Welcome to St Andrew’s Pews News!
This week marks the start of Advent, a time to reflect and pray about our Christian journey as we prepare afresh to recall the Christmas story. There is lots going on in church over the next month, from concerts and services to family events and fun. We are reliant on you, our readers, to share the word about all the great things happening, there are lots of leaflets and fliers at the back of church and of course our regular emails. Why not invite your friends and try something new?

Notices
This Sunday at Worship 4 Everyone we will be collecting new toys for children in Coventry this Christmas. If you are able to donate anything please bring it along to one of our services. Please don’t leave toys containing food in church. Thank you so much for all your donations.

A Festive Christmas Brass Band Concert
Friday 8^th December at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door, subject to availability. Tickets are now available from Julia McNaney on 07872 614688 and Julie Crow on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk. There will be refreshments, cakes and mince pies available on the evening, please let me know if you are bale to help. Thanks Jo.

Tea with Santa
Tea with Santa is running this year on the 16^th December at 3pm in the village hall. Tickets are now available please book with Jo Joyce and do invite anyone you know. We also need help with set up, can you make a parcel for pass the parcel? Could you make sandwiches or cakes or help set up the room? Please sign up at the back of church letting us know how you can help so together we can bless our families and our community. Thank you!

Advent Group 2023
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.

Tots Time!
Our new group for babies, toddlers and their carers, will meet again on 7th and 14th December, at 8.35am to coincide with school drop off but you are welcome to pop in anytime. Please do share with anyone you think might be interested, and take a flier from the back of church. Speak to Jo for more information.

Hymnathon
Thank you to Di Fellowes for her hymnathon and to everyone who made our St Andrew’s Day celebration last weekend so special. It not too late to send in your sponsorship money, either put it in an envelope in the collection or you can give via Just Giving here… . www.justgiving.com/page/diane-fellowes-1697355509810

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

Please send notices for next week to Julie Crow by Thursday morning. Email administrator@standrews-eg.org.ukThe First Sunday of Advent

Collect
Almighty God,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the
light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Post Communion
O Lord our God,
make us watchful and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear,
he may not find us sleeping in sin
but active in his service
and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
64 Why don’t you tear the sky open and come down? The mountains would see you and shake with fear. ² They would tremble like water boiling over a hot fire. Come and reveal your power to your enemies, and make the nations tremble at your presence! ³ There was a time when you came and did terrifying things that we did not expect; the mountains saw you and shook with fear. ⁴ No one has ever seen or heard of a God like you, who does such deeds for those who put their hope in him. ⁵ You welcome those who find joy in doing what is right, those who remember how you want them to live. You were angry with us, but we went on sinning; in spite of your great anger we have continued to do wrong since ancient times. ⁶ All of us have been sinful; even our best actions are filthy through and through. Because of our sins we are like leaves that wither and are blown away by the wind. ⁷ No one turns to you in prayer; no one goes to you for help. You have hidden yourself from us and have abandoned us because of our sins.
⁸ But you are our father, Lord. We are like clay, and you are like the potter. You created us, ⁹ so do not be too angry with us or hold our sins against us forever. We are your people; be merciful to us.
Good News Translation

Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24 to end
²⁴ “In the days after that time of trouble the sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, ²⁵ the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses. ²⁶ Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ He will send the angels out to the four corners of the earth to gather God’s chosen people from one end of the world to the other.
²⁸ “Let the fig tree teach you a lesson. When its branches become green and tender and it starts putting out leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ In the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the time is near, ready to begin. ³⁰ Remember that all these things will happen before the people now living have all died. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
³² “No one knows, however, when that day or hour will come—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son; only the Father knows. ³³ Be on watch, be alert, for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴ It will be like a man who goes away from home on a trip and leaves his servants in charge, after giving to each one his own work to do and after telling the doorkeeper to keep watch. ³⁵ Watch, then, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming—it might be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or at sunrise. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, he must not find you asleep. ³⁷ What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch!”
Good News Translation