“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Tomorrow is the feast of the Epiphany when we look together at the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. They bring their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to present to him.
I wonder what you got for Christmas gifts this year? I can probably make a good guess that it wasn’t frankincense or myrrh, although perhaps someone got something gold, but if you got something interesting, odd or unusual for Christmas, I’d love you to bring it with you to tomorrow’s service at St Columba to show us all as we talk about gifts! We’re meeting at 10:30am as normal and if you’re unable to be there you can see it live on YouTube or catch up later using this link – https://youtu.be/iIBl3VXqBpg
Our prayer meeting is also back tomorrow at 6pm, we’ll be praying for the year ahead, it would be great to see you there.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Bishop Donald’s farewell service, Sunday 8th January 3:30pm
Choral Evensong at Peterborough Cathedral this Sunday is also the farewell service for Bishop Donald Allister as he retires, all are welcome.
The Alpha Course, Monday 9th January 7:30pm
Our Alpha Course is back this week, so if you were coming before Christmas do make sure it’s in your diary as we continue meeting. For anyone interested in joining it’s not too late, you are very welcome to come, if you have any questions do have a a chat with me (Kevin).
PCC, Wednesday 11th January 7:30pm
A reminder to all PCC members that PCC is back this Wednesday, 7:30pm in the Church, hope to see you there.
COMING UP SOON
Fellowship Groups
We had a lovely finish to our Advent course as we had our Epiphany fellowship group on Wednesday morning, a new fellowship group series will be starting up soon so do keep an eye out for that.
Dick Whittington Pantomime
I was at rehearsals for the pantomime this morning and it’s looking like it’s going to be lots of fun, the performances in the Church Hall are 7:30pm Friday 2nd Feb and 3pm Saturday 3rd Feb and Sunday 4th Feb, tickets are available in Church on Sunday or from Ian, cost is £7 for adults, £5 for children or £20 for a family ticket for two adults and two children.
HOPE FROM ABOVE
The latest newsletter from Hope From Above is now available , do take a look and keep praying for them.
Have a good and blessed day, and hope to see you at Church tomorrow!
I hope you’re all doing well this week, have had a good Christmas and are looking forward to celebrating New Year. As it’s still New Year’s Eve as I write I wonder how many of us are heading out this evening to celebrate with friends or family or indeed party with the masses! This is the point where I admit that I’ll be tucked up at home instead, but do hope those who are out and about have a good time welcoming in the New Year.
SUNDAY SERVICE As our Sunday service falls on New Year’s Day this year, we’re having a more relaxed all-age service including Communion where we’ll be welcoming in the New Year together, 10:30am Sunday 1st January 2023. For those of you unable to make it you can be part of the service by joining us live on YouTube using this link: https://youtu.be/V5_7ObfB_t4 – you’ll also be able to catch up with the service later on the same link.
COMING UP There is no prayer meeting this Sunday, but do keep an eye out for its return in the New Year on Sunday 8th January at 6pm.
Alpha will also be restarting on the 9th January at 7:30pm, if you’re interested it’s not too late to join so do have a conversation with me if you’d like to come along.
We have our Epiphany Fellowship group coming up at 10:30am this Wednesday 4th January 2023 which will finish the Advent course we started before Christmas, everyone is welcome, you don’t have to have been to previous sessions.
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 contacting Ian.
MINI-SCANS With thanks to Steve Scholes we have our first Mini-SCaNS of 2023, with some challenges both spiritually and in puzzle form, attached to this email.
Good morning and a very Happy Christmas to you all.
I hope you are full of joy at the thought of celebrating the birth as a human baby of the Son of God who was with God as the world was created. That thought never ceases to amaze me. I hope too that you are all keeping well. Sadly I have been suffering for the last week with the bug that is going round, fortunately Kevin has recovered and has been a great help as I have had very little energy all week.
Just a short email this week to remind you of our remaining Christmas services, and to offer an online alternative for anyone who can’t make it to church.
TODAY – CHRISTMAS EVE 4.30pm CHRISTINGLE at St Columba’s – the perfect family occasion with oranges (kindly donated by Tesco – thank you very much), candles and the joy of singing Away in a Manger by the light of those Christingle candles! 11.15pm MIDNIGHT COMMUNION at St Columba’s – a more traditional service to reflect on the wondrous events of this night all those years ago in Bethlehem.
