This weekend’s Bible readings: Psalm 80 (p 592) and Matthew 1:18-25 (p 965)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.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.Christmas Crackers 15th December: Thank you to everyone who supported the concert on Thursday evening. More than £1,000 was donated to the Hertfordshire Community Foundation, and FOSM raised £332 from serving refreshments.St Mary’s Carol service next THURSDAY: Please remember that our carol services are not on Sundays this year. The one in St Mary’s is on Thursday evening, 22nd December, at 7.00pm. Please join us if you can for this candlelit celebration of the Christmas story.Walking Advent calendar: Have you seen all the Walking Advent Windows yet? Have you or your dog, children or Grandma found and noted where the Baby Jesus are hiding? If not, then there’s time to get out and have a good look again. You'll have the chance to show how observant you are at the Christingle service at St Mary's on Saturday 24th December 5.00pm. A prize is waiting there for the best window. The windows will stay up over the Christmas holiday for your chance to walk off the turkey! https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/page/79423/view/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.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 weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sChristmas services18th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy communion, All Saints22nd December (Thursday) 7.00pm Nine lessons & carols, St Mary's24th December (Saturday) 3.00pm Christingle, All Saints5.00pm Christingle, St Mary's7.30pm Carols by candlelight, St Catherine's11.30pm Midnight communion, St Mary's25th December 10.30am Christmas worship & communion, All Saints10.30am Christmas Worship, St Mary'sSunday services:1st January 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints8th January 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's4.00pm The Centre, All Saints15th January 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy communion, All Saints4.00pm The Centre, All Saints
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 weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:11th December 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary's4.00pm The Centre, All SaintsChristmas services:17th December (Saturday) 6.00pm Carol service, All Saints18th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy communion, All Saints22nd December (Thursday) 7.00pm Nine lessons & carols, St Mary's24th December (Saturday) 3.00pm Christingle, All Saints5.00pm Christingle, St Mary's7.30pm Carols by candlelight, St Catherine's11.30pm Midnight communion, St Mary's25th December 10.30am Christmas worship & communion, All Saints10.30am Christmas worship, St Mary's1st January 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints8th January 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's4.00pm The Centre, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 (p 723) and Matthew 3:1-12 (p 967)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; 137 families are currently on the list to receive a Christmas hamper from the Foodbank - this is going up dailyYou 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.Libury Hall December Service: Our Christmas Service at Libury Hall will take place at 2.30 pm this Friday, 9th December. A small group of members of our Benefice congregations regularly support our monthly informal services, but the residents are always pleased to be joined by new faces from our churches. Why not join us for this celebration of Christmas, or even for our regular meetings at Libury Hall on the first Wednesday of each month? For further information please speak to Cliff or Diane G.Sale of Christmas trees at Sacombe Green: Christmas trees are available this weekend and next, 3/4 and 10/11 December, between 9am and 4pm at SG12 0JQ. They are organically grown Nordman Firs, of various sizes, and there is no fixed price. Buyers are asked to pay what they consider is a fair amount, and 100% of the proceeds will be divided between the Hertfordshire Community Foundation and St Catherine's Church.Knit & Natter group: If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us for a couple of hours in the Sargent room (at the back of Standon village hall) at 2pm usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. The next one is on 8th December 2022. For more information please contact Diane on 01920 821130 or Marion on 01920 745683.Christmas crackers: This is a concert of Christmas music to be held on Thursday 15th December at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, introducing Standon Sing Community Choir together with The Benefice Church Choir and Rib Singers Chamber Choir, directed by David Ranford and Michael Smith. The concert will be free, with a retiring collection for the High Sheriff’s Fund at the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.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. We hope to serve refreshments in church afterwards; if you can help with that, please let Caroline know.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!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.Sacombe coffee morning 26th November: Thank you, again, to all who supported the Sacombe coffee morning. Over £1,500 was raised.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 weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:4th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints4.00pm The Centre, All Saints11th December 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's4.00pm The Centre, All SaintsChristmas services17th December (Saturday) 6.00pm Carol service, All Saints18th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy communion, All Saints22nd December (Thursday) 7.00pm Nine lessons & carols, St Mary's24th December (Saturday) 3.00pm Christingle, All Saints5.00pm Christingle, St Mary's7.30pm Carols by candlelight, St Catherine's11.30pm Midnight communion, St Mary's25th December 10.30am Christmas worship & communion, All Saints10.30am Christmas worship, St Mary's1st January 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
