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Welcome

Information for visitors: We hope that you enjoy worshipping with us. If this is your first visit, please fill in one of our Welcome Cards and hand it to a member of the Welcome Team or one of the Stewards. Notice to Parents or Guardians of Children (0-14yrs) Please ensure that you accompany your children whilst on Church premises. Children remain the responsibility of their guardians at all times. No team member can be responsible for your child before or after planned activity groups. Whilst we do our best to ensure the safety of children, the church door is open to everyone and therefore also to many potential risks. If You Would Like Prayer If you would like someone to talk or pray with you at the end of any service, please come to the Chancel area at the front and speak to someone with a Ministry Team badge. For your own protection, we advise that you only receive prayer ministry from Ministry Team members (all of whom will be wearing badges). Accidents or First Aid If you have an accident or need first aid, please initially ask for help from a steward or churchwarden. Please Consider Other People Please be considerate to our neighbours when you are parking your car and avoid the “red zone” area (the area immediately around the church). Please mute or turn off your mobile phone during the service and put used plastic cups and any other litter in the bins provided. Thank you.

CONTENTS:

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Welcome + Contents

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March Sunday Services

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6th – 12th Mar 5

13th - 19th Mar 6

20th – 26th Mar 7

27th – 2nd Apr 8

Events & Notices 11

Outside St. Luke’s 11

Missionary Update

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General Information

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March Sunday Services

Sunday 6th March

9:00am Communion – Using the Bible Psalm 119: 97-106 1 Timothy 3: 14-4: 5 10:30am Kidz-in– What about church? Matthew 16: 13-25 6:30pm Celebration – Using the Bible Psalm 119: 97-106 1 Timothy 3: 14-4: 5

Sunday 13th March

9:00am Morning Prayer - Patronage 10:30am Celebration – Patronage 6:30pm Communion – What about the church?

Sunday 20th March

9:00am Communion – What about church? 10:30am Celebration – God’s guidance 6:30pm Celebration – Palm Sunday Philippians 2: 5-13 Matthew 21: 1-16

Sunday 27th March

9:00am Communion – He is Risen 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 Matthew 28: 1-7 10:30am All-Age Communion – He is Risen 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 Matthew 28: 1-7 6:30pm Celebration – He is Risen Acts 2: 23-32 Mark 16: 1-6

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Diary and Events: 6th - 12th Mar

Cleaning rota – week 1

Sunday 6th MOTHERING SUNDAY

9:00am Communion

10:30am Kids In

6:00pm Prayer

6:30pm Celebration

Monday 7th CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5

9:30am Cafe ‘n’ Tots – Hall

1:30pm Cafe ‘n’ Tots 2 – Hall

2:00pm Garden Team – all welcome

7:30pm Preacher Forum – SLH Conf Room

Tuesday 8th CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5

Prayer room available to book

10:00am 60’s+ group – hall

Evening Lifegroups

Wednesday 9th

Evening Lifegroups

Thursday 10th CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5

10:00am Oasis – SLH Conf room

10:30am Cafe ‘n’ Tots– Hall

7:45pm Bite Size – MCR

Friday 11th

7:30pm Nexus Lifegroup - SLH

Prayer Focus: Mothers in the World Thank God for all Mothers throughout the world and especially for the mothers who live in the parish of St Luke’s and those who attend St. Luke’s Church. Pray for those mothers struggling to bring up their children living in socially deprived communities and in poverty and who know that very often their children will grow up to remain trapped in poverty which will extinguish their dreams and aspirations for the future. Thank God for the individuals, churches, groups, and the aid and developmental organisations who seek to support these women and their families in the UK and throughout the world. Please also remember in your prayers the people living in our Parish in Boxley Road and Brackley Close.

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Diary and Events: 13th - 19th Mar

