22 December 2024

Sunday 22nd December 2024

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Preacher 16:00:  Mr Stephen Colling

Steward: Margaret Brankin

Organists:  Jill Davenport and Alan Amos

The flowers this week are donated by

 Jill, Sharon and Margaret

and arranged by Jill & Sharon

These notices include 29th December and 5th January

Dates for your diary w/c Sunday 22nd & 29th Dec

Sun Dec 22nd        16:00 Nativity service.  (Festive 

                               Christmas and Cake stall   

                               organised by Sunday Club)

Tue Dec 24th.             6.00pm Circuit Christmas Eve

                               Communion service at Trinity

Wed Dec 25th.      10:30 Circuit service Rishton

Sun Dec 29th.            10:30 Circuit service Trinity

                               NO SERVICE AT RISHTON

                               12:30 Sunday Club hosting

                               Christmas Film Pizza and popcorn

                               afternoon.

Dates for your diary w/c Sunday 5th January 2025

Sun Jan 5th              10:30. Covenant Service

Mon Jan 6th.         13:5-15:15 Taiji Qigong

Tue Jan 7th             09:00. Sch. Worship in Ch. Steve

                                10:00- 14.30 Child Minders

Wed Jan 8th            10:30 – 16:00 Child Minders

 Thu Jan 9th       19:30 Blackburn /District Cyclists

Fri.  Jan 10th.                 19:30-22:00. Acc. Camera Club

Mince pies for 22nd Dec.

A request from the stewards for donations of mince pies or cake for after the service on the 22nd for after the nativity. Many thanks!

Closing date for notices

It would be helpful if all notices for Sunday 12th January 2025 could be in by the evening of Wednesday 8th January. Please send them to: steveruth.colling@gmail.com 07958 036736 or tunstallsharon2@gmail.com mobile 07930930514.

Christmas Cards

This Sunday 22nd December will be the final date for the Rishton “Post”.  Thanks to David, Brian and Madeleine for their help in deliveries.

Carol Singing round Rishton

Monday evening 16th December was a dry, cool evening just right for carol singing!  What an excellent night we had with the Guides, Brownies, members of our own congregation and the Trinity Brass, spreading the good news.  Returning to the church we were met with the delightful aroma of potato pie just to finish off an excellent evening!  Thanks must go to all those who took part in whatever capacity, your contribution was very much appreciated.  The amount raised for the church Benevolent Fund will be published soon.

 Church Flowers .

Margaret and Jill now coordinate the arranging and distribution of Church flowers, but it would be helpful if everyone could be more involved following Sunday morning services. Flowers not only go to our own congregation but should go out into the community. If members of the congregation know of friends and neighbours who are ill, having troubles or who are celebrating a special occasion please speak to Margaret, Jill, a steward or one of the flower arrangers and they will wrap the flowers and attach a card, so they can be taken on behalf of the church. This will be a witness to the community and hopefully show that we are a caring church.

Our thanks to Margaret and Jill for organising all this.

Plan dates

The preacher on Sunday 29th December at 10:30 will be:  Rev Dr Mark Jason This service will be at Trinity. NO SERVICE AT RISHTON

The preacher on Sunday 5th January at Rishton will be Rev Dr Mark Jason.  This will be our Covenant Service and will include Holy Communion.  Steward: Kath Bridges.

The preacher on Sunday 12th January will be: Mrs Barbara Taylor.  Steward: Derek Rostron

Postage Stamps

Don’t forget your used postage stamps collected on behalf of the East Lancs Hospice appeal.

' AND FINALLY '..( Culinary delights ? )

I remember going out to dinner one Christmas Eve and asking the Waiter what was on the festive board;

 to which he replied,” Well for starters sir, we have Badger Soup with Badger croutons ,...Mains are Badger Roast or Badger en croute and for dessert can I recommend the Badger Mousse with Pistachio Nuts.

 Somewhat discombobulated I asked him, " Haven't you anything else to eat apart from Badger"?

To which he replied , " Sorry sir but it's a Sett Menu !!.

Sunday December 22nd  Love

Today we light a candle of Love

Not just the slushy love we often see portrayed but the deep caring love you call us to. Your love, brought to our world through Jesus and still here with us through your spirit. As we light the candle we take a moment to think of those who really need to feel that deep love in their lives.

Light four candles and be quiet for a moment.

Remind us that in advent we think again about a love which is patient and kind, love that isn’t self seeking or proud but love that keeps no record of wrongs and rejoices in the truth. Love that perseveres.

Response – Lord we come to you ready to share again that special love with all we know and meet, that all can know your presence in this advent season. Amen

We now sing verse 4 from Hymn 165 “Advent candles tell their story.”

Mary’s gift, beyond all telling,

was to give Christ room.

She gave God a human dwelling

in a mother’s womb.

Who could guess the final story?

-cross and glory;

empty tomb!