The Bear Essentials
For the week beginning Sunday 23rd March 2025
"Jesus explained, 'I tell you that to everyone who has [because he valued his gifts from God and have used them wisely], more will be given; but from the one who does not have [because he disregarded his gifts from God], even what he has will be taken away.'"
Luke 19:26
THIS WEEK AT THE BEAR
Sunday Morning Service - at the Ascension. 11.15am for prayer, 11.45 for tea and coffee, 12pm for worship service.
Sunday Evening Service - at Evelyn from 6pm.
CALL OUT FOR MID-WEEK HELPERS - the evening service needs a couple of volunteers to buy the food for the evening meal. Email info@thebear.tv if you are able to help out.
EYWDHS - Eat Your Way Down the High Street will be at M&D Japanese on Thursday 7-9pm. RSVP to bex@thebear.tv.
Early Morning Prayer - open to all, just switch on and join in Monday to Friday on Zoom from 7-7.30am
LENT AT THE BEAR
Inspired by our recent coming together for 24 hrs of prayer & fasting, we will continue this once a week during the 6 weeks of Lent. Starting at 9pm on Sunday night until 9pm Monday, and reflecting on a different line of the Lord's prayer each week. At 8pm on the Monday a zoom room will be open for those who’d like to finish the 24th hour in prayer together.
Week 3 - starting 16th of March
"Give us today our daily bread."
Lord's prayer in Gaelic ☘️
Ár n-Athair atá ar neamh,
Go naofar d'ainim,
Go dtagfadh do ríocht,
Go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh mar a dhéantar ar neamh.
Ár n-arán laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,
agus maith dúinn ár bhfiacha
mar a mhaithimidne dár bhféichiúna féin
Ach ná lig sinn i gcathú,
ach saor sinn ó olc
Amen.
COMING UP
Karaoke social - come together to enjoy the ancient art of karaoke, singing is optional but good times are assured! There's no stage, we'll be in a private room booked by our maestro Mel! All are welcome: Friday 4th of April, 8-10pm (but come early for a drink) @ The Old School Yard, 111 Long Lane, London Bridge SE1 4PH. RSVP to info@thebear.tv.
Tenebrae service - The tenebrae service marks the ‘gathering shadows’ of the Easter weekend. It’s a candlelit service of readings and music to allow us to prepare for Good Friday before heading into Easter. It will be hosted by Alex at 7:30pm on the 17th of April @ The Bear. Do join us, and if you would like to, or are able to, do a reading, please let Alex know.
Easter Weekend
Good Friday walk - hike outside of London, more details to come
Easter Sunday service - 10:30am 20th of April @ Giffin Square
New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival - we will be screening ‘Paddington in Peru’ on Saturday 26th of April at 4pm and ‘Women Talking’ on Monday 28 April at 8pm - both at The Bear building! If you can get involved - giving out flyers, sharing on socials, welcoming people, serving drinks, carrying chairs, setting up equipment - please contact tessa@thebear.tv
THE RAGGED PROJECT
Trolly Coins - Available to buy at Ascension on Sundays. £2 each - all proceeds to the Project
Give Us Your Money - contact emily@thebear.tv if you have spare change/holiday coins to give, or bring to Ascension on Sundays
Sung Worship - download or stream Dave's songs and raise money for the Project: https://linktr.ee/davidwinter
WHAT'S ON
Sunday
11.15am Prayer at Ascension
11.45am Tea and Coffee
12pm Worship service
4pm Food preparation at Evelyn
6pm Evening meal
7pm Evening service
Monday
7am Early Morning Prayer
9.30am Bear Cubs
Tuesday
7am Early Morning Prayer
1.30pm Women's Bible Study
Wednesday
7am Early Morning Prayer
Thursday
7am Early Morning Prayer
1pm Bear Cubs
7pm EYWDHS 🍲
8pm Small Groups
Friday
7am Early Morning Prayer
9.30am Bear Cubs
1.30pm English Fridays
NOTICES AND CLASSIFIEDS
40acts 2025 - Join over 50,000 people who are spreading the love of Jesus through 40 days of intentional generosity this year. Sign up here https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts
Lent at Ascension - on Saturday 5th of April Vicar Anne will be hosting a mini retreat for our busy lives from 10am - 12 midday. This will be a quiet time of gentle reflection and prayer.
Childcare call out - Could you collect a three year old from pre-school and play with them in the park until supper time, every Tuesday for the summer term (April-July)? You’d be doing a bus ride between preschool and home with her unless you prefer to drive. Paid role, contact Claire.
Adolescence & beyond - is anyone else reeling from the new Netflix series Adolescence? I (Larry) felt really stirred by it and was wondering if there might be interest in exploring what we could do as a community. I had the idea of a book study of Behold the Men by Rachel Starr and Robert Beckford as a potential first step but open for ideas! If you'd like to chat email info@thebear.tv.
CONTACTS
The Bear Church Instagram - follow at @thebearchurch
The Bear WhatsApp Broadcast Group - for weekly updates and more (but not much more), add The Bear Church 07707 524977 to your contacts, then message the number and ask to join the group.
Safeguarding - the email address for our Designated Safeguarding Lead is safeguarding@thebear.tv
Giving - is part of our worship. For any money-related questions, contact Tracy at finance@thebear.tv
Bear Talks - Search 'The Bear Sunday Talks' on Spotify or find them here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nprnTdz6EruEcPSJk0t1C?si=bb248c499e40491a