Cleaning rota – week 2

Sunday 13th

9:00am Morning Prayer

10:30am Celebration / Faith on Toast

6:00pm Prayer

6:30pm Communion

Monday 14th

9:30am Cafe ‘n’ Tots – Hall

1:30pm Cafe ‘n’ Tots 2 – Hall

2:00pm Garden Team – All welcome

7:30pm Property Group – SLH Conf room

Tuesday 15th CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5

Prayer room available to book

10:00am 60’s+ group – hall

Evening Lifegroups

7:45pm Pastoral Links – SLH Meeting room

Wednesday 16th

Evening Lifegroups

Thursday 17th CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5

10:00am Oasis – SLH Conf room

10:30am Cafe ‘n’ Tots– Hall

7:30pm Beating the Blues – SLH Meeting rm

7:30pm Prayer 4 Africa - MCR– All welcome

7:45pm Worship Team mtg – SLH Conf rm

Friday 18th

7:30pm Forefront - hall

Prayer Focus: Compassion Pray for and thank God for all the staff and volunteers working for Compassion. Thank God for Compassion as it works through 6,900 local churches in 26 countries around the world releasing 1.7 million children and young people from extreme poverty as a result of its projects. Thank God for what has, and is being achieved, in the lives of these children and young people that through sponsorship they have a real hope for their future. Pray particularly for the children in Walukuba village, Uganda and Kieni village, Kenya sponsored by members of St Luke’s Church. Thank God that last year more than 158,000 children and young people in Compassion Projects put their faith in Jesus for the first time.

compassionuk.org Please also remember in your prayers the people in our parish living in Bredgar Close and Calehill Close.

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Prayer Focus –

Prayer Focus: XLP (eXceL Project) Thank God for Patrick Regan, the staff and volunteers working at XLP, for their contacts with young people struggling across several challenging London boroughs with life at home, school and in their community as a result of family breakdown, poverty, unemployment and educational failure who living in areas that experience high levels of anti-social behaviour, criminality and gang activity. Pray for their protection as they seek to help, support, encourage, empower and enable these young people to make wise lifestyle choices. Thank God for the success of the XLP Mentoring Programme, which resources churches across the UK to run sustainable youth mentorship programmes.

xlp.org.uk Please also remember in your prayers the people living in our Parish in Callock Walk and Chattenden Court.

Diary and Events: 20th – 26th Mar

Cleaning rota – week 3 Sunday 20th PALM SUNDAY 9:00am Communion 10:30am Celebration 6:00pm Prayer 6:30pm Celebration Monday 21st CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5 9:30am Cafe ‘n’ Tots – Hall

1:30pm Cafe ‘n’ Tots 2 – Hall

2:00pm Garden Team – all welcome

Tuesday 22nd CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5 Prayer room available to book

10:00am 60’s+ group – hall

Evening Lifegroups

Wednesday 23rd Evening Lifegroups

Thursday 24th MAUNDY THURSDAY CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12 10:00am Oasis – SLH Conf room

10:30am Cafe ‘n’ Tots– Hall

8:00pm Communion

Friday 25th GOOD FRIDAY – Bank holiday

12:45pm Kidz at the cross

2:00pm An hour at the cross

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Diary and Events: 27th Mar – 2nd Apr Cleaning rota – week 4 Sunday 27th EASTER SUNDAY 9:00am Morning Prayer 10:30am All Age Communion 6:00pm Prayer 6:30pm Celebration Monday 28th EASTER MONDAY – Bank holiday

Tuesday 29th CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5

Prayer room available to book

Thursday 31st CHURCH OFFICE OPEN 9-12, 2-5

Saturday 2nd

2:00pm Company

Prayer Focus: Lawrence Barham Memorial Trust Thank God for Ken and Jill Barham and for all that has been achieved by the “Lawrence Barham Memorial Trust” as it continues to support the work of the Anglican Church in Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.; for the success of the Peace Guest House project in Cyangugu Diocese, (Rwanda) built after the genocide to generate income in an area where very few people had any employment. Pray for the continuing success of fund raising to be used to continue to build the necessary annexe at the Peace Guest House. Thank God that since they began the work has never had to stop due to a lack of funding and that Bishop Nathan Amooti has big plans for evangelism in the area.

lbmt.org.uk Please remember in your prayers the people living in our parish in Claremont Avenue and Commodore Road.

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Teach me to dance to the beat of

your heart

South East Region of the Christian Dance Fellowship cordially invites you to a dance workshop with Steven Turner, an exuberant young man specialising in staffs, flags, street, contemporary and biblical interpretative movement.

Venue: St. Luke’s, Maidstone On Saturday 19th March,

10am until 3.30pm Cost £14

Under 18's £8.

Please bring a packed lunch. For more details, please contact Sylvia Ratcliff (Regional Co-ordinator) on 01634 245767 or Mandy Donaldson or south-east@cdfb.org.uk. More information can also be found on the poster in the foyer.

Children over 8 are welcome to attend but need to be accompanied. If the person accompanying is not their parent/ guardian, please complete a General Information and Consent Form. For more information, please ring Sylvia on 01634 245767.

