Royston Parish Church (Herts)

Royston Parish Church News - Sunday 14th December 2025

2025-12-12 notice sheet.pdf Download

ROYSTON PARISH CHURCH - where all are welcome and God's love is shared

You can download the paper copy of our news sheet from the link at the side of this page.

If you would like regular copies of the Notice Sheet emailed to you please email the parish office at admin@roystonparishchurch.org.uk.

Diary

Saturday 13th December

10:00-11:30 1:30 Church Café (Tea / Coffee / Hot Chocolate only £2 - Free Biscuits)

12:00-17:00 Royston Choral Society Set up

19:00-21:00 Royston Choral Society Christmas Concert

Sunday 14th December

09:00 - 09:45 Communion Service that is quiet and reflective

10:30 - 11:40 Communion Service with music/choir, children's groups/toy area, followed by refreshments

Monday 15th December

09:00-11:00 Church Cleaner

Tuesday 16th December

09:00 - 09:30 Morning Prayer (incorporating prayer requests that have been left in church)

Wednesday 17th December

11:00 - 11:25 Communion Service that is quiet and reflective, followed by refreshments

13:00 - 15:30 Knit and Natter (where all are welcome to meet and chat)

18:00 - 19:15 Chorister Practice

18:30 - 20:00 Choir Practice

Thursday 18th December

09:00-11:00 Tots in Church

11:30-21:00 KJAR Christmas Service set up followed by service

Friday 19th December

09:00 - 10:00 Set up for Icknield Walk School Christmas Service

10:00-11:30 Icknield Walk Christmas Service

Saturday 20th December

10:00-11:30 1:30 Church Café (Tea / Coffee / Hot Chocolate only £2 - Free Biscuits)

14:00-16:00 Royston Town Band Concert

Sunday 21st December

09:00 - 09:45 Communion Service that is quiet and reflective

10:30 - 11:40 Communion Service with music/choir, children's groups/toy area, followed by refreshments

15:00-17:00 Choir Practice

17:00-18:15 Traditional Christmas Carol Service

Monday 22nd December

17:00-17:45 Blue Christmas Service

Tuesday 23rd December

09:00 - 09:30 Morning Prayer (incorporating prayer requests that have been left in church)

Wednesday 24th December

09:00-12:00 Decorating the church with Christmas flowers

14:30-15:30 Crib Service 1
16:00-17:00 Crib Service 2
23:00 Midnight Mass

Dates for the Diary/Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS :There are a number of events coming up over the next few months to look forward to.

9th February 2026 - The work of Guy Stagg, a local author , the event being organised byBow Books

14th February - Church Quiz

18th April - Cheese and wine evening

2nd & 4th May - Book Fayre

19th June - Hymns and PIMM’s

20th June - Concert

Intercessions

We pray for all Christians worldwide:

For all Christians in Cambodia, Laos, Vietna,
For all who are worship at Bassingbourn United Reformed Church; Revd Sue Fender
For the work of our mission partners: The Leprosy Mission

We pray for the community of Royston:

For our local health centres
For all who volunteer with our local uniformed organisations: Guides, Scouts, etc

We pray for our world and ECO projects:

We pray for the farmers who grow our Chritsmas Trees

We pray for the sick and suffering:

Lee Cockerill
Pat Pritchard
Jackson Herbert
Maria Turi
Chris Christou
Paul & Pat Tidey
Mike Brown
Marion
Val Brown
Angie & Ken Rushall
Paula Walker
Keith & Elaine Edwards
Peter Coates
Emma & Phil Heath
Peter Foster
Gwen Simmons
Tibor Pollerman
Laura O'nyamul (On-Ya-Mul)

We pray for those who have died in the faith of Christ:
Deceased Bereaved
Olive Watson Lisa Watson-Wilde, family and friends

We pray for those whose anniversaries fall at this time:
Adrian Winter Julie Piper Joyce Wallis Edward Blesson

NOTICES

PLEASE NOTE: There is no 11 am Wednesday Communion on the 24th and 31st December.

BEDS & HERTS BIKE ‘N HIKE Another successful year for the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Bike ’n Hike which took place in September, 13 participants with their many supporters raised a total of £ 1,743 which was allocated £ 1,030 to Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust (50% + Gift Aid) and £ 713 (50%) to our parish funds. Many thanks to the participants and their sponsors.

FLOODING IN VIETNAM. The recent storms in South East Asia have affected Vietnam as badly as has been reported in other neighbouring countries. Our link Church in Vietnam is in a position to bring relief aid to those affected. We will shortly be sending our regular gift from our Missions budget so, if you would like to add to it, please see John Fidler.

CHRISTMAS CARDS: As in previous years, we have a board in the South wall for us to write one Christmas card for the whole church family so that everyone is included and we lessen our impact upon the environment at the same time. Please do read the various greetings and messages from members of our church family.

BUBBLE WRAP: If anyone has any spare bubble wrap, we would be very grateful of it. When the baubles get packed away on Candlemas, it will be very useful to protect the glass baubles. Please leave in box under the preserves, and we will pick it up. Thank you

CHURCH HOSPITALITY: Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to be in church during Advent to meet people who come into church to write a message and place it on the tree and to offer a drink or soup. We have the following dates and time that we still need people to sign up for:

Monday 22nd December 12.30-4pm
Tuesday 23rd December 12.30-4pm
Please let Joanne know if you are willing to sign up for any of these slots

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE. They'll be available after church services (with the exception of the Remembrance Sunday morning service), Saturday Coffee, and during events at the end of November. Tickets are £1 each, prizes include Christmas Hampers, and all proceeds go to church funds.

MINCE PIES- The Events committee is seeking donations of boxes of mince pies for events throughout Advent. Please make sure they have a good shelf life. They can be left in the kitchen. Many thanks.

SUNDAY READING SHEET 14th December 2025 3rd Sunday of Advent

A Reading from the Letter of James

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. James 5:7-10

GOSPEL

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 11:2-11

STAFF TEAM

Vicar: Revd Steven Sivyer (rest day MONDAY)

Telephone no. 01763 580242

Email: [email protected]

Curate: Jaime Roberts (rest day FRIDAY)

Telephone: 01763 580241

Email: [email protected]

Assistant Priest: The Reverend John Fidler

Telephone no. 01763 241886

Email: [email protected]

Reader: Emma Sivyer