VBishop Mark visiting us and preaching on Sunday 8th December at 10.15am
I expect that many of you know by now that our Diocesan Bishop (Bishop Mark) will be joining us on 8th December at 10.15. He likes to visit all the Churches in our diocese, and I’m sure that you will all make him very welcome!
Carol Singing opportunities: Woodford WinterFest on Fri 13th Dec, and Notcutts on Sat 21st Dec
Please do make a note of two opportunities to go carol singing in our community. As with last year, we (along with ‘Churches Together’) have been invited to sing at the ‘Woodford WinterFest’ (Fri 13th Dec) which this year is at the Community Centre – we’ll be singing from 7pm (meeting there at 6.45pm) – please note the change of time. And as a Church, we are looking forward to returning to Carol singing at Notcutts Garden Centre on Saturday 21st December at 2pm. I will be putting ‘sign up sheets’ in the Hall. Please do come and join us!
Christmas CAMEO: Tuesday 10th Dec at 7pm
Our special Christmas CAMEO is on 10th Dec and Margaret Holbrook will be speaking about ‘English Christmas Traditions.’ Please do come along (7-9pm). And our thanks to Ian and Clare for all their hard work in arranging these evenings.
Christmas Church Lunch – Wednesday (18th Dec) 12noon in the Hall
We had a great Church Lunch yesterday – thank you to the team who brought things together. The Christmas Church Lunch is on Wednesday 18th December. The team, led by Vicky Ackers, are looking for people who may want to make a donation or contribution of some kind; soup, cake, crackers, cheese etc. More generally, if you are able to help with the team, please let Vicky know.
Vicky adds: I've been asked to have a raffle at the Christmas lunch (18th December) to raise funds for the Church flowers. If you’re able to help provide raffle prizes please could you bring them to Church, drop them off at the Church Hall on Wednesday or Sunday mornings. Thank you!
Lunch dates for 2025: 29th January, 26th February, 26th March (MAF fundraiser), 30th April, 14th May (a fundraiser during Christian Aid week), 25th June.
We are looking for volunteers to help with a new Baby & Toddlers’ Group
Vicky Ackers has very kindly offered to set up a Baby & Toddler Group, which would meet in our Hall, once a week during term time. More details will become clear over time, but Vicky needs some volunteers to get it up and running. All volunteers will have to meet all necessary Safeguarding requirements, but if you are interested in helping, then please let Vicky know.
Flowers at the front of Church
The flowers at the front of Church do so much to enhance the beauty of our building, and I’m sure that we all agree that Jackie and her team do a wonderful job. If people would like to add their name to the flower list for a particular Sunday (the list is on the shelf by the door) they are very welcome to. Flowers do not necessarily need to be placed in memory of a loved one, and Jackie is willing to arrange them if you would like her help.
Prayer Points:
Life of our Church: We pray for all those who help lead us as a Church, asking the Lord to guide, equip and strengthen us all in His service, especially as we enter a very busy time of year. We pray for the Lord to raise up volunteers who will be able to take on new roles in the life of our Church. And we give thanks to the Lord for everyone who works so hard in many different ways in our Church family.
And we pray that, with many visitors joining us over Christmas, we will be able to faithfully hold out the Good News about Jesus to everyone.
Those who have specifically asked us to remember them in prayer: Jean Ackers, Zoe Addie, Sarah Bibby, Miles Buckley, Trist Calthorpe, Clare Casson, Tony Cooper, Simon Copner, Alan Cross, June Davenport, Keith Ferns, Alan Holbrook, Harry Jenkins, David Jones, Graham Meare, Alan Page, Donald Pryce, and Tony Whalley.
And we also remember those who mourn at this time, praying that they would know the Lord’s comfort and presence, and take to heart the truth that Jesus has, through His resurrection, been victorious over the grave. At this time we particularly remember the family and friends of Pat Spiller, Nena Mayers, Derek Evans, William Boyd and Angie Mycock.
The events in our country and world: We pray for those in positions of authority around the world asking that the Lord would give them wisdom, humility and a desire to achieve peace, justice and the common good, and always with a heart for the weakest and most vulnerable. We particularly pray about the awful situation in Israel & Gaza/Lebanon and the on-going wars in Ukraine and so many other parts of the world. We remember too those who are caught up in the natural disasters we hear so often about, and also the refugee crisis effecting Europe and beyond.
