Weekly Notices

Laying on of hands and anointing: for healing of mind, body and spirit is available after 10.30 worship every Sunday in the South Transept (to the right of the pulpit).  You will not be invited to say specifically why you seek this ministry, though you are welcome to do so if you wish. You are also welcome to request prayer on behalf of someone else, in addition to or instead of yourself.

Bible reading notes help us both in our understanding and in making a good habit of listening to God often. We have been considering this and the various different kinds of publication in the past few weeks. Now is a convenient time to start the method either for the first time or by using a different publication. Please contact either Mavis Booth (652 3981) or me by Sunday 6 December.

Gift Day on 22 November was the occasion of a provisional total of £3401 donated, £1900 less than the final total in 2008. If you and others were unable to give on Gift Day itself, gifts will be welcome any time before Christmas. Please use the yellow Gift envelopes – if you are a taxpayer, please complete your details on the back of the envelope. Non-taxpayers can leave it blank. Please think and pray about how much you should give. Some of us have smaller incomes because of the recession, others not. Some of us may know ourselves called to live more simply so that the Church of God can continue her work.

Were you too late at the cake stall? You can bake your own to some of the same recipes using the ‘St Thomas’ Goodies’ small booklet – 50p at the back.

Mothers’ Union Christmas Coffee morning is on Saturday in our school at 10.30 until 12 noon. Admission is £1 which includes a mince pie and a cuppa. There will be a Raffle, a Bring & Buy Stall and plenty of time for a chat.

‘Out of Africa’ jewellery evening – a social committee initiative, supporting small-scale producers in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tuesday 1 December, at 7.30pm in the West End Bowling Club.

Advent Quiet Morning for Rochdale Archdeaconry at the invitation of Bishop Mark. Two short addresses and two silences concluding with Holy Communion, 9.30am-1.30pm on Saturday 5 December at St George’s, Oakenrod, Rochdale. Anyone either wanting or offering a lift, please talk to Andrew.

Assistance for disabled worshippers: for some time a wheelchair has been put on permanent loan to us for the use of people worshipping on an occasional basis or in case of emergency. This is sited in a pew near the Baptistery. On each occasion of its infrequent use, the tyres should be checked – a pump is available nearby. Also there is a temporary ramp for the entrance into the porch. This is stored between the curtain and the door connecting the porch and the main building. The advice of the Wardens or Andrew should be sought before setting up the ramp. Also, there is a loop system for those who are hard of hearing, usable by those with hearing aids with a ‘T’ setting

Christmas planning: many thanks to all preparing the ‘Christmas experience’. Does anyone have any pinecones we can borrow or have? We need 30 altogether. Also, please consider contributing to the cost of Christmas flowers – there is a dish at the back.

2010 calendars with beautiful photos and Bible verses published by Word of Life are available at the back at £1.50 each, in English and many other languages – make good presents.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER REQUESTS

†  Interfaith Festival of Light – on Wednesday

†  Our own time in Advent

†  Deanery Pastoral Committee – on Tuesday evening

†  St Thomas income – trust and obey God

†  A priest for St Paul’s, and eventually St Thomas’

†  Give thanks and pray for people we know in Christian service and outreach, especially all working for Tearfund and its partner agencies.

†  People seeking asylum: David, Sobia, young Sara and baby Daniel William; Marta Yacub; all who support them, including Oldham Unity meeting on Monday.

†  Those who are unwell - especially baby Roxy Butler, Wendy Robinson, Norman and Alma Flint, Andy Sharrock and his wife Ruth caring for him, Beatrice Howard, baby Harry Pleasant, Barbara Hogg, Hilda Bateson, Helen Holt, Joanna Goforth, John Lalley, Grace Whetham, Ian Kidder, Muriel Brown, Marjorie Milner, young twins Todd & Aaron Funnell, Julie Brown, John Wrigley, Angela and Norman Taylor, Jenny Bartlett, Ronald Spivey and others whom we know.

†  The bereaved: especially the family and friends of Alan Whittaker.