May 2008 Church Webzine

MAY 2008 CHURCH WEBZINE

From the Rector

Whenever we pick up a newspaper we are bombarded with advertising, especially these days from the large supermarkets – Morrison’s is cheaper than Tesco is cheaper than Asda is cheaper than Sainsbury’s is cheaper than Morrison’s… and so it goes on, round and round in circles. ‘Buy one get one free’ offers are everywhere, and yet for all the millions spent on advertising to convince us otherwise, the truth is that there is nothing free in a shop or supermarket – the best we can say is that some things are cheaper than others sometimes. There is, as the old adage goes, no such thing as a free lunch. However, there are three things that I would draw our attention to which are indeed free and which can actually make our lives better – and you never see them advertised in any supermarket.

The first of these is simply good manners. I think we are relatively fortunate in this parish because from what I can see, and this includes young people as well, most people are well-mannered most of the time. If you let a car through the driver will acknowledge it. If someone asks for a pint of Lee’s best bitter in the Smithy it is very rare that the request is not accompanied by please and thank you. Likewise in John Leak’s shop. We are lucky when we consider some of the complaints that are regularly aired (and not only about the youth of today – apparently there are some areas where pensioners are terribly ill-mannered) in the media in respect to foul-mouthed and ill-mannered behaviour. Good manners are totally free and they sure do make life more pleasant for all concerned.

The second of these ‘freebies’ is God’s gift to us of prayer. I regularly comment at both weddings and baptisms that a small fortune has usually been spent on the day (especially weddings) and that considerable sums of money have also been spent on presents for bride and groom and, in the case of a baptism, for the baby. And yet people constantly need reminding that there is one gift that they can give to the happy couple, or screaming baby, that costs nothing at all and which, in fact, might just turn out to be the most valuable of all the gifts that are given – the gift of prayers for the life together of the newly married couple or else for the future of the newly baptised child – that each respectively might enjoy God’s blessings and favour and grow under His protection. Prayer is a great gift of God and it is totally free – God doesn’t need to make offers such as ‘buy one prayer from me now and you can have 50% off your next two prayers!’ - as many as you want as often as you want and wherever you want and whenever you want – that is God’s prayer offer to us.

Finally, the third of these freebies is God’s love to us – given unconditionally on the cross for each one of us. Remember those words from John 3:16 ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…’ Please note that God did not make a special offer, nor did He sell His love in a cut-price deal. No, He gave it, voluntarily, painfully and freely. It is just sad that so many people deny themselves access to this love. God never promises that He will make life smooth or easy but He does promise that He will help us through the difficult times as well as guiding us through the good ones. It is over forty years since John Lennon sang ‘The best things in life are free…’ How true that is and how foolish we are if we do not continue to make our own lives, and those of others, better by rejoicing in those things that we can enjoy which are free – good manners, good prayer and God’s love. When did you last see those advertised in a supermarket?

Steve

Church Officers

The Rector:

Revd Steven Hughes, MBE – Tel: 612267.

Email:

The Churchwardens:

Mr Robert Hawthornthwaite – Tel: 612952

Mr John Clarkson – Tel: 612855. Email:

Licensed Lay Reader:

Mr Stan Pickles – Tel: 615708. Email:

PCC Secretary: Mrs Margaret Clark – Tel: 616990. Email:

PCC Treasurer:

Mrs Barbara Wood – Tel: 617679. Email:

Deanery Synod Representatives:

Mr Bill Prescott and Mrs Avril Wright.

Stewardship Recorder/Covenant Secretary:

Mrs Pearl Read.

Magazine Secretary:Mrs Elsie Kirkham – Tel: 615832.

Flower Secretaries:

Mrs Althea Slater – Tel: 614966, and Mrs Marion Clarkson – Tel: 612855.

Electoral Roll Secretary: Mrs Julie Tanham – Tel: .

Verger: Mrs Val Simpson – Tel: 614458.

Weekly Giving Envelopes: Please contact one of the Churchwardens.

Organisations

Sunday School – meets 10.30am in School

Leader: Mrs Kathleen Leigh – Tel: 612146.

YouthClub for 9-13 year olds – meets 6.30-8.30pm on Wednesdays in School

Leader: Mrs Mandy Hughes, MBE – Tel: 612267.

Email:

Hoole Church Ladies’ Group – meets 7.30pm, 3rd Tuesday, in School.

Leader: Mrs Joan Wilson – Tel 613063. Email:

St Michael’s Men’s Fellowship – meets 7.30pm, 2nd Tuesday, in School.

Secretary: Mr Ted Hopkins – Tel: 617002.

Hoole St. Michael C E Primary School

Head Teacher: Mrs Kathryn Melling – Tel: 613219.

1st St Michael’s Hoole Scout and Guide Groups

Group Scout Leader: Mrs Jacqui Sherrington – Tel: 619579.

Sporting & Boxing Club

Secretary/Treasurer: Mr William Carr – Tel: 615321.

Email –

Website: and

Calendar and Events

Our next Service of United Worship with members from both Methodist Churches will take place at St Michael’s at 10.45am on June 22nd.

We are also currently midway through a short series of Bible studies where, over a period of five weeks, we are looking at five different psalms. This is a united churches initiative, and whilst they are all to be held in HooleMethodistChurch on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm, they will be led by different people each week.

Each week will be self contained – we all have various commitments, so don’t worry if you cannot get to them all – come down when you can, you will be most welcome. Please see the weekly sheet for fuller details.

Magazine material to Stan Pickles/Honey Penrose by 18th May, please

Thursday May 1stAscension Day

7.00pmHoly CommunionRector

Sunday4thEaster 7

9.00amHoly Communion(BCP)Rector

10.45amHoly Communion(CW)Rector & S Pickles