4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Readings
Micah 5.2–5a; Hebrews 10.5–10; Luke 1.39–45 [46–55]
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. Note: Morning Prayer will take a break after Christmas and return on Mon 3 Jan at 9am.
- 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
| Sun | 19 Dec | 3pm | Carols around Tivoli |
| Fri | 24 Dec | 4pm | Family Crib Service |
NOTICES
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.
FLOWERS
Decorating for Christmas – We are decorating the church on 22nd in the afternoon. If you would like to help we will be there after the 10.30 am service. Does anyone have holly they could let us have some for decorating the church? The Christmas trees will need to be decorated and flowers arranged and silver polished. Please see Sue if you can help.
Flower Funds – We need funds not just for Christmas but also for the rest of the year to buy flowers. Please see Jacqui if you can make a donation. Thank you, Sue
Flower Arrangers – Wanted volunteers to join the flower arrangers. If interested please see Sue.
Coffee/Tea after the Sunday service If you are able to help with refreshments after the Sunday service, please let Jacqui know.
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
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.
Bach-Vivaldi Charity Concert – Fri 18 Feb at 7.30pm at Pip & Jim’s– see poster for details.
Saint Stephen’s Cheltenham 