St Mary’s and St Luke’s News & Information for 03 December 2023 – Advent Sunday
The Weekly Sheet has this week’s Readings and News on it
Rose Queen Cake Sale
Our Rose Queen Sophie’s cake sale in the church hall this Sunday 3 December in the Church Hall following the service at St Mary’s. The sale is in aid of her charity Motherwell Cheshire.
Our annual Toy Service
Our annual Toy Service, in aid of the Salvation Army Toy Appeal, is this 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.
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 free Advent App and Family resources from the Church of England
Once again the Church of England media team have produced some excellent resources for us to use free of charge through this Advent time.
* There is a free App for your smartphone or device – just search your device’s App Store for FollowtheStar – if you had the App last Christmas it should update itself automatically
* Sign up for the same email reflections delivered to your inbox each day
* Use the online Advent Calendar with younger family members to help get the most from Advent
More information on all of the above can be found by clicking here
Have a good and holy Advent this year.
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.
Christmas Services 2023
There are Christmas Cards, which include our Christmas Services, available at both churches to use to give neighbours, family and friends. Who will you invite to Follow the Star this year?
You can download the Christmas Card by clicking here.
Ladies Afternoon Group News
The Ladies Afternoon Group enjoyed a fabulous, creative and Industrious afternoon making Christmas table decorations under the watchful eye of Di Carter. It was a real `hive of activity` and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Some real artistic designs! (Please if anyone finds they have a bag with 3 pairs of secateurs by mistake, please could you let Frances or Pam know). We also have our Lessons and Carol Service on Thursday 14th December at 2pm at St Mary`s followed by refreshments in the Church Hall. Looking forward to seeing you all, Frances.
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.
A Taste of Christmas at the Rectory
Click on the image to enlarge it if necessary
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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