TOMORROW – CHRISTMAS DAY 10am ALL AGE COMMUNION at St Columba’s 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham.
before the turkey, crackers and party games a chance to gather with our church families to celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
ONLINE ALTERNATIVE I realise there are lots of services on television today, but if you would like something more familiar then we are making available last year’s online Christmas Communion Service. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZNwsFNsyVg
And don’t forget we will gather again on Sunday 1st January 2023 at 10.30am in St Columba’s.
I pray that the joy and peace of Christmas would be with you and all those you love.
Christmas celebrations are well under way at St Columba’s and St Leonard’s. We have had a busy week of school activities, with St Columba’s full for the Studfall Year 4 Christmas Service on Thursday. Those who came later that day to the Community Carol Service were treated to performances by Lodge Park Academy, Studfall Infants School and Woodnewton – a learning academy, which were all very special.
We also had an entertaining Christmas Family Service at St Leonard’s last Sunday and if you couldn’t make that (the weather was awful) then do join us in the Village Hall on Wednesday evening, when as well as being warm we will enjoy singing some favourite carols, accompanied by mince pies and mulled wine!
There are still lots of Christmas services to look forward to, and all the details are below. Please note that because tomorrow’s Nativity and Candlelit Carol Service are so much better live and in person we are not live streaming them. Do make a note of all these dates as there may not be an email coming out next Saturday, Christmas Eve.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Tomorrow, 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. Because of this there will be no Prayer Meeting, and as the next two Sundays are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day the next Prayer Meeting will be on 8th January.
Wednesday 21st December 10.30am Wednesday Morning Communion at St Columba’s. It is a long time since we had a midweek Communion so I hope you will come along and support this extra Christmas service, especially if you are unable to come along to Communion services on Christmas Eve or Day. The sermon will be based on the material that we have been looking at in our Advent Fellowship Group which is not meeting this week. It will become an Epiphany Fellowship Group to finish the course on Wednesday 4th January. 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
New Year’s Day 10.30am All Age Worship at St Columba’s.
IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS Please can all children and young people who are involved in the Nativity or Get Closer sketch please come to a dress rehearsal in church TODAY 17th December at 4pm for about an hour and a half. Then on Sunday 18th if they could be at church for 9.45am that will helpful.
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.
After the school services in church we ran out of copies of the Christmas Newsletter, but I am pleased to say that Steve has printed more so if you have not yet had one be sure to pick up your copy from the back of church tomorrow.
I have been carol singing in the town centre this morning with Christians from other churches in Corby. Apart form the cold it was good to be outside singing about the Saviour who is coming into the world and whose birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas! I have included again a list of Christmas services below, but can I draw your attention to two:
COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE – this Thursday 15th December at 6pm with choirs from Studfall Infants and Lodge Park Academy. It is great that the schools support this service, but we also need you to come along and support them, and especially to listen to their choirs sing in church. There will also be congregational carols so do come prepared to join in singing. Unfortunately this clashes with an event in Coronation Park, but as that is from 5.30-8.30 I would encourage church members to come to St Columba’s for an hour in the warm and then, if you wish, go down for the last hour in the park.
WEDNESDAY MORNING COMMUNION – on Wednesday 21st December at 10.30am. It is a long time since we had a midweek Communion so I hope you will come along and support this extra Christmas service, especially if you are unable to come along to Communion services on Christmas Eve or Day.
THIS WEEK’S SERVICES We have a service of HOLY COMMUNION in St Columba’s at 10.30am on Sunday morning. There will also be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people who will be practising for the Nativity next week (see below). For those unable to be in church you can watch this service via this livestream link: https://youtu.be/ETkJmiJxuJg
Also tomorrow we have a CHRISTMAS FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 3pm and everyone is very welcome to join us for that.
Also this week we have our PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s on Sunday evening at 6pm, ALPHA in St Columba’s on Monday evening at 7.30pm and ADVENT FELLOWSHIP GROUP on Wednesday morning at 10.30am.
LODGE PARK CHRISTMAS DINNER All those people who spoke with me about the Christmas Dinner at Lodge Park School are booked in and should aim to arrive at the school for 2pm with a good appetite ready for a school Christmas Dinner. Parking is limited to disabled drivers at the school but plentiful at the Sports Centre. If you have passengers with mobility issues it would be best to drop them at school and drive round to park.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES 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
IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS Please can all children and young people who are involved in the Nativity or Get Closer sketch please come to a dress rehearsal in church next Saturday 17th December at 4pm for about an hour and a half. Then on Sunday 18th if they could be at church for 9.45am that will be helpful.
