SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER

God our deliverer
whose approaching birth
still shakes the foundations of our world,
may we so wait for your coming
with eagerness and hope
that we embrace without terror
the labour pangs of the new age,
through Jesus Christ,
Amen
              Janet Morley

Sundays are different...

Here are just some of the things you could do at St. Peter's tomorrow:

Your day could start by joining the worshippers for Holy Communion at 8 a.m. in church. If your life is too busy and noisy this could be for you: quiet, calm and dignified.

Our young people will be enjoying Breakfast Club in the Hervey Room at 8.30. Are you on 'hello' terms with them?  Do you know their names?

At 10.00 a.m. there's Holy Communion again, this time with music, and usually with a full church. We run a crèche so the children are looked after.

Immediately afterwards, there'll be coffee in the hall, and like last week a chance to buy from the Traidcraft stall.

At 12.30 p.m. a significant Parish Lunch. Doug and Phyll Joll have organised these Lunches for some years, and feel it's now time to hand on the mantle to others. They deserve big thanks for the hard work they've put in.

There's Evensong for the residents at St. John's at 15.45 ( usually a simple service with a few hymns).

Candles in the church make us see things differently. Perhaps we become more aware of all those who have worshipped in St. Peter's before us. Perhaps we just think the softer light on the ancient stones looks beautiful. Perhaps the candles make us think of the fragility and wonder of life. At 18.00 we hold our annual Candlelit Advent service, with some beautiful music from Clare, Chris and the choir, and thought-provoking readings.

And after the service at 19.00 there's the AGM of the Friends of St. Peter's who over the years have provided us with a considerable amount of money to help with the fabric and repairs of our ancient building. We are still a lovely beacon of hope for those who pick their way through the village on foot or by car.

Outside their families, where else can people aged 0 to 90+ share their joys and anxieties? 

                     We're not implying anything about the ages of the people in this photograph!!


STOP PRESS!

A good time was had by all at ADVENT SOUP.  More pictures and news tomorrow, but here's a mouth-watering snap of a craftsperson at work...

God of hope
be with us in our Advent journey
to the stable and beyond.
Be with us in our meeting
and in our travelling together.
Be with us in our worship
and our praying together.
Be with us in our parting,
and as we take your love
out into the world,
Amen.