This Sunday is designated as Safeguarding Sunday.This weekend’s Bible readings: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (p 1188) and Matthew 25:1-13 (p 994)Visit from Samara and Andrew Ellis: Andrew and Sam have contacted us to say they are coming to the UK for Sam’s father’s memorial service on the 23rd November. If Sam’s visa comes in time, they would like to come and see us at the Sacombe service next Tuesday 19th at 9.30am. Pray that it comes in time!Christmas Fairs: Next Saturday, 23rd, Sacombe will hold its annual sale from 10.30 until 12.30, with lots to buy as well as, again, refreshments and cakes.Little Munden School’s Christmas Fayre is in the afternoon, 1.00 until 4.00, in the school. You would be very welcome there too!Pop up shop and bookstall: The pop up shop will be in St Mary’s at the 10.30am service next Sunday, 24th November. This will be the last opportunity to buy The Real Advent Calendar. Stock is very low! Profits go to the Buntingford Food Hub (was Foodbank).The book stall will also be at the service, with plenty of books and activities for Christmas.Bill on Assisted Dying: On 29th November, the Terminally Ill (End of Life) Adults Bill will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons where MPs will likely vote on the proposed law. Please consider writing to your MP. There is information about the topic at the website care.org.uk (a Christian organisation). They have set up an easy-to-use email tool to make writing to your MP simple and effective.Benefice Group for World Mission: Our BGWM group, who meet occasionally and support our missionary partners with prayer constantly would love to welcome new members. If you feel God is calling you to this service, please contact Peter A. Their next meeting is on Friday 29th November at 2 in All Saints.Advent service 1st December: There is no Choral Evensong this month as we have our special Advent service on 1st December. Our Advent service is one of words and music appropriate for the start of the Advent season, as we anticipate the coming of Jesus, which we’ll celebrate at Christmas.Christmas trees in Sacombe Green: Christmas trees will be on sale once more at the Old Rectory, in Sacombe Green, SG12 0JQ on two weekends, 30th November & 1st December, and 7th & 8th December. Trees can be chosen there or pre-ordered from Martyn on 07831 654758. All proceeds will go to St Catherine’s.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:17th November 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints24th November 10.30am All age worship, St Mary's1st December 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints6.00pm Service of music and readings for Advent, St Mary's8th December 100.30am Holy Communion, St Mary's15th December 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy Communion (said), All Saints6.00pm Carol Service, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible readings: Standon: John 15:9-17 (p 1083)Little Munden: Isaiah 11:1-10 (p 969) and Romans 3:9-18 (p 1130)Service times: Please note that the service times are changed for Sunday. The service at All Saints will be at 9.30, and we will walk down to the war memorial to join in the act of remembrance there at 11.00. In St Mary’s, the service will start at 10.45, and we will be joined by the uniformed organisations. There will be a short act of remembrance at St Catherine’s at 3.00 pm.There will be no stream this week. The BBC will be broadcasting the ceremony from the Cenotaph, with coverage starting at 10.15 am.Knit & Natter 14th November: The group will meet on Thursday at 2pm in the Sargant room (at the back of Standon village hall). Tea & cakes will be available. For more information please contact Diane on 01920 821130 or Marion on 01920 745683.Operation Christmas Child Boxes: This year’s boxes will be collected next Sunday, 17th. If you miss the date, don’t despair; Lizzy will be collecting for 2025 the minute they’ve gone!Christmas Fairs: Advent is approaching and so are our two coffee mornings and sales.The FOSM one is on 16th from 10.00 until 12.00 in St Mary’s. There will be a variety of stalls as well as refreshments and a cake stall.The following Saturday, 23rd, Sacombe will hold its annual sale from 10.30 until 12.30, with lots to buy as well as, again, refreshments and cakes.Please spread the word, and support these two events if you can.Sunday lunch at the Star: Our next Sunday lunch will be on Sunday 24th November at 12.15pm at The Star, Standon. If you would like to book a place please phone Heather before Monday 18th November 07909 065550.Christmas Social 20th November: The Braughing and Standon MU has stopped meeting, but there will be a Christmas Social with carols, festive nibbles & Secret Santa on Wednesday 20th November 2024 starting at 2.30pm in the Old Boys School Braughing. Everyone is invited. Please ring Diane on 01920 821130 by Sunday 16th November if you would like to come, to ensure there is enough for everyone.Diocesan vacancies: The Diocese is currently advertising for two roles – Diocesan Director of Education and Church Growth Officer. Details can be found on the St Albans website.Services for the next few weeks:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:10th November 9.30am Morning worship followed by Act of Remembrance at Dane End war memorial, All Saints10.45am Remembrance service, St Mary's17th November 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints24th November 10.30am All age worship, St Mary's1st December 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints6.00pm Service of music and readings for Advent, St Mary's8th December 100.30am Holy Communion, St Mary's
