If you have questions, then Christianity Explored or something similar is for you. This year, in January 2024 we are running a 321 course. Click on the link here for more information, or just turn up on a Sunday and speak to someone to find out more about something similar starting soon in Streatham or nearby.
email info@holyredeemer.org.uk and book yourself on a course, or arrange to have a conversation with Ian, the vicar.
All the farms in our area were built over long ago, and we feel removed from the rural rhythms of planting and reaping.
Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to remember where our food comes from, and pause to give thanks for those who get it onto the shelves and around in the delivery vans.
Behind all of the agricultural and retail workers, stands the Lord our creator who gives us all the food we enjoy, and who is to be thanked above all. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:3 that God created food and marriage ‘to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving …’
There were and are very religious, ‘spiritual’ people who, then and now, abstained from certain foods and even from marriage. And there is a time and a place for fasting in both, to free up time and energy to seek the Lord in prayer. But most of the time, and at harvest time particularly, marriage and food is to be enjoyed with thanksgiving and celebration with family, friends, and loved ones in the community.
So, come and join us this Sunday 9th October for our harvest service and lunch in the hall after. We’re having a simple soup and bread lunch to celebrate harvest, in recognition that two thirds of the world don’t have enough food, while our one third has too much. At the lunch there’ll be an opportunity to give to the Barnabas Fund, helping Christians in Pakistan after the recent floods.
Also, join us for the 90 anniversary celebrations on the 15th October from 2pm – 5pm in the main Church building. There will be plenty of burgers, cakes and other delights at ridiculously low prices, at the family and community celebration for the building being 90 years old. As well as refreshments, there are games for all ages, live music and ‘join-in’ demonstrations from groups which meet in the Parish hall. Scouts have a knotty problems stand, and there is a chance to see more about the history of the church, and spot your road as it looked almost a century ago.
I hope to see you and am looking forward to that,
Every blessing in Christ,
Ian
Photo: Margaret Jaszowska on Unsplash
Harvest Lunch this Sunday 9th October
After a harvest service in the church building at 10.45, please bring along some soup or bread for a simple lunch together. Please speak to Ruth or Denise if you’d like to contribute some soup or bread.
Please bring along donations for Barnabas Fund who are supporting those affected by the floods in Pakistan.
This is what your donation could buy: Mosquito net (one per family) £2.50 Emergency family food package to last 25-30 days £20 20 plastic sheets for temporary shelters (one per family) £28 Clean drinking water and water purification tablets for 50 families £38
90th Anniversary Celebration October 15th 2-5pm
Keep inviting folk to this event. We’ve had a few changes to the programme and have more solo singers and light jazz.
If you’d like to make cakes to go alongside the drinks on the day, please bring them along at 2pm.
Family games will kick off the afternoon from 2pm – 3pm
Food bank donations are welcome.
And a prayer that we can all be praying together: Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
There’s so much to do all afternoon on September 10th.
Food will be priced at £1 for a burger and soft drink, and you can sit and eat this whilst listening to some beautiful saxophone music or the community choir, after you’ve had a go at the games, found your street in the photographs from the 1930s, and taken part in the all age craft.
On Saturday September 10th the church is holding a Jubilee anniversary of its own. The community choir are going to sing, there will be family games, a display on the history and the future of the church, a sing along session for parents and under 5s, BBQ, cakes and live music. More to follow. For now, save the date, and get ready to celebrate 90 years of Holy Redeemer in Streatham Vale.
This Sunday is Advent Sunday when we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming to redeem us by remembering His return to establish His kingdom.
Paul speaks of Jesus’ two comings in his letter to Titus (2:11-13) in these words:
‘For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ …’ Titus 2:11-13
Jesus came 2,000 years ago to assure all who trust Him of acceptance and welcome, at His return.
This puts things into perspective:In an age where ‘now’ is all that matters, it reminds us that ‘then’ is more important.In an age of distraction, it reminds us that the one thing that’s necessary is to sit at His feet and listen to Him.In an age where many voices compete for our attention, it reminds us that His is the one voice that we must heed.In an age of leisure and pleasure, it reminds us that we’re to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and trust that will bring us the pleasure and rest we yearn for.In an age of self-indulgence, it reminds us that really what we need is self-control.Advent Sunday is the perfect opportunity to ask ourselves: ‘Would I be ready to welcome Him if He came back tonight?’, ‘Are my loved ones and neighbours ready for His return?’, and ‘Might they appreciate an invitation to our Christmas celebrations?’
On Sunday the 21st November Phoebe Woodcraft is going to be baptised.It’ll be the first Baptism we’ve had at Church for some time, and something special to look forward to. Please pray for Phoebe, who is going to speak about how the Lord has been at work in her life to bring her to this significant point. And please pray for her Dad, Adam, who is preaching that day.Baptism is known as a ‘Dominical ordinance’ – something that Jesus, our Lord, has ‘ordained’ or commanded His followers to do. His last words recorded in Matthew 28:19 are:
‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …’ Matthew 28:19
We hear the Good news of who Jesus is and what He came to do in the preached word.
And that same message is ‘spoken’ in the act of Baptism – it’s a sacrament – a picture of the new, eternal life that we have when we come to Jesus as Lord and ask for His forgiveness.
It’s a good opportunity to invite friends and family to Church. And please come and join our autumn Passion for life training series in the Parish Hall, on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 ( for a simple meal at 6.30 ) and discussion from 7pm – 8pm.
And with Christmas ahead, we have more to celebrate and sing about – please have a chat with Denise if you might be interested in joining the Choir this year? And with Jon who needs help on the tech team.
Little Nippers is for children from birth to school age and their parents or carers.
It’s led by Ruth & Niccola who met at Little Nippers when their girls were tiny Little Nippers themselves! Many of the toys change week by week, alongside the craft which ranges from lovely take home pieces, to painting and creating that helps develop fine motor skills in little people’s hands. From cars to dinosaurs, houses to an alien space station, there’s something for everyone.
There’s a short singing time with refreshments for the children at 10.30. Throughout the morning there are a range of teas, coffee, hot chocolate and lovely biscuits available to the adults.
