4th December 2022
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 10 December 2022
Hello everyone,
First I must thank everyone who helped with our Christmas Fayre last Saturday, it was a great success with lots of people coming in, good conversations being had, even prayer amid the sale of raffle tickets! We also raised just over £800 for the church which was a magnificent total and something we could not have done without the hard work of everyone who helped in advance, at the Fayre or afterwards.
We are also grateful to the shops on Studfall Avenue who donated raffle prizes: One Stop, Pam’s Florist, Golden Tanning, Healthline Pharmacy, Studfall Chippy, Costcutter, Union of Barbers, High Street Bakery, Crust n’ Crumb and, on their first full day of being open, Rocky’s Local – thank you all.
As we look forward there is news below of our regular weekly groups, December’s Afternoon Tea (open to men as well as ladies this time!), invitations to Carol Singing in the Town Centre and Christmas Dinner at Lodge Park School, details of Christmas services, a notice about the Panto (oh no there isn’t, oh yes there is, etc) and an important message for those going to Spring Harvest next Easter; but before all that some prayer news:
PRAYER NEWS
Please pray for Margaret Freeland who is in hospital, no further details as I write but please keep Margaret in prayer.
Please also pray for Linda, Marie and William who all have medical procedures this month and who we will be praying for in our service on Sunday.
Let’s give thanks for the ministries of Steve and Sue Scholes who will be re-licensed as Reader and Lay Minister (Pastoral) in a service in Irthlingborough on Thursday afternoon.
Here is the latest Prayer Update from HOPE FROM ABOVE in Australia, and if you did not read it last week the latest prayer letter from M&H in North Africa is at the back of church.
SUNDAY’S SERVICE
We just have one service this Sunday, MORNING WORSHIP at 10.30am in St Columba’s church, with children and young people rehearsing for the Nativity and their Christmas sketch respectively, and it is not too late for children to grab a part so do come along on Sunday. For those who are unable to be with us in church the service can be watched via livestream by going to the following link: https://youtu.be/eYBDZGoZvFo
PRAYER MEETING
We will be gathering in St Columba’s at 6pm on Sunday for an hour of prayer so do come along if you are able and especially if you have anything that you would like us to pray about.
ALPHA and FELLOWSHIP GROUP
These groups meet as usual in St Columba’s this week, Alpha on Monday at 7.30pm and our Advent Fellowship Group on Wednesday morning at 10.30am
AFTERNOON TEA
This month’s afternoon tea is a Christmas Special and as a result is being opened up to include men as well as ladies! There will be tea, sandwiches and cakes to enjoy along with good company and conversation so why not come along on Friday afternoon at 3pm.
CAROL SINGING IN THE TOWN CENTRE
Christians in Corby are joining together to sing carols in the Town Centre, outside McDonalds, on Saturday 10th December, from 11am. Do come along and support this united church witness to our wider community.
LODGE PARK CHRISTMAS DINNER
Some of you will remember going to Lodge Park Academy for their Jubilee Celebration earlier in the year. Now they are inviting people for Christmas Dinner on Thursday 15th December at 2pm. This will be a full Christmas Dinner so my advice is not to have any lunch beforehand! Please let me know, either by replying to this email or in church on Sunday, if you would like to go as I need to give them numbers.
SERVICES FOR DECEMBER
We have lots of special services to look forward to so make a note of all the following:
Sunday 11th December
10.30am Holy Communion at St Columba’s
3pm Christmas Family Service at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
Thursday 15th December
6pm Community Carol Service with school choirs and congregational carols at St Columba’s
Sunday 18th December
10.30am Nativity Service at St Columba’s with the children presenting the traditional Nativity story and the young people a sketch to make us think.
6.30pm Candlelit Carol Service at St Columba’s
Wednesday 21st December
10.30am Wednesday Morning Communion at St Columba’s
7pm Carols, Mince Pies & Mulled Wine at Rockingham Village Hall
Christmas Eve
4.30pm Christingle Service at St Columba’s
11.15pm Midnight Communion at St Columba’s
Christmas Day
10am (note the time) Christmas Morning Communion for All Ages at St Columba’s
10.30am Holy Communion at St Leonard’s Rockingham
PANTOMIME
As we look into the New Year the Great Easton Little Theatre Company are performing their 2023 Pantomime DICK WHITTINGTON in our Church Hall on Friday 3rd February at 7.30pm, Saturday 4th February at 3pm and Sunday 5th February at 3pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for children or £20 for a Family Ticket for 2 adults and 2 children and can be purchased either after St Columba’s services or by replying to this email.
SPRING HARVEST 2023
This is just a reminder to those who are going to Spring Harvest next Easter.
If you still have an outstanding balance to pay, we do need it by the end of this month if possible, by cash, cheque, bank transfer OR via the card reader at church (though please see James or Ian before doing so!)
If you have any questions, please speak to Miriam.
AND FINALLY
Please find here the latest Puzzles and Other Stuff from Steve.
God bless you all,
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609