A very warm welcome to all
Psalm 25: “Remember, Lord, your compassion and love.”
First Sunday of Advent
Readings: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-36
In our Gospel today
In Luke’s Gospel we hear Jesus telling his disciples that there will be “signs” to prepare the world for his return. In today’s world we think of “signs” as things that give us warning or direction, like signposts on a road. In the narrative of the four Gospels of the New Testament we are told repeatedly that the actions and miracles of Jesus are “signs” that reveal to us his divinity and his power to heal and save.
So, when in this Scripture reading Jesus tells us to prepare to witness signs, he is not primarily warning us about impending calamities, but rather to see what is happening around us as evidence that our ultimate destiny is redemption. As we enter Advent, our season of reflection, penitence and preparation, we are reminded again that “our redemption is drawing near”. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel will come to us.
Advent to Candlemas Course
If you are looking for spiritual focus during Advent (starts this Sunday), 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
This week is the last of Thursdays@7 until the end of January. I will then have a five-week run up to Lent.
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
Curry Night Friday 29th November
Hoping to see you at our Curry Night on Friday 29th November at 7:30pm. Delicious curries are being provided by congregation members of St Mary’s and friends. Suggested donation £15 per person and BYOB. Thank you!
Donmouth Beach Clean
Fancy some fresh air and some good exercise? If so, please think about joining the Donmouth Beach Clean on Sunday 8th December starting at 1pm. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with festive snacks! Please speak to Julia House for more details.
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 also 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 1st December 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Sunday 1st December 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Wednesday 4th December 10am Holy Communion: Revd Kate Gibson
Thursday 5th December (Crypt) Thursday@7 (Bible, Prayer and Fellowship)
Friday 6th December No Compline
Sunday 8th December No 8am Service
Sunday 8th December 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Kate Gibson
Next Sunday’s readings: Malachi 3: 1-4; Luke 1: 68-79; Philippians 1: 3-11
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6
“We shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
(St Cyril of Jerusalem)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com