This weekend’s Bible readings:
Isaiah 35:1-10 (p 719) and Matthew 11:2-11 (p 976)
Advent appeal:
We have supported the foodbank for a number of years, and never has the demand for their services been greater than it is now. Karen and her team support families in our villages as well as in Buntingford and other surrounding villages. Last year, our advent appeal raised enough for us to organise online grocery deliveries well into this year, and that has made a significant difference to the support Karen is able to offer. In the last 12 months, we have funded over £5,000 of those deliveries, as well as the groceries we have collected in the boxes in our churches.
Key facts:
Each box of goods they deliver to a family costs £30-£50; They support approximately 70 families each month - this is increasing month on month; As of a couple of weeks ago, 137 families were on the list to receive a Christmas hamper from the Foodbank, but this was going up daily so the total will be higher You can support our appeal
- by leaving contributions in the boxes in our churches,
- by collecting an item each day during advent, to be delivered after Christmas (Reverse Advent Calendar),
- by contributing financially online,
- by giving a financial contribution to any of our treasurers or
- by putting financial contributions in the appeal envelopes and into the collection bag.
There are fliers at the back of all our churches. Please ask Caroline if you would like more information.
Café Christmas party 14th December:
The Wednesday café will celebrate Christmas this week with a special afternoon of activities and refreshments. In addition to the usual tea and coffee, there will be alcohol free mulled wine and mince pies, and a crib service at 4.15. Please come along and join us.
Christmas Crackers 15th December, 7.30:
Please come and support the new community choir, the benefice choir and the Rib Singers as they present a concert on Thursday. It is free, but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the High Sheriff’s charity. Mulled wine and mince pies will be provided by, and in aid of FOSM.
Little Munden Carol service next SATURDAY:
Please remember that the carols services are not on Sundays this year. The one in All Saints is on Saturday 17th at 6.00 pm. Please join us if you can for this candlelit celebration of the Christmas story.
Libury Hall December Service:
Our Christmas Service at Libury Hall this week had to be postponed because of Covid among the staff. The new date will be in Epiphany, on 4th January. A message of love and good wishes, together with a wish for lots of fun and enjoyment through the Christmas season has been sent to the residents of Libury Hall. For further information please speak to Cliff or Diane G.
Walking Advent calendar:
The Walking Advent Calendar Windows are lighting up our streets in Standon and Puckeridge. Don't miss this wonderful array of imaginative interpretations of carols - a new window opens every day. Take your dog, your children, your Grandma, yourself for a walk day and/or night and be amazed. Just follow the link https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/page/79423/view/. Here you will find the map with the addresses and days. Enjoy!
Carols round the tree in Standon High Street 20th December:
This year, we will gather at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 20th in Standon High Street to sing carols round the Christmas tree. Unfortunately, the date has inadvertently been missed out of the PS magazine, so please let friends and neighbours know when it is.
Christingle preparation Friday 23rd December:
We need helpers, please, at 2pm in St. Mary’s church. Please see John if you can help with this. We need lots of helpers to prepare for both services!
Stamps and postcards for TLM:
Gwen has received a letter from TLM to let us know that they will no longer be collecting used stamps and postcards after this year. They write:
"Thank you so much for collecting stamps to raise funds for people affected by leprosy. Over the years you have raised thousands of pounds and transformed lives across Africa and Asia - all with stamps!"
We suggest that in future stamps could be handed in at the Community coffee morning or at Standon post office who collect for charity, or given to Lizzy, who collects them for EDS research. We don't know of anyone who wants postcards; if you do, please let us know.
Volunteers still sought for school clubs:
We are still looking for volunteers to help out with the clubs at Roger de Clare on Thursdays, at lunchtime and after school. Please speak to John or Caroline.
Concert in memory of Len Sparks:
We have a new date for the concert which had to be postponed from the autumn. It is 4th February. Tickets will be available in the New Year.
Website:
Our benefice website is on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform. The benefice page is: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice. Please visit it to see the range of information there.
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:
11th December 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary's
4.00pm The Centre, All Saints
Christmas services:
17th December (Saturday) 6.00pm Carol service, All Saints
18th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's
10.30am Holy communion, All Saints
22nd December (Thursday) 7.00pm Nine lessons & carols, St Mary's
24th December (Saturday) 3.00pm Christingle, All Saints
5.00pm Christingle, St Mary's
7.30pm Carols by candlelight, St Catherine's
11.30pm Midnight communion, St Mary's
25th December 10.30am Christmas worship & communion, All Saints
10.30am Christmas worship, St Mary's
1st January 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's
10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
8th January 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's
4.00pm The Centre, All Saints