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.
And finally big thanks to Steve producing a printed Christmas Newsletter – do make sure you pick up your copy from the back of church tomorrow with lots to inform and entertain.
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.
I am sending this week’s email out early as a reminder about our CHRISTMAS FAYRE this Saturday morning from 10am to 12.30. Please come along and support the Fayre, which I always think is not only an opportunity to make some money for the church, but also a great way of building relationships with people from our local community who support the Fayre but don’t yet come to church. It is not too late to offer to help on the day, or simply turn up and support our various stalls, including the craft stalls from outside of the church, and, of course, to enjoy a bacon roll from the cafe!
If you are driving to the Fayre please note there will be limited space in the car park as the stall holders and disabled visitors have priority. As well as parking in the Council car park on Dovedale Road you may be able to find a space behind the vicarage as the Nursery is not open on Saturdays.
This Sunday is Advent Sunday which is not simply the start of the countdown to Christmas, but is the day in the year when we reflect on the Lord’s second coming. This is something we affirm in the creeds, but don’t often think about, and Advent is a great reminder that we need to be ready to meet the Lord when He comes. There are HOLY COMMUNION services in St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 9am and St Columba’s, Corby at 10.30am. For those unable to attend in person the service from St Columba’s will be available as a livestream via the following link: https://youtu.be/C2BNfvaS240
Our children and young people will begin their preparations for the Nativity Service on 18th December this Sunday, so do encourage them all to come along and join in. As ever there will be a variety of speaking and non-speaking parts and Get Closer will be making us all think with a challenging sketch.
On Sunday evening there will be our regular PRAYER MEETING in church at 6pm to which everyone is welcome.
ALPHA continues on Monday evening in church at 7.30pm. It is not too late to join if you are interested. Do speak with Kevin of you would like to know more – 07512 822422
We had a good start to our Advent Fellowship Group last Wednesday and we will be meeting again in church this Wednesday at 10.30am. I do encourage others to join us as we continue to think about the events that led up to the birth of Christ, and how they relate to us.
Next Sunday, 4th December, we have a service of Morning Worship at St Columba’s at 10.30am and everyone is welcome.
There is a new letter from M&H at the back of church. We are not able to circulate this by email so please do take a minute over coffee after church and have a read.
And finally, a big thank you to everyone who packed a shoebox and those who waited in church to receive them. If you still have a box at home you can bring it on Sunday and James & Louisa will be able to take it with them to the collection centre.
I’ve been away for a few days in Belfast as I went to my Uncle’s funeral, it was a sad time as it always is when people have to say goodbye to a much loved family member, but it was also an occasion of joy as his life was commemorated and indeed as people who don’t always get to see each other that often spent some time together, caught up on life and remarked and exclaimed on how much older everyone looked, how much children have grown up and who had the least hair – amongst the men at least! As Christians we do feel sadness at the loss of a loved one but live in the hope that we will be reunited again one day with them through our shared faith in Jesus. Even as it was good to share time together with my family I also look forward to the time we spend together as a church family and there will be lots to look forward to in these coming weeks. For this week though do take a look through the email and catch up on all that is going on.
THIS WEEK’S SERVICE This Sunday is the last Sunday of the year. You might be thinking, hold on, there’s a whole month and a bit to go, and indeed you are right! This is not the end of the calendar year but the liturgical year, the year that the church uses to mark all the events of the church year, and we finish on the theme of Christ the King before moving into our new church year with the first Sunday of Advent on the 27th November.
But before we get to Advent we have the joy of celebrating Jesus as King, do come along as we join together to explore this very special Sunday – 10:30am at St Columba. For those unable to be there we will have a livestream of the service available and you can watch via this link: https://youtu.be/EjyTZNJeIvs
PRAYER MEETING Our prayer meeting is on as normal at 6pm this Sunday at St Columba, do join us as we seek God in prayer together.
SHOEBOXES Thank you to everyone who has donated a Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, and to those who sat in church last week waiting for boxes to be dropped off. We are sorry for the confusion about dates, and while this Sunday is officially the last day it is possible for people to bring boxes to the Vicarage from Tuesday to Friday this week. If any boxes arrive in church on Sunday 27th they will be taken by James when he goes to the sorting centre – but after that it really will be too late!
