Are you “The One”?

Dear All Saints and St Marys

In Advent we remember and reflect on the people who point towards Christ from the Old and New Testament. John the Baptist becomes the focus of our thoughts and attention this week. His ministry was a courageous one of pointing towards a new way. He is perhaps one of the most challenging people we encounter in the Bible. He is often resolute and uncompromising in his actions and words. Yet this week in the gospel we hear an unusual element of doubt as he sits in prison, constrained in his advocacy and dependent on Jesus now fulfilling all that he has championed. Was Jesus "The One"? he asks? Is this really it? How do we know? I welcome John the Baptists laser sharp focus on the person of Jesus and who he is. I also welcome his doubt and vulnerability.

As we move closer to Christmas, that question of - What is this really all about?

Jesus's response is to say - Look at what you see and hear? What do we see and hear? Where are the outsiders welcomed? Where are the broken invited? Where are the lowly empowered? Where do we see that happening in our lives, churches and communities? And where I see that, I see Christ. And there I see Christmas.

Services this Sunday 14th December

8am - Holy Communion - All Saints
10am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys
4.30pm - Nativity Service - All Saints
6.30pm - Generations - 10 Pin Bowling

Join us for our worship this Sunday, everyone is welcome to all and any of our services. Our young people, tiny tots and junior church have been preparing hard and practising for the Nativity Play, so come and support and sing with them to welcome Christmas in.

The week ahead

Mon 15th Dec 10:30am – Tiny Tots, All Saints
Tues 16th Dec - 7.30pm - Advent Group - Vicarage
Wed 17th Dec 9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints
Wed 17th Dec 2:00pm – Advent Group, St. Mary’s
Wed 17th Dec 6:00pm – Fishponds Primary Carol Service, St Marys
Thu 18th Dec 10:00am – Holy Communion, St. Mary’s
Fri 19th Dec 11:00am – Living after Loss, St Marys
Fri 19th Dec 6:30pm – Carols around the Yew Tree, All Saints
Fri 19th Dec 8:15pm – "Christmas Choir" Practice, All Saints
Sat 20th Dec 12:00pm-1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St. Mary’s

Sun 21st December 

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Marys
10:30am – Holy Communion, All Saints
6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight​​

Please find attached all the readings to read and pray about, also the weekly sheet from St. Marys.

Blessings this Advent

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