Notices for Sunday 15th December 2019

CHRIST CHURCH SHOOTERS HILL

Sunday 15th December 2019,

Advent 3, Year C

Welcome to Christ Church

Notices: Sunday 15th December, Advent 3, Year A

Services today: 9.30am Eucharist; 11.30am Messy Church

Services in the week

Wednesday 9.10am Toddler Service

Services next week – Sunday 22nd December, Advent 4, Year A

9.30am Eucharist; 11.30am All Age

Toddlers Playgroup

Wednesdays 10-11.30am (term time only)

Parish Office: FIRST Saturday of each month 9.30am – 11.00am in church re baptisms, passport applications, weddings. NB £14 fee for each baptism certificate; please pay when booking. Next Parish Office Next Parish Office Saturday 1st February 2019. For more info: tel: 02083190067 or email christchurchse18@gmail.com

Financial Giving Making a commitment to Christ Church by regular giving is welcomed – set up a standing order to Christ Church PCC, sort code 30-99-88 account number 00160666 Please include your house number and Post Code as a reference (and if a tax-payer, please, sign a CC Gift Aid form) or ask about the envelope giving scheme. Thank you!

Planned Giving Secretary: Wendy Holloway & Catherine Champney: plannedgivingccshootershill@gmail.com

Ministry Team:

Mtr Ariadne van den Hof (Vicar) 0208 8565858, 07833 446101 vicarccshootershill@gmail.com

Sue Peach (Reader) 07795 630 813 // Lynn Webber (SPA) 01322 553 557

Churchwardens:

Sue Peach 07795 630 813 // speachie54@hotmail.com

Safeguarding:

Patrice Eriata & Katherine Ofori-Mikala safeguardingccshootershill@gmail.com

Hall hire contact Victoria: hallccshootershill@gmail.com

CC Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ccshootershill

CC Twitter: @ChurchOnOurHill

CC Website: christchurchshootershill.org.uk

CHRIST CHURCH SHOOTERS HILL

Sunday 15th December 2019

Third Sunday of Advent

Welcome to Christ Church

Please, help us to create a prayerful atmosphere before the service. Thank you!

If you are new, please, fill in a sheet (blue basket @ door). We welcome children in church. We now have a children’s corner at the side of the church where they will find toys, books, colouring, activity sheets and a play mat for babies. If your child(ren) become(s) noisy, it might be an idea to take them out until they settle. Feel free to use the hall.

Introit Hymn 198 Hark the glad sound

The Collect

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading Isaiah 35: 1-10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Second Reading James 5: 7-10

Be patient, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gradual Hymn 491 The race that long in darkness pined

Gospel Matthew 11: 2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to Jesus, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’

Offertory Hymn: 196 Hark a herald voice

Communion Hymn 347 Nada te turbe

358 O come, o come, Emmanuel

Post Communion Prayer

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Thanksgiving Hymn Be bold, be strong

Exploring Faith

Both groups will meet on 27th January at 9.10am and 8pm respectively. Do let Mtr Ariadne know if you are interested in joining.

Carol Service

This year’s Carol Service will be on 22nd December at 6pm. Mtr Ariadne is still looking for readers. If you are able to help, please let her know.

Crib Service

There will be a Crib service on Christmas Eve at 4pm. Children in Reception – Year 3 are welcome to help with the nativity tableau. Please contact Caroline Lester if your child would like to take part. Children in Year 3 and above are welcome to help with the readings and prayers (and other ‘jobs’) in the service. Please, contact Sue Peach if you’d like to help. Rehearsal for both groups will be on Friday 20th December at 10am.

Christmas Presents for Housing for Women

Many thanks for all your donations for Housing for Women. Many thanks for all of your generosity.

The Examen during Advent

Special Services during Advent and Christmas

4th Sunday of Advent — 22nd December

Carol Service — 6pm

Christmas Eve — Tuesday 24 December

Crib Service — 4pm

(our young people lead a service about the Christmas story, with tableaux performed by the children)

Midnight Mass — 11.30pm

(The first Eucharist of Christmas. Come and celebrate the birth of Christ)

Christmas Day — Tuesday 25 December