This weekend’s Bible readings:Matthew 6:25-34 (p 971) Farewell to John and Basma 28th September:This weekend is John and Basma’s last Sunday with us. We will mark the occasion by holding a Songs of Praise service at St Mary's at 4pm, followed by refreshments in church. We hope that as many of the church family and people in our community will join this time of worship and socialising. If you’re bringing food, it is helpful if cakes are cut into portions, please, and importantly please remember not to bring anything that contains nuts. Thank you.Harvest appeal:This Sunday is our harvest service in St Mary’s. Our harvest appeal will once again be for our missionary partners, the Ellis and McGoldrick families. There will be special appeal envelopes in the pews for your gifts. Alternatively, you can support the appeal by making a transfer to any of the usual PCC bank accounts, using the reference ‘harvest’.Welcome to Bonnie and Reign:Thirdly, and very importantly, this weekend we will celebrate with Bonnie and Reign and their family as they are baptised during our family service. Please pray for Bonnie and Reign, and their parents and God-parents as they take this important step.FOSM Candlelit Dinner 26th September:Thank you to all who supported the Friends’ candlelit dinner in St Mary’s on Friday. We raised just over £1,000.Good news (we hope and pray):It is looking as if we may have found a new youth partner. Various formalities need to be completed, but it’s possible that a member of the Kick organisation may be working in our benefice from after half term. Kick works with schools and churches across the country, teaching children and young people about Jesus. Praise God for this, and pray that everything that needs to dovetail together will do so with ease.Appeal from Church Café:The café runs every Wednesday in term time from 3pm - 4.30 pm in All Saints Church. The team who are on the rota arrive at 2.30pm to set up the cafe area with cakes and drinks, and also set the tables in the church with activities, toys etc. The team is very short of volunteers this term. Please consider giving up an occasional Wednesday afternoon to help with this “Blessing of Outreach“ we have been given from God. If you can help in anyway at all (including making cakes occasionally) please speak to Carole H, Lizzie B or Deborah O. It really is a wonderful place to be, with time to mix with the children, parents & carers from the school. The atmosphere is amazing and relationships are growing.Standon Sing concert Autumn Leaves:Our local community choir rehearses each week in St Mary’s, and has, for the last few years, performed with our benefice choir and the Rib Singers at Christmas. They will be performing a concert with the Rib Singers in St Mary’s on 11th October at 7.00 pm. The concert is free, with a retiring collection for FOSM, who will also provide the bar. All are welcome.Rutter Birthday Concert 1st November, 6.30 pm:On 1st November there will be a concert organised by Michael and involving our benefice choir to celebrate John Rutter’s 80th birthday, which was this week. More details will follow, but please save the date.Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services: 28th September 10.30 am Harvest All age worship, St Mary’s 4.00 pm Songs of Praise, St Mary’s 5th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Morning worship & baptism, All Saints 12th October 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 19th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints 26th October 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s 6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s Dates & meetings coming up: 1st October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall11th October, 7.00 pm Autumn Leaves concert, St Mary’s 15th October, 7.30 pm Meeting of PCCs, Patrons and Bishop Jane, All Saints 22nd October, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible readings:Habakkuk 3:16-19 (p 947) John 6:5-14 (p 1069) Farewell to John and Basma 28th September:We will mark John and Basma’s last Sunday with us by holding a Songs of Praise service at St Mary's at 4pm on 28th September, followed by refreshments in church. We hope that as many of the church family and people in our community will join this time of worship and socialising so do spread the word! If anyone can offer to provide a cake for the tea after the Songs of Praise service that would be much appreciated. Please speak to Steph Beeston or Marion Smith or just bring it on the day! It is helpful if cakes are cut into portions and an important reminder not to bring anything that contains nuts. Thank you.Harvest appeal:This Sunday is our harvest service in All Saints, Tuesday will be Sacombe’s harvest service and next week we will have our harvest family service in St Mary’s. Our harvest appeal will once again be for our missionary partners, the Ellis and McGoldrick families. In All Saints, the collection this Sunday will be for the appeal, as will the one in St Catherine’s on Tuesday. In St Mary’s there will be special appeal envelopes for your gifts. Alternatively, you can support the appeal by making a transfer to any of the usual PCC bank accounts, using the reference ‘harvest’.Midweek Music 24th September:This month’s Midweek Music recital will feature our own Margaret Goodall, with Michael Smith. As usual, refreshments will be available from 11.30, with the concert at 12.30. Donations will go to all three of our benefice churches. Please join us if you can.FOSM Candlelit Dinner 26th September:The Friends