4th February 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 17 February 2024

Hello again everyone,

I must once again apologise that there was no livestream last Sunday. We are not sure what happened but know other churches had problems so think it may be something outside of our control. I did a test in church yesterday and all was working so hopefully the livestream should be happening again tomorrow, see link below.

ALADDIN THE 2024 PANTOMIME
It’s the last call for the 2024 Panto which is being performed this afternoon and Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults or children. These are available either by email from gelttickets@gmail.com, by phone from 07771967322, after church on Sunday or on the door.

SUNDAY 4th FEBRUARY
There is just one service on Sunday: ALL AGE WORSHIP at 10.30am in St Columba’s. All being well the service will be available as a livestream here:
https://youtube.com/live/OYyAid7Br7c?feature=share
The Prayer Meeting will be gathering in St Columba’s at 6pm.

PCC
The PCC have a short meeting after the service on Sunday morning and a longer meeting on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. The meeting on Sunday is to discuss our response to the proposed Pastoral reorganisation (which has been the subject of notices in church over the last few weeks) and which we need to decide if we want to make a response before the deadline on Wednesday. Wednesday’s meeting will include our more regular agenda items and some time for prayer.

LADIES AFTERNOON TEA
The next gathering for tea, sandwiches, scones and cake will be on FRIDAY 9th FEBRUARY at 3pm in the Church Hall. All ladies are most welcome to this occasion which are always most enjoyable and includes Linda Coleman’s next talk on what faith means to her.

NIGHT OF PRAYER
The first special event for our Year of Prayer will be happening on FRIDAY 9th FEBRUARY when we will hold a NIGHT OF PRAYER at St Columba’s from 6pm to 9pm. There is a box at the back of church for people to be able to place Prayer Requests that they would like to be prayed for that evening. Everyone is welcome to come for the whole three hours, which will be divided into 20 minute sections with different topics, or you can drop in to pray for the topic(s) that especially concern you, or come at a time that suits you. I do encourage everyone to come along to at least part of this event, prayer is so essential in our lives and in the life of our church, and it is when we gather together that we can release real power in prayer. People are welcome to pray out loud but there is no expectation about this (other than the occasional Amen), several people come to our regular 6pm Prayer Meetings on Sundays and only pray silently.

SUNDAY 11th FEBRUARY
We have a choice of service next Sunday with HOLY COMMUNION at 10.30am in St Columba’s and a FAMILY SERVICE at 3pm in Rockingham Village Hall. The St Columba’s service will include ENERGIZE groups for children and young people and will be available as a livestream.
We will also have a Prayer Meeting in St Columba’s at 6pm.

LENT 2024
Lent will begin in a week and a half with two identical HOLY COMMUNION services on ASH WEDNESDAY, 14th FEBRUARY, one at 10.30am and the other at 7.30pm, both at St Columba’s. These services will be an introduction to the Lent Groups that will follow at the same times on the following weeks, also in St Columba’s. These groups are designed to bring the whole church family together, and so our HOME GROUPS will be taking a break during Lent, but will in most cases resume after Easter – look out for more information about this. Again I do encourage people to come along and join in the Ash Wednesday services and the Lent Groups that follow.

GAMES NIGHT
Our Events Group have planned a Games Night for Saturday 17th February in the Church Hall from 6pm. This is an event for all the family and will involve people playing table top games (snakes & ladders, ludo, dominoes, etc) for a fixed time and then moving on to a different game.
The evening will begin with food at 6pm, soup & roll with tea & coffee for adults and hot dogs with squash for children, but you are also welcome to bring your own drinks. The games will start at 6.30pm with an aim to finish about 8.30pm. There will be a sign up sheet at the back of church. There is no charge for this evening but there will be an opportunity for people to make a donation.

AND FINALLY
Steve is hoping to have a new print edition of SCANS out this weekend so look out for that, and please do look at the BULLETIN from Hope From Above in Australia and remember to pray for their work.

May God bless you all in this coming week.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

28th January 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 3 February 2024

Hello again everyone,

This email includes our services tomorrow and next Sunday, as well as details of the Panto (next weekend), our first Night of Prayer (actually an evening of Prayer), our 2024 Lent Groups and a Games Night. I have also included details of a free online will writing service and also some comments about why NOT to use Pure Cremation (a widely advertised funeral service) as well as an offer to talk with you about ideas for your funeral, which I hope will be many years in the future. Can I also apologise that there was no livestream last Sunday, it should be happening again tomorrow.

