A very happy New Year to you all!
This weekend’s Bible readings:
Isaiah 60:1-6 (p 746) Matthew 2:1-12 (p 966)
Clergy cover:
Rev Tim Weeks hopes to be back with us in two weeks’ time. Thank God for his recovery so far, and continue to pray for him as he recuperates fully. We are grateful to Archdeacon Janet, who will be with us once again at both of our services this weekend.
Regular groups and midweek services:
Our regular activities will start up again over the next week or two. Our midweek services in Sacombe (Tuesday, 9.30) and Standon (Wednesday, 9.30) will be back this week, as will Little Angels. Our café will start again on 14th in Little Munden and the benefice choir will restart rehearsals on 15th. Please pray for all the teams heading up these and other groups and meetings.
Vacancy update:
The advertisement for our new Rector is now live on the St Albans Diocese website. It will be in the Church Times this week. If you wish to see it and read the Parish Profile, there is a link to the information on the homepage of our website. Alternatively you can look at the St Albans Diocese Vacancies page. Please pray for the person God is calling to be our new Rector and for all of those involved in the recruitment process. If you have any questions please speak to one of our Parish Representatives: Michael, Angie, Ray, Hugh, Derek or Janet.
Christmas cards:
As the decorations come down, please remember that the Sacombe folk recycle cards for next year! They can be given to any of the PCC members.
FOSM Quiz Night:
It’s January; it must be the FOSM Quiz Night! This year, the last Saturday falls on 31st. Doors will open at 7.00 for a 7.30 start. Tickets are £15 per head. FOSM is working hard to replenish its funds after granting most of its reserves to the tower project. Tables of up to 8 can be booked with Caroline.
Roof work at All Saints:
The contract has been signed for the works to be carried out to the roof at All Saints in the spring. The start date is 2nd March, with completion due by 22nd May. There will be some disruption to our services and other activities, but details of that will follow nearer the time. For now, please pray for the smooth progress of all that needs to be put in place, and for Ray and those who will be steering the project and taking care of everything that needs to be attended to. We have a very small window for the work to take place, because of the bats living in the roof space, and little room for the dates to slip.
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:
4th January 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints
11th January 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
18th January 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints
25th January 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s
3.00 pm Choral evensong, St Catherine’s
1st February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints
Please note the change of time and church for this month’s choral evensong to mark the arrival of the new organ at St Catherine's.
Dates & meetings coming up:
7th January, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
12th January, 2.00 pm Funeral of Maurice Debnam, St Mary’s
14th January 12.00 (tbc) Funeral of Christopher Saggers, St Mary’s
15th January, 2.00 pm Vacancy team meeting, The Old Top Shop
21st January, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, All Saints
21st January, 7.30 pm FOSM committee meeting, 40 South Road
28th January, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s
31st January, 7.30 pm FOSM Quiz Night, Community Centre