Visit the church web site at www.ststephensw12.org. You can read all the latest news about the parish. You can also read the sermons which are posted each week

There has been an increase in the money given by the congregation – this is excellent. However we still don’t cover our costs and so need to be supported by rental income and other parishes in the Diocese.

St Stephens average monthly running costs = £4,100
St Stevens average monthly income = £3,500.

We need to raise another £600 a month (£7,200 a year) simply to pay our way. There is no reason why we should not manage this. There has been a fourfold increase increase in the number of people giving by Standing Order (There are now 16 people who pay by Standing Order rather than through the collection plate. If 60 people gave £1 extra a week regularly this would add an extra £3,120 a year – and if it was gift aided it would add another £873 on top of that.

Please consider any of the following:

• Consider gift aiding
• Pledged envelopes
• Setting up a Standing Order

Talk to Barry or Bob for more details

Processional Hymn                   

Collect of the Day
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading 2            Timothy 4.6-8,16-18          (p.1025)
6As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  16At my first defence no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen

Gradual Hymn

GOSPEL            Luke 18.9-14                         (p.1026)
9Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 13But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

What about today’s Gospel

1. Where did the Pharisee stand in the Temple?
2. What was the Pharisee the most thankful for?
3. What did the tax collector think of himself?
4. Who was pleasing to God?
5. What did God like about the tax collector?

Coffee in church after the service

Post Communion (Last after Trinity) ©  1985 Anglican Church of Canada: The Book of Alternative Services. Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ, USA. Some material included in this service is copyright: ©  The Archbishops' Council 2000. Collect (Last after Trinity) ©  The Crown/Cambridge University Press: The Book of Common Prayer (1662)

NOTICES

THIS WEEK:

NEXT SUNDAY:            4 November 2007         All Saints Day

10 am ALL AGE WORSHIP
Celebrant and Preacher – The Reverend Dr Bob Mayo
Daniel 7.1-3,15-18 (p 1039), Luke 6.20-31 (p 1041)

Sunday School meets in St Stephen's School
Sunday Youth meets in the Glebe Maisonette
Small Children are welcome to play in St Thomas's Chapel, near the porch
Baptised Communicants of other Churches are encouraged to receive communion
Children and other non-communicants are invited to come to the altar for a blessing
The Ministry of Healing is offered in the Chapel, after Communion is given

Baptisms and Confirmation are due to take place at St Paul’s Cathedral on November 3rd: Corrie Kamara will be baptised with her daughter Amber and also confirmed. Remi Wong will be baptised and confirmed. , Damali Allison, Shellian Manswell and Taisha Richmond are all due to be confirmed. Good news with lots of people putting themselves forward

Home Communion – Available to any unable to come on a Sunday.  Talk to Father Bob (8743 3166) if you or anyone else might be interested.

Any enquiries about pastoral concerns, baptisms, weddings or funerals please get in touch with Father Bob. The only time that Bob will be unavailable is between Friday pm and Sunday am.

Q: How do you study the Bible?
A: You Luke into it.

Q: How do we know that Jesus raised cattle?
A: Because he had a pair 'o' bulls (Parables).

Q: How do we know that Jesus raised vegetables?
A: Because he said. "Peas be upon you." (Peace be upon you).

Q: How do we know that Jesus used fertilizer?
A: Because he said, "Lettuce spray." (Let us pray).

Q: How do we know that Jesus made coffee?
A: It says so in the book of He Brews. (Hebrews).