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS The groups completed the 9 A DAY course looking at the Fruit of the Spirit last week. The evening group are taking a break until the New Year (Tuesday 10th January to be precise) when they will meet again and decide what they would like to study next. The Wednesday morning group are continuing to meet and will be starting a new course with an Advent theme. Everyone is welcome to join them at 10.30 on Wednesday mornings until Christmas.
ALPHA Our Alpha evening got off to a good start, as we explored the beginning of “Is there more to life than this?”, there was some great chat about what made us happy, what one question we would ask God if we could, and some tea, coffee and cake was consumed. It’s not too late to come along this Monday to St Columba at 7:30pm as we explore “Who is Jesus?”, all are welcome – if you have any questions at all do get in touch with me.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE Next Saturday is our Christmas Fayre from 10.00am until 12.30pm and it would be great if you can all be involved in some way. Thank you to those who have already offered to help, we could still do with a few more to help with Stalls and clearing up afterwards. If you are helping to set up on Friday this will be happening from 5.30 – 6.45pm so there’s time for people to get home to watch the England match! We need cakes for the cake stall, which can be brought to the hall Friday evening or as soon as possible after 9.00am on Saturday morning. If you’re wanting to donate anything else at this stage we would appreciate more bottles for the Bottle Tombola, which can be taken to the vicarage from Tuesday onwards or Friday evening at the setting up session at the hall. For those who are not helping, please come and support our Fayre, bring your friends and families and spend some money, either cash or card will be welcome! Any further information contact Miriam. Thank you very much.
NEXT WEEK’S SERVICES – SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER For the first Sunday of Advent there will be services of Holy Communion at St Leonard, 9am and at St Columba, 10:30am, let’s come together and as we start this Advent season looking forward to the hope and joy of the future to come in God.
I hope to see you at church tomorrow, have a great day, every blessing.
On Friday I was at Lodge Park Academy where we observed the two minutes silence at 11am and I was able to share a few words and pray. It was a special time, not least as the Head Girl read the words of the song “Of arms and peaceful men” by David Dearlove. I have heard this many times but have always thought the words about those who “cannot rest when peace is torn by greed and tyranny” to be about the past. This year, with the war in Ukraine continuing, the words had a very modern ring to them. As we observe the silence on Sunday, let us, amid all the other thoughts in our heads, remember those in Ukraine who are, even now, giving up “their hope of Spring”.
THIS WEEK’S SERVICES We have services for Remembrance Sunday, both including the two minute silence at about 11am, at St Columba and St Leonard’s tomorrow. At St Columba the service is HOLY COMMUNION, starts at 10.30am and includes ENERGIZE groups for children and young people who will also be looking at the theme of Remembrance. At St Leonard’s it is a FAMILY SERVICE starting at 10.45am and including the reading of names from the War Memorial. (Editor’s note: Unfortunately, there is no livestream due to a fault with the camera.)
PRAYER MEETING We will be meeting for an hour of prayer in St Columba’s at 6pm on Sunday evening, with an emphasis on issues of remembrance and peace this week.
ALPHA – Starting 14th November at 7:30pm in St Columba’s church What is Alpha? It’s a series of weekly sessions where you can explore the Christian faith in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We’re going to be starting this Monday at 7:30pm and then breaking for Christmas before finishing in January – something interesting and fun to do during those cold winter nights! We’re doing the Alpha film series, which includes a video to watch and then allows us to chat about what we’ve just seen. You can share your thoughts about some of the big questions of life and we can explore the answers together. All of this accompanied by tea, coffee and cake. Why not have a look at the Alpha Film Series trailer and see if it’s for you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fViYK_Xb3Wg
Please speak to Kevin (07512 822422) if you would like to know more or to sign up, although everyone is welcome to simply turn up on the night.
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS After last week’s break we meet again on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm and Wednesday morning at 10.30am for the final session of our course on Christlikeness looking at the fruit of the Spirit, focussing on self-control this week. We will also be discussing what might come next…
SHOEBOXES Two notices about OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD this week:
First there are just two weeks before all boxes need to be handed in so if you have not yet taken and packed a box, and you are able to, please do, and don’t forget the leaflet with important details about what can and cannot go in the box and a label to say if it is for a boy or girl and what age. Don’t forget Sunday 27th November is the final date boxes can be dropped off at church.
