THE PARISH OF ST LAURENCE-IN-THANET
Five Churches United in Christ
Pew News
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, 17th December, 2023
Should you have a gluten allergy and wish to receive communion please let one of the sides people know at least 10 minutes before the service starts so that a gluten free wafer may be provided.
If you would like to wear a face covering or mask for your own comfort, you are more than welcome to do so.
READINGS FOR TODAY
Isaiah 61:1-4 & 8-end, Psalm 126, 1Thessallonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8 & 9-28
THE COLLECT FOR TODAY
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.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The Swedish chemist, Alfred Nobel – inventor of dynamite, died this day in 1896. As a legacy he funded the annual giving of prizes in the five fields of: physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. The first Nobel Prize was awarded on this day in 1901.
PEOPLE FOR PRAYER
Lynne, Mick, Peter, Shirley, Dave S, Margaret, David, Dennison, Adam, Orla, Frederick, Lynne, Vivien, Freda, Val, Steven, Dan, Lucy.
Communication link - What’s on this week
TODAY
16:00-17:30 Quarter Peal St Laurence tower
18:30 Carol Service St Mark
MONDAY 18th
TUESDAY 19th
10:30 -11:30 NO Belleplate practice today or next week St Mark
Next practice will be 2 January
13:15 -14:15 NHS St Mark
19:30 - 21:00 Bell-ringing practice St Laurence Tower
Contact Freda Parker: 07732 864076
WEDNESDAY 20th
10:00-12:00 Knit and Natter – 50p for coffee St Mark Lounge
Contact Frances Barnes: 01843 869043 or 07359 421662
19:00 Home Group - Bible Study last one this year
Contact Norma Wright: 01843 603332 / 07964 385994 / peterena12@outlook.com
THURSDAY 21st
14:00 Acorn Club St Laurence Parish Hall
A social club with activities aimed at the older members of our churches. Contact Zoë Story: 07736 670020
14:00 Thursday Fellowship – see notices St Mark Lounge
Contact Prim Williamson 01843 594517
FRIDAY 22nd
11:00 Prayer Group St Mark
SATURDAY 23rd
SUNDAY 24th
10:00 Regular Sunday worship in all churches
16:00 Crib and Christingle Service St Catherine
16:00 Christingle Service St Mary
17:00 Christingle Service St Laurence
17:30 Christingle Service St Mary
23:00 Midnight Communion St Mark
23:30 Midnight Eucharist St Laurence
Notices and Forthcoming Events
MONDAY 25th
10:00 All churches will hold their Christmas Morning services
SUNDAY 31st
17:00 – 18.30 Quarter Peal St Laurence Tower
23:00 – 00:30 Ringing in the New Year St Laurence Tower
HELP NEEDED PLEASE: Saturday 23rd December at 10:30. Help is needed to put together the Christingle oranges at St Laurence church. Please contact Marcia on 01843 585366.
BELLEPLATE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT: Saturday 6th January 2-4pm Seasonal music will be performed and refreshments will be served; at St Mark’s
COVENANT/EPIPHANY SERVICE: 7th January 2024, 10:00, at St Mark’s there will only be one shared service in the Parish - this will be a Covenant/Epiphany service, taken by Rev'ds Phil, Brian and Ken. Each church congregation is invited to attend.
RAISING MONEY: As our parish now is a registered charity, we are able to raise money for our funds when we buy online with companies such as: Amazon, EBay, Argos, John Lewis. You need to register with Easyfundraising and use the details:
PCC of the Parish of St Laurence in the Isle of Thanet / Registered Charity Number 1205909
It’s tricky to put all the details here, but I am sure that we will be hearing more very soon.
GOOD-TO-KNOW GROUPS: We have been contacted by Independent Age asking us to share the following:
Good to Know telephone groups invite a different guest speaker each week to discuss issues that matter to older people. Topics include scams, the cost-of-living crisis, social care, benefits and finding new social connections - things that are simply 'Good To Know' about. Think of these groups like a cup of tea and a chat at a community centre, but over the phone in the comfort of your living room. The groups are particularly great for older people unable to get out and about or to online activities.
You can find out more by visiting: www.independentage.org/get-support/telephone-groups/good-to-know-groups or by calling 0800 319 6789
THANET FOOD LINK: In addition to the Reverse Advent Calendar challenge, this month the Food Bank mostly needs: cereals, coffee, packet meals, pot-noodles, tinned fruit, hot chocolate drink. Thank you for your continued support – Ruth Farmer
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
24th December, 2023, 4th Sunday of Advent
2Samuel 7:1-11 & 16, Psalm 89:1-4 & 19-26, Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38
St Laurence, St Lawrence
10:00 Communion Rev Ken Cox
17:00 Christingle Marcia Neve
23:00 Midnight Eucharist Rev Ken Cox
St Catherine, Manston
10:00 Service of the Word Frances Barnes
16:00 Crib and Christingle Julia Penn and Cheryl Belsey
St Christopher, Newington
Shared service at St Mark
St Mark, Northwood
10:00 Communion Rev Phil Barnes
23:00 Midnight Communion Rev Phil Barnes
St Mary, Cliffsend
10:00 Service of the Word Sue Cox
16:00 Christingle Rev Ken Cox and Sue Cox
17.30 Christingle Rev Ken Cox and Sue Cox
PARISH OFFICE
2 Newington Road, Ramsgate, CT11 0QT
Please note that the office only has volunteers manning it. Regularly, this is Sue Cox on a Thursday morning and Barbara Byne on a Friday morning (9-11am).
Here are some useful contacts:
Parochial Wardens: Sharon Cutler warden2@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk
Kevin Spain kmschurchwarden @hotmail.com
Parish Treasurer: Alison Willoughby-Browne treasurer@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk
Baptism Clerk: Kelly Gooding baptisms@stlaurenceparish-ramsgate.org.uk
Pew News: Julia Penn via text message on 07979 989115 or email diamond-jules@hotmail.co.uk
