2nd Sunday before Advent
For those caught up in tragedy and disaster
O Lord our God,
source of all goodness and love,
accept the fervent prayers of your people;
in the multitude of your mercies look with
compassion upon all who turn to you for help;
for you are gracious, O lover of souls,
and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
Today
8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Parish Communion
11.45am Christening Service for
Bethany & Lewis Portingale and Aria Raheb
4.00pm Church at 4
Diary – Week Commencing 18th November
Monday 19th November
8.30am Morning Prayer – Church
10.00am Bible Study Group – 11 St John Road
7.00pm Diocesan Safeguarding Course – Church
Tuesday 20th November
The Parish Office will be closed today
8.30am Morning Prayer – Church
7.30pm Listening Post – Church
Wednesday 21st November
8.30am Morning Prayer – Parish Office
Thursday 22nd November
8.30am Morning Prayer – Church
7.30pm Choir Practice – Church
Filling Station – Neen & Chris
Friday 23rd November
8.45am Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice
7.00pm Bellringers Practice
7.00pm 115 Club (1st & 3rd Friday of the month)
Saturday 24th November
Dates for your diary
Christingle Services
Christmas Eve 3pm & 5pm
Sunday 25th November 2018
Christ the King
8.00am Holy Communion
Preacher: Revd Barbara Abrey
Sidespeople: Alan & Christine Wrixon
10.00am Parish Communion
Preacher: Revd Barbara Abrey
Intercessions: Janet Henderson
Reading: Daniel 7. 9-10, 13, 14
Reader: Janet Henderson
Gospel: John 18. 33-37
Servers: Gillian Pitter and Kathy Gregory
Sidespeople: Sally Parker and June Bradley
4.00pm Church at 4
Led by: Paul Woolley
6.00pm Evensong
Next Evensong will be Sunday 4th December
Healing Team
On the 1st Sunday of the month the healing team will be praying at the front of the St Helen’s Chapel from 9.30am.
Floodlighting
The Church will be floodlit on Sunday 18th November by Stella Elliott in memory of her Mum, Daisy Taylor;
On Wednesday 21st by Bill & Doreen Greenshields in memory of their son, Andrew on his anniversary;
On Saturday 24th November by Mrs O’Sullivan in memory of Bill O’Sullivan.
Home Communion
If you know of anyone who would like the option of Holy Communion at home please speak to Janet in the Parish Office.
Stewardship Letters
As you would have heard we are predicting a large deficit this year and an even larger one next year. Please pray about this. We have now had about a quarter of the Stewardship Forms back. So if you haven’t already please could you return your Stewardship form to the box in Church or to the Parish Office. If you have asked for further information you should receive that soon however, a few people did not give their name so we are unable to contact them. If you don’t hear anything please contact Ross or Nick.
Children’s Society
Many thanks to all Children’s Society box holders. We have raised £311 from this year’s box opening. Having been our church Children’s Society co-ordinator for the past 9 years,
I am thinking of passing this role to someone new. If you would like to support The Children’s Society in this way please speak to me at church or call me on 637161 for further details. Carolyn Kirk
Tearfund Big Quiz Night
On 17th November we will be taking part in the Tearfund Big Quiz night. Churches and other groups across the country will be joining in the quiz to raise funds for the work of Tearfund. Our quiz will be held at the church hall and doors will open at 7pm. We will be serving food (please bring your own drinks – tea and coffee will be served). Teams of 6-8 people if you not in a team we will find a team for you, please book in advance – tickets available from Margaret Penfound (812139).
Ladies who Lunch
Menus for the Christmas Lunch on Monday 17th December at 12.30pm at The Bakers at Badbury will be available soon. Choices will need to be made on the menu and handed back to Gwen by the beginning of December please. Any suggestions for the New Year list gratefully received – also any omissions. Gwen Poole
Armistice Concert
The concert in church last Saturday raised over £550 for the armed services charity SSAFA. Thanks to all who came and donated.
Can you help!
The coffee team would greatly appreciate some volunteers to give us a hand. It would entail doing the coffees about once a month. If you are interested please talk to Sally Parker, Carolyn Kirk or Karen Ferguson.
The Journey
We are looking for people to take part in “The Journey” as our ‘SEA OF PEOPLE’ on 9th December in Old Town.
As part of this epic piece, we are looking for families and individuals of all ages from all walks of life, culture and background to join us for a small but vital part of the experience. You will be part of the sea of people, the huge number of citizens who were asked to leave their home, without warning and take a long and dangerous journey at the behest of an oppressive regime – sound familiar?
This is still happening now and as part of our retelling of this story, we are paying tribute to the millions of refugees that are experiencing this today. You will join us at Bath Road and finish your journey at Wood Street. You will just need to wear your own clothes. Families are welcome, unfortunately no prams but babes in arms and hand holding toddlers are welcome. Can you join us to create this epic visual reminder of troubled times, both past and present?
Contact Anna Friend at thejourneyswindon@gmail.com
Traidcraft
Some of you will already know that Traidcraft has been saved from closure but has had to make 50 redundancies and now have only 12 staff. I’m not sure how this will affect sales next year. I will be having a Traidcraft table on Saturday at the quiz night and also on Sunday at Church
CHURCH IN THE WIDER WORLD
Tearfund
Tarija, a small town in Bolivia, is considered to be a little corner of paradise, with green valleys and a mild climate. This makes it a magnet for migrants seeking work, but also those wanting to exploit them through drugs and people trafficking. Tearfund workers are helping churches address these risks and stand by the community to find solutions. Please pray:
- for the ten churches which have taken up Tearfund’s training and are helping to keep young people free of drugs
- for Pastor Justiniano, ministering in a slum outside Tarija where there is a severe lack of public services
- for the Tearfund staff in Bolivia, that they will continue to bring the love of Jesus to the communities in practical ways.
Knitting for Mission to Seafarers
During the last three months I have been able to send off three large boxes of knitted hats, scarves and gloves to Mission to Seafarers. These are distributed to those working on ships in adverse weather conditions who do not own warm clothing. Thank you to everyone who keeps knitting and to those who provide wool. If you would like to get started there are patterns and wool in the boxes by the choir vestry. For further information please contact Janet Henderson 525856.
This week please also pray for:-
- Tearfund
- Our CMS Mission Partners Phil & Sylvie Good
- The family and friends of Bethany & Lewis Portingale and Aria Raheb as they are christened in Church today
- For those involved in ‘The Journey’ taking place in Old Town on 9th December
- For Traidcraft
- We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Fred Burnett. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.
