Notices for Sunday 15 December
GAUDETE SUNDAY
Gaudete meaning “rejoice“
Readings
Zephaniah 3.14-end; Philippians 4.4-7; Luke 3.7-18
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
REST IN PEACE
Please let Revd Gary know if there is anyone who has died recently so that prayers can be offered for them and their family.
Daily Prayer App
If you have a mobile, then you may wish to download the Daily Prayer app (available from Daily Prayer), which will have the services and readings for the day.
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.
PARISH GIVING
The parish giving scheme provides St. Peter’s with a regular income and a means with which to plan ahead. You can join by phoning 0333 002 1260. If you would like more information please take a look at www.parishgiving.org or email Peter Marlow peter.marlow@softcopy.co.uk. You can also support St. Peter’s by making an online donation at: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/7930.
Prayer Requests
Please let Revd Gary know of anyone who needs prayer at this time. See church website also:
https://stpetersleck.org/for-our-prayers/
PRAYER FOR THE HOMELESS
Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes of every person experiencing homelessness who we meet. May we be empowered through word and deed, and by your grace, to bring justice and peace to those who are homeless.
Amen.
See list of organisations that support the Homeless on the website:
www.stpetersleck.org/homeless-awareness
PRAYERS FOR PEACE
Please pray for peace in the Holy Land and a de-escalation of tensions, and an end to war in Ukraine and Gaza.
God of peace, in this time of sorrow and reflection, we come to you with heavy hearts for the lives lost and the pain endured. Be with those who mourn, with those who live in fear, with those longing for justice and safety. May your peace dwell where there is brokenness. Amen.
Click to donate to Christian Aid’s Gaza appeal: https://caid.org.uk/BBW
ADVENT
…began on Sun 1st Dec
ADVENT COMPLINE
Tuesdays in December at 7pm
There will be a short service of Compline on the 3rd, 10th and 17th Dec in St. Peter’s during Advent. Compline is a short, quiet and reflective service, ideal for a time of peace in the Christmas preparations. The services will be led by Anne Webber.
ADVENT REFLECTIONS
Click here to sign up to the C of E Advent and Christmas reflections (via email) or download the app here.
SOUTH CHELTENHAM YOUTH
Youth groups start again in the New Year.
Contact Abbie, our Youth Worker, at abbie@southcheltyouth.org.uk for more info or go to www.southcheltyouth.org.uk.
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/
LITTLE PEBBLES
Little Pebbles, for babies, preschoolers and their carers, meets every Tuesday from 10-11.30am during term-time in the Cottages.
Take a look at the Little Pebbles Facebook page for a taste of what goes on!
CHRISTMAS LINK ON WEBSITE
Click on the icon on the Home page of the website to
see information about services, and other resources.
CRAFT GROUP
Every Wednesday, 10-12 in the Cottages
All are welcome to join, even if just for a ‘cuppa’ and a chat.
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.
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.
Please contact Gilly via email: gilly_whittingham@btinternet.com if you would like to arrange a home collection.
If you prefer you can donate directly here.
ECO CHURCH NOTICES
Click here for this month’s green/eco tips as well as local events and information below:
Christmas Eco-tips
https://stpetersleck.org/ecochurch-christmas-tips/
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.
CRIB DECORATING
Sat 14th December at 2pm
Come along to hear the Christmas story and decorate the crib.
PARISH CAROL SINGING
Mon 23rd 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.
Sally & Peter
FRIDAY LUNCH WITH FRIENDS – THANK YOU!
Thanks to generous donation the lunches this autumn have raised £246 for The Children’s Society. The next lunch will be on Friday 31 January. Sally & Peter
QIGONG for BEGINNERS
Thurs: 9.30-10.30am, 9-Jan to 13-Feb, in the Cottages Garden
A gentle mindful stretching practice. Come as you are, in comfortable clothing, flat shoes. £55 for 6 sessions (or £10 per session)
Contact Jo at jo@jojoy.co.uk or Phone 07577 547755 for further info.
CHELTENHAM OPEN DOOR APPEAL
We are desperately in need of warm men’s coats. If you have any in your cupboards that you no longer need, please consider giving them to our Guests who do need a warm coat. Also, we make up around 100 gift bags for our Guests at Christmas. To do this, we need strong bags (‘bags for life’) to hold the food, toiletries, gifts and treats for our Guests. If you are able to donate a strong bag, that would be really appreciated. Thank you for thinking of our Guests at this time of year. www.cheltenhamopendoor.org.uk
TEAM NEWS
CONFIRMATION
I’m delighted to announce that there will be a service of Confirmation at St. Peter’s at 4pm on Sun 22nd June 2025 with Bishop Rachel.
If you are not yet confirmed and would like to explore or chat about this, then please speak me so I can get an idea of numbers for the preceding Confirmation course.
Revd Gary