THE LANTERN ~DECEMBER 2017~ NEWS OF THE PARISH OF ST ANDREW S BREDFIELD Cutoff for JANUARY issue: 20 th DECEMBER 2017 Please submit entries to Alison Cannard lantern.bredfield@gmail.com 01473 737707 Inside this issue: From our Ministry 2 Team Diary dates 4 News from 11 Bredfield Rotas 15 Services 16
FROM OUR MINISTRY TEAM SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS (Luke 2:8-20) 2:8-20 In this country there were shepherds who were in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were much afraid. The angel said to them. "Do not be afraid; for--look you--i am bringing you good news of great joy, which will be to every people, for today a Saviour has been born for you, in David's town, who is Christ the Lord. You will recognize him by this sign. You will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger." And suddenly with the angel there was a crowd of heaven's host, praising God and saying, "In the highest heights glory to God; and on earth peace to the men whose welfare he ever seeks." It is a wonderful thing that the story should tell that the first announcement of God came to some shepherds. Shepherds were despised by the orthodox good people of the day. They were quite unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law; they could not observe all the meticulous hand-washings and rules and regulations. Their flocks made far too constant demands on them; and so the orthodox looked down on them. It was to simple men of the fields that God's message first came. But these were in all likelihood very special shepherds. In the Temple, morning and evening, an unblemished lamb was offered as a sacrifice to God. To see that the supply of perfect offerings was always available the Temple authorities had their own private sheep flocks; and we know that these flocks were pastured near Bethlehem. It is most likely that these shepherds were in charge of the flocks from which the Temple
offerings were chosen. It is a lovely thought that the shepherds who looked after the Temple lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! From William Barclay s devotional. If God chose to reveal His glory first to the shepherds, then He is making an important statement to each one of us. You are not too low, too insignificant, too unimportant, too forgotten for God to love you, search for you, find you and bring you home into an everlasting relationship with Him. As you look forward to Christmas and a new year full of opportunity, remember that whatever God does, He does for your joy, your benefit and ultimately His glory. Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year! Rev Clive Howard Quotation for December And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!" From Christmas Bells Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
DIARY DATES CHURCHYARD CLEAR UP AND CHURCH DECORATING SATURDAY 9 TH DECEMBER 10 AM - 3 PM. All support greatly appreciated for the autumn clear up of the Churchyard, even if you can only manage an hour or so. There's lots to do - but please bring your own tools, strimmer etc. It's a fun occasion - no heavy lifting required! A picnic lunch will be provided. It would be helpful if you could let Nick Young (youngs2city@yahoo.com) if you can make it, and/or if you would be able to help with the provision of refreshments. Do you like decorating Christmas trees? If so, then while the Churchyard clear-up is going on outside, come along to help decorate the Christmas tree inside the Church. This is the perfect job for children, but helpers of all ages are very welcome. Refreshments will be available!
CHRISTMAS SERVICES This year, there will be a mix of old favourites and new ways to celebrate Christmas. On 3 rd December there will be no service at St Andrew s. Instead come along to the Nativity Service run by St John s for the whole benefice at the Riverside Theatre at 10 am. The annual, candle-lit Carol Service will take place on Sunday 17 th December at 5.30 pm. As usual, this will be followed by mulled wine and Christmas nibbles. On Christmas Eve at 3 pm our Rector will lead a Nativity Service with Carols around the Crib. There may be a chance to dress up, and refreshments will be provided! It would be lovely to have a Church full of children at this special service designed primarily with them in mind. Although aimed at children, everybody is welcome to this very special service, which will take a very different form from our usual Christmas Eve services. We will celebrate Christmas Day with a Family Communion Service at 9 am.
