ADVENT SUNDAY
Readings
Jeremiah 33.14–16; 1 Thessalonians 3.9–end; Luke 21.25–36
SERVICES DURING THE WEEK
- Said Communion Wednesday 10.30 (followed by coffee in the meeting room)
- Morning Prayer Daily livestream at 9.00 (weekdays)
- You can join Morning Prayer online at: http://www.stpetersleck.org and via Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pipandjims. You can attend in person at P&J on Mondays, at St Christopher’s on Tuesdays and at St Peter’s on Thursdays.
- Daily Hope a free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers is still available on 0800 804 8044.
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS: With the easing of restrictions the wearing of face coverings is no longer mandatory. However, please respect those who wish to continue mask wearing and social distancing. If you test positive for Covid up to three weeks after this service, please let us know by telephone or e-mail.
For Your Prayers
- For all who work in the NHS, and essential workers
- For all residents in care homes including Jean Haigh and Gary Hiscock
- For all who are unwell including, Shirley, Joy, Gordon, Daphne, Christine Langdon
- Those who have died.
PRAY FOR AFGHANISTAN
Please pray for peace and protection for the Afghan people who are facing great uncertainty and the threat of serious human rights abuses. Pray also for all who remain, for courage and protection. You can find more resources here: www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/prayer-afghanistan
PARISH DIARY – As we prepare for Advent and Christmas, please see separate posters for the full range of events we have coming up this December (or click Advent & Christmas at St Stephen’s
| Mon | 29 Nov | 7.30pm | Advent Compline at St Stephen’s and online (see poster) |
| Sun | 5 Dec | Afternoon | Concert by the Leggiero vocal quartet |
| Sun | 12 Dec | 10am | Gaudete Sunday High Mass followed by lunch at The Tivoli |
NOTICES
South Cheltenham Advent Carol Service To mark the beginning of the season of Advent, congregations from the South Cheltenham churches will join together at St Peter’s, Leckhampton on Sunday 28 November at 6pm for a service of readings and carols.
Approach Advent with a new viewpoint this year through Compline: Each Monday in Advent (29th November – 20th December) at 7:30pm in St Stephen’s we will celebrate Compline, and an Advent Reflection will be given by Fr Sebastian. These are inspired by ‘Toy Story’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, ‘Wall-E’, and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’. No need to watch the films in advance, but it may help. The services will be streamed on Facebook too.
Note from Fr Sebastian I am taking some Annual Leave this week to prepare for Advent. I will be away from Tuesday 30th and back for our service on the 5th. Other clergy in the team can, of course, be available for pastoral emergencies. Fr Sebastian.
Following Gaudete Sunday High Mass on 12 December some of us will be having Christmas lunch at the Tivoli. Please sign up at the back of church if you would like to take part.
Instrumentalists, singers, and performers: If you (or friends and family you know) would like to perform carols, readings, or tableau for the Carol Service on Sunday 19th December at 3:00pm we rehearse from midday-2:30pm on the day (why not bring a picnic to enjoy after the morning Mass?). No expertise required, this is about having fun! It would be helpful to let Fiona or Fr Sebastian know if you’re able to perform please.
Electoral Roll In the recent difficult times we have not been able to invite people to have their names added. Do consider putting your name on the list, which shows a real commitment to us. Please see Ann Bacon if you wish to be included.
Memorial benches Thank you to those who have donated towards the memorial benches. We are hoping to have two benches. We’ll get together one Sunday after the service to discuss plaques and when we’ll buy the benches, which will probably be next Spring. Sue
Flowers Arrangers Wanted volunteers to join the flower arrangers. If interested please see Sue Rowe or one of the churchwardens. If you would like to make a donation towards the cost of Church flowers, please see Jacqui for more information.
Alpha Please pray for the Alpha Course being run across the Team. The Rev’d Sarah Haden is running the course, but all clergy in the Team are giving input.
Job Vacancy Pip and Jim’s is looking for a Venue Manager. Their role would be to manage the use of the church space and to have responsibility for the successful delivery of operational activities which enable Pip and Jim’s to be a place of creative worship and mission and a welcoming shared space, seven days a week, for the enrichment of our wider community. Salary £19,500+ NEST Pension. Part time: 25hrs/wk. For an application pack email: info@pipandjims.org.uk. Closing date for applications: Friday 3 December at 9am.
Advent Windows 2021 Would you like to share a little light and joy this December? You can play your part by taking part in our living Advent Calendar! How it works… At least 24 volunteers (individuals and businesses) agree to decorate a street-facing window (an ‘advent window’) on a nativity theme. Each is assigned a date. At least one new window ‘opens’ (appears and is lit) every day from 1st to 24th December. Each window then remains ‘open’ from its opening day from at least 5pm until 1st January. A trail leaflet is created and we have an advent window trail around Cheltenham that anyone can walk around and enjoy. Some may choose to do it as December progresses, others may prefer to wait until they’re all open and follow the completed trail all in one go. (We will do vague directions for each location to not give out individual house numbers/make it a bit of a treasure hunt.) To take part, please email Revd Sarah Haden by 25th November at sarah@cnc.church.
Cheltenham Elim Food Bank (seeded by The Trussell Trust)
Please donate an item or two from the list: washing up liquid, instant mash potato, toothpaste, long life fruit juice, shampoo, tomato ketchup, brown sauce, mayonnaise. Please place any donations in the Green box next to the font.
Saint Stephen’s Cheltenham 