This weekend’s Bible reading:
Matthew 4:12-23 (p 968)
More sad news:
As most of you know by now, very sadly, another much loved member of our church family, Jim King, died this week. Once more, many of you spoke to Jim last Sunday, when there was no sign that he was unwell. Jim suffered a major stroke on Tuesday and didn’t regain consciousness. Please pray for Shirley and all of Jim’s family, and those who loved him as we all come to terms with this second shock.
Julie’s funeral will be on Friday 20th February at 1.00 pm in St Mary’s.
Choral Evensong Sunday 25th January 3pm (please note the time) St Catherine's:
Please join us at St Catherine's this Sunday for a special service of Choral Evensong. Our benefice choir will lead us in worship as we mark the arrival of the new organ. The service will be followed by refreshments. This replaces our usual 6pm 4th Sunday Choral Evensong at St Mary's which returns on Sunday 22nd February.
Midweek Music at St Mary's:
The monthly midweek concerts at St Mary's Church, Standon are back after the Christmas break! On Wednesday (28th) Marion and Michael will be giving a concert of music for piano and organ at 12.30. Light refreshments will be served from 11.30 and we look forward to seeing you there.
Entry and refreshments are free, but any donations you may wish to make will go towards the work of all three churches in our Benefice.
Help needed:
In this new year, please consider what you might be able to offer to help with the running of our churches. All Saints is in need of volunteers to help with cleaning; the café is looking for volunteers; we would welcome more people willing to take part in our services and many of our teams are short on personnel. Please pray that God will show you where he is calling you to use your gifts and abilities, and then speak to a church warden, a PCC member or to Caroline.
Vacancy update:
The advertisement for our new Rector is now live on the St Albans Diocese website and in the Church Times. 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.
FOSM Quiz Night:
The FOSM Quiz Night will be on Saturday. 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, and there is space for a couple more.
Illuminate in the Cathedral:
This event is in St Albans Abbey on Saturday 28th February for school years 6-13. The thousand-year-old place of worship will be transformed exclusively for young people, packed with inflatables and activities, art space, discussion zones, prayer space, great food and so much more. Tickets (for both youth and youth leaders) are £10 and include dinner. This event is run by The Collective, a local co-operative of Christian youth work organisations and church-based youth workers. More details on the Diocesan website.
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:
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
8th February 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
15th February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints
22nd February 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s
6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s
1st March 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 weekend’s choral evensong to mark the arrival of the new organ at St Catherine’s.
Dates & meetings coming up:
28th January, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s
31st January, 7.30 pm FOSM Quiz Night, Community Centre
3rd February, 2.00 pm Funeral of Leslie Gentry, All Saints
4th February, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
18th February, 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday service, St Catherine’s
20th February, 1.00 pm Funeral of Julie Williams, St Mary’s
21st February, 12.00 noon Soup and Snowdrops, St Catherine’s