Orchard Baptist Church, Colchester

Notices for the month of September

In our September services we will be looking at the theme of Going Further With Jesus. We start at 10.30am each week and we often have guest speakers; we will share Communion on 6^th September. Our readings for each week are as follows: September 6^th – Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-37; 13^th – Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-37; 20^th – Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-37; 27^th – Psalm 51

Deacon's Meeting: Please be in prayer for the Deacon's Meeting on Wednesday 9^th September at 2.30pm.

Annual Nomination and Election of Treasurer and Church Secretary: The election of our Treasurer and Church Secretary for the next 12 months will take place during the Members Meeting on Wednesday 30^th September. Please submit any nominations for these roles to Peter Gibson on the forms that are available on the refreshments table, by Sunday 13^th September at the latest. Paul Bocking and Richard Bolam are eligible to be nominated again if they wish. The Church Secretary and Treasurer will by the nature of their responsibilities also become Charity Trustees. A guide on what it means to be a Trustee is available with the nomination forms and can be found on our website under: About Us > Legal Documents. If you have any questions about the roles or anything else, then please speak to Peter Gibson.

Prayer Meeting: Wednesday 9^th September at 7.30pm.

Church Work Day: Saturday 12^th September 10am - 4pm. As always there is no expectation for anyone to be at the church all day but if you can spare an hour or so to help in any way it would be much appreciated. General tidying is needed outside and to utilise the new storage “shed” will be the focus of the day. Much work has been undertaken to clear and tidy the church building with a lot of work done to make the upstairs classrooms ready for use. It has been disappointing to see that things have been moved and items placed in these rooms, generally making them untidy again. Please could we respect the work that has been done and try to keep things where they belong, if in doubt please ask Paul or Linda Reeve.

Free Family Fun Festival: at Castle Park on Saturday 19^th September from 11:00-16:00. We will be working with St. Margaret's and House of Prayer. Volunteers are needed to assist with the activities. You can come for a little or as long as you want. Also a driver is needed to transport items from the church. If interested please email Steve Rowe srowe37@zaurak.me.uk.

Lets Do Coffee: 25th September 1pm – 3pm. There will be homemade cakes, also a table of home made crafts by Orchard Craft Group, for sale. Come along and help us do whatever it takes to support Macmillan to help people living with cancer. If you are able to supply cakes etc please speak to Christine.

Church Member's Meeting: Wednesday 30^th September at 7.30pm.

Tearfund Quiz Night: Saturday 3^rd October at 7.30pm

Harvest service: Sunday 4^th October at 10.30am. Money donations will go to Tearfund and food to the Foodbank.

Taizé Service for Evening Worship: by Cantus Firmus, Sunday 4^th October at 6.30pm at Orchard, light refreshments will be served and there will be a retiring collection. All welcome.

Birthdays in September: Stuart's birthday is on the 5^th and Matthew's is on 29^th, wishing you every blessing in the year ahead.

Dates for your diary:

• Prayer meeting Wednesday 14^th October at 7.30pm

Our regular activities:

• Craft & Crochet Club, Mondays 1.30-3.30pm at the church; contact Hilary for more details.

• Discoverers, Tuesdays 1pm at the church; contact Jennifer for more details.

• Tuesday Homegroup, 7.30pm in Abberton; contact Paul or Linda R for more details.

• Wednesday Homegroup, 7.30pm at the church; contact Hilary for more details.

• Little Pips Toddler Group, Thursdays 9.30-11am; contact Julie for more details.

• Table Tennis Group meet weekly on a choice of evenings, contact Paul B for more details.

• Cake & Cuppa meet Fridays at the church 1.30-3.30pm, contact Annette for more details.

Prayer Requests: If you have a prayer request, please phone the Church mobile: 07354 450399 or email prayer@orchardbaptist.co.uk

Pastoral matters: Please leave a voice message or text on the church mobile 07354 450399 which is checked daily. For urgent matters, please phone one of the Deacons.

October Notices: If you have any notices for the month of October, please email notices@orchardbaptist.co.uk by 24th September.

If you would like the notices emailed to you, please see Jan.