Bible reading:Luke 10:1-12 (p 1041)Harvest appeal:This weekend completes our series of harvest services for this year. Our appeal this year is to support the work of John and Gillian, who work in the slums of Bangkok. They are fundraising to set up a safe house for boys, to add to their safe house for girls, offering support for children who live in abusive families. Donations can be made to any of our churches’ bank accounts, or given to one of our treasurers.There are special envelopes in St Mary’s for any donations in the service.Harvest Choral Evensong Sunday, 6.00 pm in St Mary’s:Our monthly choral evensong service, this month with a harvest theme, will be back this weekend, after a break in August. Please join us for this centuries old contemplative service, with music led by our benefice choir.Safety reminders:Many have commented how friendly our churches are and how good they always look. That is in large part due to our committed cleaning teams. We are reminded of or Safe Working procedures:- if you find yourself working alone in the church, always phone or tell someone where you are- always welcome visitors and show them the leaflets and information at the back of the churchMaking St Mary's Sparkle:The cleaning groups do a wonderful job but at a recent meeting of the St Mary’s cleaning teams, we felt a Spring Clean would add that extra sparkle. All the equipment needed will be available, and all are welcome! It will be on Saturday 24th October, 10.00 - 11.00 followed by refreshments.If you are able to join one of the teams in any of our churches, please speak to the church wardens.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:27th September 10.30 am Family worship for harvest, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s4th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints11th October 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s18th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints25th October 10.30 am Family worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’sDates & meetings coming up:27th September, 12.30 pm Baptism of Brody McLean, St Mary’s28th September, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Mary’s29th September, 2.30 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints2nd October, 7.30 pm Candlelit supper in St Mary’s, St Mary’s7th October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall8th October, 10.30 am Funeral of Ryder Duggan-Carr, St Mary’s15th October, 12.00 Funeral of Terry Thrussell, St Mary’s
Bible readings:8.00: Psalm 105:1-7 (p 607) Matthew 20:1-16 (p 987)10.30: Joel 2:22-27 (p 913) John 6:25-35 (p 1070)Harvest appeal:Our harvest services this year are on 20th, 22nd and 27th September. Our appeal this year is to support the work of John and Gillian, who work in the slums of Bangkok. They are fundraising to set up a safe house for boys, to add to their safe house for girls, offering support for children who live in abusive families. Donations can be made to any of our churches’ bank accounts, or given to one of our treasurers.The collection in All Saints this Sunday will be for the appeal.Midweek Music at St Mary’s:The midweek lunchtime concerts restart this coming Wednesday, 23rd September and this month’s will be given by the local professional violinist, Jo West, accompanied by Michael Smith on the piano. As usual there will be refreshments from 11.30 and the concert starts at 12.30 for about 30-40minutes. This is a great opportunity to support local musicians and entry is free. Any donations are shared between all three churches in the Benefice. We look forward to welcoming you.Candlelit Supper in St Mary’s, 2nd October:Tickets, at £30 per head, are on sale for FOSM’s candlelit supper in St Mary’s on 2nd October. A three course meal will be served by candlelight, with musical and dramatic entertainment between courses. A licensed bar will be available. To book, please speak to Diana 07718 734897.Away From It All (AFIA) holidays:AFIA is a Mother's Union (MU) project giving families in need of a holiday an opportunity to spend time away. It is open to anyone who has not been on holiday for over 3 years due to health, financial problems, bereavement, family reasons or situations beyond their control and who cannot afford a vacation. MU will arrange & pay for accommodation and/or transport, depending on the family's circumstances. The family will need a recommendation from a vicar, head teacher, social worker or doctor. If you know of anyone who would benefit from a holiday, please contact MU by email: awayfromitall.stalbans@yahoo.co.uk or ring 07438 474225 & an application form will be sent. If you need any further information before contacting MU please ring Diane on 07949 665365.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:20th September 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion for harvest, All Saints27th September 10.30 am Family worship for harvest, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s4th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints11th October 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s18th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All SaintsDates & meetings coming up:23rd September, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s24th September, 9.00 am Roger de Clare harvest service, St Mary’s27th September, 12.30 pm Baptism of Brody McLean, St Mary’s28th September, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Mary’s29th September, 2.30 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints2nd October, 7.30 pm Candlelit supper in St Mary’s, St Mary’s7th October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
