THE PARISH OF ST LAURENCE-IN-THANET
Five Churches United in Christ
Pew News
Fourth Sunday of Advent (Christmas Eve) / 1st Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, 24th December, 2023 / Sunday 31st December
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 CHRISTMAS EVE
2Samuel 7:1-11 & 16, Psalm 89, Romans 16:24-27, Luke 1:26-38
READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-4[5-12], John 1 1-14
READINGS FOR 1ST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
Isaiah 61:10-62, Psalm 148, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:15-21
THE COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
Almighty God, you make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ; grant that, as we joyfully receive him as our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our judge; who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit – one God now and for ever. Amen.
THE COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord; who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit – one God now and for ever. Amen.
THE COLLECT FOR THE 1ST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit – one God now and for ever. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Those who don’t have Christmas in their heart will never find it under a tree.”
– Charlotte Carpenter
PEOPLE FOR PRAYER
Lynne, Mick, Peter, Shirley, Dave S, Margaret, David, Dennison,
Adam, Orla, Frederick, Lynne, Vivien, Freda, Val, Steven, Dan, Lucy.
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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK |
TODAY 24th Dec, Christmas Eve
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
MONDAY 25th Christmas Day
10:00 All churches will hold their Christmas Morning services
SUNDAY 31st
10:00 Regular Sunday worship in all churches
17:00 – 18.30 Quarter Peal St Laurence Tower
23:00 – 00:30 Ringing in the New Year St Laurence Tower
TUESDAY 2nd January
10:30 – 11:30 Belleplates St Mark
19:45 Home Group - Bible Study
Contact 01843 583103 if you are interested in joining this group
WEDNESDAY 3rd January
19:00 Home Group - Bible Study
Contact Norma Wright: 01843 603332 / 07964 385994 / peterena12@outlook.com
SATURDAY 6th January
14:00 – 16:00 Belleplate Seasonal Entertainment St Mark
See notices
Notices and Forthcoming Events
BELLEPLATE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT: Saturday 6th January 2-4pm at St Mark’s. Seasonal music will be performed and refreshments will be served.
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.
ST CHRISTOPHER’S: Around 30 people attended the Carolling Café, there were some locals but the weather was dire. Local interest was shown and several positive encounters took place both in the service and around the preparation and closing up of the church. There was a positive response from the parish and awareness of what St Christopher's could give back to the area and there is no hesitation in going again for Easter.
The grounds have been cleared by community payback and the bushes along the paths cut back totally. The building is now visible and hopefully the grounds will remain clear of dumped sofas etc over the Christmas break! - Kevin Spain
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
7th January, 2024, 1st Sunday of Epiphany/Baptism of Christ
Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29. Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11
All churches will be at St Mark’s for a Covenant Service led by Rev Ken, Rev Brian and Rev Phil. 10:00
ST MARK
18:30 Evening Worship Christine Martin
Psalm 42, Psalm 43
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