CHRISTMAS CAMEO All welcome to join us for a mince pie or ginger bread man and a hot drink, a friendly chat with neighbours and friends Tuesday 5 th December 10-12 St Andrew s Church Room Toys and activities available for children Hope to see you there ( 1 voluntary donation towards costs) *** WINTER CAMEO 2018 Tuesdays 23rd Jan, 20th Feb, 20th Mar St Andrew s Church Room, 10-12 Teas, Coffees, Squash, Cakes (voluntary 1 donation) Toys available EVERYONE WELCOME- Bring a friend for a relaxing get together in the warm For more info contact Ann Stammers 01394 384371
Carol Singing in the Village Hall 6.30 8.30 Friday 22 nd December Best Christmas Jumper & Hat Competition Please bring mince pies, sausage rolls etc Paid Bar In aid of Bredfield Village Hall All Welcome
Christmas Star Tree Our Star Tree is now back in place, on the font, at the back of St Andrew s. Christmas is such a special time for us all. We remember the Birth of Christ and families are reunited to celebrate the Good News. It is a time of exchanging gifts, good food, music, the odd tipple of port, sherry or perhaps homemade sloe gin, catching up with family, friends and neighbours, and enjoying the joyful singing of Carols, and we all do our bit to help those less fortunate or are lonely. It is also a time when we remember friends and family who are not with us around the table this year. Perhaps because they live far away, are celebrating elsewhere, are working in key jobs such as nursing or have passed on into His Kingdom. Once again the Star Tree will be in position ready for the start of Advent, the beginning of the Church s new year and a time or waiting for Christ s Birth, and for the celebration of our Patron Saint s Day, St Andrew the fisherman who left everything to become a disciple. ANYONE is welcome, young, old and in between, to hang a pre-cut white star to the tree, with a name, a prayer, a poem, a message or just words or a picture, ready for Christmas Day. If anyone would like a star but is unable to collect one from the church, do please let me know. May God Bless you all this Christmas. Ann Stammers 01394 384371
WEDNESDAY 13 TH DECEMBER 6-9 PM at the SECKFORD THEATRE Woodbridge TICKETS 5 (UNDER 16s FREE) Festive Food in the Foyer (6-6.30) Family Fun on Stage Carol Singing Suffolk Coastal Filling Station Tickets available from: Terry Smith 01394 385052 smith.theshingles@gmail.com
NEWS FROM BREDFIELD REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, 12 TH NOVEMBER Many thanks to Rev Hugh Hawes for leading the combined Church and Chapel service on Remembrance Sunday. On a bright but cold day, a large group gathered around the War Memorial while Ann Pilgrim read the Roll of Honour, Robin d Arcy laid the wreath and Paul Cannard carried the flag. Later in the Church, Rev Hawes preached and Philip - also from the Chapel congregation - read the lesson and movingly told of his grandfather, who had been called up despite being fairly elderly and suffering from crippling arthritis in his hands. He fought in the Battle of Passchendaele, the centenary of which we were commemorating at that time.
Bredfield Christmas Fair A big thank you to all those who supported and organised the Christmas Fair held in the Village Hall on Saturday 25 th November 2017, which raised 1,102.26 towards the planned extension to the hall. This was a great family day featuring Father Christmas, who made a special trip from Lapland to collect Christmas lists from local children. There were stalls selling a range of goods, including delicious home-made cakes, tasty turkey-filled rolls, cakes, mulled wine, tea and coffee, as well as the tombola with a range of bottles from water to wine, and Guess the Name of the Teddy*. Several Bredfield residents set up tables selling stained glass, wreaths, jams, knitted items, distressed art, notebooks, craft items, liquors and pickles. The raffle was very popular and featured a first prize of 100 with many other gifts donated by local businesses. Stephen Cook (Treasurer) [* He s called Euston, is very beautiful and cuddly and was won by the Editor!]
Enjoying the Christmas Fair Ready for the first excited customer! Photos by Stephen Cook
From Anne Henderson: Thank you to everyone who donated to my Sober October I raised 2296 (online and in cash)
100 Club Winners 1st Prize 2nd Prize No. 71 Mrs P Miller No. 86 Ms A Henderson Church Cleaning Rota 2 nd December J. McCarthy 9 th December C. Cowper 16 th December A. Pilgrim 23 rd December J. McCarthy 30 th December P. Cooke Church Flower Rota 3 rd December J. Boswell 10 th December J. D Arcy 17 th December G. Downing 24 th December L. Rolph 31 st December R. McCarthy Refreshments Rota 3 rd December N/A 10 th December N. Trebilcock 17 th December R. D Arcy et 24 th December A. Stammers al 31 st December A. Cannard
December Services at St. Andrew s Sunday 3 rd December NO SERVICE AT ST ANDREW S Sunday 10 th December Sunday 17 th December Sunday 24 th December CHRISTMAS EVE Monday 25 th December CHRISTMAS DAY Sunday 31 st December Benefice Nativity Service RIVERSIDE THEATRE WOODBRIDGE Family Service Bill Herbert CAROL SERVICE Rev Clive Howard Nativity and Carols around the Crib Rev Clive Howard Family Communion Rev Clive Howard Morning Prayer Roger Ackerley 10.00am 9.15am 5.30pm 3.00pm 9.00am 9.15am To contact the Rector and for all enquiries regarding St Andrew s, contact St John s church office on: RECTOR: REV D. CLIVE HOWARD info@stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk Or 01394 383162 www.stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk CHURCHWARDEN: Vacant.