Magazine: 50p each or £5 per year PAGE 2 CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. DECEMBER These words are quoted from Sunday 6 December “A tale of two cities” by Charles 2nd Sunday of Advent Dickens. These words are true Malachi 3.1-4 & Luke 3.1-6 today in view of our financial Sunday 13 December difficulties in our country where businesses are 3rd Sunday of Advent struggling, and jobs in their hundreds, including Zephaniah 3.14-20 & Luke 3.7-18 the steel industry, are being lost each week. Sunday 20 December We are seeing appalling media news each 4th Sunday of Advent day showing the terrible suffering of the refu- Micah 5.2-5a & Luke 1.39-55 gees who in desperation are fleeing the war in Christmas Eve (Thurs 24th) Syria to come to Europe. They are words that 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-11, 16 were true in Dickens’ day, and in the French Luke 1.67-79 Revolution that the book is about and indeed Christmas Day (Fri 25th) in the days of Mary and Joseph when Jesus Isaiah 52.7-10 & Luke 2.1-20 was born in that stable at Bethlehem and they Sunday 27 December fled from the rage of King Herod to be refu- 1st Sunday of Christmas gees in Egypt. 1 Samuel 2.18-20,26 & Luke 2.41-52 But if that is the bad news, what is the good JANUARY news? At Christmas we thank God as we cele- brate the most wonderful good news this world Sunday 3 January has ever known. God Himself had the humility 2nd Sunday of Christmas / to leave the glory of heaven and be born a Epiphany tiny vulnerable baby in a stable. Everyone can Ephesians 3.1-12 relate to Jesus who would die on a cross to for- Matthew 2.1-12 give us our sins, showing God’s love to us. The Sunday 10 January refugee and homeless can feel at home with Baptism of Christ Him as someone who understands - the ordi- Acts 8.14-17 & Luke 3.15-17, 21-22 nary shepherds feel at home in the stable Sunday 17 January amongst the animals. “Jesus is the same, yes- 2nd Sunday of Epiphany terday and today and for ever” (Hebrews 1 Corinthians 12.1-11 & John 2.1-11 13:8). He is always the same. His love never Sunday 24 January changes. He is always good news, the light of 3rd Sunday of Epiphany / the world in our dark age. So we have good 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a news to celebrate. No matter what the evils of Luke 4.14-21 the day, it should not rob us of our Christmas Sunday 31 January joy. So with Jesus it can always be “the best of 4th Sunday of Epiphany / Presen- times”. tation of Christ in the Temple 1 Corinthians 13.1-13 Graham Gittings, Associate Minister Luke 2.22-40 PAGE 3 Sunday St. Andrew’s St. Peter’s All Saints 6th December 10am 8am BCPHC 5.30pm nd 2 Sunday of Service of the Word 10.30am Christingle Advent Service Holy Communion St. A & St. P Services to include adding Christmon decorations Thursday 10th 7.30pm December Sing-a-long Carols (as part of Christmas Tree Festival - see opposite page) 13th December 10am 8am BCPHC 10am rd 3 Sunday of Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion Advent Family Service & thanksgiving 6.30pm Candle- lit Carol Service 20th December 10am 8am BCPHC 6.30pm Candle- th 4 Sunday of Family Service with 10.30am lit Carol Service Advent Messy Activities Holy Communion 5.30pm Christingle Service Christmas Eve No Service 11.30pm 11.30pm th (Thursday 24 ) Holy Communion Holy Communion Christmas Day 10am 8am BCPHC No Service th (Friday 25 ) Holy Communion Main morning (Methodist Chapels service will have services) at St. Andrew’s 27th December 10am 8am BCPHC 10am st 1 Sunday of Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion Christmas Service of the Word by Extension & Baptism PAGE 4 CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST Sunday 20th December - Messy Fun! Please join us for a Family Service with Messy Activities at St. Andrew’s at 10am, with a Christmas theme. Ideal for Children & families to enjoy!. All Welcome! Following Messy Fun dates for New Year: 17th January & 21st February, St. Andrew’s Church, 10am. Santa’s Grotto, face-painting, refreshments, Christmas stalls, family fun, activities & much more... CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST PAGE 5 With crafts, stalls, refreshments, games, Santa and much more... Handmade Christmas Cards by Gill Till Available from 28th November at St. Peter’s - all proceeds to Church funds. Many thanks for your support. Many Congratulations to Ruth Bell & Andy Browne on their Engagement from all three Churches. May God Bless you & keep you. Please keep Andy & Ruth in your prayers as they prepare for marriage. All Welcome to join us for Parish Prayers and Mid-Week Communion Parish Communion: Wednesdays, 10am - 11am Parish Prayers: Sundays, 6pm - 7pm & Thursdays, 9.30am - 10.30am All held at St. Andrew’s during term-time. All Welcome! 