St John’s and St Michael’s Churches – Notices for Sunday 5th December
St Michael’s
9.30am HOLY COMMUNION: Welcome to our service this morning led by Matthew. Vikki continues our theme ‘Prophecies of Hope’ today talking about ‘Shepherd’ Micah 5:1-5 and John 10:11-18.
6.30pm EVENING PRAYER (BCP): Welcome to our evening service today led by Matthew.
St John’s
11am MORNING WORSHIP: A warm welcome to our service today led by Jon. Vikki continues our theme ‘Prophecies of Hope’ today talking about ‘‘Shepherd’ Micah 5:1-5 and John 10:11-18.
SPARK for our young people aged 10 and above and SAS sessions for children aged 5-10 takes place TODAY.
Please note: Reminder face masks are to be worn especially when going up for communion, moving around the building and singing (we can stand to sing). We will monitor the CO2 levels in church and any extra ventilation will be carried out if necessary by the steward on duty. Thank you for continuing to support us in making our church a safe place to be.
Below are the links to our website and to our YouTube channel live streaming our services at St John’s at 11am (previous recordings will also be available to watch at your leisure).
http://www.stjohnsmuxton.org.uk/home
or http://www.stmichaelslilleshall.org.uk/home/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB6N81vubkdzSYD7rCPFw5Q
VARIOUS CHRISTMAS CARDSare on sale at St Michael’s including our very own cards with photos from inside and outside of St Michael’s.
Calling all St John’s choir members....We are having a practice for the 6pm session on 18th December, if you would like to join in please come along on Wednesdays 8th and 15th starting at 6.30pm POP IN FOR COFFEE this month takes place on Thursday 9th December 10-12noon. Look forward to a catch up then.
LUNCHCLUB: For all those who have booked LUNCHCLUB CHRISTMAS LUNCH this will take place on Friday 10th December…..12 noon for 12.30pm at St John’s. We are full but please contact us just in case we have any cancellations. Our first lunch back after such a long time.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION:The Gallery Singers are delighted to be performing again in public and will be singing in celebration of Christmas at All Saints Church, Forton, nr Newport on Sunday 12 December at 3pm. They will perform a mix of old favourites and new treats, including Christmas carols, also welcoming instrumentalists, including Aimée Calderbank on flute, to join with them in a relaxed, informal afternoon. Tickets are not necessary, there is no entrance charge, but donations are invited. Proceeds in aid of Newport Food Bank and All Saints Church, Forton. Refreshments will be served in the interval.
FORGET ME NOT FILMS: Takes place on Thursday 16th December. The film will start at 10 am – please arrive any time from 9.45 am. If you have any questions, or to let us know you are coming, please contact Jo Lefroy on 01952 604281 or via the church office.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Carols around Muxton 2-6pm 18th December (See posters below) Spread the word…tell all your friends and family. Don’t forget to book your seat at St John’s for the 6pm slot.
ST MICHAELS CAROL SERVICE Sunday 19th December @ 6.30pm (Outside)
ST JOHN’S CAROL SERVICE Sunday 19th December @ 11am (Inside and Livestreamed)
CRIB/CHRISTINGLE: Our annual combined Christingle and Crib Service takes place outside St John’s onChristmas Eve @ 4pm (See poster below)
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: Just to let you know we collected 76 Shoebox’s and 7 large bags of fillers at this year’s collection. As this year was our first year as a collection centre we are hoping as the word gets around we will be able to collect more next time. Thank you so much to all that has donated either a box or financially.
WOULD YOU LIKE HELP DELIVERING YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS? During December a few of our members have offered to deliver your Christmas cards (local area only) for those unable to do so themselves. If you would like some help either talk to Di B, Chris K or Lesley in the church office for further details.
Santa & his elves will be visiting Lilleshall! On Sunday 12 December: At the school car park between 10 am -12pm. Do come and see Santa!
REGULAR GROUPS/MEETINGS/RESOURCES/INFORMATION
TINY TOTS: A Toddler group for parents/carers of under 5’s taking place on Tuesday mornings from 10am during term time.
Calling all walkers! We meet on a Wednesday 10am at St John’s for a gentle, local walk of around an hour. All are welcome. Please contact Jo Lefroy for any further information on 01952 604281.
FROGS: We would like to invite our young people to attend FROGS. This is a youth group which is held weekly at St Swithun’s church in Cheswardine. We have been working closely with FROGS for many years as we have attended Quinta together. Colin Barnett, a member of St Michael’s, is currently a leader there. They meet every Tuesday from 7-9pm, for secondary school pupils and sixth formers. Please see Kathy Tagg or Matthew for information.
WORSHIP LUNCH & MUSICtakes place on the first Thursday of each month except August. (Weekly during Lent) 12noon at St Michael’s.
POP IN FOR COFFEE held at St Michael’s on the 2nd Thursday of the month 10-12noon.
FORGET ME NOT FILMS: Takes place usually on the 3rd Thursday of the month. The film will start at 10 am – please arrive any time from 9.45 am. If you have any questions, or to let us know you are coming, please contact Jo Lefroy on 01952 604281 or via the church office.
JOIN US 4 A CUPPA! A monthly coffee morning held at St John’s on a Friday between 11am – 1pm. Litter pickers are also invited to meet just before, litter pick the local area then return for a well earned cuppa! (21st January).
sub:Zero/sub:Extra our Youth Café currently held monthly on a Friday from 4pm (sub:Zero) and 6pm (sub:Extra).
EARLY MORNING PRAYERS: Are you an early bird? A group of us pray for the work of the church at 7.30am every Thursday morning. Join us for half an hour or part of the time on Zoom. Contact Matthew for the link.
Please join us for Bible Reading/Discussion/Prayer via Zoom, weekdays at 9am. The best way to access these is through the “Daily Prayer” app. available from The Church of England but if you want to follow from your Bible this is ok. Please contact Matthew who will give you the details to login.
TELFORD STREET PASTOR After 10 years of making a difference on the streets of Telford they are relaunching and urge you to consider….Is God calling you to serve as a Street Pastor or Prayer Pastor? If you would like to find out a little bit more about what is involved please either have a chat to Simon Trotman or Gill Steinert or see the poster at the end of these notices with further details.
PRAYER CHAINs: If you have any prayer requests please either text (preferable) Lisa 07739 522280 or Email: west.familywest@btinternet.com or St Michael’s prayer chain coordinator Chris R 07834162343 or 01952 604330 or Email: scip@blueyonder.co.uk
FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/stjohnsmuxton – please like our page and share our news stories with your friends.
Psalms 28:7 TheLORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 9-3pm, Tuesday 9-12noon and Friday 9-4pm 01952 670033
Email: admin@stjohnsmuxton.org.uk or admin@stmichaelslilleshall.org.uk
Website: www.stjohnsmuxton.org.uk or www.stmichaelslilleshall.org.uk
Matthew’s Email: matthew.lefroy@tiscali.co.uk (Usual day off Friday)
The first reading is Micah 5:1–5
5 Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.
2 ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,
Our second reading is John 10:11–18
11 ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the
shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.
Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing
for the sheep.
14 ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – 15 just as the Father knows me and I know
the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheepfold. I must
bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my
Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of
my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my
Father.’
Coming soon….more info next week…watch this space
