Sunday 20th Dec - 4th Sunday of advent
In Preparing for Advent & Christmas 2020 we are using the theme of Comfort & Joy. This is to hold together the hope that Christmas will bring joy and celebration after a uniquely difficult year with an acknowledgement that – for those who have lost loved ones or livelihoods, or who are potentially still not able to be together with loved ones – it may be a time of consolation as well as jubilation.
Good Morning & welcome all to our virtual Sunday Gathering
Lee will be leading the service this morning with, music, readings & prayers and the talk from Laura, all streamed Live on Facebook at 10:30am.
Our bible readings for today are Romans 16.25-27 and Luke 1.26-38
All the words will be on the screen this week, there is a copy linked below.
If you are watching from home and missing seeing people from church, is there someone you can make contact with to see if they fancy joining you for a chat on WhatsApp / Zoom / Facetime or the telephone after the Live Stream service? Grab a coffee and have a catch up much like you would in church on a Sunday morning. If you are not sure who you could make contact with please speak to Vicar Lee or one of the churchwardens (Dave, Jeanette, Maria or Alan) and we will see what we can arrange for you.
UPDATE: A recording of the service has been added below:
JUNIOR & SMALL CHURCH
Click on this link for this week’s worksheet and activities to do with the kids, linked to the readings in today’s service. This includes more active Advent ideas…..
Here are some extra resources to use over the coming weeks for family preparations for Advent & Christmas. . .
You will also find more useful links for families on the Junior & Small Church Resources page.
Personal Prayer - preparing for advent and christmas 2020
Here are some suggested resources for personal prayer and reflection as we prepare for Advent and Christmas this year.
The Church of England will be sharing Comfort and Joy reflections for each Sunday of Advent and each day from Christmas Day to 2 January. These will be freely available via social media, app and smart speakers or you can sign up here to receive these reflections by email.
Lectio 365 from 24-7 Prayer International is a daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible every day and following their annual rhythms will be focusing on the season of Advent with special guest writers from around the world. This is published as an app, available here.
Tearfund invite us to be encouraged, inspired and uplifted each day in the lead up to Christmas by opening the windows on their virtual advent calendar and spending a few moments each day exploring Our present: hope through reflections, thoughts, prayers and creative contributions from around the world. You can sign up for this here.
