We were very pleased to welcome the Venerable Dave, Archdeacon of Bedford, to St Andrew's Church for last Sunday's 10am Parish Eucharist when we marked the Day to St Bartholomew, one of Christ's 12 apostles. The Archdeacon based his homily on Luke 22: 24-30 where we read of the apostles discussing who was the greatest. What is meant by 'greatness'? Always a commonplace debate over the ages and perhaps especially today. We all have our own opinions. Jesus made it clear to all present that greatness is about servanthood. To serve is all. The great enemy to service is 'self': - our pride and self-importance. We occupy a competitive society and to service we add strings. Yet, despite our shortcomings God's grace works through us. Jesus is the example for us all to follow.
Our thanks once again go to all who contributed to this year's Holiday Club Jungle Adventure. It was a joyous experience for all concerned. Now it is time to focus on Country Fayre which takes place on 20th September. Our Country Fayre Committee is busy in the planning of this second outreach to the community and beyond and more information will be forthcoming. Before this, on Saturday, 13th September, there will be the annual Autumn Sponsored Bike 'n Hike when those concerned will be raising money for the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust, involving some real physical energy within this enterprise. This ultimately helps funds to be granted to churches around the two counties. It all kicks off at 9am and ends at 5pm, at least for stewards and bikers and hikers. Some will be aiming to visit as many churches as possible and some will be just doing what is sensible for them. Whatever the case, go online to find out more. Apart from anything else it is a good social experience.
St Andrew's is happy to announce that we have a new Parish Administration Assistant who will be taking up this position on 8th September. The regular office hours in the Ivel Room (the church office) are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am - 1pm.
Exploring Silence involves sessions which aim to help people to get into periods of quietness at chosen times in their life. This started as a result of conversations in the 'Churches Together' in Biggleswade. St Peter's Church has been very responsive to such sessions and their most recent one was on 27th August at 7:45pm. More information about the aims of Exploring Silence can be obtained from the website: exploring-silence.org
On Sunday, 7th September, there are two morning services, namely, 8am Said Communion, Order Two traditional and 10am All Together Eucharist and on what will be Education Sunday.