of St Mary’s will be hosting a candlelit three course dinner in St Mary’s on Friday at 7.30 pm, with live music and seasonal readings between courses. There are still some tickets available at £30 from Diana 07718 734897, but please let her know quickly!Appeal from Church Café:The café runs every Wednesday in term time from 3pm - 4.30 pm in All Saints Church. The team who are on the rota arrive at 2.30pm to set up the cafe area with cakes and drinks, and also set the tables in the church with activities, toys etc. The team is very short of volunteers this term. Please consider giving up an occasional Wednesday afternoon to help with this “Blessing of Outreach“ we have been given from God. If you can help in anyway at all (including making cakes occasionally) please speak to Carole H Lizzie B or Deborah O. It really is a wonderful place to be, with time to mix with the children, parents & carers from the school. The atmosphere is amazing and relationships are growing.Standon Sing concert Autumn Leaves:Our local community choir rehearses each week in St Mary’s, and has, for the last few years, performed with our benefice choir and the Rib Singers at Christmas. They will be performing a concert with the Rib Singers in St Mary’s on 11th October at 7.00 pm. The concert is free, with a retiring collection for FOSM, who will also provide the bar. All are welcome.Rutter Birthday Concert 1st November, 6.30 pm:On 1st November there will be a concert organised by Michael and involving our benefice choir to celebrate John Rutter’s 80th birthday. More details will follow, but please save the date.Knife Angel in Hertfordshire:The Knife Angel is a 27-foot-tall, figure, crafted from over 100,000 confiscated knives and blades, a striking piece of art and a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of violent crime. It will be in Welwyn Garden City throughout October, when Herts Police will host community engagements, focusing on knife crime and violence, and its prevention. Please pray for this enterprise.Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services: 21st September 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Holy Communion for Harvest, All Saints 28th September 10.30 am Harvest All age worship, St Mary’s 4.00 pm Songs of Praise, St Mary’s 5th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints 12th October 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 19th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints Dates & meetings coming up: 24th September, from 11.30 Midweek Music, St Mary’s 24th September, 7.15 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s 25th September, 9.00 am Roger de Clare harvest service, St Mary’s 26th September, 11.30 am Organ tuners in church, St Mary’s 26th September, 7.30 pm FOSM Candlelit Dinner, St Mary’s 1st October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall11th October, 7.00 pm Autumn Leaves concert, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible readings:1 Timothy 1:12-17 (p 1191) John 3:13-17 (p 1066) Baptism this weekend:Chris and Dave’s granddaughter, Cleo, will be baptised during Sunday’s communion service at St Mary’s. Please pray for Rachel and Dave, Cleo’s God-parents and all the family as they take this important step for Cleo.Farewell to John and Basma 28th September:We will mark John and Basma’s last Sunday with us by holding a Songs of Praise service at St Mary's at 4pm on 28th September, followed by refreshments in church. We hope that as many of the church family and people in our community will join this time of worship and socialising so do spread the word!FOSM Candlelit Dinner 26th September:The Friends of St Mary’s will be hosting a candlelit three course dinner in St Mary’s on Friday 26th September at 7.30 pm, with live music and seasonal readings between courses. There are still some tickets available at £30 from Diana 07718 734897.Harvest appeal:Next Sunday is our harvest service in All Saints, and the following week we will have our harvest family service in St Mary’s. Our harvest appeal will once again be for our missionary partners, the Ellis and McGoldrick families. In All Saints, the collection on 21st will be for the appeal, as will the one in St Catherine’s on 23rd. In St Mary’s there will be special appeal envelopes for your gifts. Alternatively, you can support the appeal by making a transfer to any of the usual PCC bank accounts, using the reference ‘harvest’.The Star reopening:Jim and Helen, who have taken over the Star, opposite St Mary’s, planned to reopen on Monday, but the tills haven’t been delivered! Instead, they’ll open on Wednesday. They are keen to maintain the strong links with our churches, and develop them further where there is opportunity. We will continue to be able to use their car park on Sunday mornings (but please try to move the car by 12 unless you’re eating lunch there!) and they look forward to welcoming us for food, drinks or coffee. The current team will continue to manage the Bell for them, and the ethos of the Star will not change. Please pray for them as they open the doors this week.Concert in memory of Nicola Hunt:Many of our Standon folk remember Nicola, who was choir leader here for some years. Nicola died 20 years ago this year, and to mark the occasion her daughter, Sarah, with David Boarder and Robin Pegna, are organising a concert in St Mary’s on 5th October at 3.00 pm. If you would like to sing, please contact David at boarderd48@gmail.com or leave a message on 07876 444701.Standon Sing concert Autumn Leaves:Our local community choir rehearses each week in St Mary’s, and has, for the last few years, performed with our benefice choir and the Rib Singers at Christmas. They will be performing a concert with the Rib Singers in St Mary’s on 11th October at 7.00 pm. The concert is free, with a retiring collection for FOSM, who will also provide the bar. All are welcome.Rutter Birthday Concert 1st November, 6.30 pm:We have a third concert this autumn in St Mary’s! On 1st November there will be a concert organised by Michael to celebrate John Rutter’s birthday. More details will follow, but please save the date.Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services: 14th September 10.30 am Holy Communion & baptism, St Mary’s 21st September 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Holy Communion for Harvest, All Saints 28th September 10.30 am Harvest All age worship, St Mary’s 4.00 pm Songs of Praise, St Mary’s 5th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints 12th October 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Dates & meetings coming up: 18th September, 2.30 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints 24th September, from 11.30 Midweek Music, St Mary’s 24th September, 7.15 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s 25th September, 9.00 am Roger de Clare harvest service, St Mary’s 26th September, 11.30 am Organ tuners in church, St Mary’s 26th September, 7.30 pm FOSM Candlelit Dinner, St Mary’s 1st October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall11th October, 7.00 pm Autumn Leaves concert, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible readings:Colossians 3:12-17 (p 1184) Luke 14:25-33 (p 1048) 24 hour prayer event 6th to 7th September:Gaby is organising a 24 hour prayer event as part of the Global Week of Prayer being run by the 24-7 prayer movement. It has run all this week, starting last Saturday, but we are taking part from 11.30 am on Saturday 6th and finishing at this Sunday morning’s service. If you would like to know more, please speak to Gaby or Rebecca.Baptism next week:Chris and Dave’s granddaughter, Cleo, will be baptised during next week’s communion service at St Mary’s. Please come and support Rachel and Dave and all the family as they take this important step for Cleo.News of Jade’s ordination training:Jade writes: ‘Ordination training has officially started. I will be studying full time for two years on a context based course. This means half of my time will be academic, studying for a Masters Degree in Theology, Ministry, and Mission at St Mellitus College. For the other half I will be working at St James, Thorley with this Sunday 7th as my first day there. I am so grateful for all the prayers that have carried me this far, and ask please keep praying, I appreciate it so much.’Knit & Natter group:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us for a couple of hours in Standon village hall at 2pm usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 11th September. For more information please contact Marion on 01920 745683 or Diane on 821130.Beds & Herts Bike ‘n’ Hike:We are looking for volunteers to be in our churches on Saturday 13th September to welcome visitors. The event is from 9.00-5.00. Please sign up or let us know if you would like to do this.Farewell to John and Basma 28th September:We will mark John and Basma’s last Sunday with us by holding a Songs of Praise service at St Mary's at 4pm on 28th September, followed by refreshments in church. We hope that as many of the church family and people in our community will join this time of worship and socialising so do spread the word!FOAS Quiz Night 13th September:The Friends of All Saints Quiz Night will be held on 13th September in Little Munden School. Teams can be of up to 8 people. For tickets (at £15, to include a ploughman’s supper), please email Christinebrown02@icloud.com or speak to any of The Mundens PCC.FOSM Candlelit Dinner 26th September:The Friends of St Mary’s will be hosting a candlelit dinner in St Mary’s on Friday 26th September at 7.30 pm, with live music in the interval. Tickets are £30 from Diana 07718 734897. Concert in memory of Nicola Hunt:Many of our Standon folk remember Nicola, who was choir leader here for some years. Nicola died 20 years ago this year, and to mark the occasion her daughter, Sarah, with David Boarder and Robin Pegna, are organising a concert in St Mary’s on 5th October at 3.00 pm. If you would like to sing, please contact David at boarderd48@gmail.com or leave a message on 07876 444701.Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services: 7th September 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints 14th September 10.30 am Holy Communion & baptism, St Mary’s 21st September 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Holy Communion for Harvest, All Saints 28th September 10.30 am Harvest All age worship, St Mary’s 4.00 pm Songs of Praise, St Mary’s 5th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints Dates & meetings coming up:10th September, 7.30 pm FOSM meeting, 40 South Road 11th September, 2.00 pm Vacancy team meeting, The Old Top Shop 13th September, 7.30 pm FOAS Quiz Night, Little Munden School19th September, 2.30 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints 24th September, from 11.30 Midweek Music, St Mary’s 24th September, 7.15 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s 25th September, 9.00 am Roger de Clare harvest service, St Mary’s 26th September, 7.30 pm FOSM Candlelit Dinner, St Mary’s 1st October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall