Sunset

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8 New International Version

Church Services this Sunday at a church near you

Church Services In the Benefice

Sunday 8^th December

Milton Abbas 9.00 Holy Communion

                     Book of Common Prayer – Traditional

                     Rev’d Alan

                     17.00 - 18.00 Awesome Cake in the South Aisle at St James  Anyone in year 6 and above is very welcome to join us to plan for the Whitechurch Christmas Eve service.

                      Rev’d Sue

Turnworth   10.30 Holy Communion

                    (Common Worship)

                    Jenny / Rev’d Marion

                     

W. Whitechurch 10.30 Holy Communion

                           (Common Worship)

                           Rev’d Alan

W. Houghton  15.00 Evening Prayer

                        Book of Common Prayer – Traditional

                        (Followed by tea and cake)

                        Rev’d Alan

Seeing Stars at St James, Milton Abbas?

The Coffee Stoppers have been hard at work - not only drinking coffee, but decorating the South Aisle and it's looking good. It will be a suitable setting for all the Christmas Trees that are going to appear next week. Pop along and take a look - or join us to make paper stars  - next week at the Coffee Stop on Tuesday.
See you there!

Christmas Tree Festival - Don't forget to register!

Count down

Are you counting the days to Christmas? Have you opened the first windows of your Advent Calendar? The word 'Advent' comes from the Latin 'adventus', which means 'arrival' or 'coming' so in the Church, we are preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We have no flowers during Advent - only the Advent wreathwith its five candles - the first being lit last Sunday and then one more each Sunday until Christmas Day.

1. The candle of Hope so prayers on this day focus on hope.
2. This candle is a symbol of God's Peace, reminding Christians of the Prophets who said that the Messiah would be born.
3. The candle of Love, represents John the Baptist who baptised Jesus.
4. The candle of Joy reminds Christians of Jesus' mother, Mary.
5. The fifth candle reminds Christians of the birth of Jesus.

 The fifth candle is lit on Christmas Day when we can really celebrate the birth of Christ. There will be services at different times, in all our churches on that day – look out for the posters around the villages. If you haven’t been to our churches before – or would just like to start your Christmas day in a different way; St Mary’s at Winterborne Stickland will be having a Christmas Celebration service that day. It will be without Holy Communion – this will be available just down the road at St Nicholas' Church, Clenston, St Andrew's Houton, St Mary's, Turnworth and St James Milton Abbas. In Winterborne Stickland we will have a family friendly service and let’s hope we raise the roof with our singing and make it a truly joyful start to the day. 

Alan

Church Services - at a church near you

Church Services in the Benefice

Sunday 1st December

W. Stickland    9.00  Holy Communion (said service)
                                    Book of Common Prayer - Traditonal
                                    Rev'd Alan




W. Clenston    10.30  Matins
                                   Rev'd Sue


   

 Milton Abbas   10.30 All Age Worship 
                                    (with modern language and followed by a 
                                     short communion service for those who wish to stay)
                                      Rev'd Alan

          

W. Houghton     15.00 Holy Communion
                                      - stay for tea and cake after the service

                                      Rev'd Alan

W. Whitechurch   18.00 Prayer and Praise

                                            (informal with modern songs)

                                             Rev'd Sue

Advent starts early

Yesterday afternoon and yesterday evening, two groups of people (twenty altogether) gathered in the Rectory for the "Expecting Christ" Advent course. This is encouraging - as a sign of a growing church - is the participation in courses. Conversation was rich and stimulating.

 This week's challenge is "to see Christ in others and, what of Christ, do others see in me?"

Cutting through the jargon, this means that people are hoping to see evidence of the servant nature or selfless acts of Jesus and so putting to one side the 'what's in it for me attitude'!

This is not a tough line to take - but one that builds community.

Alan