SUNDAY 28th JANUARY
We have a choice of service on Sunday morning, with HOLY COMMUNION at 9am in Leonard’s, Rockingham and MORNING WORSHIP at 10.30am in St Columba’s, Corby. Both services will include a sermon looking at the prayers of Simeon and Anna as we continue to think about prayers in the New Testament in our Year of Prayer.
Also at St Columba’s there will be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people, to prepare for next week’s All Age service, also looking at prayer.
We also have a Prayer Meeting in St Columba’s at 6pm.

ALADDIN THE 2024 PANTOMIME
It’s nearly time for this year’s Panto which will be performed on Friday 2nd February (cabaret style) at 7.30pm and in theatre style on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February at 3pm. Tickets purchased this weekend will cost £5 for adults or children. These are available either by email from gelttickets@gmail.com, by phone from 07771967322, after church or on the door.

SUNDAY 4th FEBRUARY
There is just one service next Sunday: ALL AGE WORSHIP at 10.30am in St Columba’s.

NIGHT OF PRAYER
Our first special event for our Year of Prayer will be happening on FRIDAY 9th FEBRUARY when we will hold a NIGHT OF PRAYER at St Columba’s from 6pm to 9pm. There is a box at the back of church for people to be able to place Prayer Requests that they would like to be prayed for that evening. Everyone is welcome to come for the whole three hours, which will be divided into 20 minute sections with different topics, or you can drop in to pray for the topic(s) that especially concern you, or come at a time that suits you. Details and timings for the topics will be available before the event. I do encourage everyone to come along to at least part of this event, prayer is so essential in our lives and in the life of our church, and it when we gather together that we can release real power in our prayer. People are welcome to pray out loud but there is no expectation about this (other than the occasional Amen), several people come to our regular 6pm Prayer Meetings on Sundays and only pray silently.

LENT 2024
Lent is begins with two HOLY COMMUNION services on ASH WEDNESDAY, 14th FEBRUARY, one at 10.30am and the other at 7.30pm, both at St Columba’s. These services will be an introduction to the Lent Groups that will follow at the same times on the following weeks. These groups are designed to bring the whole church family together, and so our HOME GROUPS will be taking a break during Lent, but will in most cases resume after Easter – look out for more information about this. Again I do encourage people to come along and join in both the Ash Wednesday services and the Lent Groups that follow.

GAMES NIGHT
Our Events Group met last week and have planned a Games Night for Saturday 17th February in the Church Hall from 6pm. This is an event for all the family and will involve people playing table top games (snakes & ladders, ludo, dominoes, etc) for a fixed time and then moving on to a different game.
The evening will begin with food at 6pm, soup & roll with tea & coffee for adults and hot dogs with squash for children, but you are also welcome to bring your own drinks. The games will start at 6.30pm with an aim to finish about 8.30pm. There will be a sign up sheet at the back of church. There is no charge for this evening but there will be an opportunity for people to make a donation.

WRITE YOUR WILL FOR FREE ONLINE
Will writing can be time-consuming and difficult – and that’s a big reason why many people put it off. To make it easier, the Church of England has partnered with Farewill, the National Will Writing Firm of the Year 2022, to offer a FREE online will writing service, which you can do from home in less than 30 minutes. If you have questions, Farewill’s specialist team can help you over the phone or live chat 7 days a week.

Making a will and keeping it updated is the only way to ensure a person’s wishes are carried out after their death, giving them peace of mind that they can continue supporting the family, friends and charities they love. In using Farewill, there is no obligation for anyone to leave a gift in their will to the church. However, if you decide that you can, we will be most grateful and that gift – great or small – will enable the ministry and mission of your church to thrive for the benefit of future generations.

Please go to the following link to find out more: https://farewill.com/cofe-oct23

REASONS NOT TO USE “PURE CREMATION”
While writing about wills and legacies I thought about the widely advertised service of Pure Cremation. I understand that this may seem an attractive option to people as it claims to “protect your family from big funeral bills”. However can I caution people about this service, because it means that there is no funeral service, no opportunity therefore for family and friends to gather and remember you, not even a minister present to pray at the Crematorium. Having taken many funerals I think they are an important part of the grieving process, and it may be difficult for family members to come to terms with their loss if there has not been a funeral. Other funeral plans are available, so that the cost of a funeral, including a service in church, can be paid in advance by you, which also protects your family from big funeral bills, gives them the opportunity to gather and remember, and allows you to be entrusted into the merciful hands of the Lord.