2If you would like anyone or any situation to be prayed for at Parish Prayers, or if you would like any names to be added to the monthly prayer diary, please contact the Parish Office. Holiday note: Please note the last dates of term: Life Groups on 1st December, Thurs- day Parish Prayers on 3rd December, Sunday Parish Prayers on 6th December, Wednesday Parish Communion on 9th December, all re-starting from Sunday 10th January onwards. PAGE 6 CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST All Saints Church Dilhorne Proudly Presents The Andante Choir from Ingestre Friday 11th December 2015 Commencing at 7:30 pm For an Entertaining Evening of Song Ticket Price £3.00 Refreshments of Mulled Wine & Mince Pies included All Welcome Advanced Tickets Available from Church on Service Days & Thursday between 7.30pm & 9pm Enquiries: Jackie Kent Treasurer 07759664700 [email protected] Ros Daybell Tower Captain 07518020246 or [email protected] CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST PAGE 7 PAGE 8 CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST Christingle Services: Sunday 6th December, 5.30pm at All Saints Sunday 20th December, 5.30pm at St. Peter’s Sing-a-long Carols (part of Christmas Tree Festival) Thursday 10th December, 7.30pm at St. Andrew’s Candle-lit Carol Services: Sunday 13th December, 6.30pm at St. Peter’s Sunday 20th December, 6.30pm at All Saints Christmas Eve - Thursday 24th December Midnight Holy Communion 11.30pm at both St. Peter’s and All Saints Christmas Day Services: 8am Holy Communion at St. Peter’s 10am Holy Communion at St. Andrew’s Young at Heart Christmas Meal and Service Friday 4th December at St. Andrew’s 2pm Service, followed by Meal With children from St. Peter’s CE Primary School attending to sing carols. ‘Carols by Candlelight’ by the St. Cecilia Singers Friday 11th December, 7.30pm at St. Peter’s Tickets £4 - Available to purchase on the door or from St. Cecilia’s Choir members. CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST PAGE 9 Sunday St. Andrew’s St. Peter’s All Saints 3rd January 2016 10am 8am BCPHC 10am nd 2 Sunday of Service of the Word 10.30am Family Service Christmas / Holy Communion Epiphany 10th January 10am 8am BCPHC 10am Baptism of Christ Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion Family Service & Thanksgiving 17th January 10am 8am BCPHC 10am nd 2 Sunday of Family Service with 10.30am Service of the Word Epiphany Messy Activities & Holy Communion & Baptism Thanksgiving 24th January 10am 8am BCPHC 10am rd 3 Sunday of Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Communion Epiphany / Service of the Word (also week of Prayer for Christian Unity) & Baptism st 31 January Shared service at St. 8am BCPHC th 4 Sunday of Peter’s at 10.30am 10.30am Shared service at St. Epiphany / Shared Benefice Peter’s at 10.30am Presentation of Holy Communion (No Joint Methodist Christ in the Service service this month) Temple PAGE 10 CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST Confirmation: If anyone is interested in being confirmed, please speak to Reverend Steve, Reverend Linda or the Office. Confirmations are due to be held in May 2016. Preparation will be arranged for those who would like to be confirmed. Fun, food, discussion, exploring the Christian Faith… Alpha Courses are run at intervals at the Red House Pub in Caverswall. Please contact the Parish Office to register your interest in one of our future courses (next course will be in 2016). www.alpha.org Many thanks for all your kind donations made at the October Gift Day for St. Peter’s & St. Andrew’s in support of the ministry and activities of the Churches. £2553.70 has been raised inc. expected tax refunds. Donations welcome for the Salvation Army Life House in Stoke - Men & Women’s Toiletries (e.g. razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, flannels etc). Please bring to St. Andrew’s. Many thanks, Pauline Powell I dreamt death came the other night, And Heaven’s gate swung wide, An angel with a halo bright Ushered me inside. And there, to my astonishment Were folks I’d judged and labelled As “quite unfit”, “of little worth”, And “spiritually disabled”. Indignant words rose to my lips But never were set free, For every face showed stunned surprise - No one expected me! Anonymous CAVERSWALL, DILHORNE & WESTON COYNEY POST PAGE 11 Dear Friends, In the Old Testament, Jabez was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would wonderfully bless me and help me in my work; please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all evil and disaster!" And God granted him his request.