This weekend’s Bible readings:
Isaiah 40:1-11 (p 723) and Mark 1:1-8 (p 1002)
Sunday morning service:
There has been a little confusion about this weekend’s services. The 10.30 communion service will be in St Mary’s, not in All Saints. We apologise for the typo in the Dane End Village News.
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.
Christingle preparation in St Marys, 23rd December, 2pm:
Please let John know if you can help with this. All are welcome!
Sending greetings across the benefice:
In All Saints church during December there will be a little Christmas tree with some shiny stars . You can write your Christmas greetings to one another on these and hang them on the tree, giving a donation for the Foodbank.
In St Mary’s, the Christmas post box is once more in use. Please remember to collect any cards there for you, as well as using it to leave cards for any other benefice members.
Christmas trees from Sacombe Green:
Once again, Christmas trees are available at SG12 0JQ, from 9.00 am until 4.00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, this weekend only. Proceeds will go to St Catherine’s or to Herts Community Foundation, as the purchaser chooses.
Advent appeal for the Foodbank:
Another order of almost £1,000 will be delivered to the food bank on Monday. It includes some Christmas treats: chocolate biscuits, Christmas puddings, seasonal snacks etc.
Our Advent appeal is once more to support this important work. Special envelopes are available in St Mary’s; please put your donation in one of those if it’s going in the Standon collection bags. In All Saints and St Catherine’s, the entire offering at the carol services will go to the appeal. Alternatively, bank transfers can be made to any of our church bank accounts, using the reference ‘Appeal’ or ‘FB’.
Little Angels - helpers needed:
Little Angels, our carer and toddler group in St Mary’s on Friday mornings between 9 and 11 is becoming more and more popular and we need some more helpers! All that’s required is to help with refreshments and help putting out and away the children’s equipment (it’s not heavy!). There will be a rota so it doesn’t mean every week. Please contact Basma if you can help.
Lifts to and from church:
A handful of our church family members would be grateful for a lift to enable them to attend our Christmas services. In some cases, ill health or recent surgery has limited mobility; in others driving in the dark is an issue. If you would be willing to offer a lift to someone on a one-off basis, please speak to Caroline.
Kisiizi Hospital parcels:
Thank you to everyone who knits for Kisiizi hospital. We are now in need of boxes. Those that hold 5 reams of A4 paper are ideal. If you can help, please leave them in St Mary’s church.
EHCCA Evensong 30th December:
EHCCA is planning to sing Choral Evensong at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 30th December at 5pm. All are welcome to attend.
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
Please note there will be no midweek services on 26th or 27th December.
Sunday services:
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
24th December There will be no morning service - please see the list of Christmas services below
31st December 10.30am Morning worship, St Catherine's
7th January 8.00am Ante communion, St Mary's
10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
14th January 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's
6.00pm All Saints@6, All Saints