N.B. Steven will be participating in the church service on the Sunday Morning at 10.30 which will be part of an Alpha Course (session 10/10)

South East Region of the Christian Dance Fellowship of Britain

Would you be able to offer overnight hospitality on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th March to Steven Turner (dance tutor) and his mother? Please contact Mandy Donaldson

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Events and Notices Church Electoral Roll revision The Church Electoral Roll of St. Luke the Evangelist will be revised by the PCC beginning on the 20th March and ending on the 3rd April 2016. After the revision, a copy of the Electoral Roll will be exhibited on the front door of the church for inspection between the 10th - 24th April 2016. Those who are entitled and who would like to be added to the Church Electoral Roll should complete the Application for Enrolment on the Church Electoral Roll form to be found at the back of the church between the 13th March and the 3rd April. The Application for Enrolment on the Church Electoral Roll form should be left in the box provided at the back of the church on or before the 3rd April 2016. Those wishing to leave the Electoral role should notify Karen (electoralroll@stlukes.org.uk) by the 3rd April 2016. Those already on the Electoral Role who wish to stay on it need to take no action. Eastfield Residential Home, Sittingbourne Road Meet the second Sunday of the month at 2.30pm for a short service followed by tea and cake. The residents really appreciate the visits, so please do think about going along with them. If interested please contact Jenny Thompson (jenny.flower@tiscali.co.uk). Bite Size Next meeting: Thursday 10th March – 7:45pm-9:00pm in the Miss Coppen Room Meet monthly on the second Thursday to explore and discuss a well-known parable or other bible passage. The bible passage to be discussed in March will be Genesis 22: 1-18 “What if God tells you to kill your only Son?” (Abraham and Isaac). Everyone is welcome to attend. Tea/Coffee and Biscuits will be available, please feel free to come along. Karen and Gordon Mackley Journeymen weekend away 15-18 April 2016 The Journeymen will be spending a long weekend in the Peak District next Spring. Not only will this locality provide some excellent walking, but there is also an opportunity to hire bicycles, try your hand at sailing or visit one or more of the local railways. The basic price of the weekend is £90, but there is financial help available for those who need it. If you would like to be part of the group or need further information please contact Richard Pain. Africa Day Event - church Saturday 21st May 2016 - 9:30am - 4:00pm This will be an opportunity to meet with others and to hear more about how some local and UK Missionary Organisations and charities are supporting the people of Africa. There will be an opportunity to thank God for all that has been achieved and to pray for their further needs. Please put the date in your diary. The programme can be found on the Missionary Notice Board.

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Outside St. Luke’s

Women’s World Day of Prayer – Receive Children. Receive Me Friday 4th March 11am St. Faith’s Church, Faith Street, Maidstone This year’s theme is praying for Cuba. The speaker is Rev. Bonni-Belle Pickard – superintendent of the Maidstone Methodist Circuit. If you are able please go and join in – Men also welcome! Canterbury Diocese Healing Hub Days

Saturday 5th March 2016 10am to 4pm St. Martin’s Church, Northumberland Road, Shepway, Maidstone ME15 7LP The Pain of Loss – Function, Life Style, Place &/or Person Bringing the Healing Love of Christ to the Pain of Loss

Saturday 23rd April 2016 10am to 4pm Holy Trinity Church, Dover Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 3EG Healing the Paralysed Parts of Me Growing Ministry Together - Diocesan Open Synod Saturday 12th March 2016 9:30am to 1.00pm John Wallis Academy, Ashford Everyone is invited to bring a packed lunch and eat together between 1 - 2pm. Diocesan Synod business will follow for Synod members. Julian Hubbard, Director of Ministry for the National Archbishops’ Council, will introduce the morning programme. The issues being addressed are vital to the life of the church and the programme of the morning will address fundamental questions at the heart of parish ministry. The purpose of the morning is to provide each participant with: • Perspectives both national and local about the challenges of growing

ministry in our churches • Insight into how healthy vocational environments are shaped and

nurtured in local congregations • A take home pack for working through these significant issues with

your local church It is hoped that synod members and visitors alike will be able to return to their parishes and benefices and help the PCC engage with these important issues to enable ministry to be further released and grown even more in your congregations. Places for visitors are limited so it is essential that you book at - https://www.canterburydiocese.org/events/open-synod-march16/

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Missionary Update – People Reaching People -

Madagascar An evangelistic work in the Diocese of Toliara (over 62,000 square miles) in the South West of Madagascar, focusing on Evangelism, Education & Economic development. Led by Bishop Todd. The number of churches planted in the Diocese of Toliara is now 70, 15 of which were planted during 2015. Most of the new believers in the churches recently planted are meeting in either a school hall, someone’s house or under a mango tree. Attempts are being made to obtain land on which to set up temporary wooden/brick structures as meeting places to start as well as permanent churches in the major Districts first. The communities have donated most of the land, so only a small amount needs to be purchased.

