You May have noticed the star twinkling brightly from the Church tower. This is to mark our participation in the Church of England’s #FollowTheStar campaign. As Advent begins this Sunday, we step up our preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus. There are numerous services and events happening in the run-up to Christmas, giving the whole of our community to enter into the festive spirit, and to recognise that the celebrations were all look forward to are centred on the birth of a child in Bethlehem who would be the Saviour of the world: the one who offers each and every one of us forgiveness of sins and a share in the promise of eternal life. Do join us at St Paul’s, then, following the Star to our local village church, as together we follow the Star to Bethlehem, and as we give thanks for the great gift of Jesus, born in the stable, but who would be the King off kings and Lord of lords.
We have had news of the Confirmation date for 2020. Bishop Philip will be coming to confirm candidates on Sunday 19 April 2020 at 2.30 pm (note the afternoon time). This is a wonderful opportunity for candidates, both youngsters and adults, to renew their commitment to their faith and to grow in their understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Preparation for youngsters (Year 6 and above) will take place on Wednesday evenings, beginning on Wednesday 22 January. All young people preparing for Confirmation will take part in the services for Holy Week (5-12 April), and will need to commit to being present for these services. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Any adults who would like to be confirmed, please speak to Fr David, and arrangements will be put in place for their preparation.</span>A Confirmation, of course, is also an opportunity for the rest of the congregation to support the candidates, and to welcome them as they take this step of faith, and as they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in this holy sacrament. Please put the date in your diaries, and make every effort to be present to support those who will be confirmed with your prayers and your presence.
St Paul's has published its Advent and Christmas Leaflet, giving details of all services throughout the festive season. There promises to be a full programme of services and events to prepare us to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. We are delighted to be focussing on the Church of England's Christmas campaign, #FollowTheStar. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Sunday evenings during Advent each have an Act of Worship in addition to the regular Masses in the morning. This begins with a Service of Advent Music and Readings on Advent Sunday, 1 December at 6.00 pm, focussing on the theme of the King and his Kingdom.</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">There will be a mass to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday 8 December at 6.00 pm. Sunday 15 December is Messy Christmas at 2.00 pm, where we will have an opportunity for fun and fellowship focussing on the themes of Christmas and exploring the meaning behind the Christingle. Finally, on Sunday 22 December we will hold our traditional Christmas Carol Service at 6.00 pm.</span>In addition, there is an opportunity to go carol singing around the Village on Friday 13 and Friday 20 December. A full programme of which pubs we will be in and when will be published in due course, but do come along and join us for these enjoyable evenings of Christian witness to our community. And as an opportunity for light relief, we will be hosting a concert by the Crickmore: Crewe on Saturday 14 December at 7.00 pm.We are looking forward to hosting a full church for our annual Christingle, Crib Service and Children's Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at 6.00 pm. This always proves to be a popular service, where all ages can come together to celebrate. Later on Christmas Eve there will be the traditional Midnight Mass, starting at 11.30 pm, in addition to 8.00 am and 10.30 am services on Christmas Day itself.May we take this opportunity to wish all readers a very happy, holy and peaceful Christmas 2019!
St Paul's Church hosted three services of remembrance, praying for those who have given their lives in the cause of peace. On Remembrance Sunday, the 10.30 am mass was celebrated as a Requiem for those who have died as a result of war, and during that mass, two minutes' silence was observed at the traditional time of 11.00 am. The JCs (Sunday School) came into church in time for the silence, and showed off the poppies they had been making as they reflected on the sacrifice that others had made so that we can enjoy peace.The main Civic Service of Remembrance took place on Sunday afternoon, when we saw St Paul's packed to standing room only, as the village came together to give thanks for those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace. During the service, the names of all those who had lost their lives in both World Wars were read out by the Scouts and Guides, and candles of remembrance were placed on the altar. The Civic procession then made its way to the War Memorial, where yet more people were already waiting for our village's two minutes' silence to honour the war dead. On Monday, children from St Paul's School, Adlington Primary School and Anderton Primary School gathered to reflect together on the meaning of Remembrance, and then we once more made the journey from Church to the War Memorial to observe the silence at 11.00 am on 11 November. It was clear from the expressions on the children's faces that this moment was poignant for them, just as it had been the day before for the crowds that gathered.As we gathered, we were reminded in the sermons that as part of our remembrance, we need to learn the lessons of the past, and seek reconciliation rather than vengeance, in order that the peace of Christ may be brought to bear, and that something of the kingdom of God may be established here on earth.
