Notices for Sunday 17 December

GAUDETE SUNDAY

Gaudete meaning ‘rejoice’

Readings

Isaiah 61.1–4, 8–end; 1 Thessalonians 5.16–24; John 1.6–8, 19–28

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer is livestreamed at 9am each morning (Mon-Thu). You can also attend in person on a Mon at Pip & Jim’s, on Tue at St. Christopher’s, on Weds at Emmanuel and on Thu at St. Peter’s.
Live-stream: www.facebook.com/southcheltenham or via our website: www.stpetersleck.org

Daily Prayer App

If you have a mobile, then you may wish to download the Daily Prayer app (available from Daily Prayer (chpublishing.co.uk)), which will have the services the readings for the day.

Live Streams

The live-stream for the 10am service this week will be available from: www.stpetersleck.org or www.facebook.com/stpetersleckhampton

CALENDAR of events

Click here to see upcoming events

REST IN PEACE

Please let Revd Gary or Revd Jacqueline know if there is anyone who has died recently so that prayers can be offered for them and their family.

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 email these to the Parish Office, Revd Gary or to Revd Jacqueline.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths – Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for to all of us you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click here to donate to the Christian Aid Middle East Crisis appeal:

https://give.christianaid.org.uk/donate/CAM-005943

PRAY FOR UKRAINE

Please continue to keep all those affected by the war in Ukraine in your prayers. You can still donate using the DEC link below: www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal. See our website Noticeboard if you would like to be involved in the Ukranian Family Support Group.

Prayers for these areas of concern and others can be found on the prayer page on the website.

RE-ORDERING OF THE CHURCH BUILDING

The final phase of re-ordering will take place between 8-Jan and 11-Mar, during which time the church will be closed. Please see info sheet with details of services during that time.

ADVENT COMPLINE

Tuesday 19th December at 7pm
Compline is a short quiet and reflective service, ideal for a time of peace in the Christmas preparations. The services are led by Anne Webber and Melissa Webb.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS

Click here to sign up to the CofE Advent and Christmas reflections (via app or emails).

HAMPTON HOUSE CHRISTMAS SERVICE

The Carols and Communion service at Hampton House will be on Weds 20^th Dec at 11am,
(not the 22^nd as in the magazine).

LITTLE PEBBLES

Little Pebbles takes place from 10-11.30am in the Cottages. Take a look at the Little Pebbles Facebook page for a taste of what goes on!

JUNIOR CHURCH

Children – pre-schoolers and juniors – There are things to do in
the carpeted area and on the activities table each week in church.

The next 1^st Sunday service will be ‘We 3 Kings’ on 7 Jan!

If you have any queries or would like to be on the Junior Church team, please contact Liz Johnson via the Parish Office.

MIDWEEK HOLY COMMUNION

The next midweek Holy Communion will be at 10.30am on Tue 19^th Dec at St. Christopher’s. More info here.

CRIB DECORATING

Saturday 16^th December at 2pm

Children and families are warmly invited to come along to help decorate the crib. With stories and activities.

CCP FOOD COLLECTIONS

Many thanks to the wonderful and generous congregation at St Peters.

The donations for CCP for October amounted to 53.2kgs.

You can also donate directly here. Email gilly_whittingham@btinternet.com if you would like to arrange a home collection.

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 hamper items. The usual basket for everyday items will remain in the porch. The hampers will be made up at the end of November by CCP but special Christmas
items can still be donated throughout December. I am happy to collect items from anyone who has problems getting to the church.
Please email me at gilly_whittingham@btinternet.com
Many thanks, Gilly

ECO CHURCH NOTICES

See the latest green and eco tips on our Eco Church webpage.

***Have a GREEN Christmas!**

• Shop locally for Eco-friendly gifts e.g. at Foodloose.
• Source your Christmas outfit from a charity shop or dress agency: https://stpetersleck.org/eco-church/#sustainfash
• See A Rocha’s twelve tips for a greener Christmas or follow the link from St P’s website https://stpetersleck.org/christmas/

Churchyard Maintenance

If you can spare an hour or two every so often, to help with grass cutting and other jobs around the churchyard, then please let Brad know via the Parish Office.

St Catherine Tree Planting

The rowan tree planting in the churchyard has been delayed – we will let you know a new planting date shortly.

CRAFT GROUP

The Craft Group meets on Wednesdays at 10am in the
Cottages. All are welcome to join, even if just for a ‘cuppa’ and a chat.

SOUTH CHELTENHAM YOUTH

South Cheltenham Youth is for 11-19 year olds.

• 11-16s – meet on Tuesdays during term time at Emmanuel Church, GL53 7NT from 7-8.30pm.
• 16-19s – meet on Weds during term time at
  St Peter’s Cottages, GL53 0QJ from 7-8.30pm.

Click here for details.

Abbie Marsh, the team Youth Worker, can be contacted at abbie@cnc.church or on 07708 540732. The socials are:

@southcheltyouth

http://facebook.com/southcheltyouth

The programme for the autumn can be found here:  https://mailchi.mp/3726fadba57c/autumn-term-south-cheltenham-youth

PARISH CAROL SINGING

Please join us on Thursday 21^st  December. We will begin the evening with mulled wine and mince pies in Vineries Close from 6:30pm. Singing will start at 7pm and should finish around 8:45pm. As usual we will be collecting for The Children’s Society. More details from Peter & Sally Marlow.

PASTORAL CARE @ ST PETER’S

To find out more about the work of our ‘Pastoral team’, click here. If you, or someone else, is in need of any help or support.  You can also speak to the clergy team or a churchwarden on any Sunday!

Need a lift to Church? Please let one of the Churchwardens or a member of clergy know.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

We will once again be delivering a St. Peter’s Christmas card, with details of our services,
to each one of the 2,800 houses in the parish. These will be available for delivery from the back of the church, so please pick up a pack (or 2) and help out if you can.

COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING & WALK

Fri 22^nd Dec, 6.30-7.30pm

In aid of Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees

Details on the flyer on the virtual noticeboard:

https://stpetersleck.org/noticeboard/communitywalk

SHAKESPEARE & RELIGION

Three meetings to discuss three plays by Shakespeare through the lens of religion:

• 25 Jan:    The Merchant Of Venice – LOVE
• 21 Feb:    Richard II – POWER
• 14 Mar:  The Tempest – FORGIVENESS

Taking place at Pip & Jim’s, 10am-12pm

See poster in church/on website Noticeboard for details.

CHRISTMAS LINK ON WEBSITE

Click on the new icon on the Home page of the website to see information about services, and other resources.

https://stpetersleck.org/christmas/

SPECIAL SERVICES & EVENTS

Please make a note in your diaries of…

ADVENT PRAYER

Loving God,
Awaken us, that we may be ready when your Son comes, to receive him with joy and serve you with pure hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ADVENT WORD SEARCH

SOUTH CHELTENHAM TEAM NEWS

Will appear here.