Leesfield Parish – 24th December 2017
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, as well as Christmas Eve. The morning services will be at the usual times at both St Thomas’ and St Agnes’, so please come along as usual. Sunday school at St Agnes’ will operate as normal. There is no Sunday school at St Thomas’, but families are most welcome to join us in church.
Then at 5 pm at St Thomas’ we have the Sunday School Nativity and Blessing of the Crib. The story of the Nativity is timeless, but the children refresh it for us every year in their own special way.
The First Communion of Christmas is at St Thomas’ at 11.30 pm. This service takes us through midnight into the wonder of Christmas morning as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. If you are able to join us at this late hour please come along to this most special Eucharist.
Christmas morning at 9.15 am we gather at St Agnes’ for our traditional and joyous Christmas Eucharist.
There will be no service on Tuesday 26th December.
Next Sunday, 31st December, there will be a Parish Service, 10 am at St Thomas’. No service at St Agnes’.
Well done to the Carol Singers who braved the cold and fog on Monday, especially the youngsters Ben, Sam and Anna, who sang and played beautifully. We had lots of compliments from people in the houses where we sang, and raised £53.32 for the Booth Centre. We're singing again at Lees Co-op on Saturday at 12 noon, and will let you know how much we raise.
Tickets are now on sale for the Rose Queen and Harvest Queen Dinner Dance on Friday 16th March 2018. The cost is £35, and Colette or Karen need names and £5 deposits by next week, 31st December.
As we exchange gifts with our families and friends this Christmas, it’s a good time to think of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. St Agnes’ are collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for Impact Church Oldham. St Thomas’ are collecting hats, scarves, gloves, socks and toiletries for the Booth Centre, Manchester, and non-perishable food items for the Community Project at St Barnabas’ Church, Clarksfield. Please be as generous as you can, these organisations work really hard to help people who are homeless and families in crisis, and our intention is to continue our support throughout the year, not just at Christmas and Harvest.
There is a vacancy for a foundation governor at St Thomas’ school, if you would like more information please see Edith or Rebecca.
Advance notice Confirmation is Sunday July 15th 2018
St Thomas’ church is open regularly on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, so people can drop in, look around, pray or just sit. For this to happen, we need volunteers to sit in church. Can you spare an hour now and again? See Edith or sign the list please.
Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!
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Sat 23-Dec Carol singing at Lees Co-op - Meet Co-op 12 noon
Sun 24-Dec Morning services at usual times both churches
Crib service/Nativity - St Thomas' 5pm
First Communion of Christmas - 11.30pm at St Thomas'
Mon 25-Dec Christmas Morning service 9.15am at St Agnes'
Tues 26-Dec Boxing Day - no Tuesday service
Sun 31-Dec Parish service at St Thomas' 10am - no service at St Agnes'
Tues 02-Jan Pastoral Team visit to Avalon Park
Sat 06-Jan Ladies Coffee Morning 10.30 - 12, 83 Spring Lane
Sun 07-Jan Sunday School Christmas Party
Mon 08-Jan Bible Study Group St Thomas' 1.30pm
Mon 08-Jan Standing Committee 7pm
Mon 15-Jan Pastoral Team visit to Ashbourne House
Mon 15-Jan St Thomas' DCC 7 pm
Wed 17-Jan St Agnes' Open Forum 8pm
Fri 19-Jan St Thomas' School Coffee morning & textile collection 9am
Sun 21-Jan Week of Christian Unity service 3 pm St John Hey
Mon 22-Jan Bible Study Group St Thomas' 1.30pm
Mon 22-Jan PCC meeting at St Thomas' 7pm
