Pews News - w/c 4th December - 2nd Sunday in Advent - Candle of Faith

SERVICES FOR 4th December

2nd Sunday of Advent

10.30, Farthinghoe, Benefice Holy Communion

Today’s candle to be lit is the candle of FAITH

Today we think about the Prophets

Jesus said, ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets: I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.’ Come soon, Lord Jesus!

Advent Prayer

Holy God as we set out on our Advent journey, give us the courage and perseverance to complete that which have started, in Jesus’s name we pray. Amen

Collect

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion

Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming

that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

SERVICES FOR 11th December

3rd Sunday of Advent

9.30, Evenley, Morning Worship

9.30, Farthinghoe, Morning Worship

10.00, Aynho, Morning Worship

11.00, Hinton Morning Worship

Colour Purple

Please pray for:-

- All those known to us who need our prayers this week

- For all those struggling with health issues, especially those in hospital.

- For those who have recently lost loved ones

- For the people of Ukraine

- For all people worldwide who are affected by unrest, by acts of violence, oppression, or poverty, especially as the increased energy prices in the UK take hold.

Our churches are always open for private prayer; all are welcome. - (Croughton -by appointment only)

Dates coming up in December

3rd 10.00 – 12 noon. Evenley Village Hall - Coffee morning in aid of Katherine House Hospice

4th Carrie and Kevin will host an open house at 15, Church Lane between 2-5pm and invite you to come along for a drink and a stir of the St George's Christmas cake. This will be cooked and decorated then distributed at our Carol service -at 5pm on Saturday 17th December. Anyone welcome and we'd love to see any children as we revive this old tradition of 'Stir up Sunday'. No need to book, just come along.

13th, Evenley 12.00 – 1.30pm Soup Lunch

(With mince pies)!!

Carol services round the Benefice

17th 5pm, Evenley

18th 5pm Aynho

5pm Croughton

5pm Farthinghoe

5pm Hinton

24th 5pm Farthinghoe Benefice crib service

24th 11pm Evenley Benefice Holy Communion (church bells will ring at 10.30pm)

25th Christmas Day

10.00am Aynho, Holy Communion

10.30am Hinton Benefice Holy Communion Christmas service. We welcome you all to attend these Advent and Christmas celebrations along with friends from our neighbouring churches when we all come together to share prayers and hymns as we acknowledge the end of Advent and welcome the Christ Child at Christmas.

Have a look at our new Benefice website - www.astwickvalebenefice.org

Also new email address - office@astwickvalebenefice.org

Telephone number - (01280) 702861

Church contact details

Ministry Teams

Assistant Priests-

Revd Terry Richards 01869 811251

Revd Hugh Warwick 01869 819596

Lay Readers

Carrie O’Regan 01280 702300

May Leng 07903 801143

Wardens

Aynho:

Andrew Bellamy 01869 810847

Kathy White 01869 810418

Croughton:

Angie Robbins 01869 811445,

Evenley:

Jose Golding 07708 539191

Farthinghoe:

Lisa Wenmouth 01295 712510

Hinton-in-the-Hedges:

Sam Mainds 07860 465000

Thank you

To Jane Gibb and team who have crafted the most beautiful Advent wreaths – they are truly amazing.

Thank you

Candle Thoughts. A candle cannot light itself; it takes another flame to light its flame. A candle can give away its light, but never loses its own light.

And Finally

Some words of comfort for anyone who has lost a pet.

Sometimes when you’re feeling sad, when all you want is me, I softly sit and gently put my head upon your knee. Some nights when your heart does ache, worn out by tears you weep, I quietly lie beside your bed and guard you as you sleep.

Somewhere far beyond this place, a land where all run free, I’m calmly watching over you and waiting patiently.

Someday when the time is right, your voice will call to me, and I’ll come running like the wind, someday…wait and see.