Join us this Lent for a 6-week course on Carbon Literacy®: learning about climate change, carbon footprints and how we can all do our bit to reduce them. The course will take place in church on 6 Fridays from 1.30-3.30pm, starting on Friday February 28th, March 7th, 14th, 21st, April 4th & 11th. (Note there is no session on March 28th).To book your place on this course which has been designed specifically with Church Congregations in mind, sign up to our parish newsletter if you are not already on the list by e-mailing the Parish Office (admin@roystonparishchurch.org.uk). A booking link will be published on this website in the near future.
You can download the paper copy of our news sheet from the link at the side of this page. The diocese’s Living God’s Love Prayer:Living God, draw us deeper into your love; Jesus our Lord, send us to care and serve;Holy Spirit, make us heralds of good news.Stir us, strengthen us, teach and inspire usTo live your love with generosity and joy,Imagination and courage; for the sake of your world and in the name of Jesus, Amen. Please note: The Parish Office email is admin@roystonparishchurch.org.uk. If you would like regular copies of the Notice Sheet emailed to you please email this account. Saturday 11th 10 – 11.30 am Church CaféSunday 12th January9 am Said Communion Service10.30 am Sung Communion Service with the Church Choir, Children’s Church followed with refreshments and The Treble Makers 12.30 pm Baptisms of Dolcie and Olivia Dyer Tuesday 14th9 am Morning Prayer10 – 12 noon King James Accademy Royston GCSE visitWednesday 15th 11 am Eucharist followed by refreshments1 pm Knit and Natter meeting7 pm CHOIR PRACTICE MEETING IN THE VICARAGE - NB Note change of venue!7.30 pm PCC meeting in ChurchThursday 16th 9 - 11 am Tots in ChurchSaturday 18th 10 – 11.30 am Church CaféSunday 19th Week of Christian Unity9 am Said Communion Service 10.30 am Sung Communion Service with Church Choir, Children’s Church, followed by refreshments and The Treble Makers DATES FOR THE DIARYFriday 24th January 3 pm The funeral of the late Ron Monksfield, followed by 4 pm Cremation at Cam ValleyWednesday 5th February 9.30 am Celtic Prayer Service resumes We pray for all Christians worldwide:For all Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, PalestineFor all who are worship at Melbourn Baptist Church: led by Rob and Jenny HughesFor the work of our mission partners: Church Mission Society (CMS)We pray for the community of Royston:For our local health centres For our local Toddler Groups, as they return for the new termWe pray for our world and ECO projects: Thinking about recycling as we tidy up after Christmas and start to Spring Clean.We pray for the sick and suffering: EdenPaul & Pat TideyForest PikePhoebe StromPeter CoatesNealRichard MossJan McElneyJamie CovingtonLee CockerillBetty GladstoneJohn HutchinsJackson HerbertHelen YerrillVal BrownMargaret & John CoatesAngi and Ken RushallKathy GeorgeJean CoslettLynn FrickerMikeCyrine and familyRowena GodfreyJean CoslettCarol EmmsPeter RiceLinda DwightWe pray for those who have died in the faith of Christ:Ron Monksfield Carol, family and friendsCharles Hazelwood Family and friendsGraham Buttle Family and friends We pray for those whose anniversaries fall at this time13 January William Pigg15 January Elsie PotterNOTICESANNOUNCEMENT: Having been the Bishop of St Albans for sixteen years and turning sixty-eight next month, the Rt Revd Alan Smith is retiring as our Diocesan Bishop on 31st May. There will be opportunities to show our appreciation of Bishop Alan in due course, but let us include him and our diocese in our prayers as he and we enter this period of change.EGG BOXES: Brenda Watkins is collecting the 6 size egg boxes for the Food Bank. We have left a box to put them into in the kitchen, and Brenda will collect from the box on a regular basis. Please do not leave them on Brenda’s doorstep. If you wish to speak to Brenda please ring 01763 244310. Thank youCHURCH QUIZ SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2025. 7PM FOR 7:30 START. Teams of up to 8 people, £8 per person. To register a team or interest in joining a team please speak to Duncan Rodgers or email duncanrodgers66@gmail.comCHURCH QUIZ RAFFLE We would like to run a raffle at the Church Quiz and would really welcome items to go into hamper type prizes. If you can help in this way, please leave in the vestry. Thank you from the Events Team.CHRISTMAS CARD RECYCLE: We will be looking to add to our labels ready for 2025 Christmas Tree. Please consider letting us have your Christmas Cards. Just cut a suitable size from the card picture, and if you have a hole punch add a hole. Joanne will be glad to receive them in Church. Thank you.HELP WITH TEA TIME PRAISE REFRESHMENTS PLEASE: Volunteers (two per service) Just need to turn up around 3.00pm and set up the cakes and snacks as well as making squash ready. Then towards the end of the service to make and serve teas and coffee. Finally, tidying up and loading the dishwasher afterwards. The TTP service is only 11 times a year, and there is a rota so probably two/three times a year. So hopefully not too onerous. Please contact Joanne if you can help. Thank you HOME GROUPS Our home groups offer an opportunity for people to meet in a relaxed and friendly environment in order to study the Bible and exchange views and support one another in the journey of faith. Whether you're just beginning your exploration of faith or have walked this path for a long time, our home groups are intended to help you grow in your connection with God and with one another. There are currently five groups meeting on a variety of days/evenings and times throughout the week. Each one has its own style and we will try to find the right group for you. You will be able to try and see without making any long-term commitment. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Val Neather or Jim Dalgleish at valjneather@gmail.com and james.dalgleish.t21@btinternet.com SUNDAY READING SHEET 12th January 2025 BAPTISM OF CHRISTA Reading from the Prophecy of IsaiahNow thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’, and to the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’ Isaiah 43: 1 - 7GOSPELAs the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Luke 3: 15 - 17, 21 - 22STAFF TEAMVicar: Revd Steven Sivyer (rest day MONDAY)Telephone no. 01763 243145Email: vicar@roystonparishchurch.org.ukAssistant Priest: The Reverend John FidlerTelephone no. 01763 241886Email: johnhfidler@aol.com Reader: Emma SivyerTelephone no. 07851 688610Email: emma@sivyer.org.ukReader: Canon Reg BaileyTelephone no. 01763 250637Email: regbailey@aol.com Parish Administrator: Joanne WallisWorking hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 am to 1 pm email: admin@roystonparishchurch.org.ukMobile: 07935 774633www.roystonparishchurch.org.ukemail: admin@roystonparishchurch.org.ukwww.facebook.com/roystonparishchurch.herts
SUNDAY READING SHEET 12th January 2025 BAPTISM OF CHRISTCollectHeavenly Father,at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:may we recognize him as our Lordand know ourselves to be your beloved children;through Jesus Christ our Saviour.Amen. A Reading from the Prophecy of IsaiahNow thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’, and to the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’Isaiah 43: 1 - 7For the word of the LordAll: Thanks be to GodGOSPELHear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke All: Glory to you, O Lord.As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’The Baptism of JesusNow when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’Luke 3: 15 - 17, 21 - 22 This is the Gospel of the Lord.All: Praise to you, O Christ.Post Communion Prayer:Lord of all time and eternity,you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Fatherin the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son:by the power of your Spiritcomplete the heavenly work of our rebirththrough the waters of the new creation;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
