Sunday 18th April 2021
Third Sunday of Easter
| 8:30am Pre-Service Prayer on Zoom 10:30am Family Communion The Appearance in the Upper Room (part 2) In the church and on YouTube Readings: Isaiah 25:1-9 and Luke 24:36-48 Leader: Michael Norman (Vicar) Speaker: Neil Brookes (Youth Director) Followed by Coffee and Chat via Zoom at 12 noon 7:00pm Evening Service Colossians: Christ, Supreme Lord and Sufficient Saviour via YouTube Readings: Psalm 145 and Colossians 1:15-20 Leader: Dave Clarke (Reader) Speaker: Jeremy Cooke (Music Director) Followed by Coffee and Chat via Zoom at 8pm |
Coming Up This Week
| Tuesday 20th | |
| 10am | Holy Communion in Church |
| Thursday 22nd | |
| 9:30-11am | Toddlers in Church Hall |
| 12-1pm | Church open for Private Prayer |
| 6.15-7.15pm | RISE |
| 7.30-8.30pm | Rock Solid |
| Friday 23rd | |
| 7pm | Watford Schools Trust Fun evening on Zoom – see notice |
| Saturday 24th | |
| 5:30pm | Urban Saints |
| Sunday 25th | Fourth Sunday of Easter |
| 10:30am | Morning Service in church and on YouTube |
| 11:30am | APCM in church and on Zoom |
| 7:00pm | Evening Service on Facebook and YouTube |
| For more information and log-in details please contact the following: Prayer, Services & Zoom Coffee office@stlukeswatford.org Children’s Groups children@stlukeswatford.org Urban Saints susan-miller@ntlworld.com Youth Groups nabrookes@yahoo.co.uk or office@stlukeswatford.org Heroes/Church Gardens office@stlukeswatford.org |
News
APCM. The church APCM is happening on Sunday 25th April after the morning service, in person and by Zoom. Login details will be sent out in the Vicar’s letter or you can email the office to ask for the link to be sent to you.
Security. We are looking for more men to join the St Luke’s church Security Rota. If you are willing to join the team, or want to find out more, please email Jeff.
Rota – If you came off the rota due to Covid concerns (or for other reasons), please do let the office know when you feel safe to come back onto the rota and we will be happy to welcome you back. Newcomers to the rotas also welcome, please let us know.
Church Garden. We are planning to run some garden “drop-in” sessions once a month starting from 7th May to keep the church grounds tidy. All are welcome and anyone with experience is invited to contact Edna with suggestions or comments. We are hoping to learn together and take ownership of the garden area.
“Emergency” phone. We are asking for some people who live locally to be ‘on call’ in the afternoons and evenings when we have bookings in case of an emergency. This will mean taking the church mobile for a few days, and being the first point of contact if anything happens. Your personal details will not be given out.
Private Prayer. We are open for private prayer on Thursdays 12pm-1pm. Please sign in, sanitise and follow social distancing guidelines, and please do not come if you are isolating or showing any symptoms of Covid-19. Stay safe.
Church Magazine. The Easter edition is now available through the website and the Vicar’s email. For a printed copy, please contact the office.
Week of Prayer. The Christian Institute Week of Prayer is the 25th April-1st May. Download the leaflet with the themes for prayer from https://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/wop-spring21-eng.pdf
Quiz. “All things Red”, to raise money for a local Refugee Project. For a copy contact the office or Vicarage, or see the Vicar’s letter. Closing Date 25th April.
Life Groups. The Life Groups are a fabulous opportunity for fellowship and connection with others in the church. If you are not in a life group and are interested, please contact the office – we can link you up with a life group and would love to do so. As of the 12th April, Life Groups are permitted to meet outside in groups of up to 6.
John Stott Centenary Events: Sermons on 18th & 25th April: His commitment to preaching the Bible, proclaiming the gospel, equipping people and reaching the world in mission. There are also other events: to watch online go to johnstott.org/events.
Watford Schools Trust are hosting an evening of online fun and fundraising on Friday 23rd April 2021 at 7pm with a “visiting” magician. Please contact the office for details of how to book.
The Word Alive Online is offering more seminars in the weeks after Easter to make them more accessible. They start on Monday 12th April at 8pm and each course runs for five Mondays. Available courses: Steve Midgley: Living with fear and anxiety; Rebecca McLaughlin: Turning gospel roadblocks into signposts; or Garry Williams: Is the Word really alive? https://wordaliveevent.org/seminar-tracks
Job Vacancy. There are jobs and volunteer opportunities connected to St Luke’s advertised on the church website. Also, The Diocese is advertising for a part-time Assistant Communications Officer to work at Holywell Lodge. Further details are available from https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/other-vacancies/.
Petition. The Barnabas Fund have an online petition to recognise historic crimes against Christians in Armenia. Sign at https://barnabasfund.org/armenian-genocide/#petition.
St Luke’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund. We are looking to support Covid-related needs. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this fund, or would like some support, please let the office know.
Prayer
COLLECT
Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained
by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
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.
Suggestions for prayer this week
Let us pray for the world, for the church, and let us thank God for his goodness. Let us encourage one another to go deeper into prayer and to persevere.
The World: All who work to protect the environment and our own consumer choices.
The Church: The Diocese of St Albans and our Bishops Alan, Richard and Michael.
Partners in Mission: Sally M with Friends International, Lancaster.
Community Involvement: New Hope – the Trustees and the staff and all aspects of the work and especially those being served by the Trust.
Deanery Cycle of Prayer: St Peter’s, Watford and Soul Survivor, Watford.
Regular Ministry: Our outreach and witness to God, the Alpha course, and our contact with those who come to St Luke’s in the week. Frontline ministry with Voluntary Organisations.
Groups at St Luke’s: Tuesday Groups: Singing for Joy, K2, Guides, Rainbows and the Tuesday Coffee Shop, the Tuesday Bible Study, & Knitting Group.
Members of St Luke’s: In particular, this week, those whose surnames begin with letters E – G (take a look at the directory).
Those with on-going needs.
Those who are in need.
Those in mourning: Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, and others mourning loved ones at this time.
Coronavirus impact: Please pray particularly for Monte Horeb church in Lima, Peru, and others in the area struggling with infection rates and severe illness from Covid-19. We also pray forthose we know, and others around the world affected by coronavirus.
Please update the office regarding those we are praying for and any prayer needs.
If you are new to St Luke’s Church (online too!) – welcome.
Please email your details to office@stlukeswatford.org and we will email back a welcome form for you to complete.
St Luke’s Church Office 01923 246161
Vicar’s Messages by email. Please send your email details to the Church Office at office@stlukeswatford.org if you would like to receive them.