Keep up to date with everything that is happening at All Saints.
Below are the notices which are available in church at services. We continue to send out a weekly newsletter as well. If you would like to sign up to receive this newsletter please fill in your email address below:
From the Associate Vicar…
Wow - it’s Advent already. Don’t worry, I didn’t say “Christmas”! Every year, Advent gives us the chance to prepare our hearts and invest in our souls. We remember that Christ came to earth - God born as a baby - and we hold equally true that Jesus will come again, calling us home.
Advent keeps these two truths in balance: gratitude for what God has already done, and hope that the God who acted once will act again.
Let’s not miss the opportunity Advent offers us. Choose to remember, with thankfulness, all that God has done for us in Jesus, and choose also to keep your eyes fixed on the future hope that Jesus will come again and draw all things to himself.
Roland Slade
Sunday Services: 30th November, Advent Sunday
8am Holy Communion
Led by Godfrey Smallman, who will be preaching on Malachi 3:1-4 and Matthew 24:36-44.
9:15am Holy Communion
Led by Stephen Hunter, with Godfrey Smallman preaching on Malachi 3:1-4 and Matthew 24:36-44.
11am All Age
Led by Simon Oatridge, with Steve Holme preaching on Malachi 3:1-4 and Matthew 24:36-44.
6pm Traditional Advent Carols
Led by Roland Slade, with Mark Brown speaking on hope.
Church News
Christingle Preparation:
Our Christingle service this year is on 14th December. Help is needed to prepare the Christingles on Saturday 13th December from 9:30 am in the Welcome Area of church. Please come and help if you are able to. For more information please speak to Ben: Ben.lacey@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk
Nobody Lonely at Christmas:
Are you happy to host one or two people for Christmas dinner, or for a meal over the Christmas period? If so, we would like to connect you with someone who would appreciate the invite! So, if you are a willing host, or if you are likely to be alone over Christmas and would appreciate being invited along for a meal over the Christmas period, please email the office (office@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk) or speak to a member of the clergy by Sunday 7th December. We will then put people in touch with each other.
Christmas Cards:
Thank you to all of you who have already signed up to deliver our Christmas cards within the parish. If you haven’t, please consider whether you are able to deliver to a street or two. The cards are bundled into packs for each street, and are available at the back of church. Please also sign the sheet to indicate which street(s) you will be delivering to. The cards give details of services and events here at All Saints during Advent and Christmas - the first of these is less than a week away now, so do start delivering them now. Thank you!
Christmas Presents for Children:
For our Christingle service (Sunday 14th Dec, 11am) we will be collecting wrapped gifts that will be distributed by charities to refugee and asylum seeker children aged 6 - 16. Please do plan ahead with your shopping and consider whether you might buy a present or two that can be wrapped and brought to this service. Good suggestions are new toys, pyjamas, slippers or socks. Please state clearly on the outside what age and gender the gift is suitable for.
St Oswald’s Church Graft Prayer Meetings:
Weekly opportunities to gather at St Oswald’s to pray for God’s blessing on the church graft and for the parish to come to know Christ. The next ones are:
Friday 28th November, 12.30 - 13.30 (Prayer walk, weather permitting)
Tuesday 2nd December, 19.30 - 20.30
Everyone is welcome, whether or not you are considering coming on the church graft. For more details contact simon.oatridge@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk
Christmas Experience:
Christmas Experience tickets are now available for Wednesday 3rd December and Saturday 6th December! Click the button below to book your free tickets:
Simon Oatridge’s Leaving Gift:
We're preparing to say goodbye to Simon, who has served as Curate at All Saints for the past three years. In January, Simon will begin his new role as Priest in Charge at St Oswald's.
To show our gratitude for his time and ministry here, we've set up an online leaving fund. If you'd like to contribute and wish him well for this next chapter, please donate by clicking the button below or bring any cash or cheque donations into the church office.
Calling all Soup Makers!
For our Wednesday evening Alpha course, starting 14th January, we have decided to serve soup and bread with extras (cheese, veggies) to simplify things. Thank you to those who have already offered to help. If you could provide soup and bits for around 15 - 20 people for one or two Wednesday evenings in January, February or March, please let Ben Lacey know: ben.lacey@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk). If you feel able to serve food and help wash up, Ben would love to hear from you too!
A Huge Thank You:
Thank you to those who supported the Fair Trade sale on 8th November. We made £825 for the Connected Church in Tanzania. An amazing amount!
Alpha is Starting in the New Year!
We have a morning course on Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:30am, from 13th January, and an evening course on Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9:30pm starting on 14th January. We will be publicising this at the Christmas services but almost all people come because someone has invited them. Start to pray about who you will invite! For more details, see the button below:
Parking:
During this particularly busy season at church, the local residents would be very grateful if those that travel by car can be considerate when parking, ensuring that driveways can still be used. Thank you.
Coming Up…
Monday 1st December: Drop In, 10.00, Church Welcome Area
Tuesday 2nd December: Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 07.30, Church Welcome Area
OPEN DOOR is not running this week due to Christmas Experience
Wednesday 3rd December - Saturday 6th December: Christmas Experience! (Booking Required)
Sunday 7th December: When Christmas is Hard, 15.00, Church
Tuesday 6th January: Church Prayer Meeting, 19.30, Church
Tuesday 27th January: Men’s Group Social, 19:30.
Prayer Box
Pray for all those coming to Christmas Experience to see God's love for them, and pray for joy and energy for all those serving in many different ways
Simon is helping with Christmas school visits to St. Oswald's on Tuesday and Wednesday morning
Contact Details:
To contact a member of the Clergy or Office team please call: 0114 268 7574, or email: office@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk
All items for the newsletter must reach the office by 10am on Wednesday.