St. Luke s Church, Maidenhead Church Office:

Transcription

1 St. Luke s Church, Maidenhead Church Office: Week commencing: 1st December 2013 Advent Sunday WELCOME TO OUR WORSHIP 8.00 am Holy Communion President: The Reverend Sally Lynch am All Age Holy Communion President: The Reverend Sally Lynch Preacher: Sonya Clarke 4.00 pm Sunday Half-hour: Neve House 6.00 pm Sunday at Six: Advent Carol Service at All Saints There will be a retiring collection for charity after the 10.00am service today As part of a project in school Rachel Beaumont's form have been hearing about the terrible atrocities in Rwanda. She and her friend Tabitha are holding a cake sale during coffee today to raise money for the Aegis Trust who work to rebuild the lives of those affected by genocide. If you are new to St. Luke s please do make yourself known to the ministers or the sidespeople, who can give you a contact card to complete. Please do join us after the service for coffee which is served in the Parish Centre You might like to know that our children s area is at the front with toys and books for restless little people. Do feel free to sit there with your children. we have large print orders of service and hymn books. If you would like one please ask someone wearing a name badge. we have a loop system for those using hearing aids. the toilets are through the double doors at the front of church. if you would like to receive an intincted wafer at communion please let one of the ministry team know before the service and come to the south side of the altar. we have many activities going on during the week. For a full list please ask a person with a name badge - or take a Parish Directory from the leaflet trolley. we send out a weekly update. If you would like one please the Parish Office on admin@stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk Quiet Space: The Chapel is available for anyone who wishes to have quiet space to pray before or after services. Please feel free to use it and enter via the choir stalls door. Pastoral Care: If you have or know of any particular pastoral need (visiting, home communion, etc) please speak to our Pastoral Co - ordinator, Sue Hinchliffe in the first instance (tel: ).

2 This weeks Bible readings A reading from St. Paul s letter to the Romans Brothers and sisters, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew Jesus spoke to his disciples: About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Matthew

3 The Collect Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Post Communion Prayer O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 3

4 The floodlighting has been sponsored this week by: David Newell in memory of Margaret Newell & Marjorie Jay... What s happening? See below, and check out our website too WORSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY: Messy Church dates for the rest of the year: Doors open at 3.30 and ends by 5.30 pm. All are welcome, why not bring along a friend. Enjoy the activities followed by a 2 course meal per person to cover costs. Saturday 28th Dec: Messy Christmas. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: We have made a booking with McCabe Pilgrimages for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from 10th - 19th February Sally Lynch will lead the trip and we have invited friends at All Saints and the Church of the Good Shepherd, and will open it more widely too. The cost of the all inclusive trip is 1645 with an optional extra trip to Masada and the desert costing 60 and travel insurance if required, at 59. Sally has brochures if you would like one just ask. Ideally bookings need to be made by January Seeking Solace: our next meeting is Monday 2nd December in church from 3.00pm. All are very welcome to come along for tea and cake and a chat followed by a short time of reflection. For further information, please contact Sonya on Oranges: as we enter advent it is time to start collecting oranges for the Christingle service on Christmas Eve. If you are able to contribute any please bring them to church between 8th and 22nd December. Thank you. Carol singing around the parish: everyone is invited to join in carol singing around the parish on Thursdays 12th and 19th December. Meet at 7pm at church. Please note that change of the first date from Monday to the Thursday this will allow us to have refreshments at the end among the decorated trees in church. this year we will not be collecting money but handing out flyers about the Tree Festival and Christmas services. Prayer Meeting: will take place on Wednesday 4th December rom 3.00pm in church. As we have now entered Advent we have an opportunity to come before God quietly and to prepare ourselves to receive the Christ child. All are very welcome to the half hour slot of peace and quiet. 4

5 INFORMATION: The Special Collection on Sunday 17th November in aid of the relief effort in the Philippines raised a total of , including the gift aid we will reclaim. Next Inspire: Material for the next edition of InSpire should be submitted to inspire@stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk by 11:59pm, Sunday 1 December Many thanks. Andrew Burdett Hilary Fortnam RIP: Hilary died peacefully on 25th November after a valiant struggle with her illness for a decade. Although she and her family left St. Luke's long ago to live in the west country, where she became a Lay Reader, she was very grateful to know that at her request she was included on our Prayer list. She came from a clerical family, her father being Revd. Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. R.&J.B. SOCIAL and FUNDRAISING: Christmas Cards. We have produced six designs of Christmas cards featuring photographs of our two Christmas Tree festivals and they are now available to order at a cost of 3.75 for ten cards. Samples are available and you can place orders during refreshments after the 10.00am Sunday service, or you can see the designs on our website and place an online order via a link from the home page. Parish Holiday to Winchester & The Isle of Wight: We are organising a weekend away from, 3rd- 5th May 2014 to visit Winchester and then go on to stay in a hotel in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. We plan to visit Osborne House and the Needles, as well as have a ride on the steam railway. For further information or a booking form please contact Richard or Ann Burdett on Foodshare: Is looking for people to commit to regular donations of a can/packet of food a week. If you are able to help, please see Sue B or bring food to the box in church, for dedication each Sunday. Thank you: to everyone who supported the recent Thursday Group Jumble Sale. We raised for our charity fund. Put on your swimming costume: and join St Luke's swimmers as we take part in the Lions Club Swimarathon on Saturday 4h January We are entering three teams, with all teams swimming in the 4.00pm to 4.50pm timeslot, so you will need to be at the pool by 3.30pm to register. Supporters and sponsors are very welcome to come and cheer us along! The sponsorship this year will go to Maidenhead Care and Lions Club Charities." Open vicarage: members of the congregation are warmly invited to the vicarage for seasonal refreshments on Monday 23rd December between 5.00 and 9.00 pm. Lily and I do hope that many of you will be able to join us to celebrate the start of Christmas. Children are especially welcome up to 7.00 pm. Sally 5