The other thing I find when taking funerals is that it is always easier for families when funerals have been discussed in advance and people’s wishes are known. If you would like to talk with me to discuss ideas for your funeral, please do ask. I am also happy to speak with people about why I do not recommend Pure Cremation.

May God bless you all in this coming week.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

21st January 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 28 January 2024

Hello again everyone,

This email includes our services tomorrow and next Sunday, as well as details of our first Night of Prayer (actually an evening of Prayer) and our 2024 Lent Groups. There are also details of the Panto and a Prayer Letter from Tim & Carol Derbyshire.

SUNDAY 21st JANUARY
There is just one service on Sunday: HOLY COMMUNION at 10.30am in St Columba’s with Energize groups.
The PRAYER MEETING will also be happening at 6pm.

NEXT SUNDAY 28th JANUARY
We have a choice of service next Sunday morning, with HOLY COMMUNION at 9am in Leonard’s, Rockingham and MORNING WORSHIP at 10.30am in St Columba’s, Corby. The St Columba’s service will include ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. There will also be a Prayer Meeting in St Columba’s at 6pm.

ALADDIN THE 2024 PANTOMIME
It’s that time of year again when preparations are in hand and tickets being sold for this year’s Panto which will be performed on Friday 2nd February (cabaret style) at 7.30pm and in theatre style on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February at 3pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children with a Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for £25. These are available either by email from: gelttickets@gmail.com or by phone to 07771967322 or after church.

NIGHT OF PRAYER
Our first special event for our Year of Prayer will be happening on FRIDAY 9th FEBRUARY when we will hold a NIGHT OF PRAYER at St Columba’s from 6pm to 9pm. There is a box at the back of church for people to be able to place Prayer Requests that they would like to be prayed for that evening. Everyone is welcome to come for the whole three hours, which will be divided into 20 minute sections with different topics, or you can drop in to pray for the topic(s) that especially concern you, or come at a time that suits you. Details and timings for the topics will be available before the event. I do encourage everyone to come along to at least part of this event, prayer is so essential in our lives and in the life of our church, and it is when we gather together that we can release real power in our prayer. People are welcome to pray out loud but there is no expectation about this (other than the occasional Amen), several people come to our regular 6pm Prayer Meetings on Sundays and only pray silently.

LENT 2024
Lent is three and a half weeks away and will start with two services on ASH WEDNESDAY, 14th FEBRUARY, one at 10.30am and the other at 7.30pm, both at St Columba’s. These services will be an introduction to the Lent Groups that will follow at the same times on the following weeks. These groups are designed to bring the whole church family together, and so our HOME GROUPS will be taking a break during Lent, but will in most cases resume after Easter – look out for more information about this. Again I do encourage people to come along and join in both the Ash Wednesday services and the Lent Groups that follow.

SNIPPETS FROM THE SHIRES
Please find here the latest Prayer Letter from Tim and Carol Derbyshire in Australia, but soon to be moving back to this country for a couple of years. Do click on the link, have a read, and remember them in your prayers as they prepare to move in April. A printed copy will also be on display at the back of church.

There are no Puzzles etc this week, but remember printed copies of past editions are available in church.

May God bless you all in this coming week.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

14th January 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 20 January 2024

Hello again everyone,

Following last week’s email I am grateful to the people who spoke with me before the PCC’s discussion of our response to the Church of England’s decision to allow prayers of blessing for couples in gay marriages. Following a lengthy discussion the PCC decided by a clear majority (the only votes not in support were three abstentions) that St Columba’s would not offer these prayers because they represent a departure from the Biblical understanding of marriage. Can I also say, as was said in our discussion at PCC, that this decision does not mean that LGBTQ+ people are not welcome at St Columba’s, they, along with everyone else, are most welcome. I realise that this decision may be difficult for some people and I would be very happy to meet with you to discuss this further.

SUNDAY 14th JANUARY
We have a service of HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s at 10.30am, including the first in a series of sermons about Prayers in the New Testament. ENERGIZE groups will also be meeting again following the holidays so all children and young people are encouraged to come along – they will also be looking at Prayer. For those unable to be in church the service is available as a livestream here: https://youtube.com/live/5Oqvbwj_ke4?feature=share
At 3pm there is a FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall, which is so much warmer than the church at this time of year.
Then at 6pm we have our first PRAYER MEETING in this our Year of Prayer, so why not make a special effort to come along and join us.

