F R I D A Y F O C U S Get Friday Focus in your in-box each week! - use the contact form to ask Fr Chris to put you on the mailing list.________________________<< Walking together with Christ: Companions on the Way >>SUNDAY SCRIPTURES - GOD'S WORD FOR TODAYIsaiah 42, vv1-9 - God puts His Spirit on His servantPsalm 29Acts 10, vv34-43 - God will baptise the nationsMatthew 3, vv13-17 - The Baptism of JesusThis Sunday (11th Jan) is BAPTISM OF CHRIST/EPIPHANY 1 Hommeel Church Gratot: 11h00 Holy Eucharist, followed by Potage with the Parson. Soup and dessert lunch, with discussion. Topic this time: 'What has the Church of England ever done for us?' (see Jan magazine article for background)Avranches: 16h00: Service of Word: Evening PrayerService sheets are below: please download the appropriate Order of Service and bring it with you.The week ahead Tues: 19h45 Bible Study group meets to begin a new series of studies on the fascinating New Testament Letter of James.Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86794128072?pwd=oHSKPhxImv3HbsyHtPWv6k4xzsqcyM.1 Wed: 10h00 Fr Chris on course for newly arrived clergy, learning 'how the diocese works'. He looks forward to finding out.Next Sunday (18th Jan) is EPIPHANY 2 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity beginsHommeel Church Gratot: 11h00 Service of Word: Morning PrayerAvranches: 16h00: Holy Eucharist Other notices:CHRISTIAN UNITY WEEK - maximum support please, especially in our home districtsServices notified so far, times as we understand them, more details to follow....Sun 18 Jan - 18h00 CherbourgMon 19 Jan - all day event St Jean de ThomasTues 20 Jan - 20h00 AvranchesWed 21 Jan - 18h30 GratotFri 23 Jan - 18h00?? St LoLent is round the corner! Revd Helen Wordsworth writes on behalf of the ministers:This year's Lent course is focusing on the impressions of five people who were close to Jesus during His lifetime. We will be using the easy to read book by Bear Grylls "The Greatest Story Ever Told". It's available on Kindle or to order on e.g.Amazon, but if you would like to buy a hard copy via Helen then please let her know by 24th January at the latest. The cost is around 10 Euros. We will be meeting online on Thursday evenings in Lent, starting February 19th, and, as last year, each session will be led by a different member of the ministry team.How is it going? Fr Chris had a wide-ranging meeting with the Archdeacon, with many positives identified as well as challenges recognised. Fr Peter will be visiting the Chaplaincy for a weekend before Easter (date tba) meeting with Ministers, also with the Chaplaincy Council, then joining in our services on the Sunday with opportunities to talk with each congregation after service about our aims and plans for this 3 year ministry appointment and beyond.Talking of the Chaplaincy Council.....our next meeting is at 18h00 on Monday 26 Jan on Zoom - agenda etc to appear in due course.Please pray for our Chaplaincy every day: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for calling us to be a Church under the banner of your Name: may we look to you today and find clear vision for tomorrow. May our life together bring you glory, as you make of us a living invitation to enter the joy of your Kingdom. Amen.To reply or unsubscribe, please email: frchris.christchurchmanche@gmail.comPLEASE keep us informed of changed email addresses! Thank you.