6 WIDER COMMUNITY: Yoga: Wednesday evening Hatha and Vinyasa Flow (synchronising breath & movement) Yoga from pm. Ideal for Beginners and Intermediates. One to one sessions are also offered designed for your specific needs and goals. Please contact me on or mobile: for more information or to pre-book a class (places are limited). Mats and blocks are provided. Homeless Shelter: There is a meeting on Wednesday 4th December at 7pm for anyone interested in either volunteering or just finding out more about the shelter. It is to be held at Kingsway Chamber at the top of the High Street next door to the Methodist Church. Christmas Day Lunch: Arrangements for the Churches Together Christmas Day Lunch are going well and we have some spaces for more guests anyone knows of any people who are alone at Christmas and would benefit from a very good lunch and also some fine company. The guest details should be given to Jo Hamilton please on Josephine.hamilton905@btinternet.com or on telephone We are a little short on volunteer drivers to take guests to the lunch at the moment so please could all volunteer drivers come forward as soon as possible by passing their details to Pietro Abate on pietro@trenarren.com or on telephone Voices Anon Christmas Concert: here at St. Luke s on Thursday 5th December. Doors open at 7.30pm. Concert begins at 7.45pm. Free entry, but a collection will be held for a named charity. Christmas Tree Festival 13th -15th December It is nearly that time again! As we start preparations for the Christmas Tree Festival everyone can play a part and at this stage we need: people to deliver flyers about the festival and our Christmas services Craft and produce items to sell what can you be making? Cakes and biscuits for refreshments Individuals or groups willing to decorate trees for the Mayor / Teresa May / Walton Cottage Hotel/others Helpers over the festival to make and serve refreshments, staff stalls and the door, be around. AND don't forget the community meal at 5.30 pm on the Saturday evening open to everyone. Please sign up at the back of church or offers of help to the office or the vicar. Thank you our festival is a great success but needs everyone to do a little towards that. 6

7 River City Saxes Christmas Concert don't forget to come along to this fabulous concert at 1pm on Friday 13th December during the Christmas Tree Festival. Free entry, retiring collection and lunch available to buy from mid day. Tell your friends bring as many people as you can! Holy Communion The Ministry Team is keen to encourage everyone to receive communion, irrespective of age or whether you are confirmed or not. We love to welcome all to the Lord s table to receive Him in bread and wine as one family. You will remember that we have diocesan permission for all ages to do this. We would like to formally start this on Sunday 22nd December. As part of our preparation for this (both children and adults) there will be a question or two each week in the pew sheet to reflect on and / or talk to others about. Please do chat to others those with long experience of receiving communion and those more recently admitted, members of the ministry team, and children s leaders. Please encourage our young people to explore the joy of receiving the sacrament freely offered to all. This weeks question is: What symbolic actions does the President use during the service, and why? For your prayers Please pray for: Our keeping of the holy Advent The people of the Philippines after the recent typhoon, also of Sardinia. The ministry and mission of this church and our offering of ourselves. Peace in our world, especially for the people of Syria and Egypt On the anniversaries of their baptism fall in December, Lily Bo baptised here recently. The development of our children s ministry and families, especially Messy Church Our Primary School children and staff for preparation for a HMI visit All who work and live in this parish during the Advent and Christmas Season The sick and those who care for them: Gillian Fitzpatrick, Tim Williams, Jo Jones, Win Reynolds, Nick, Steve N. Stephen Sands, Melanie, John Francis, Carl Bartholomew, Claudia Earle, Michael Seward, Betty Galliers, Chris Dyson, John Norris, Janet Seaman, Richard Nunn, Frank Morgan, Margaret Parker, Janet Cheek Those who have died recently, and those who mourn them. Marcus Lawes, Hilary Fortnam 7

8 Next Sunday, 8th December: Second Sunday of Advent 8.00 am Holy Communion President: The Reverend Sally Lynch am Parish Communion President: The Reverend Terrie Robinson Preacher: The Reverend Sally Lynch 6.00 pm Sunday at Six: Celtic Evening Prayer at ChOGS Vicarage Next week s Bible readings at am: Isaiah Romans Matthew Next week s rotas under Duty Warden: Don Luff Readers: OT: Jean T. D NT: Will Mohr Intercessors: Roger Clarke Chalice: Sue and Ralph Hinchliffe Elements: Sonya and Roger Clarke Coffee: Joan Harnby and A.N.Other Sidespeople: Phyllis Sigsworth, Simon Hurrell, Dave Sawyers, Helen Poynter, Don Luff This week at St. Luke s: Everyone is welcome to all of our services and activities Monday 2nd 3.00 pm Seeking Solace Tuesday 3rd 8.30 am Morning Prayer Office Open 3.30 pm Hope Tuesday 9.30 am pm 7.15 pm Holy Communion 8.00 pm PCC Wednesday 4th 8.30 am Morning Prayer am Holy Communion am HOPE Coffee 3.00 pm Prayer Group 8.00 pm Pools of Stillness, quiet evening 9.00 pm Compline Thursday 5th 8.30 pm Morning Prayer 5.00 pm Evening Prayer 7.45 pm Voices Anon Concert Friday 6th 8.30 am Morning Prayer Office Open am noon Vestry Hour 9.30 am pm 5.00 pm Evening Prayer 8.00 pm Choir Practice Saturday 7th 8.30 am Morning Prayer St. Luke s Church Office is open Tuesday and Friday 9.30 am pm Administrator: Mrs. Sue Brett (01628) Vicar: The Reverend Sally Lynch (01628) Vicarage: 26 Norfolk Road. 8