BEREAVED PARENTS GROUP
On Thursday evening this week (18th January) at 7.30pm in the Church Hall, there will be the first meeting of a new support group for bereaved parents. This is the initiative of one bereaved parent in our community and if you would like to join the group, or know someone who may find it helpful, please come along or pass on the details. Although the group is not a church group I will be attending and offering spiritual support to those who come along. The group will meet on the third Thursday of each month.

NEXT SUNDAY
There is just one service next Sunday: HOLY COMMUNION at 10.30am in St Columba’s with Energize groups. The PRAYER MEETING will also be happening at 6pm.

ALADDIN THE 2024 PANTOMIME
It’s that time of year again when preparations are in hand and tickets being sold for this year’s Panto which will be performed on Friday 2nd February (cabaret style) at 7.30pm and in theatre style on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February at 3pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children with a Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children) for £25. These are available either by email from: gelttickets@gmail.com or by phone to 07771967322 or after church.

Mini SCaNS 37
Here is the latest mini SCaNS about which Steve writes: This issue contains an amazing story of a pastor who God called to pray for a dead colleague who was covered with a tarpaulin, 90 minutes after he was killed in a motoring accident. The pastor felt led to start singing, and his ‘dead’ friend joined in, to the astonishment of the emergency services. The story has been made into a film, available on YouTube. There’s also news of a growth in the number of young people turning to Christ. There are 13 puzzles including a quiz on people in the Bible who prayed and some fab pictures of God’s wonderful world.
Please note there are also printed copies of the last two online Puzzle editions available at the back of church.

May God bless you all in this coming week.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

7th January 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 13 January 2024

Hello everyone,

Can I begin by wishing everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope that you will know the blessing of our Lord with you during the next 12 months. There is a lot of content this week, including a couple of requests for people to bring things to church tomorrow, so let’s get started.

SUNDAY 7th JANUARY
We have two services at St Columba’s tomorrow. An All Age celebration of Epiphany at 10.30am. This service will include activities for children and, for those who are unable to be in church, will be available as a livestream via this link: https://youtube.com/live/d3giv6Z99T0?feature=share

At 4pm (note the time, an early start for these dark evenings) we have a service of Holy Communion. This service will include the first of a number of sermons looking at Prayer, to mark the start of our Year of Prayer.

PCC
On Tuesday evening our PCC will be meeting and voting on two matters.
The first is the Pastoral Scheme which will formalise our link with Rockingham, make some minor changes to our parish boundary, and make similar changes to several other local churches. Full details of this scheme are displayed on the Notice Board at the back of church.
The second matter is to decide on our response to the Church of England’s decision to allow prayers of blessing for couples in gay marriages. Although the church has stated this is not a change in the doctrine of marriage it is certainly a step in that direction.
If you have any views on either of these matters please speak with me or a PCC member before Tuesday.

AFTERNOON TEA
The Ladies Afternoon Tea will be meeting again at 3pm on Friday 12th January for tea, sandwiches, cakes and conversation. Do come along if you are able and if you know someone who would benefit from that opportunity please invite them along.

CHILDREN’S SOCIETY BOXES
Janet has asked if all Children’s Society boxholders could bring their boxes into church for counting. Thank you to those who have already done so. The proceeds will be added to the Christingle collection, which amounted to £157.86 so a big thank you if you contributed to that. Thanks are also due to TESCO who once again donated all 150 oranges for the Christingle service.

SPRING HARVEST PAYMENTS
Those of you who have booked to go to Spring Harvest in April need to give your final payments to Miriam. If you have not booked but are now interested in going (1st -5th April at Skegness) do also speak with Miriam as we have had a couple of cancellations.

AUTUMN CENTRE SPONSOR MONEY for Mary Craig
If you sponsored Mary’s sponsored walk to raise funds for the Autumn Centre please could you bring the money to church and give it to Mary – thank you.

SUNDAY 14th JANUARY
We have a service of HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s at 10.30am, including a sermon about Prayer. ENERGIZE groups will also be meeting again following the holidays so all children and young people are encouraged to come along – they will also be looking at Prayer.
In the afternoon at 3pm there is a FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall, which is so much warmer than the church at this time of year.

