Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday 13th December 9.15am - Holy Communion (BCP) 11am - Toy Service
(please book your tickets online TODAY) 6pm - Holy Communion
For those who are unable to attend church there is also:-
9.30am - Online Facebook Service
11.30 am - Phone Only Service
10.30am - Wednesday 16th December
Holy Communion
Morning Prayers
LIVE on the Facebook Group
9.00am - Monday to Friday
The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday 13th December
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient
to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
PRAYER LIST
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MISSION PARTNERS:
Town Centre Ministry and Christian Aid
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE IN NEED
Ruth Wyatt Dave Long Lucie Balche Christine Kelly Dawn Brooks Margaret Cheal John Ann Batchelor
David Groombridge
Michael Baker Sheila Jarvis
Connor Cox
Bernard Clewes Francies Moore
Sheila Vickers
Tricia Dyer
Baby Lola
Maria Martin
PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS
Georgina Bowen
Martin Robinson
Susan
Alan Munden
Trudi Robinson
Ron & Pat Wiltshire
Elliott
Derek Rumsey Charlie
Yvonne Fowler
Melody Salom
Sylvia Smith
Audrey Noy
Julie Knight
Trevor Wyatt Jackie Hawkins
Ade O'Kubule
Lorraine Mistry
Maureen Hawkins
Vicky Folkes
Edna Bassett
Nick Perfect
Sherry Snowden
Edna Passmore
Megan Ray
Colin Souter
Theresa Hammond
Barbara Perkins
PRAYING FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
Jillian Johnson (15/12)
Doreen Coward (16/12)
As we travel through Advent and can have the joy of worshipping together once more, we still perhaps feel a bit locked in and as though we have lost our bearings. We are in the spiritual season of Advent but we are also in a season of Covid restrictions, of limitations on who we are allowed to visit and of not quite knowing how to plan for Christmas.
That’s all rather like Mary and Joseph. I doubt if their story made much sense to them at the time – in fact they must have felt completely at sea after a visit from an angel and the prediction that their son would be the son of God! We have the benefit of history to give their story context but Mary and Joseph probably felt a bit like we do now – hopeful, wondering, apprehensive.
Like Mary and Joseph, we don’t know yet how our story will play out but this Advent we can draw on our certainty that the Christ Child came into the world and that whatever the future holds, we won’t be left to face it all alone.
And as time goes on, we will find ways of renewing our worshipping community, ways of continuing to use the new technology which has been such a blessing to us, ways of linking those who are able to worship in church with those who are not.
We are where we are; but we need to make each day count in our story, so that we are drawn to the kingdom of God, breaking in among us. To life and to love.
Planned Giving Envelopes
For those who use weekly or monthly planned giving envelopes, the new envelopes for 2021 are available for collection on the shelf behind the pews at the back of church. I am aware that some of you switched to making payment by standing order or other online banking during the lockdowns when the church was not open for worship. If you have decided to continue to contribute in that way rather than using the envelopes, you may like to take the envelopes for use on odd occasions in church (eg at special services or for special appeals) when you would like to make an additional contribution. Otherwise, please let me know that you do not require the envelopes and I will collect and recycle them in one way or another.
If you are someone who does not currently use planned giving envelopes but would like to, please let me know. Planned giving using envelopes or a standing order is especially beneficial to the church if you are an income tax payer as the church can reclaim 25p for every £1 given at no extra cost to the giver.
You can contact me by email rperc13@btinternet.com or by telephone 0208 320 1545 - Richard Percival
You can still have your say on the future of Bexley's Libraries
The Council's consultation for options relating to the delivery of library services in Bexley finishes at midday on 19 December.
The consultation sets out various proposals, including amendments to opening hours, self-service only times, how events and activities are run, access to the Local Studies and Archives Centre and how Community Managed Libraries are supported.
If you have a paper version of the survey, please complete it and return it to any of our libraries or by post to ‘London Borough of Bexley, Library Services, Footscray Offices, Maidstone Road, Sidcup, DA14 5HS
The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete, unless you wish to make detailed comments on any of the proposals.
Your Hospice Needs You!
The Hospice Shop (next to the HSBC in The Broadway) urgently needs volunteers to look after the tills, keep the shop attractive and tidy, price goods etc. There is a lovely new manager called Brendon and he’d be so pleased to hear from any of you who can help. Do pass the message on to any friends you think may be interested.
