3rd December 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 9 December 2023

Hello everyone,

Can I begin by sending best wishes for Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas. I was discussing Christmas decorations in Lodge Park yesterday and heard two extreme approaches, one person spoke of decorations going up at the beginning of November and another (a teacher) of not putting them up until “sundown on Christmas Eve”. I agree to some extent with the latter idea, because it allows for the proper observance of Advent, which in turn leads to a proper observance of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Son of God. However I do think that, when we invite people to join us in church in the week or so before Christmas, and that includes children from Studfall Infants and Juniors, Rockingham and Woodnewton schools, it is good that we share their excitement.

I have listed again the full list of our Christmas services below, and along with other news there are details of the Christmas Afternoon Tea and an invitation from Lodge Park Academy to join them for Christmas Dinner – so do keep reading.

Christmas Fayre
Thank you to everyone who helped make our FAYRE such a success this year. There was a wonderful atmosphere in the Hall and a number of good conversations and a magnificent £1036 raised for church funds. Thank you if you helped in any way or came along and supported the Fayre. Thanks also to the Studfall shops who supported us with raffle prizes: Studfall Pharmacy, Costcutter, Studfall Chippy, One Stop, Union of Barbers, Golden Tanning, High Street Bakery, Pam’s Florist, Rocky’s, Studfall Laundry room and Crust n Crumb cafe. Please do support these businesses who have supported us so well not just this year but for many years.

Sunday 3rd December
At St Columba’s tomorrow we have a service of MORNING WORSHIP for Advent Sunday, with sung worship from 10.15 with the full service beginning at 10.30am. The children will be continuing their preparations for the Nativity Service in two weeks time. For those who are unable to be in church, either because of illness or this extremely cold weather (the heating will come on earlier in church tomorrow) the service will be available on Youtube via this link: https://youtube.com/live/GlcEyZ7MSus?feature=share

There will also be our regular PRAYER MEETING at 6pm on Sunday evening.

Afternoon Tea
This coming Friday, 8th December, sees a very special AFTERNOON TEA. First it is for Christmas and second it is open to the husbands of ladies who come along, so do plan to join us for this very special gathering at 3pm on Friday in the Church Hall.

Great Easton Christmas Festival
This event features a celebration of the Nativity with a beautiful display of nativity sets (including one from St Columba’s) in the Church and stalls and refreshments in the Village Hall. It is open from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 9th December and the church only from 12 noon to 3pm on Sunday 10th December. Entry costs £3 for both church and hall, with under 12’s going free, and the proceeds are for St Andrew’s church, Great Easton.

Next Sunday 10th December
There will be a service of HOLY COMMUNION in St Columba’s at 10.30, with ENERGIZE continuing to rehearse for the Nativity and a CHRISTMAS FAMILY SERVICE in St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 3pm.

Lodge Park Academy Christmas Party
You are invited to Lodge Park on Friday 15th December from 2.30pm – 4pm for a Turkey Roast Dinner, Dessert and Christmas Party Games! Please let me know if you would like to go either by speaking to me at church tomorrow, by emailing ianpullinger@btinternet.com or by phone (numbers below). I need to know by Friday so I can pass on the numbers to the school.

Christmas Services
Thursday 14th December 6pm – COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE with school choirs and congregational carols
Sunday 17th December:
10.30am – NATIVITY with the children’s traditional Christmas production and a sketch from Get Closer.
6pm – CANDLELIT CAROL SERVICE a traditional service of readings and carols followed by mince pies and mulled wine.
Thursday 21st December 7pm – CAROLS, MINCE PIES & MULLED WINE in Rockingham Village Hall.
Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve):
10.30am – COMMUNION at St Columba’s
4.30pm – CHRISTINGLE at St Columba’s
11.15pm – MIDNIGHT COMMUNION at St Columba’s
and on Christmas Day:
10am (note the time) – FAMILY COMMUNION at St Columba’s
11am CHRISTMAS COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham.

And finally, please find here the latest PRAYER UPDATE from Hope From Above in Australia.

With very best wishes to all in this Advent season,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609