Seasons Greetings to you all at All Saints and St Marys
I hope that this finds you well.
We are entering a new season in the church this Sunday – perhaps I should have started with Happy New Year – as that is what we begin this week. The church year is slightly out of sync with most of the world and begins its new year at the start of Advent. For Christians this makes lots of sense spiritually as its the season of preparation before Christmas. A season of fasting and prayer, of waiting and watching for the advent - literally the “coming” of Jesus.
This Sunday (29th Nov) is our last one of private prayer and live streaming in lockdown as, even as Bristol is in Tier 3, it looks likely that we will be able to be open for public worship again after the 2nd December.
There are some great and wonderfully creative ways that people have been able to embrace this season. Do check out the online advent calendar at All Saints, the advent group that Janey is leading and also the chance to share a little cheer and fun and raise money for charity with the St Marys Chrsitmas quiz and raffle.
The churches will be open for private prayer tomorrow as well as a service live streamed from Facebook which you will be able to watch in real time, or later on if you wish. (It will also be added to the Live Feed section of the website after).
9am – Live Streamed Service – Revd Lizzie (Lead and Preach) Rev Janey (Prayers)
9.30am – 11am – All Saints Church Open for Private Prayer
10am – 11.30am – St Marys Church open for Private Prayer
Coffee and Chat on Zoom at 11.45am
Do also check out Welcome to the Church of England's official website | The Church of England which has some advent reflections and a service from St Martins in the Fields, London this week.
Here is ;
Morning Prayer Service to follow for tomorrows service
Advent Flyer with details of the Advent Group
Church at Home - Really great ideas in this week for different age groups.
Weekly Notice Sheet from All Saints
Weekly Notice Sheet from St Mary's
Here are posters advertising the Christmas Quiz and Raffle at St Marys
The details are Coffee and Chat - Time: Sunday 11:45
Meeting ID: 922 2627 5253
Passcode: 200369
Whilst at St Marys for private prayer on Thursday this week I was really struck by the hope in the Psalm for the day that came up on my Daily Prayer App. It was Psalm 126. Having started the day feeling a bit all over the place worrying about Tier 3 and all that might mean, the psalm seemed to settle my thoughts. I leave it here for you today.
A Song of Ascents. 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,[a] we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Blessings and prayers for you this day. May God guard you and guide you this day.
Lizzie
Revd Lizzie Kesteven
0117 9650856
07973917720