This weekend’s Bible readings: Hebrews 2:14-18 (p 1202) and Luke 2:22-40 (p 1028)Soup & Snowdrops 15th February: Please join us in St Catherine’s between 12 noon and 2.00 pm on 15th February to enjoy delicious soup and bread and cheese, and to admire the carpet of snowdrops that always covers the churchyard at this time of year. All donations help towards the running costs of the church.World Day of Prayer 7th March, 2.30 pm: This year’s World Day of Prayer is on Friday 7th March at St Mary’s Church Standon at the earlier time of 2.30 in the afternoon, refreshments afterwards. This is an ecumenical service open to all. This year’s service has been prepared by the Christian Women of the Cook Islands. If you would like to help in any way or would like to know more about World Day of Prayer please speak to Margaret G.Quiz Night thank you: Thank you to all who helped with or supported our quiz night in Standon last weekend. The amount raised was £1,200.Foodbank: Our Advent appeal once again raised important funds for our local foodbank, totalling more than £3,400. We support the foodbank throughout the year; a number of our members give regularly as well as those who give occasionally. Lizzy is in contact with Gemma, who coordinates the team and who lets Lizzy know what items are in short supply for the bags going out to families in need. Lizzy places an online order with Sainsbury’s, to be delivered directly to the foodbank’s storage facility in Buntingford. That way, the foodbank gets exactly what it needs, and the families it helps are provided with the most tailored help Gemma can provide. Our latest online order was delivered this week, with £1,928 worth of groceries. Gemma is immensely grateful for our ongoing support. Thank you.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:2nd February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints9th February 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s16th February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints23rd February 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd March 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible readings: Luke 1:23-25, 57-60, 2:21 (p 1026)Midweek Music Wednesday 29th: Michael and Marion will play a selection of music for piano and organ at this month’s Midweek Music on Wednesday. Refreshments will be served from 11.30 and the concert will take place at 12.30. As usual, a collection will be taken to support the work of our three benefice churches.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:26th January 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints9th February 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s16th February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints23rd February 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible readings: Isaiah 42:5-7 (p 727) and John 1:1-9 (p 1063)Next Sunday: There is no pop up shop at St Mary’s this month at the family service on 26th January. It will be back in February. There will, however, be a bookstall.Midweek Music 5th Wednesday this month: Please note that Midweek Music is on 29th January. Refreshments will be served from 11.30 and the concert will take place at 12.30.Advent appeal: Thank you to all who supported the appeal. The total raised across the benefice was £3,460, including the proceeds from the Christmas Crackers concert. Our donations are used to pay for online orders with Sainsbury’s, delivered directly to the foodbank, which Lizzy F places in response to Gemma’ requests. The two are in touch regularly so that Lizzy knows what the foodbank needs in any particular week. Thank you, too, to all of you who give regularly to our foodbank fund, so that we can continue the deliveries throughout the year. In 2024, we sent orders totalling over £8,000. Gemma and her team of volunteers is immensely grateful for our ongoing support.There are boxes in all our churches when items can be placed if you prefer to choose the things you give.Cleaning teams distress call! The cleaning teams in both St Mary’s and All Saints are in dire and urgent need of new members.Sara, who has led the All Saints team for many years, has moved away; we are very grateful to her for her faithful service and wish her well in her new home. Sue P has taken over the task, but is finding that there are so few people willing to join the rota that it will no longer be possible to clean the church every week. If you or anyone you know would be willing to help out, please speak to Sue.At St Mary’s, we just need two more people to volunteer to supplement the teams. It would be only every 6 weeks and others are there to share the load. Please speak to Marion or message her on 07794 651587 if you can help.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:19th January 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints26th January 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints9th February 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s16th February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible readings: Acts 8:14-17 (p 1101) and Luke 3:15-22 (p 1030)Blankets and wheat bags: In this extremely cold weather, please remember that we have some blankets and wheat bags at St Mary’s – please ask if you would like to borrow one.Midweek Music 5th Wednesday this month: Please note that Midweek Music is on 29th January. Refreshments will be served from 11.30 and the concert will take place at 12.30.Can you help with a van? Gwen expects to be well enough to come home on Monday 20th, but she may not be able to, because she will need some equipment, which can’t be delivered until 22nd. If you know of anyone with a van who could pick up the equipment, she would love to hear from you. If you can help, speak directly to Gwen or to Caroline.Cleaning teams distress call! The cleaning teams in both St Mary’s and All Saints are in dire and urgent need of new members.Sara, who has led the All Saints team for many years, has moved away; we are very grateful to her for her faithful service and wish her well in her new home. Sue P has taken over the task, but is finding that there are so few people willing to join the rota that it will no longer be possible to clean the church every week. If you or anyone you know would be willing to help out, please speak to Sue.At St Mary’s, we just need two more people to volunteer to supplement the teams. It would be only every 6 weeks and others are there to share the load. Please speak to Marion or message her on 07794 651587 if you can help.FOSM Quiz Night 25th January, 7.30 pm: There are still a couple of tables available for the annual FOSM Quiz Night on 25th January. Teams can be up to 8, and the cost is £15 per head. If you would like to book in, please contact Caroline.Sunday lunch at the Star: Heather is organising our next Sunday lunch at the Star on 26th January. If you would like a place, please let Heather know by Monday 20th January (07909 065550).Bishop Alan’s retirement: We have heard from Bishop Alan that he plans to retire at the end of May. Pray for Bishop Alan as he prepares for this, and for the process to appoint his successor.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:12th January 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s19th January 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints26th January 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints9th February 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
