A very warm welcome to all
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12: 2
Third Sunday of Advent
Readings: Zephaniah 3: 14-20; Philippians 4: 4-7
Gospel: Luke 3: 7-18
In our Gospel today
Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess!
Some people do have the gift of happiness – they go about life with cheerful dispositions, smiling at whatever befalls them, their glasses perpetually half-full. Most of us feel happy at least some of the time, even if it’s over something quite trivial, or experience a sense of contentment. Joy, though, the kind of joy forecast by Zephaniah in our first reading today – joy is different, and that’s what we contemplate today on the third Sunday in Advent. It is a true gift – let us rejoice in it.
Celebration Eucharist
A Celebration Eucharist to mark the 30-year anniversary of the Ordination of Women to be Priests in our Diocese will be held on Tuesday 17th December 11 am at St James AB10 6BS. We are invited to support Revd Kate Gibson who was one of those priested 30 years ago and give thanks to God for the ministry we have received from her and other women priests. Bishop Anne to preside.
Remembering Richard Notley
Our prayers are with Dr Julia House and family following the death of her father, Richard Notley, this week. Funeral to be held at St Mary’s on Friday 20th – full details to follow.
Advent to Candlemas Course
If you are looking for spiritual focus during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany you might like to try the Diocesan ‘Advent to Candlemas’ course that has been prepared by our friend Revd Canon Dr Jenny Holden the Diocesan Advisor for Christian Life. There is a little something to stimulate thought and prayer each day. The link to this from the Diocesan website is below. I warmly commend this to you. Revd Roger Dyer (Assistant Priest).
https://aoepiscopal.scot/diocesan-advent-to-candlemas-course-2025/
Thursdays@7
Our Thursday evening meetings for Bible study, Prayer and Fellowship is taking a short break through the busy weeks of Advent and Christmas. We will restart on 30th January with five weeks in the gospel of Luke.
Christmas Services
Please note the following dates for your diaries:
Carol Service: 6pm Sunday 22nd December, St Mary’s
Nativity Crib Service: 6pm Tuesday 24th December, St Johns
Christmas Eve Midnight Service: 11:30pm Tuesday 24th December, St Clements
Christmas Day Holy Communion: 10am Wednesday 25th December, St Mary’s
Crossover Service: 11:15pm Tuesday 31st December, St James
Christmas Selection Box Collection
Just to let everyone know that we’ll be collecting Christmas Selection Boxes again this year to donate to local charities. Many thanks to all that have donated boxes so far!
Tin Christmas Tree
This year we are hoping to build a Tin Christmas Tree from donated tins of soup and other food stuffs. Our building efforts will go on throughout December (1st to 31st). Please note we’re looking for standard tins, like a Heinz tomato soup tin – not little ones or oddly shaped ones, for the integrity of construction! Please think about donating any form of tinned food and have fun building a Tin Christmas Tree. The tins will be distributed to local charities or foodbanks. Thank you in advance for your donations!
Church Calendar and Christmas Cards
Our 2025 Calendars have now arrived and a new batch of Christmas Cards with three new views of St Mary’s in the snow. Calendars are £10 each and a pack of six Christmas Cards is £5. All donations go to church funds.
Christmas Magazine deadline
Please note the deadline for copy to our Christmas Magazine is Monday 16th December. Thank you!
Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week
Sunday 15th December 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 15th December 10am Service of the Word: Ms Louisa Donaldson (presiding) and Dr Nicola Mills (preaching)
Wednesday 18th December 10am Holy Communion: Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 20th December 6pm Compline: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 22nd December 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 22nd December 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Micah 5: 2-5a; Psalm 80: 1-7; Hebrews 10: 5-10
Gospel: Luke 1: 39-45, (46-55)
“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”
(C.S. Lewis.)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com