Advent 2 News

Priest-in-Charge Fr John Ainslie (revjohnainslie@gmail.com; 01628 629827)

A very warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's. If you are new to St Michael's, do join us for refreshments in the Vestry Hall after the service so we can welcome you properly.

PRAYER REQUEST SLIPS are available at the back of church if you want to request prayer for yourself, for someone else or for a particular situation.

SERVICES THIS WEEK: Said Mass on Thursday 10.30am. Next Sunday Sung Mass at 10.30am.

NEXT SATURDAY 14th DECEMBER: QUIET MORNING in church 10am – 1pm, with Mass at 12.30. An opportunity for some reflective and prayerful time to help us prepare for the Feast of Christmas. Come for the whole time, or for a part, as you wish. If you are thinking of coming it would be helpful if you could add your name to the list at Back of Church.

DETAILS OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES:

Sunday 22nd December: Traditional Service of Carols and Readings with augmented choir at 4pm, followed by mulled wine / non-alcoholic equivalent and mince pies. All Welcome.

Christmas Eve: Crib Service at 4pm, All Welcome, especially families.

Midnight Mass: 11.30pm on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Morning: Sung Mass at 10.30am

ADVENT READING: Advent is a time when we are encouraged to do some extra reading, prayer and contemplation in preparation for the coming celebration of Christmas.

I have put a collection of booklets, daily prayers and readings for Advent, and other Advent books at Back of Church for you to take home, borrow, and use during this Advent season.

CHRISTMAS MARKET: Many thanks to all those who came and supported our Christmas Market last Saturday, and to all those who worked so hard in preparation and on the day. A special treat for which we are hugely thankful was the concert of Seasonal Music by the choir of our very own St Michael’s Junior School – many thanks to all who organised and all who took part. I’m delighted to say that on the day we raised the tremendous sum of £1,142 for church funds.

FOR OUR PRAYERS: We pray for St Michael’s Primary and Junior schools, giving thanks for the active links we have with them. We pray for the care homes in our parish, especially those who receive visits on behalf of St Michael’s church; for staff, residents and their families.

We pray for those in need, and especially Paul Jones, Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Jessica O’Sullivan, Lindsay Wheeler, Martyn Nash, Fran, Ellie Tomlinson, Sara Dray, Robert Hill, Michael, Alan, Beryl Haigh, David Green and Terry Barnard.

We pray for the recently departed. We remember those who have faithfully served God in this Church in previous generations, and we pray for those whose year’s mind occurs this week: Charles Plummeridge, Grace Seabrook, Harry Hobbs, Mavis Pharo, Valerie Strickland, Georg Sadowski and Richard Seddon.

FROM THE BELLTOWER: Friday, 29 November. 1269 Cambridge Surprise Minor 1 Emma Jarvis 2 Jacqueline Barlow 3 Laura Byrne 4 Mark Elvers 5 Philip Jarvis 6 Neil Jones (C)

Remembering David O'Sullivan, 22/11/2019, R.I.P.