Notices for Sunday 21 December
4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Readings
Isaiah 7.10–16; Romans 1.1-7; Matthew 1.18–end
Collect
Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation in 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
Morning Prayer will be taking a break from 22-Dec and will restart on 5-Jan.
Live Streams
www.stpetersleck.org or www.facebook.com/stpetersleckhampton
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.
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
ADVENT COMPLINE & REFLECTIONS
The final special service of Compline and reflection, on the theme of ‘Love’ will take place in the Church Cottages, from 7-8pm on Tue 23rd Dec.
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, pre-schoolers and their carers, meets every Tues from 10-11.30am during term-time in the Cottages. Little Pebbles has finished for 2025, but will restart on 6th Jan 2026.
CCP HAMPER SCAMPER
Christmas items can be left in the basket on the bench behind the font. The usual basket for everyday items will remain in the porch. Contact Gilly to arrange a home collection at gilly_whittingham@btinternet.com. You can also donate online.
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
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.
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.
CHRISTMAS PUZZLES
Can you solve all the clues?
Can you find all the words?
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).