Sunday 18th November 2018
“Let’s draw near to God… meeting together and
encouraging each other.” Hebrews 10v22-25
St.Mary’s ✢ St.Faith’s ✢ St.Francis’✢ St.Luke’s
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Worship across the Parish: 2 before Advent
8.00am St.Mary’s BCP Said Morning Prayer
Sue Smith
9.15am St.Mary’s Communion
Humphrey Prideaux
10.45am St.Mary’s Church Alive
Andy Norris/Chris Richardson
11.15am St.Francis’ Morning Worship George Oliver
6.30pm St.Mary’s BCP Evensong
Paddy Trasler
Thurs 10.00am St.Faith’s Communion
Tim Watson
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NEW COLLAGE WELCOME POSTCARDS
Our ‘collage’ postcards have arrived! They’re designed to be invitational cards with a space to write on the back. Please use them – eg, you might meet someone in church for the first time and share details to meet up for coffee or supper – or you might take one to write an invitation to a friend to join you at church one Sunday – or ? It is a ‘co-incidence’ that the cards are based upon our Hebrews reading set for today – perhaps the Lord is encouraging us too!
So, (v25) let’s not ‘give up’ meeting together, but rather be grateful for the celebration of our community that the ‘collage’ represents and invite others to share the joy with us. Many thanks therefore to all who posted up their photograph on the collage – we may put it back for new photos in 2019!
CHRISTMAS TRAIDCRAFT STALL this Sunday
Peter & Julie Fieldsend would be pleased to see you at the Traidcraft stall in St.Mary’s – get your Christmas cards, paper and Christmas gifts, plus this will be the last chance to place a special order before Christmas.
FROM KATE SMYTH – FAMILIES MINISTER
A massive Thank You for making me feel VERY VERY welcome as I settle into the Families Minister role. So so many new faces plus groups that go on during the week – I am amazed at how busy the Parish is! I have a lot to learn and find out so please be patient with me! Please come and say Hello!
CHEF! A first request!
Can you help cook a simple meal for 8-10 hungry young people? I’m looking for willing volunteers to cook for our Youth Alpha on Weds 5pm-6.30pm. If you feel this is something you could do on a rota then please come and see me ASAP. Thank you. Kate
ANOTHER NEW HOME GROUP!
We shall be launching a third new group on 29th Nov at 7.45pm – hosted by Blair & Jan Norman but with members needing to co-share in leading Bible discussions, prayers, activity etc. Please have a word with Andy Norris if you are interested, thank you.
NEXT MESSY CHURCH now 29th Nov
Messy Church has been moved a week later than usual and will now be on 29th November at 3.30pm in the Parish Centre.
ADVENT CAROL SERVICE 2nd Dec
Start the season off by joining us in hosting a special Advent Carol Service for Gosport deanery in St.Mary’s at 6.30pm on Sunday 2nd December. Can you offer a cake/mince pies to enjoy with all our guests from other churches? Thank you.
ALPHA COURSE 2019 – advance notice
Please note for your diary that our next Alpha Course will start with a ‘Fish n Chip’ supper on Thurs 28th February through to Easter.
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Gosport Strategic Development
CANCELLED: RECTOR’S CONSULTATIONS Following the good number in attendance when the Archdeacon visited it seems that there is no longer a need for the Wednesday consultations with Andy about ‘Gosport’ parishes. Many Thanks to all who’ve been along and shared your thoughts. Next, wardens, secretary & Andy meet the Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee who will make the recommendations about parishes to the Bishop’s Council – after which, in December, a formal consultation begins.
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Working Towards a New Parish Centre…
PUBLIC CONSULTATION THIS THURSDAY
Come, see, offer your thoughts and ask questions in the Parish Centre this Thursday 22nd November from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
PLEASE SEE THE NEW CENTRE PLANS IN CHURCH
AT PCC LAST TUESDAY
The PCC had a very good meeting to discuss the why’s and wherefore’s of the ‘plans’. They were very grateful to the Regeneration Team for the fabulous and hard work that they have done. The PCC were pleased to endorse the emerging plans and to commend them for the next stage of seeking Planning Permission. Thank you to everyone who is ‘sponsoring’ this project in so many and varied ways – your help and commitment is invaluable so that any new centre will truly be a ‘servant’ of the community.
ASDA GREEN TOKENS this Autumn!
Please place yours in our regeneration slot when you Asda shop!_____________________________________________
Christmas is coming!
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2018
Join us and 5000 people for our moving celebration in St.Mary’s on:
Friday 7th Dec: 3.00pm-7.00pm
Saturday 8th Dec: 11.00am-6.00pm
Sunday 9th Dec: 12noon-6.00pm
Also, Carol Singing Opening with Mayor on Thurs 6th Dec, 6.15pm.
Thanks to all who’ve volunteered to be Festival Makers –
we hope you enjoy hosting the festival!
This week’s request is for: QUICHE, CAKES & CATERERS!
Home made cakes and quiche are sought by Carol Workman and the team who will be hosting the ‘cafe’ in the Parish Centre over the festival weekend. VOLUNTEERS – could you join the team hosting the Cafe? New helpers are needed who would enjoy offering hospitality through catering over the weekend – thanks. Others of us, let’s not only go along and enjoy lunch with them, but those who are able, then you’re home baked donations will make all the difference and be enjoyed by guests – thank you all very much.
10,000 PARISH CHRISTMAS CARDS: next week!
Street Bundles of our greetings cards will be at the back of
St.Mary’s next Sunday for posting along your street and all the roads of the parish ahead of the Christmas Tree Festival. If you can enjoy a nice walk along the roads, even praying for peace and blessing upon the residents as you post a card through their door, then your help would be invaluable – thank you.
WE HAVE OUR 500 CHRISTMAS BOOKLETS!
Thank you for all the sponsorship so that we can give them away!
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sun 16th Dec 6.30pm Nine Lessons & Carols
Sun 23rd Dec 10.45am Carol Praise & Nativity
11.15am St.Francis’ Christmas Communion
Christmas Eve 3.00pm & 4.30pm Crib Services
11.00pm Midnight Communion
Christmas Day 8.00am Traditional Said Holy Communion
10.00am Christmas Communion (all age)
Leesland Neighbourhood Church has a programme of Christmas activity at St.Faith’s which can be seen at: www.Leesland.co.uk
or their Facebook page which is ‘LeeslandNeighbourhoodChurch’.
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SUNDAY PRAYER MINISTRY – FRONT
Would you value praying with someone? The opportunity for confidential prayer is offered every Sunday in St.Mary’s between the morning services. The prayer will now be offered at the very front – behind the small ‘screen’ in the Sanctuary by the Lord’s Table.
HELP WITH DIY & A HOUSE MOVE
Any DIY skills or strength to help Ros P move her family urgently would be appreciated. Have a word with Chris Richardson or Ros.
HAVE YOU GOT A BADGE ON?
We’re encouraging all at St.Mary’s to wear a name badge. You may like to make one at home or just make one at the table at the back of St.Mary’s when you arrive – thanks for sharing in this.
WOULD YOU LIKE A PERMANENT BADGE MAKING FOR YOU?
If you fill in the slip, request a background picture, and pop it in the small box at the back then Hilary Wilson will make a proper badge for you!