Second, St Columba will once again be open as a venue where boxes can be delivered by members of the public. We will be open from 9am to 1pm every day from Monday 21st November. If you are able to be in church for an hour or so that week there will be a sign-up sheet available tomorrow.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE – Saturday 26th November 10am – 12.30 Two weeks today St Columba’s Christmas Fayre will be under way and we still need more help. Please think if you can help run a stall on the day and if so either reply to this message or sign on the list at the back of church. Thank you to everyone who has brought in donations for the raffle or tombolas (bottle or teddy) – the boxes will be at the back of church for the next two weeks for any more contributions.
SUNDAY 20th NOVEMBER Next Sunday there is a service of Morning Worship, with ENERGIZE GROUPS, at 10.30am in St Columba’s.
AND FINALLY Here is the latest mini SCANS produced by Steve. These online productions contain lots to amuse, entertain and teach so do make sure you open the attached and have a good read.
I don’t know about you but I enjoyed the fireworks on Friday evening. The weather was perfect, and it was a good show, but I what I really enjoyed was the crowds of people all walking together to see them. How wonderful would it be of those crowds were walking, not to see a fireworks display but to worship God! Of course, some of us do have a slightly similar experience at Spring Harvest, where we have to queue to get in to worship, but what if it was people in our own town queueing to get into church. Let us pray that the Lord would send revival on his church and we would see scenes like that!
Last week was a busy week, with different activities in church every evening from Sunday to Thursday, including a Prayer Meeting, Light Party, PCC, Fellowship Group and Get Closer young people’s group. We should give thanks to God, not only that we are able to do all these things but that we have people wanting to do them as well as volunteers to help make them happen. Thank you if you were involved in any of them.
One decision of our PCC was that we will host a Christmas Lunch for anyone struggling with the cost of living and in danger of missing out on heat, food or company on Christmas Day. Please let me know if you would like to be involved in this and we will be having a meeting to plan the day. This is in addition to the offer made last week for people to have hot meals cooked for them and delivered to their door – if you know anyone who would benefit from this please let me know.
This coming week will be quieter, not least because Kevin and I are away on the Diocesan Ministers’ Conference. Please pray for us and all those attending. If you need to make contact with someone from church before Friday can you contact Janet, her number is at the bottom of this email.
SUNDAY’S SERVICE This Sunday’s service is being led by members of Get Closer so do come along and support them. It is at St Columba’s at 10.30am tomorrow, and available to watch online via the following link from that time: https://youtu.be/YDH1zwyFufw
PRAYER MEETING We will be gathering for prayer on Sunday evening at 6pm so do try and join us if you can, especially, but by no means only, if you have anything that you would like us to pray about.
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS There will be no groups this week, but they will meet again on Tuesday 15th November at 7.30pm and Wednesday 16th November at 10.30am.
DEMENTIA DAY This free day of inclusive fun is arranged by the Corby Dementia Friendly Community and is happening on Wednesday 9th November from 10am to 3pm at Corby Cube and includes lunch. It is for both those with Dementia and those caring for them. There is a leaflet on the notice board in church with more details.
AFTERNOON TEA On Friday 11th November we look forward to our next Ladies Afternoon Tea in the Church Hall at 3pm. All ladies are most welcome to join us for tea, sandwiches, scones and cake, along with good conversation so please do invite any friends and neighbours along, especially anyone who would appreciate an hour or so in a warm place.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 13th NOVEMBER We have two services next Sunday morning for Remembrance. At St Columba’s there will be a service of Holy Communion at 10.30am, with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people, and at St Leonard’s, Rockingham a Family Service at 10.45am. Both will feature a two-minute silence at about 11am.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES There are still plenty of empty boxes at the back of church, and the all-important leaflets that tell you what can, and cannot, go in them, so if you have not yet taken one, and you are able to fill it for a Ukrainian refugee child, please do take one. The deadline for returning boxes is Sunday 20th November so we have just 2 more weeks. Don’t forget to either put a donation in your shoebox or donate online, where you can also pay for a shoebox to be filled and sent on your behalf. You can watch a short film called “A Shoebox Prayer” by going to the following link: https://youtu.be/nePoQ-nv8fU
CHRISTMAS FAYRE – SATURDAY 26th NOVEMBER 10am -12.30pm Our Christmas Fayre is in just three weeks’ time so I do I hope it is in all your diaries. We still need people to help on the day so please sign up if you are able, and the boxes are at the back of church for donations of Raffle Prizes and for the Bottle and Teddy Tombolas – big thanks to all who have donated so far.
