St Mary’s and St Luke’s News & Information for 19 November 2023 – 2nd Sunday before Advent
The Weekly Sheet has this week’s Readings and News on it
Annual Shoebox Appeal – Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who donated a Shoebox to the Teams4U appeal this year. 47 boxes were collected and, with online donations, we donated over 60 boxes!To do a Shoebox online, go to: teams4u.com
After Church Refreshments this Sunday
Due to the continuing work on the Church Hall Kitchen, this weeks after church refreshments will be in the Choir Vestry. Please get a drink and come back in to church. If you need help doing this, please let a sidesperson or a warden know.
The Church Hall will reopen on Monday for hirers of the hall, but the kitchen will be out of action until the electrics are completed which should be completed by Tuesday.
New Date of the Rose Queen Cake Sale
Our Rose Queen Sophie’s cake sale in the church hall has been postponed until Sunday 3 December as to the kitchen in the hall not being available due the ongoing refurbishment. The sale is in aid of her charity Motherwell Cheshire.
Help needed this Saturday
Help is needed this Saturday (18 November) at 5pm in the Church Hall. We need to put everything back into the kitchen cupboards and give a clean around so as the hall is ready for use on Monday. Please come along for 5pm of you can and lend a hand.
Our annual Toy Service
Our annual Toy Service, in aid of the Salvation Army Toy Appeal, is Sunday 3 December at 10:40am at St Mary’s. The SA are asking for stocking fillers, crayons and colouring books, children’s books and teenage stocking fillers. Last year they supported over 2500 vulnerable children and adults living in our community.
Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer on Zoom bit.ly/930mp, 9:30am
on Tuesday & Thursday this week.
Church of England Daily Prayer can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
There is also Daily Hope: a free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers you can call at any time on 0800 804 8044.
The Bible Study & Prayer Group
Tuesday Bible study group will meet on 21 November & Prayer Group is on the first Thursday of each Month. Jenny V.
Ladies Afternoon Group
The next Ladies Afternoon Group on Thursday 23 November at 2pm when Di Carter is going to demonstrate a Christmas table decoration. If you have any foliage you would like to use please bring it along. Looking forward to seeing you all. Frances.
Advent Group: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Once again this year there will be an Advent Study Group at the Rectory. This is a time to get together in the lead up to Christmas and think a bit more on the theme of Advent and spiritually prepare for Christmas. The group will run for three Tuesdays, 5, 12 & 19 December, 7:30pm-9pm. We will be using the Advent Hymn, Come Thou long expected Jesus, as the basis for a discussion through Advent. All material will be supplied on the night. Come to one or come to all. Thanks, Revd Mike.
A Taste of Christmas at the Rectory
Click on the image to enlarge it if necessary
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Christmas Services 2023
Here are our Christmas Services for this year at both of our churches, Please put the dates on your calendars and think about who you might invite to Follow the Star this Christmastime. You can click on the image to see a bigger version.
Pickles, Chutneys, Jams and Christmas puddings
St Mary’s Christmas Fair- Sunday 10 December in the Church Hall after Service. Chris & Mike will again be providing their wonderful home produce of Pickles, Chutneys, Jams, Christmas Puddings and also the Hyacinths Bowls at £6.
The Church Hall will be closed from Monday 13 November for 6 days (as long as all the work goes well), whilst the kitchen undergoes a refurb. The Office will remain open as normal.
Easyfundraising
Are you planning to some online Christmas Shopping, maybe over Black Friday? Please use Easyfundraising to raise money for St Mary’s for free. If you already have us as a cause then remember to activate the donation. If this is new to you, it’s simple, and you can help St Mary’s & St Luke’s to win 1 of 3 donations of £3000 prize fund in #easyfundraising’s new epic Refer to Win giveaway! We will get a free entry for each new supporter who signs up, its quick, and free to sign up: see link below bit.ly/stmaryseasyfundraising It costs you nothing, but raises money for our churches.
Online Service Resources
Service Orders at St Mary’s can be viewed/downloaded at bit.ly/serviceorders or scan the QR Code to the left.
The Weekly Sheet is available at the top of this Blog page.
We will continue have printed Weekly Sheets available, but if you can do it electronically, it means we can print less and not throw as much away.
Our Church Relies upon Personal Giving to Keep Going
To give quickly & securely online click here or scan the QR Code
Click the button below to see the ways that you can help.
Or Click this link: https://www.stmaryswistaston.org.uk/giving.html