STEVE’S ONLINE PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF
Steve has tried to link some of articles and puzzles in this edition with prayer, he writes: There are two amazing stories of answered prayer and an opening article telling of Edward Kimble, a Sunday School teacher who led D.L. Moody to Christ, Moody went on to became a world–renowned evangelist, leading a million to Christ, and ultimately led Billy Graham to Christ, who, in turn led over 3 million to Christ! It all started with ONE MAN. There are the usual puzzles and funnies, including a couple of challenging mind–benders, a 2023 quiz, a story about Sir Isaac Newton, both a Christian and scientist, and some pics to remind those of us of a certain age of what it was like when we were younger and the ice formed INSIDE the bedroom window! Enjoy!

HFA UPDATE
Please find here a further Prayer Update from Hope From Above in Australia.

May God bless you today and every day in 2024,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

31st December 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 6 January 2024

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a really special Christmas and that you are looking forward to 2024. With that in mind this rather short email contains details of our New Year’s Eve service, a special New Year edition of Steve’s Puzzles and Other Stuff, Prayer News from Hope From Above and details of both our services on Sunday 7th January.

Sunday 31st December
We have a special New Year’s Eve service at St Columba’s at 10.30am tomorrow.

Here is Steve’s Puzzles and Other Stuff 106 (a New Year edition).

Here is Hope From Above Prayer Update.

Sunday 7th January
There will be two services at St Columba’s:
10.30am All Age Worship celebrating the Epiphany
4pm (note the earlier time because of the dark evenings) an evening service of Holy Communion with our first sermon looking at the theme of prayer for 2024, our Year of Prayer.

With best wishes to all and, when it comes, a Happy New Year.

Ian

24th December 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 30 December 2023

Hello everyone,

Let me begin by wishing everyone who reads this email a very Happy Christmas. I hope to see many of you in church at one of the services in the next couple of days, all the details are below, but if you are not able to join us then our service tomorrow morning will be on Youtube as usual, see the link below. Christmas is a special time to be in church to celebrate the wonder of God sending His Son to live among people as one of them, so along with everything else that will happen at this time do make time to let this wonder settle in your heart.

There are still lots of Christmas cards at church so if you are coming to any of the services do make sure you look on the table to see if there are any for you.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
10.30am – COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a quieter service with no children’s groups. The Youtube link to watch this service is:
https://youtube.com/live/w56S9kPVBOk?feature=share
4.30pm – CHRISTINGLE at St Columba’s – a service especially for children and families. Don’t forget there will be a collection for the CHILDREN’S SOCIETY at this service.
11.15pm – MIDNIGHT COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a traditional celebration

CHRISTMAS MORNING SERVICES
10am (note the time) – FAMILY COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a celebration for everyone
11am CHRISTMAS COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – a more traditional Christmas morning service.

The following Sunday will be New Year’s Eve and we will have a service of MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s at 10.30am.

Then on Sunday 7th January 2024 we will have two services at St Columba’s:
10.30am – All Age Worship for Epiphany
4pm (note the time, so that we at least start in the light) – Holy Communion with a sermon on Prayer at the start of our Year of Prayer.

There are still copies of the CHRISTMAS MAGAZINE available in church, and look out for a special New Year’s Eve edition online next week.

May the wonder of the birth of God’s Son fill your hearts this Christmas time,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

17th December 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 23 December 2023

Dear All,

I have just returned home from carol singing in the Town Centre which was a real joy, both to be with Christians from other churches in Corby but also to hear some wonderful testimony of what the Lord is doing here in our town. As we celebrate Christmas let us remember that we celebrate a Lord who came, but who is with us still, and is able to transform our lives just as he was able to transform the lives of Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men all those years ago.

Mention of the characters in the Christmas story reminds me of St Columba’s NATIVITY SERVICE happening in church tomorrow morning at 10am. Just a reminder to parents that children in the Nativity need to be at church by 10am tomorrow, although the service will not begin until 10.30am as usual. If you are not able to be in church the service will be shown on youtube via this link:
https://youtube.com/live/ymcRRonoN5M?feature=share

Later tomorrow we have our CANDLELIT CAROL SERVICE in St Columba’s at 6pm. This is always a special service, with the unique atmosphere created by candlelight adding to the wonder of hearing again the familiar Bible readings telling the Christmas story alongside the singing of carols.

