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 Assistant Minister…
On Advent Sundays this year we are addressing four classic Advent themes: hope, peace, joy and love. Last week we considered the Christian hope, our hope for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We were reassured afresh that Christ’s triumph on the Cross and His Resurrection and Ascension provide us with complete confidence in the living out of our own new life in Christ.
This week, we turn to the theme of Peace. As we look at the World around us during this Advent, we see so many places where there is no peace, both within and between the nations. We pray, determinedly, for earthly peace.
Peace between humankind and God, is the special theme for us as Christians. We need to talk about this; nobody else will! How can fallen people ever be able to face our Creator God, marred as we are by human sin and our separation from God, who made us and loves us beyond measure? As we head through Advent, closer and closer to Christmas, we draw nearer to the time when we revel in the truth of the Incarnation - God coming to us, to mend the broken relationship and to make for us a pathway back to Him. It’s incredible and fantastic news – and so many people do not even know it happened and have no idea that they too need to accept the gift of salvation, won and offered by the Saviour, born as a human at Bethlehem so long ago.
It is this Saviour of whom the Apostle Paul wrote, to the Christians at Colossae (Colossians 1:18-20): “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
Shalom
Godfrey
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Sunday Services: 7th December
8am Holy Communion:
Led by Mark Brown, who will be preaching on Isaiah 9:1-7 and Luke 1:67-79.
9:15am Holy Communion:
Led by Mark Brown, with Johnny Juckes preaching on Isaiah 9:1-7 and Luke 1:67-79.
11am All Age:
Led by Steve Holme, with Ben Lacey preaching on Isaiah 9:1-7 and Luke 1:67-79.
3pm Christmas Can Be Difficult:
Led by Ben Lacey and Roland Slade.
6pm Worship Celebration:
Led by Cam Catto, with Mark Brown speaking on Philippians 4:4-7.
Church News
Christmas Experience, Thank you!
Thank you to all of the 85+ volunteers who helped in so many different ways to make Christmas Experience such a memorable and meaningful time for 5 schools, 5 uniformed groups and over 1,000 guests who came in total! Thanks especially to Helen Miszczak, Gill King, and Andrea Wright for all their hard work in leading the event.
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. There are now just a very few streets left. If you haven’t, please consider whether you are able to deliver to a street.
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.
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!
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:
Legacy Policy:
At All Saints we have been richly blessed with many legacies over the years. These have helped support our mission and ministry in various ways, including some of our major estates projects. You can now find this on our website. We hope this will be helpful as you prayerfully consider leaving All Saints a legacy in your will - either now or in the future.
Carol Singing in the Community:
We have a number of dates lined up to sing carols in the local community (see ‘Coming Up’ below). All are a great opportunity for friends, neighbours and families to come together, enjoy familiar Christmas carols, and share in the festive spirit. No experience needed - just bring your voice and join in! It's a simple, enjoyable way to celebrate Christmas with the community.
Coming Up…
Monday 8th December: Drop In, 10.00, Church Welcome Area
Monday 8th December: A Friendly Stop, 13.00, Church
Tuesday 9th December: Carol Singing, 19.30, The Hammer and Pincers
Thursday 11th December: Open Door, 10.00, Church Welcome Area
Thursday 11th December: Twinned Deanery Event with Bishop Pete & Leah, 19.00, Church
Saturday 13th December: Dad’s Breakfast, 08.00, Church Halls
Saturday 13th December: Carol Singing, 12.00, Whirlow Hall Farm
Sunday 14th December: Contemporary Carols, 18.00, Church
Monday 15th December: Carol Singing, 19.00, The Prince of Wales
Wednesday 17th December: Carol Singing, 17.00 & 18.30, Greystones
Saturday 20th December: Carol Singing, 10.00, Cheese & Friends
Tuesday 6th January: Church Prayer Meeting, 19.30, Church
Tuesday 27th January: Men’s Group Social, 19:30.
Prayer Box
Give thanks for all those who came to Christmas Experience (5 schools, 5 uniformed groups, over 1,000 in total) and pray for God to use it to help them know his good news this Christmas time.
Pray for the Clifford All Saints' school and Ecclesall Primary school who will both be coming into church this week for a variety of Nativities, Christingles and Carol Concert. Pray for the goodness of God for them, their families and the staff at their schools.
Pray for Simon who conducts a funeral at St Oswald's on Wednesday 10th December in the afternoon, and for all who attend.
Mission Prayers
Tim and Miranda are our mission partners who are currently based in the UK and Spain and who equip leaders for mission in North Africa. Please pray for the following:
Give thanks for the steady flow of visitors who have stayed at the Place of Springs in Spain recently. Pray for the general maintenance of the property, which is difficult to oversee when Tim and Miranda are in the UK.
Give thanks for the recent leadership development course in Morocco led by Miranda. Pray that the participants will be able to further develop a deeper understanding of Christ-line servant leadership and put their learning into practice.
Pray that the mission team attending a week-long debrief in December will be able to process well the complex emotions like grief and loss that come with a closure like this. Pray too for fresh hope and expectations as they navigate this major transition.
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.