Dear Church Friends,
How are you all this week? The weather has been mixed but still very mild for the time of year, but Friday has been a glorious sunny day. I hope you have been able to make the most of the sunshine, especially where it shines through the magnificent orange, red, brown and yellow colours of the Autumn leaves. Much of the natural world is preparing for its winter’s sleep and a time of rest and recovery before new beginnings next spring.
Val has sent this picture showing the Peace Pole after the wooden crosses with their poppies and the Remembrance wreath had been placed around it after worship last Sunday. Thank you Val.
There are a lot of notices this week and I have included a list of all the Christmas Services in our church, so that you know what is happening well in advance. We look forward to welcoming you to join us for our Advent and Christmas services.
Appeal for Christmas Toys
As we did last year, we are appealing for toys for disadvantaged children in our area.
There may be many children in our area for whom Christmas will be a dire time with a shortage of presents due to no fault of their own or their parents. Can you help? Anything suitable you can provide would be much appreciated. Suggestions are: the obvious toys, but particularly gifts for Teenage Children, plus hats, gloves and scarves, sweets and selection boxes, gifts for teenagers like smellies, etc.
Please bring any gifts, unwrapped, to our Christingle Service/Toy Service on Sunday 12th December, or Sunday 19th December and place them on a table, as we did at Harvest. We will ensure that they will go to where the need is greatest. Thank you.
The Leprosy Mission
A message from Linda Lunn re the Leprosy Mission Collecting Boxes
At the end of the financial year, 31st December, ALL the money in the account will be sent to the Leprosy Mission and we will start again in the new year.
To avoid counting and banking of money near to Christmas, please would people return their collection box to Linda by Sunday 5th December at the latest. If you would like to make a donation to TLM please put it in an envelope with your name and ‘The Leprosy Mission’ on the front and give it to Linda. Thank you.
Our Worship on Sunday 21st November at 10.45am will be led by Rev Martin Graham
Bible Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-11
Our Worship on Sunday 28st November at 10.45am will be led by the Worship Group.
Christmas 2021 Services
Sunday 5th December Worship Leader Eileen Garfitt including Communion Val Atkinson
Sunday 12th December Christingle & Toy Service Richard Golding
Sunday 19th December Nativity 10.45 am Stuart Gay
Carol Service 4pm
Friday 24th December Christmas Communion 11pm Val Atkinson
Saturday 25th December Christmas Day 10.30am Val Atkinson
There will be no church service on Sunday 26th December.
Real Advent Calendar
Janet is still selling The Real Advent Calendar and she would welcome purchases and donations. She will use the profit to buy more calendars for distribution to three organisations that support children on the Fylde coast – Sydney Street Children’s Centre in St. Annes , Blackpool & Fylde Home Start and Fylde Coast Women’s Aid. The calendars cost £3.99. Thank you for your help.
The Church AGM will be held on Sunday 28th November 2021 after morning worship
As the church was unable to hold an AGM last year because of Covid, we will be holding a short AGM in church after worship on Sunday 28th November. The Agenda has been sent out. Anyone wishing to be sent a copy of the 2020 accounts should request one from me by email. If you don’t use email and would like a paper copy, please ask me and I will print one for you. Trying to save paper otherwise!
Some words by Elizabeth Gozney
When daytime cares crowd in at night, \
Be with us, Lord, we pray;
And let Thy gracious strength of will
Take troubled thoughts away.
May healing strength be with us now;
The morning dawns anew
And problems seen in different light
Appear less daunting too!
Let us pray
Dear Lord Jesus,
We pray for those less fortunate and ask you to be with them through the Christmas season. May the story of your birth give them hope for the future. We pray for our White Church family and remember those unable to attend worship because of illness or infirmity. Help us to put our trust in you as we ask for your blessings, love and strength. Be with us always. Amen
Please join me in saying the Grace together.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen
God Bless you all
Ruth