MORE CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Thursday 21st December 7pm – CAROLS, MINCE PIES & MULLED WINE in Rockingham Village Hall open to all
Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve):
10.30am – COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a quieter service with no children’s groups
4.30pm – CHRISTINGLE at St Columba’s – a service especially for children and families – which is all of us!
11.15pm – MIDNIGHT COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a traditional celebration
and on Christmas Day:
10am (note the time) – FAMILY COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a fun celebration for everyone
11am CHRISTMAS COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – a more traditional Christmas morning service.

PRAYER NEWS
Please do read the latest Prayer Letter from M&H who will be back in this country for Christmas and some necessary rest and recovery after the challenges of the past few months. You can read all about these in the letter which will be on display at the back of church. Unfortunately we cannot copy this or link to it, so do take the time to read the letter and please do pray for them.
I have received the latest Prayer Update from Hope from Above, and so do have a read of that and use it to inspire your prayers.

And finally, if you have not already done so, do pick up a copy from church of our CHRISTMAS MAGAZINE that Steve has once again produced with Puzzles, Funnies, Stories and Activities for Adults and Children to keep you all amused over the Christmas Holidays.

I look forward to seeing you at one/some/all of the Christmas services.

God bless you at this special time of year,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

10th December 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 16 December 2023

Hello everyone,

We had a wonderful Christmas Afternoon Tea yesterday and big thanks to Sheila and her team for arranging that, and baking lots of lovely things to eat! The Christmas events will follow at regular intervals now, so do make a note of all the dates and details below. There are still places at the Lodge Park Christmas Dinner on Friday 15th (full details below) and Energize parents should note the information about the Nativity practices.

I encourage you to think who you could invite along to one or more of our Christmas services, there are so many of them because they all have a different flavour, child friendly, traditional or community focussed – so hopefully something for everyone. Even if you are not bringing someone along do try and come to as many services as you can, sometimes at Christmas we have more visitors than church family members which always feels rather odd.

Notice for Parents about the Nativity Service
The Nativity Service is fast approaching so we would really appreciate as many of the children to be in church tomorrow to continue practising the Nativity play. The dress rehearsals for the children and Get Closer groups will be next Friday 15th December in church starting at 5.30pm finishing by 7.00pm. Please can you make this a priority. If for any reason your child/young person is unable to come then, please can you let Miriam know asap so we can arrange a further rehearsal for those children/young people.
The Nativity and Sketch will take place in our Sunday service at 10.30am on 17th December, but please can children/young people arrive by 10.00am to get ready!
Thank you for your support.

Spring Harvest 2024
This is a reminder for those booked in for Spring Harvest 2024 that Miriam needs all outstanding balances by Sunday 7th January 2024. If this is a problem for anyone, or you don’t know how much your balance is, please speak with Miriam. Thank you.

Sunday 10th December
At St Columba’s tomorrow we have a service of HOLY COMMUNION for the second Sunday in Advent, with sung worship from 10.15 and the full service beginning at 10.30am. For those who are unable to be in church, the service will be available on Youtube via this link: https://youtube.com/live/tSbsOfksBL8?feature=share
At St Leonard’s, Rockingham we have a CHRISTMAS FAMILY SERVICE tomorrow at 3pm so do come along there if you are free in the afternoon. The Castle will be open for visitors so just say at the gate that you have come for the church service and you will be shown where to park.
There will also be our regular PRAYER MEETING at 6pm on Sunday evening.

Lodge Park Academy Christmas Party
You are invited to Lodge Park on Friday 15th December from 2.30pm – 4pm for a FREE 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).

Christmas Services
Thursday 14th December 6pm – COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE with school choirs and congregational carols so come along and support the children
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 open to all
Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve):
10.30am – COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a quieter service with no children’s groups
4.30pm – CHRISTINGLE at St Columba’s – a service especially for children and families – which is all of us!
11.15pm – MIDNIGHT COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a traditional celebration
and on Christmas Day:
10am (note the time) – FAMILY COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a fun celebration for everyone
11am CHRISTMAS COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – a more traditional Christmas morning service.

And finally, please do pick up a copy from church of our CHRISTMAS MAGAZINE that Steve has once again produced with Puzzles, Funnies, Stories and Activities for Adults and Children to keep you all amused over the Christmas Holidays.

With very best wishes,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

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