Welcome! Please welcome William and his family and supporters. William’s parents, Lisa and Niall, were baptised in the river a few weeks ago; William will be baptised in a more conventional way this weekend - at the font!Please also welcome members of the Roger de Clare Worship Club. This morning, they will be leading us in a song they’ve been singing in school. The club meets in school on Thursday lunchtimes under the leadership of the Red Balloon team. They would love some local church people to help out – please speak to John if you think that might be you.This weekend’s Bible reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 (p 686)Traidcraft pop-up shop: The pop-up shop will be back in church this Sunday, 27th November. There will be Traidcraft items for sale (fair trade) and Christian gifts. Payment can be made by cash or bank transfer or even an IOU! You can also order Traidcraft items through Marion. See the website: https://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/Advent service this weekend: This Sunday at 6.30pm please join us for a special Advent service at St Mary's. Music and readings will help us to mark the beginning of this special season as we prepare to welcome the Christ child at Christmas.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; 137 families are currently on the list to receive a Christmas hamper from the Foodbank - this is going up dailyYou 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.Libury Hall December Service: Our Christmas Service at Libury Hall will take place at 2.30 pm on Friday 9th December. A small group of members of our Benefice congregations regularly support our monthly informal services, but the residents are always pleased to be joined by new faces from our churches. Why not join us for this celebration of Christmas, or even for our regular meetings at Libury Hall on the first Wednesday of each month? For further information please speak to Cliff or Diane G.Christmas crackers: This is a concert of Christmas music to be held on Thursday 15th December at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, introducing Standon Sing Community Choir together with The Benefice Church Choir and Rib Singers Chamber Choir, directed by David Ranford and Michael Smith. The concert will be free, with a retiring collection for the High Sheriff’s Fund at the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.Walking Advent calendar: If you are still wondering which carol you want to illustrate for your Walking Advent Window, please just choose from the list in the November/December Newsletter (there are copies at the back of St Mary's). Contact Rebecca at benefice.administrator@ubsms.org.uk. Feel free to use a previous window, you won't win the prize but so many were so good!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!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.Midweek Music at St Mary’s: Thank you to all who supported the concert last Wednesday. There are plans to hold another one in January – watch this space!Sacombe coffee morning 26th November: Thank you, too, to all who supported the Sacombe coffee morning on Saturday. We will let you know when we have a final figure for the amount raised.FOSM coffee morning: We can now report that the FOSM coffee morning and sale raised just over £1,300. Thank you again to all who supported it in any way.Robin’s funeral: Robin’s funeral will take place on 8th December, and his family is keen to invite everyone to the Crown & Falcon after the service. It’s impossible to estimate numbers, so they would appreciate a rough idea if we’re able to supply it. If you think you might accept the invitation, please let Caroline know. This is not a commitment either way; just an informal straw poll to help with catering.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 weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:27th November 10.30am All age service, St Mary's4.00pm The Centre, All Saints6.30pm Advent service, St Mary's4th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints4.00pm The Centre, All Saints11th December 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's4.00pm The Centre, All SaintsChristmas services17th December (Saturday) 6.00pm Carol service, All Saints18th December 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Holy communion, All Saints22nd December (Thursday) 7.00pm Nine lessons & carols, St Mary's24th December (Saturday) 3.00pm Christingle, All Saints5.00pm Christingle, St Mary's7.30pm Carols by candlelight, St Catherine's11.30pm Midnight communion, St Mary's25th December 10.30am Christmas worship & communion, All Saints10.30am Christmas worship, St Mary's1st January 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
