We are very sorry to hear of the death of Frank Abbott and send our love and prayers to Joy. A Thanksgiving service for Frank’s life will be held at St Mary’s on Monday 18 December at 12 noon, and his ashes will be interred in the Garden of Remembrance on Tuesday 19 December at 10:00 a.m.
We remember those with birthdays this week, especially Mark Simons and Adrian Ball (17th), and Daniel McKinley (21st).
Jesus said, “No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater that he.” Amen, Come soon, Lord Jesus! The third candle is lit and this response is used, “Jesus is the light of the world. A light no darkness can ever put out.”
Advent candles tell their story,
as we watch and pray,
Longing for the day of glory,
“Come Lord soon”, we say,
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness
Changed for gladness on that Day.
John the Baptist, by his preaching
And by water poured,
Brought to those who heard his teaching
News of hope restored:
“Keep your vision strong and steady
and be ready for the Lord.”
The church is open every morning between 10:00 a.m. and 12 noon, but to enable us to keep the church open in this way, we need more people to offer an hour one morning a week to be available in church. If you can help, please have a word with Jonathan Hodgson.
Gift Aid: If you are a taxpayer, please maximise your giving in the Offertory Plate by using the Gift Aid envelopes provided.
St Mary’s notices can be sent to the Parish Office at (info@stmarysmoseley.co.uk), or by phone: 0121 449 2243 (mornings) by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Voicemail messages can be left at any time. Also see http://www.stmarysmoseley.co.uk.
St Anne’s notices can be sent to Revd Rosemary Donovan at info@st-annes-moseley.org.uk, or by phone: 0121 449 1071 by Thursday. Also see http://www.st-annes-moseley.org.uk.
St Mary’s has a loop system for the hard of hearing, in the centre block of seats. Turn your hearing aid to the “T” setting.
This event will again take place in the Parish Hal, Park Hill. Please support this community outreach project in whatever way you can. Please see the lists at the back of both churches and sign up to help.
Highlighting 12 artworks that focus on events within the Christmas story. Opening hours are:
The trail is open throughout December except for the 25th, 26th and 27th. Admission free.
Thank you everyone who helped to distribute the cards.
Grand Raffle: Tickets £1. Main prize two tickets to Paris. Draw Friday 16 February. Please see John Carey or adult choir members.
The choir very kindly brought back a gift for St Mary’s from Washington—a statuette of the Virgin and Child. Please come and see it in the Lady Chapel.
Angela and Robert Brown send their love and prayers to everyone at St Mary’s and St Anne’s and wish them a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. This very small gesture is a contribution to reducing the over-commercialisation of the season and their carbon footprint. The money saved will be added to their donation to St Mary’s Electricity Appeal.
As part of the joint project with All Saints on ‘Remembering’, the youth group produced a three part icon as a centre piece. This will be displayed in the churches for two weeks in each.
Eric and Rosemary will be visiting Amberly Court on Tuesday 19 December at 3:00 p.m. and Wilson Lodge at 7:30 p.m. We would very much welcome congregation members to join us and show support for the valuable work of the homes.
There is a card available at the back of church beautifully designed by Sabina Bealt for members of the congregation to sign and donate to our Christmas Charities instead of sending individual cards.
There will be a retiring collection after every service for CMS and Wellclose Trust.
| Time | Service | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion Order One traditional language | Preacher: The Revd Peter Hansell |
| 10:00 a.m. | Parish Communion with Children’s Christmas presentation | |
| 6:30 p.m. | Nine Lessons and Carols | |
| Time | Service | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10:15 a.m. | Parish Communion | Preacher: The Revd Joan Griffin |
| 6:30 p.m. | Nine Lessons and Carols | |
| Day | Morning Prayer | Holy Communion | Evening Prayer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday St Mary’s |
9:15 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | |
| Wednesday St Anne’s |
9:15 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | |
| Thursday St Anne’s |
9:15 p.m. | ||
| Friday | 9:15 p.m. St Anne’s |
4:45 p.m. St Mary’s |
| Day | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 p.m. | St Mary’s Bell ringers |
| Wednesday | 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon | Coffee & Co at St Mary’s |
| 8:00 p.m. | Wednesday Group meets at 16 Paton Grove | |
| Thursday | 7:30 p.m. | St Mary’s Singers at Dowells Close |
| Friday | 6:45 p.m. | St Mary’s robed choir |
| 7:30 p.m. | St Anne’s Choir | |
| Saturday | 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon | Coffee & Co at St Mary’s |
| Time | Service |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | No service of Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m. today |
| 10:00 a.m. | Parish Communion |
| 5:00 p.m. | Christingle Service |
| 11:30 p.m. | Midnight Holy Communion |
| Time | Service |
|---|---|
| 10:15 a.m. | Crib Service |
| 11:30 p.m. | Midnight Holy Communion |
| Time | Service |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion, Order One traditional language |
| 10:00 a.m. | Parish Communion |
| Time | Service |
|---|---|
| 10:15 a.m. | Parish Communion |
| Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-18-Dec | 12 noon | Thanksgiving service for the life of Frank Abbott in church |
| Tue-19-Dec | 8:30 p.m. | Prayer Group at 16 Paton Grove |
| Wed-20-Dec | 10:00 a.m. | School Carol Service in St Mary’s church, members of the congregation are most welcome to attend. |
| Sat-23-Dec | 11:00 a.m. - 12 noon | Churches Together in Moseley Carol singing on the Green—the more the merrier! |
| Mon-8-Jan | St Anne’s Lunch Club meets again |
St Paul here encourages the Philippians to “Rejoice”, yet strangely these words written at a different time and in an entirely different context seem to reflect the peace and holiness of the stable on the night that Christ was born. A simple statement of faith that could have come from Our Lord Himself, charged with the same trustfulness we attain whenever we say the Lord’s Prayer and the assurance of the perfect love that receives it: God is at hand.
Many people only open themselves up to that possibility at Christmas; it’s a good reason to keep the festival going no matter how debased by commercialism it seems to get. However, we don’t have to wait for Christmas to practise our faith; Paul ends his blessing with, “Peace that passes all understanding”, and that is what Christians have to share with everyone not only at this time of year, but all the year round, and every year.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.