Bible readings:
8.00: Luke 1:1-4 (p 1025) Acts 1:1-11 (p 1092)
10.30: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (p 1186) Matthew 22:15-22 (p 990)
News from café:
We have had some encouraging news after Wednesday's café. It went “extremely well” with lots of children, many doing crafts with Jane. Lizzy brought some year sixes from the school to help with setting up. Jo, one of the managers at Libury Hall, brought one of their residents, Jane, to help. She was a natural with the children, and enjoyed it very much. In addition, another new recruit, Alison, from Nasty, was also very helpful and “so willing to do anything. It was a fantastic afternoon!” Please continue to pray for this important outreach, and the dedicated team that makes it possible.
Christmas is approaching:
The dates and time of our Christmas services will appear soon on our website, but we thought it might be helpful to let you know that all our carol services, apart from Sacombe’s, will be at the new time of 4pm. It will still be dark enough for candles, but we hope this will enable more people to attend. This will apply to the Advent Carols service on 29th November and the two Christmas carol services on 13th December in Little Munden and 20th in Standon.
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal:
This weekend, Lizzy will be clearing her attic of all the shoeboxes and gifts she and others have collected during the year, ready to send to children in areas affected by war, natural disaster, or some other catastrophe. There are three ways you can help:
1. Fill a shoebox with gifts (ask Lizzy for the list of what's allowed and not allowed) and leave it in St Mary's or give it to Lizzy or Caroline.
2. Contribute gifts to be packed - Lizzy is always short of small toys and games, little treats for teenage girls (eg hair accessories, eye shadow, keyrings) and small toys for toddlers.
3. Donate money so that Lizzy can use it to buy things she is missing for boxes, or to pay for the travel costs.
Cash can be given to Lizzy or Caroline, or transferred to the Standon PCC bank account, reference "OCC".
Thank you - every box filled is another child who will know someone cares this Christmas.
Little Angels help:
We could do with another person or two on the rota of helpers at Little Angels, especially as winter bugs start to appear. Helpers arrive at 9 to set up, welcome the children and their carers, make tea or coffee, prepare the children’s snack and clear up the church afterwards. We are usually finished a few minutes after 11. If you think you would like to help, please speak to Caroline or Cate.
Floodlights at St Mary’s:
The floodlights at St Mary’s are still in the process of being repaired and currently they aren’t operating properly. Please take great care if you’re accessing or leaving the church in the dark.
Some of the fluorescent tubes in the vestries are also awaiting replacement, so please bear with us if you’re affected.
Making St Mary's Sparkle on Saturday:
The St Mary’s cleaning teams are planning a Spring Clean on Saturday 24th October, 10.00 - 11.00 followed by refreshments. All the equipment needed will be available, and all are welcome! If you are able to join one of the teams in any of our churches, please speak to us.
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
On Tuesday 10th November, the Little Munden School choir will join us again for our Sacombe service of Remembrance at 9.30. All are welcome.
Sunday services:
18th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints
25th October 10.30 am Family worship, St Mary’s
6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s
1st November 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s
10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints
3.00 pm Service of Memories, St Mary’s
8th November 10.30 am Remembrance Sunday service, St Mary’s
15th November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints
Dates & meetings coming up:
20th October, 12.00 Funeral of Pamela Harwood, All Saints
22nd October, 10.00 am Youth team meeting, The Old Top Shop
24th 10 – 11 am Spring clean of church, St Mary’s
28th October, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s
28th October, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop
30th October, 11.00 am Funeral of Audrey Morton, All Saints
1st November, 3.00 pm Service of memories, St Mary’s