New believers in the planted churches in Manja and Ampanihy The Goals set for 2016 are to: • Plant 20 new churches • Build 10 temporary churches • Enroll the 83 trained catechists (similar to Lay Readers’ in England) • Complete the building of the vicarage and Miandrivazo Church • Build 5 permanent churches • Train an additional 15 new evangelist students • Consecration of the Cathedral in March • In August hold the 2nd Diocesan Youth and National Mothers’ Union Conferences

The new believers have a real hunger for the gospel but there is a

real shortage of leaders to take care of them. 14 new evangelist

students began their training last year, 5 from other Dioceses.

The evangelists will spearhead church planting after they are

commissioned. 83 catechists (similar to Lay Readers’ in England)

will complete their training in early 2016.

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Rooms for hire

Please contact the church office for room availability or booking enquiries Church hall The church hall measures approximately 14m x 10m with a high ceiling and wooden block flooring. Large windows to one end and high windows down either side make it a light and airy space in the daytime.

Originally designed as a badminton hall, this space is suitable for a variety of purposes; we've seen it used for sports, children's parties, sit-down meals, parents and toddlers classes & a health clinic.

Cost: £15/hr basic rate (includes use of the kitchen) - more details below

Miss Coppen Room The Miss Coppen Room measures approximately 10m x 7m and is fully carpeted. This meeting room is often used for smaller gatherings, children’s parties etc.

Cost: £9/hr basic rate (includes use of the kitchen) - more details below

Hall & Miss Coppen Room Both spaces can be hired together and this combination is often used for children's parties with the Miss Coppen Room serving as a quieter space for chilling or serving food and the hall being used for games and more physical activities

Cost: £22/hr basic rate (includes use of the kitchen) - more details below

Fees The basic rate fees quoted above apply to all bookings Monday to Friday

Basic Fee +5% - applies to weekend bookings between 8am and 6pm Basic Fee +10% - applies to weekend bookings after 6pm

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General Information

Pastoral Care If you become aware of pastoral needs within the church family, please contact 01622 620606.

Barnabas Fund This fund, supported by regular contributions from the Church Council, provides help to members of St. Luke’s by making small grants to help with one-off emergency difficulties. All applications are considered in the strictest confidence.

Personal Belongings Personal items you bring to St. Luke’s remain your responsibility; please keep them with you at all times.

Wheelchair Access Please keep the ramps at the entrance and the aisles inside the church clear at all times. This is important to help and welcome those who use wheelchairs and pushchairs and, in the event of an emergency, these areas need to be free for the emergency services.

Toilets A wheelchair accessible toilet (and baby-changing facility) are available in the church foyer.

No Smoking Smoking is not permitted in any area of St. Luke’s Church or buildings.

Audio Hearing Loop An audio link is installed within the area of seating in the main body of the church. All the seats to the left-hand side of the central aisle are covered by our hearing aid induction loop.

Recycling Please remember to recycle your paper and plastic cups using the green bins provided.

Information about Connect The cut-off date for items is the 15th day of each month. Notices should be sent to connect@stlukes.org.uk or the church office. We reserve the right to edit any submission. An online edition of Connect can be found on our website and large print versions are available from the stewards on request.

Want to get involved? If you would like to get more involved in the practical side of life at St. Luke’s but are not sure how, you can get more information from the church office (or volunteer@stlukes.org.uk)

Tell the story We’d love to hear from individuals and groups who meet in and around St. Luke’s. If you’d like to tell the story about what you do, how it blesses you and others and how you see Jesus at work in your situation, why not let us know at tellthestory@stlukes.org.uk.

Contact Us Church office, St. Luke’s House, 16 St. Luke’s Road, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 5AW

Phone: 01622 661169 Email: admin@stlukes.org.uk

stlukes.org.uk

http://stluk.es/facebook

http://stluk.es/twitter

Office hours: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

9am–12noon and 2pm-5pm (Closed Wednesday & Friday) Registered Charity No. 113393

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