This weekend’s Bible readings: Revelation 7:9-17 (p 1238) and Matthew 5:1-12 (p 968)Service of memories Sunday 3rd November: Our annual service of memories will take place at 3.00 pm this Sunday, 3rd November in St Mary’s. If you are at the service and would like the name of a loved one read out, please give it to one of the welcomers when you arrive. Tea and coffee will be served after the service.Next Sunday: Please note that the service times are changed for next Sunday. The service at All Saints will be at 9.30, and we will walk down to the war memorial to join in the act of remembrance there at 11.00. In St Mary’s, the service will start at 10.45, and we will be joined by the uniformed organisations. There will be a short act of remembrance at St Catherine’s at 3.00 pm.Thank you from Mike B: Mike writes ‘A huge thank-you to the organisers, sandwich makers, bakers, preparers, servers, chair removers (and replacers), hooverers, tidy-uppers and probably many others who so kindly laid on the refreshments after the Thanksgiving Service for Sarah last Saturday. They truly complemented the Service. Sarah would have been very moved by what you did in her memory - as was I. Mike B.’Plea for help with cleaning our churches: We included an appeal recently for more people to help with the cleaning rota in St Mary’s. That appeal still stands! Little Munden Church is also in real need of more volunteers to help with keeping the church clean.In Little Munden, if we had 3 more volunteers we’d be able to continue with each helper (or pair of helpers) needing to spare only one hour or so every other month - only 6 times a year! All cleaning products are provided and the work involves hoovering, mopping and general cleaning tasks. In Standon, the cleaners work in teams, sharing out the tasks as works best for them. Each team’s turn comes round every 6 weeks. If you think you can help at All Saints, please call Pauline on 01920 438518. If you can help at St Mary’s, please contact Sue G on 07754 072148 or Marion.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:3rd November 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints3.00pm Service of memories, St Mary's10th November 9.30am Morning worship followed by Act of Remembrance at Dane End war memorial, All Saints10.45am Remembrance service, St Mary's3.00pm Act of Remembrance, St Catherine's17th November 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints24th November 10.30am All age worship, St Mary's1st December 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints6.00pm Service of music and readings for Advent, St Mary's
This weekend’s Bible reading: Colossians 3:12-17 (p 1184)Clocks: Please remember this is the weekend when the clocks go back! At least at this end of the year, we run the risk of being an hour early, rather than late!Welcome to Tabitha: Tabitha will be baptised this weekend. Please pray for her, her parents and God- parents – and please make our visitors welcome to our church.Pop-up shop: The pop up shop is here this weekend, at the 10.30am service. The Real Advent Calendar with fairtrade chocolate is available - do come and buy yours as next month will be too late!Bookstall: The monthly bookstall is also at the 10.30 service this weekend, with a selection of Christmas stories and puzzles as well as the usual stock. Come and browse as you plan for present buying!Choral Evensong: This weekend we will hold our monthly service of Choral Evensong. This is a beautiful service of word and music, which has been heard in our churches for centuries. Please come along and join us if you can.Recent events:Midweek Music: Thank you to all who helped with or supported the Midweek Music concert on Wednesday. We welcomed a bumper audience, and Cate’s singing, accompanied by Michael, was much appreciated. A total of £310 was collected; this will be shared between our three churches.Events coming up:Service of memories Sunday 3rd November: Our annual service of memories will take place at 3.00 pm next Sunday, 3rd November in St Mary’s. This is a time when we remember loved ones who have died. There will be hymns, prayers, a reading and a short talk, and there will be an opportunity to light a candle if you would like to do so. If you are at the service and would like the name of a loved one read out, you will be able to give it to one of the welcomers when you arrive. Tea and coffee will be served after the service.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:27th October 10.30am All age worship, St Mary's6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary's3rd November 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints10th November 9.30am Morning worship followed by Act of Remembrance at Dane End war memorial, All Saints10.45am Remembrance service, St Mary's3.00pm Act of Remembrance, St Catherine's17th November 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy communion, All Saints24th November 10.30am All age worship, St Mary's