Bible readings:Ezekiel 36:24-28 (p 868) Mark 10:13-16 (p 1014)An update from the Parish Representatives about our recruitment process:Following the closing date this week for applications for the post of Rector, I am disappointed to say we haven’t received any applications for the post this time. We will soon be setting dates for the next round of recruitment.Please continue to pray for Caroline and everyone involved in the ongoing life and witness of our Benefice.Please pray for how God might be calling you, in any small way, to support the work of our churches.Please also pray for the person God is even now calling to be with us when the time is right. Do ask if you have any questions.Michael SmithHarvest appeal:Our harvest services this year will be on 20th, 22nd and 27th September. Our appeal this year is to support the work of John and Gillian, who work in the slums of Bangkok. They are fundraising to set up a safe house for boys, to add to their safe house for girls, offering support for children who live in abusive families. Donations can be made to any of our churches’ bank accounts, or given to one of our treasurers.Christianity Explored:Our Christianity Explored course will run from this weekend. We will meet on Sunday afternoons, from 2.00 until around 3.30. The dates will be: September 13th, 20th; October 4th, 11th, 18th; November 15th, 22nd.There will also be one longer session, between the two November meetings, but we will fix a time for that when we have everyone together. Please speak to Caroline if you would like to know more.Candlelit Supper in St Mary’s, 2nd October:Tickets, at £30 per head, are on sale for FOSM’s candlelit supper in St Mary’s on 2nd October. A three course meal will be served by candlelight, with musical and dramatic entertainment between courses. A licensed bar will be available. To book, please speak to Diana 07718 734897.Banking scams awareness:Both Little Munden and Sacombe have experienced fraudulent activity on their bank accounts in recent months. The funds have been returned in full, but we are reminded to check our statements regularly and report any strange activity. In both cases, bogus direct debits were set up; please check your list of active direct debits for any that you haven’t authorised.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:13th September 10.30 am Holy communion & baptism, St Mary’s20th September 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion for harvest, All Saints27th September 10.30 am Family worship for harvest, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s4th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints11th October 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’sDates & meetings coming up:13th September, 2.00 pm Christianity Explored (1st session), 1 Sargents18th September, 12.00 Meeting of St Mary’s cleaning teams, St Mary’s23rd September, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s24th September, 9.00 am Roger de Clare harvest service, St Mary’s27th September, 12.30 pm Baptism of Brody McLean, St Mary’s28th September, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Mary’s29th September, 2.30 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints2nd October, 7.30 pm Candlelit supper in St Mary’s, St Mary’s7th October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
Bible readings:Romans 13:8-14 (p 1140) Matthew 18:15-20 (p 985)Wednesday services from September:Our informal service in St Mary’s on Wednesday mornings are taking a slightly different format from this month. Instead of a conventional sermon, we will be using a Good Book Company study guide to reflect on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. All are welcome. Please speak to Caroline if you would like more information.Christianity Explored:Our Christianity Explored course will run from next Sunday. We will meet on Sunday afternoons, from 2.00 until around 3.30. The dates will be: September 13th, 20th; October 4th, 11th, 18th; November 15th, 22nd.There will also be one longer session, between the two November meetings, but we will fix a time for that when we have everyone together. It’s not too late to sign up; please speak to Caroline if you would like to know more, or pick up a leaflet in one of our churches.Knit & Natter 10th September:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us in the Sargent room (at the back of Standon village hall) any time between 1pm and 3.30pm, usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting is on Thursday 10th September. For more information please contact Diane on 01920 821130 or Marion on 01920 745683.Candlelit Supper in St Mary’s, 2nd October:Tickets, at £30 per head, are on sale for FOSM’s candlelit supper in St Mary’s on 2nd October. A three course meal will be served by candlelight, with musical and dramatic entertainment between courses. A licensed bar will be available. To book, please speak to Diana 07718 734897.Holiday Bible Club 24th – 27th August ‘God’s People and the Temple of the Rising Son’:We had an amazing four days, welcoming 69 children across the four days, with between 50 and 55 children attending each day. We looked at all the places God can be found, starting with the tabernacle at the time of the Exodus and progressing right through to Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was granted to every believer.Thankyou to everyone who helped make it possible.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:6th September 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints13th September 10.30 am Holy communion & baptism, St Mary’s20th September 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion for harvest, All Saints27th September 10.30 am Family worship for harvest, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s4th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All SaintsDates & meetings coming up:9th September, 7.30 pm Friends of St Mary’s committee meeting, 40 South Road11th September, 1.00 pm Funeral of Deryl Harden, All Saints13th September, 2.00 pm Christianity Explored (1st session), 1 Sargents18th September, 12.00 Meeting of St Mary’s cleaning teams, St Mary’s23rd September, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s24th September, 9.00 am Roger de Clare harvest service, St Mary’s28th September, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Mary’s29th September, 2.00 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints2nd October, 7.30 pm Candlelit supper in St Mary’s, St Mary’s7th October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
