Notices for Sunday 14 December
GAUDETE SUNDAY
‘Gaudete’ meaning ‘rejoice‘
Readings
Isaiah 35.1–10; James 5.7–10; Matthew 11.2–11
Collect
God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
MORNING PRAYER
Morning Prayer and is live-streamed at 9am each morning (Mon-Thu) from www.stpetersleck.org or www.facebook.com/southcheltenham
You can also join in person as follows:
- Mon – Pip & Jim’s,
- Tue – St. Christopher’s
- Wed – Emmanuel
- Thu – St. Peter’s Cottages
Live Streams
www.stpetersleck.org or www.facebook.com/stpetersleckhampton
CALENDAR of events
Click here to see upcoming events
OFFERTORY
We do not take a collection at St. Peter’s during the service, but you can make a donation using the card machine, which is facing you as you come in, or by using the basket if cash. You can also make a donation online.
REST IN PEACE
Please let Revd Gary or Revd Jade know if there is anyone who has died recently so that prayers can be said for them and their families.
PRAYERS
Please let Revd Gary know of anyone who has died recently or who needs prayer at this time. See church website also:
https://stpetersleck.org/for-our-prayers/
DAILY BIBLE STUDY APP
Everyday Faith is a series of reflections, prayers and stories. It will provide you with daily reflections, which you can read and/or listen to, including selected Bible readings, a simple prayer to prepare you for the day ahead, and thoughts based on that week’s theme.
Download the free app from the App Store or from Google Play.
DAILY PRAYER APP
The Daily Prayer has the services and readings for the day.
If you have a mobile, then you may wish to download the Daily Prayer app (available from ), which will have the services and readings for the day.
Download the app from Church House Publishing – there is a subscription charge.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS INFORMATION
Click on the Star icon here or on the website to see information about services and activities over the next few weeks.
ADVENT COMPLINE & REFLECTIONS
There will be 4 special services of Compline, followed by refreshments and reflection, in the Church Cottages, from 7-8pm on Tuesday 2nd, 9th 16th and 23rd December.
JUNIOR CHURCH
Children – pre-schoolers and juniors – There are things to do in the children’s area each week in church.
Please see the Junior Church webpages for information and online activities: https://stpetersleck.org/mesmerize/groups-at-st-peters/junior-church/
CRIB DECORATING
Sat 13th Dec at 2pm
The Crib will be put up on the above date/time and decorated. There will be family craft activities and stories. See flyers in church or at: stpetersleck.org/noticeboard/
LITTLE PEBBLES
Little Pebbles, for babies, pre-schoolers and their carers, meets every Tues from 10-11.30am during term-time in the Cottages.
LOCAL CHURCHES CAROL SINGING
Outside Waitrose, Sat 13th Dec, 1-2pm
Combined local churches are forming a rota to sing carols and collect for Christian Aid outside Waitrose: If you would like to take part, please contact Marguerite Brown, mbrownregister@gmail.com or Mandy Whitefield, amandawhitefield2@hotmail.com
CCP HAMPER SCAMPER
It’s time again for the annual Hamper Scamper appeal. There will be basket on the bench behind the font for special Christmas items. The usual basket for everyday items will remain in the porch. The hampers will be made up at the end of Nov by CCP but special Christmas items can still be donated throughout December.
Contact Gilly to arrange a home collection gilly_whittingham@btinternet.com. Or you can also donate online.
CAROLS, READINGS & HOLY COMMUNION– Extra voices needed!
The Hamptons, 10.30am, Weds 17th Dec
Middleton House, 11am, Thurs 18th Dec
The Pastoral Team will be leading services at The Hamptons (formerly Hampton House), Leckhampton Road and at Middleton House, Pilley Lane. Some extra voices to swell the singing would be really appreciated. Please let me know if you could join us. Thank you! Sally Marlow
ECO CHURCH NOTICES
Click here for further eco tips and green news
Churchyard Maintenance
Please contact Brad via the Parish Office if you can spare an hour or two every so often, to help with grass cutting and other jobs.
Have a green Christmas!
- 21 Online Shops For Eco-Friendly Presents
- Twelve tips for a greener Christmas
- Shop locally for Eco-friendly Christmas gifts e.g. at The Natural Grocery Store or Foodloose
PARISH CAROL SINGING
Mon 22nd Dec, 6.30pm
Please come along at 6.30pm to the bottom of Vineries Close for mulled wine/hot chocolate and mince pies, after which we will start singing from 7pm, to be finished by 8.45pm. The collection will be for The Children’s Society. Do come and join in! Sally & Peter
‘FINAL’ PARISH MAGAZINE
After many years of faithful service, dedication and creativity, we will be bringing our monthly parish magazine to a close. This edition will be the last and marks the end of a significant chapter in the life of the church.
Thank you especially to David Webber, the retiring editor, for whom this final magazine will be his 200th edition.
See also the article on the Diocesan website:
www.gloucester.anglican.org/2025/end-of-magazine-marks-200-issues-for-david-and-137-years-for-st-peters/
We will be launching a new quarterly church newsletter in March, which will be:
- Available on-line for everyone to read at no cost.
- Posted to anyone who prefers a printed copy, for an annual subscription of £6 per year. If you would like to OPT-IN to receive this by post, please contact the Parish Office.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
There is a basket at the back of church, if you would like to make a donation towards the Christmas flowers. For further information, please contact Averil Murray or Sally Marlow.
TEAM
SOUTH CHELTENHAM YOUTH
See stpetersleck.org/noticeboard/#SCY-midweek
Contact Abbie, our Youth Worker, at abbie@southcheltyouth.org.uk for more info.
‘BOYS YOUTH’ CHURCH
For school years 10-13 on a Sunday, from 6.45-8.15pm:
- 30-Nov, 14-Dec.
- @ Emmanuel Network Church, GL53 7PJ.
Contact abbie@southcheltyouth.org.uk to register.
YOUTH WEEKEND AWAY
13th– 14th Feb 2026 for School Years 6-13
A chance for all who attend our youth activities and Churches (e.g. Tuesday youth, ENC Youth, Youth in a Pod, Boy’s Group, School CU groups, St Peter’s Choir) to gather for a fun weekend of building on friendships, making memories, and opportunities for worship & exploring faith together. Young people are also welcome to bring friends. To find out full details, click here or contact Abbie at abbie@southcheltyouth.org.uk.
And did you know…
Christmas has been abbreviated as ‘Xmas’ since the 11th century!
The ‘X’ is derived from the Greek letter Chi (Χ), the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, Christós (Χριστός).