Weekly News Letter - 27th December 2020
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St James AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY A Very Warm Welcome to Everyone Happy Christmas The government's announcement at the weekend has changed many people's plans for Christmas. Even though we can see the necessity and wisdom of these further restrictions for many families this development is a bitter blow. Separation from those we love is painful. Christmas was always going to be different, and different it will be. It will, however, still be Christmas. Christmas is not cancelled. The raw reality of Christmas is that Jesus is born in a stable. Into our darkness God's light has come. Into our separation God has poured his love. Indeed Christmas is not cancelled. The Christ-child still brings us his message of peace, hope and love. God has drawn close to us. We need his transforming presence now as much as ever. Whether in church or at home (our services are below) we look forward to joining with you in the worship of God born in a stable. We pray that, whatever your Christmas will be like for you, you may know the peace, hope, and love that Jesus brings. ************** Booking Christmas Services (to attend in person in church booking is essential, except for 8am Holy Communion) When booking if there are no tickets left for your size bubble please do book the next bubble size up that is available. The bubble sizes are the maximum we can fit into each pew wilst maintaining social distancing so please be careful not to book a bubble size smaller that your group size, as we will not be able to fit more in. One ticket is issued for each booking no matter what size of the bubble. ************** Christmas at St James' We hope you can join us at St James' or online for our worship this Christmas. 24th December Christmas Eve 2.00pm 2020 Christingle (in church) 4.00pm 2020 Chrinstingle (in church) 6.00pm 2020 Christingles (in church and live streamed) Please join us in church for a Christmas Torchlight Journey for all the family. Bring a torch, and come on a wondrous journey - Covid-secure carols, drama and Christingles to take home! No need to dress up, but if you want to come as a shepherd, angel, king or donkey you are welcome! At these services a collection will be taken for The Children's Society, which does excellent work with the most vulnerable children and young people of our nation. 11.30pm Midnight Christmas Communion by Candlelight (in church) Come and join us for the first celebration of Christmas. A service full of wonder and awe as we rejoice in Christ's coming into our world.
25th December Christmas Day 8.00am Christmas Communion BCP (in church) A short reflective service when we give thanks for God's gift of himself to his world. 10.00am Family Christmas Communion (in church and live streamed) A joyful celebration of Christmas - with great carols and Christmas message. A service for all the family.
Sunday 27th December 10.00am Family Communion (in church and live-streamed) ************ Sunday 3rd January 8.00 am Holy Communion BCP (in church) 10.00am Family Communion (in church and live streamed). Booking required ************ Sunday 10th January 8.00 am Holy Communion BCP (in church) 9.30am Parish Communion (in church). Booking required 11.00am Worship @11.00 - (in church and live streamed). Booking required ************* St James' Open for Private Prayer St James' is open for individual private prayer 10.00 - 11.00am Tuesdays and Thursdays. ************** Morning Prayer 9am & Evening Prayer 6pm via Zoom Informal prayer via zoom. In addition to Morning Prayer, and following on from the Arhbishops' month of prayer for our nation the Reverrend Janet Cox will continue to host a short (ten minutes) pause for prayer at 6pm each week day evening. The link for both Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer is: Zoom Prayer Meeting ID: 716 3190 4008 Password: 8QcDqV ************** Remembrance Tree - Light up the world Once again be a Remembrance Tree in the Church Grounds, which will be illuminated on Advent Sunday, the 29 November, and remain lit until Epiphany, the 6 January. Dedicating a light on the tree will provide an opportunity to remember someone special at this time. As in previous years, your name, and the names of those you wish to be remembered, will also be listed in the Memorial Book in Church. If you would like to dedicate a light please contact Val Lumsden valandjimlumsden@gmail.com or 01937 584760 *************** Food Bank - Food needed The box keeps being filled in double quick time. Thank you everyone who has donated food. There remains need for this help. Non-perishable food can be left in the church porch. Thank you. *************** Amazon Smile Thank you to all who have registered with Amazon Smile to support St James. If you shop with Amazon please do consider making us your registered charity. Shop on Amazon Smile at Amazon Smile St James and Amazon donates to St James Wetherby, at no cost to you. ************** Financial Support "God loves cheerful givers" 2 Cor 9.7 We are extremely grateful to everyone who supports St James' financially. This support enables us to be at the heart of the community sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. As part of a diocesan family of churches we also support less well resourced parishes in other parts of the diocese. Since lockdown, as collections during services have been limited, we have suffered a significant drop in our income. Unless this income is recovered the things we can do as a church will be severely curtailed. I would like to ask everyone to consider two things. 1) If you are not doing so already, please consider setting up a standing order through your bank. (Thank you to those who, since lockdown, have already made this transition.) This is the easiest way to give, and it is Covid- secure. The form for giving and Gift Aid is here: Regular Giving Form Our bank details are: Wetherby Parochial Church Council account at NatWest Bank PLC Sort Code: 55-81-11 Account No: 04416775 2) If you are able to, please consider increasing your giving. Like everyone else each year inflation means that our costs increase. If it is a while since you increased your regular giving please consider doing so. Or perhaps you might be able to consider a one-off gift to St James', in which case you could support a specific area of church life, Worship, Mission or Fabric? If you require any further information please contact our Stewardship Officer, Jill Rose 01937 586 640. All information is treated in the strictest confidence. My old vicar used suggest to people that they give as much as makes them joyful. I thought that was a rather good way of putting it. As St Paul says, "God loves cheerful giver". 2 Cor 9.7 Thank you for all your support. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. *************** email: stjames.wetherby@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/stjameswetherby |
