“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed" Matthew 2: 10
December is here!
Let’s make it a month of ‘looking up’.
As we catch again the wonder of expecting the coming of Jesus this Advent may our hearts be filled with joy.
We have placed a large lit star on the top of our church tower this week, come and see it if you haven’t already! It’s a joy to look up and see it shining in the darkness, it reminds us of the coming of Jesus who is the light of the world.
Let us pray that not only we who believe would spiritually look up, but that our community would begin to spiritually look up after the difficult year we have all experienced, where many have been looking down for so long.
We will be opening up Zoom, for about 30 minutes, after the online service to provide an opportunity for prayer and for a chat - similar to the time that would normally happen at the end of a service if we were in the church building.
The details of how to log in will be shown near the end of the service so don't switch off straight away! So make sure you have pen and paper handy, or pause or rewind the video.
If you have updated to the latest version of Zoom (5.4.3) then, when you log in, you should be able to choose if you wish to join a chat group or a group for prayer. If not, a member of the St Mary's Team will be able to allocate you to a room after you have logged in.
And here is a video that helps explain what Advent means:
Tree of Hope
The Magnolia Tree in our St Mary's Churchyard will be decorated with Stars with messages of hope, so that people visiting can read them and be inspired by their simple but profound messages.
Home Groups are participating in this project, but if you are not in a Home Group then visit the churchyard this Sunday 6th December between 2-3pm and you can decorate a star and hang it yourself to join in with this activity. All ages can join in and safeguarding/social distancing will be kept to protect all involved.
Do come and join in the witness to our parish.
David and Kim McDougall
Supporting our Community this Christmas
St. Mary's is working with 10 local schools to bring hope to their families struggling for Christmas. Let us all as Church family, if we are able, help to spread the Light of Christ.
This year we are looking at supporting 40 families with gifts.
That will be the most so far.
Are you able to donate a present, or two? (new gifts, no second-hand please)
We are looking to provide presents for all the members of the families: Babies, children, teenagers, parents and grandparents.
Please also think about adding to your trolley a few extra items over the next few weeks to help provide a family with some support over Christmas.
Are you able to donate:
Boxed stuffing
Gravy granules
Cranberry sauce
Mince pies
Chocolate log
Chocolate coins
Christmas biscuits
Or you can make a financial contribution to the fresh produce we will be buying on the 23rd December. Email office@stmarysbletchley.org for more information.
Thank you for all your help. Let's work together to bring some light and joy to struggling families this Christmas.
X Maryann
WEEK OF ADVENT PRAYER:
Still time to sign up
If you have signed up for a slot to pray and you are on Facebook, you can join a group where we will be sharing links and resources to help you as you pray. www.facebook.com/groups/smb247prayer/
On the 7th December 2020 from 1pm we begin 7 days of 24-7 virtual prayer around Advent themes using Romans 12: 11-12, picking up on the word ‘Zeal’ or as one source puts it ‘Burning Zeal’. Along with PRAYMK, we prayed Shalom over our City now as we celebrate Jesus birth and look forward to His coming again let’s continue to pray together as individuals, in groups, in bubbles and as a church with a spiritual fervour (burning zeal). Let’s serve the Lord in joyful hope, patience in affliction (COVID19) and faithfulness in prayer over this Advent season.
We will be praying for our local community, the church, the City of Milton Keynes, our Nation and St Mary’s Partner Organisations. To do this we have partnered up with 24-7 Prayer to create a virtual Prayer Room.
Keep an eye on St Mary’s Website and Facebook for materials to help you when praying. These materials will be available on-line nearer the time.
Let's cover this week with 24-7 prayer;
Let’s get ready;
Let’s Sign up; and
PRAY
St Joseph's, Newton Leys
St Joseph's, Newton Leys, is the pioneer church linked to St Mary's in our parish. It is headed by Rev Ben Thorpe and is currently continuing online. You can follow what they are doing on Facebook here.
A service provide by Oxford Diocese
Giving To St Mary's
In these times when we are unable to meet in the Church building together, your donations are just as important to us as they have always been. Your offerings mean we can continue to serve our community both practically and spiritually, worship, and connect with each other and maintain our buildings ready for when we can open again.
Virtual Church is a real blessing, but it does mean physically making your offering interesting if you make your offering via the collection plate. The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) has responded to this need and it is now possible to sign up to the scheme over the phone. Please call them on 0333 002 1271, remembering to have to hand St Mary’s Bletchley Parish Code which is 270627709 and know that we are in the Diocese of Oxford. If you would like further information you can have a look on their website https://www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk/for-donors/
Or if you would prefer to make a one-off donation then please email me and I can tell you how to do this. nicky.whitmore@stmarysbletchley.org
Thank you.
