. All money raised will go to good causes in the Third world. More info on www.sportrelief.com
  
  Miss-a-meal-a-day (MaMaD) is our Lent Project for relief of poverty in Zimbabwe, where it is predicted by the World Food Programme that 4 million people (1/3 of the population) will need food aid early this year as the harvests are not due until March. The country has the dubious honour of having the world's highest inflation rate, unemployment running at 70% and 80% of the population surviving on less than $2 a day. Envelopes at back of Church for you to use at any time in Lent.
  
  Happy birthday (belated) to Peter whose birthday it was on Friday. It’s also Elaine’s birthday on Wednesday.
  
  Godwin will be returning to Nigeria after Easter for about 3 weeks to marry his fiancée Nkeiruka Doris Onummadu, on Saturday, 5th April at the Assemblies of God Church, Lagos.
  
  Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and there will be a service of Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
  
  

Notices – week beginning 02-03-08

Youth. Our new Youth Project begins today, entitled ‘True Colours’. We’re grateful to Chris, Anne & Julia for taking this on, and it will run on Sundays 2.30-4.00 and Mondays 6.30-8.00. To start with it will be an open youth club for ages 8-13 (years 4-9), but is expected to consolidate into a manageable group capable of putting on a show at the beginning of July. Anne will help teach art, Chris singing and Julia drama and dance. It should be fun. All equipment provided, and free of charge.

Growth Group. Our second study this week in the book of Nehemiah, using workbooks from Scripture Union in the Lifebuilder Bible Studies series. Cost £3.99. You can order a copy over the internet (ISBN 978 1 85999 629 4), or have a word with me. Meeting at Antoine & Jo’s again this Wednesday, and until further notice. 140 Summergangs Road. 7.30

Easter Praise. Tickets are available through the Bible Outlet, 67 Wright Street or phone the ticket hotline and leave your message (07504 239644). Hot Gospel will be there. Do go – see you there!

New Wine Women’s Day, Harrogate. Saturday 15th March 9:30am-4:30pm, £18. Time out with God! Guest speaker: Mary Pytches. If you’re able to go, let Lorelli know by Mon 10th (323840).

DCC. There will be a DCC (District Church Council) meeting tomorrow Monday @ 7pm in Church. This will coincide with Youth Group, but no problem we will be meet in the Upper Room.

Peter Crook. It’s been a bit of a stressful week with the European audit on Monday (which went fine – thanks for your prayers), and Peter tripping on the wooden ramp outside the Church. Thankfully only minor damage done – it could have been a lot worse. Meanwhile, John Hallaway has gone on holiday, as of yesterday.

Electoral Roll. Forms available if you aren’t yet on our ER and would like to be. This is the roll of our Church members which is updated annually before the Annual Meeting, which this year is on April 20th @ St Columba 6.30 p.m. Wiggy is our ER officer – see her for more info. Closing date for ER forms is 6th April.

Sport Relief. Nick, Bethany & Karl Carter have signed up to run the 6 mile course between them from the Guildhall, starting @ 11 a.m. on March 16th. If you can sponsor them, they would be appreciative. Forms at the back of Church. Do sign up. All money raised will go to good causes in the Third world. More info on www.sportrelief.com

Litter picking. The next litter pick will be next Saturday, March 8th @ 8.30 a.m., starting from Billy our opposite neighbour’s house, and will extend from Rosmead Park and up the cycle track to Burma Drive. Equipment supplied. All welcome.

Easter Services @ St John’s. Maundy Thursday – Holy Communion 7.30 p.m. Good Friday – Churches Together service 7.30 p.m. Easter Sunday – Holy Communion 10.30 a.m.

Next Sunday there’s a service of Holy Communion at 9.30 am, followed by BCP (10.30). ‘True Colours’ 2.30 – 4 p.m.