This weekend’s Bible readings:
Isaiah 4:2-6 (p 689) and Hebrews 12:14-24 (p 1211)
Archdeacon Janet’s visits:
Archdeacon Janet isn’t with us as planned this weekend. Sadly, her mother died on Monday and she is not working this week. She hopes still to attend our PCC meetings on Wednesday and to be with us for our Remembrance Day service in St Mary’s next weekend. Please pray for her and her family as they grieve.
Next week’s services:
Our services next week are at different times from usual. At All Saints, we’ll hold a service of Morning Worship at 9.30, and we’ll walk down to the war memorial afterwards to join villagers in a short Act of Remembrance. At St Mary’s, our service will be slightly later, at 10.45, and will involve the uniformed organisations. At 3.00 pm, there will be a short Act of Remembrance at Sacombe.
All Saints@6 for the next 2 weeks:
This Sunday evening Joe Boot will speak about “Courage and conviction in an age of compromise” followed by an opportunity for questions and answers. Next week we have the second Christians Together meeting. The first was an upbuilding time of worship, fellowship and prayer, and we hope even more will join us on this occasion. All are welcome!
Confirmation service 22nd November:
Di and Nicky, who have just completed the Christianity Explored course, will be confirmed in Buntingford on 22nd November. We will let you know the time when we have it. Please come and support them if you can, and pray for all the Christianity Explored participants.
November coffee mornings and sales:
Both of our November events are approaching. FOSM’s coffee morning will be on 18th November, 10 - 12 and Sacombe’s will be on 25th, 10.30 – 12.30. Please support these if you can.
Advent service:
Our annual service of readings and music for Advent will take place on Sunday 3rd December at 6.00 pm in St Mary’s. Advent can sometimes get a bit lost, as Christmas hurtles towards us in December; please join us if you can to reflect on this time of waiting and anticipation as we hear the ancient prophecies and listen to the benefice choir as they lead our worship.
Knit & Natter group:
If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us for a couple of hours in the Sargant room at the back of Standon village hall at 2pm, usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 9th November. For more information please contact Diane on 01920 821130 or Marion on 01920 745683.
Beryl’s scooter:
As most of us know, Beryl had a very high spec and sturdy mobility scooter that carried her round the village. Her family is looking for a good home for it. If you know anyone who could use it, please speak to John or Caroline.
Operation Christmas Child:
We are getting close to the pick-up date for the Christmas shoeboxes. If you’d like to contribute, you can still do so by wrapping and filling a shoebox yourself (Lizzy will give you a list of what’s allowed) or by donating boxes, wrapping paper or any of the things that will go into one, or, indeed, money for the travel costs. Right now, there are 102 filled boxes in Lizzy’s living room, and she plans to pack more. As soon as these ones have gone, she starts to collect for next year, so please keep saving your shoe boxes and bargain hunting!
Sunday lunch at the Star:
Heather is organising the next Sunday lunch, on Sunday 26th November at the The Star Standon at 12.15pm. Please contact her on 07909 065550 to reserve a place.
Website:
Our benefice website is on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform.
The benefice page can be reached via this link: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/benefice/32-240BF/. The forward from https://ubsms.org.uk should point to that page.
Services for the next few weeks
Midweek services each week:
Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine's
Wednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary's
Sunday services:
5th November 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's
10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
6.00pm All Saints@6, All Saints
12th November 9.30am Morning worship, All Saints
10.45am Remembrance service, St Mary's
3.00pm Act of Remembrance, St Catherine's
6.00pm All Saints@6, All Saints
19th November 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's
10.30am Holy communion, All Saints
6.00pm All Saints@6, All Saints
26th November 10.30am Family worship, St Mary's
6.00pm All Saints@6, All Saints
Please note our usual 4th Sunday Choral Evensong service won’t happen in November, as 3rd December is Advent Sunday and we will have our Advent service of music and readings at 6.00 pm that day.
3rd December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's
10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
6.00pm Advent carols service, St Mary's