Weekly News - 19th November 2023

This weekend’s Bible readings:

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (p 1188) and Matthew 25:14-30 (p 994)

Confirmation service 22nd November:

Di and Nicky, who have just completed the Christianity Explored course, will be confirmed in Buntingford on Wednesday at 7.30 pm. Nicky will be baptised in the same service. Please come and support them if you can, and pray for all the Christianity Explored participants.

Midweek Music at St Mary's on Wednesday:

This month's concert is on Wednesday 22nd November and we shall be welcoming students from St Edmunds College. We are excited to be able to give this opportunity to young musicians to perform in public, an experience which will stand them in good stead for the future. Do come and support them if you can. Entry is free, as are the refreshments which will be served from 11.30, the short concert following at 12.30.

Pop Up Shop next week:

The pop up shop is back on Sunday 26th November after the 10.30 morning service at St Mary's, Standon. There may be a few Real Advent Calendars left along with fair trade chocolate and other food products, various gifts and jewellery and some Christmas cards. This is the last pop up shop this year so come and see what is available.

November coffee mornings and sales:

Thank you to those who supported St Mary’s coffee morning and sale this weekend. We will report on the amount raised as soon as the cash is counted and the sums completed. Sacombe’s coffee morning will be next Saturday, 25th November, 10.30 – 12.30. Please support this if you can.

To round off your day, you can also visit Little Munden School next Saturday. Their Christmas bazaar will take place in the afternoon, from 2 until 5 pm.

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.

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.

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.

Christmas Crackers 14th December:

Once again, our benefice choir will be performing along with the Standon Sing Community choir and the Rib Singers in a concert of Christmas music, on 14th December in St Mary’s. Entry will be free, but there will be a retiring collection for Carers in Hertfordshire. FOSM will be selling mulled wine and soft drinks in the interval.

Mind & Music – songs to aid memory and wellbeing:

This group meets at the Standon and Puckeridge Community Centre each Thursday, 2.00 – 3.00. They use music, songs and conversation to see where our memories take us. All are welcome. For information please contact David: [email protected], 07888 398336, 01920 739762.

Website:

Our benefice website is on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform.

The benefice page can be reached via this link:. 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:

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

10th December 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's

6.00pm All Saints@6, All Saints

17th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Holy communion (said service), All Saints

6.00pm Carol service, All Saints