Encouraging Advent Harmonies

Dear All Saints and St Marys

The churches seasons and year are often shown through different colours. Frontals, vestments change colour according to where we are in each Calander year. Advent, like Lent, is the colour purple. Purple is the colour of royalty (and of bishops!) but more importantly it is for the church the colour of penitence. So here in the second week of advent our readings start to focus on repentance, starting with the prophets this is a call to change.

What is it that this Advent we are willing to ask, brave enough to pray to change in us so that we might be ready? What are we prepared to put down, give up, make up, pivot to or away from to be as ready as possible for Christ (mas)? For each of us that will be something different. Is it a temptation that we need to be honest about? Is it a relationship that needs attention? Knowing what our weaknesses might be, holding them up to the light of God and examining them gently, carefully in prayer, can be the beginnings of this movement. As Paul notes this week it is a time of "encouragement" for us to a place of harmony. Like all good harmonies, it doesn't mean that we will all sing the same note, or even start or end at the same time - but that when we do this examination of ourselves, that the resulting music with all others is one that brings blessing to the world.

As well as St Marys Christmas Fair this Saturday (11am - 2pm) we have as worship the following.

Services this Sunday, 7th December 2025

10am - Toy Service with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides - St Marys
10.30 - Holy Communion with Band and Junior Church (Nativity rehearsal) - All Saints
6.30 - Advent Candlelit Procession - St Marys

The week ahead

Mon 8thDec 10:30am – Tiny Tots, All Saints
Tue 9th Dec 10:30am – M4T, St. Mary’s Parish Rooms
Wed 10th Dec 9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints
Thu 11th Dec 10:00am – Holy Communion, St. Mary’s
Fri 12th Dec 1pm-2pm – Christmas Concert - Veterans Band, St Marys
Fri 12th Dec 7:00pm – "Christmas Choir" Practise, All Saints
Sat 13th Dec 12:00pm-1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St. Mary’s

Next Sunday 14th December

8:00am – Holy Communion, All Saints 
10:00am – Holy Communion, St. Mary’s
10:30am – Advent service of the word, with Nativity rehearsal, All Saints 
4:30pm – Nativity, All Saints 
6:30pm – Generations, Avonmeads 10 Pin Bowling

May you have a Joyful Advent.

Revd Lizzie
Vicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, Fishponds