Dearest friends,
As we approach the end of the calendar year we also approach the beginning of the greatest story ever told.
I’ve always enjoyed the dichotomy of the start of something new and wonderful in the birth of Jesus, and in the ending of something in the calendar year.
It provokes thoughts of new beginnings and new starts, it encourages us to consider how we live our lives and where we may look to re-direct our lives in the coming year – we are, in essence, born anew each time we chose to repent (turn towards God).
I wonder what you will consider changing in this coming year? One way to help put behind you the things that need to change is to take them to confession.
St. John’s has a wonderful old confessional stall that will be put to use on Friday 27th December from 9am for two hours. Confession is a hard thing, but I’ll be on hand to guide you and pray for you.
After confession we’ll have an opportunity to celebrate and receive the sacrament of Jesus in the Mass at 11am and to pray for the parish of St. John’s on the feast of St. John the Apostle. I pray you’ll be able to join me.
Finally, as I sign off this final pew sheet ahead of Christmas – may I wish you a very blessed Christmas and a beautiful New Year.
My family and I feel very much at home with you all and we look forward to many more Christmas’ together, who knows – next year I may have a better idea of what I’m doing and where I’m supposed to be when!
With all my love and in continuous prayer,
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Christmas Services
The usual pattern of worship will shift at both churches over Christmas & the New Year so it’s important to check the pew sheet to keep up to date.
The Bible Course
After the success of Holy Habits and the lecture on St. Mark’s Gospel by Rev’d Dr. Chris Moore, I’m pleased to share we’ll be doing another course in the new year heading into Lent. The Course is ‘The Bible Course’ and will run on Thursday evenings in Wickham Hall at 7pm for 8 weeks starting 23rd January. The final session (13th March) will be taught by the Bishop of Exeter, The Rev’d Dr. Mike Harrison. You’ll be able to sign up to come along in the new year.
Spring Term (and Easter) Planning Meeting
As we look ahead to the next term and to Easter there’ll be another open planning meeting (as we did for Christmas) early in the new year. This is for everyone at both parishes to come along and share your ideas on what you think the parish should be doing – both in terms of social activities as well as our services. We’ll be meeting at Wickham Hall at 7pm on the 9th January.
Sunday 22nd December
4th Sunday of Advent
9:15am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
4pm – Carol Service [SL]
7pm – Nine Lessons and Carols [SJ]
Divine Office Psalter Week 4, C(I), Advent 4
December
19th – Cantemos Carol Concert [SJ] 7pm
22nd – Christmas Carols [SL] 4pm
Nine Lessons and Carols [SJ] 7pm
24th – Live Nativity [SL] 4pm
1st Mass of Christmas [SJ] 8pm
Midnight Mass [SL] 11:30pm
25th – Christmas Day Mass [SL & SJ] 10am
29th – Joint Mass at St. John’s 10am with dedication of Holy
Family Chapel
January
8th – St. Luke’s PCC
9th – Spring (& Easter) term planning meeting [all] 7pm WH
12th – St. Luke’s Parish Lunch
16th – St. John’s PCC, 5pm
Susanna Crow YWAM talk, 7pm [SJ]
23rd – The Bible Course (every Thursday), 7pm WH
25th – Jesus, This Is Your Life & Burns Night Supper [SJ]
February
12th – St. Luke’s PCC