Notices for 10th December 2023
Friday 8th December!
The Brass Band of Central England are at St Andrew’s for a festive Christmas Concert to raise money from the church. Tickets £10, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Do come along to raise some money for church and get into the festive spirit.
Tea with Santa
Tickets available for Tea with Santa, Saturday 16th December, 3pm at the Village Hall. Join us for party games, afternoon tea and the chance to meet Santa, speak to jo for more information or email revjoannajoyce@outlook.com
Chocolate Raffle
We are hoping to do a chocolate raffle at the tea with Santa next Saturday. If you are able to donate any chocolate towards this please bring it along Sunday or Wednesday, or drop it at the vicarage.
Accommodation Search
Greg Smith has a curate who will be doing a placement at Bablake School in January for 3-4 weeks. He is looking for accommodation. If you can help for some or all of that time please speak to Jo.
Tots Time
Our new group for babies, toddlers and their careers is meeting this Thursday 8.45am till 10.15am. Pop in for a cup of tea a chat, play, and songs. We are a friendly relaxed group, and you are welcome to come for the whole session or just pop in. We hope to see you there!
Carol Service
The first of our Christmas services is our Carol service on Sunday 17th December at 4pm. Join us for a traditional service of lessons and Carols.
Advent Group 2023
The Christmas lights have been switched on in the city and at St. Andrew’s we have begun our preparations for Christmas. This includes an Advent group and all are welcome to join us. The Advent group will be on Wednesday mornings from 11.15 to 12.30 in Church starting on Wednesday 29th November. Among your preparation for Christmas can you make space to meet with others to look at the Bible and think afresh about the meaning of Advent and Christmas. If you would like to come or want to know more, please speak with me or call me on 07958 322026. Sue Masters.
Jigsaws & Reading Books
There is a selection of jigsaws and books at the back of church, suggested donation £1 each. There are also other items at the back of church which are individually priced. Please do take a look. These will only be available for a few more days. Donations may be placed in the wall box at the back of church or with the vicar or one of the churchwardens.
Volunteering and Safeguarding
All church volunteers, whether paid or unpaid, will need to be safely recruited and possibly also require a basic/enhanced DBS check. If you have any questions about safeguarding and volunteering, please speak to Julia McNaney on 07872 614688 or Rev Jo.
Donations
Should you wish to give online to support the work of the church, the link below or the QR code will take you directly to the page. It is a secure way of supporting the churches ministry. Thank you for your ongoing support. Nick Tooby.
https://givealittle.co/campaigns/eef64318-0a22-4db7-8d81-0ab3ccddf15d
| Diary Dates | Time | Event |
| Fri 8th Dec | 7.30pm | Festive Brass Band Concert |
| Sun 10th Dec | 10.00am | Holy Communion |
| Mon 11th Dec | 9.30am | Morning Prayer |
| 7.30pm | PCC Social | |
| Tues 12th Dec | 11.00am | Bereavement Group meeting |
| Weds 13th Dec | 10.00am | Wednesday Communion |
| Thurs 14th Dec | 8.35am | Tots Time |
| Sat 16th Dec | TBC | Tea with Santa |
| Sun 17th Dec | 10.00am | Holy Communion |
| 4.00pm | Carol Service |
Readings this week
The Second Sunday of Advent
Collect
Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God.
Post Communion
Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
First Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. Final Exhortation and Doxology 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him.
NRSVA (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised)
Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 1-8
The Proclamation of John the Baptist 1 The beginning of the good news[a] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’, 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
NRSVA (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised)