Sunday 12^th December

Good morning and a warm welcome. Today is The Third Sunday in Advent, when we most especially recall the story of John the Baptist and his call to repentance, conversion and change of life in the spirit of God.

“a voice crying in the wilderness, make straight the way for the lord”

John 1

***********************************

Opening hymn 401 On Jordan’s bank

Epistle Philippian’s 4:4-9

Around the Gospel 487 The Lord is My Song

Gospel John 1: 19-28

Offertory hymn 513 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Communion / Eucharistic Prayer:

Sung responses can be found on page 8

Everyone is welcome to share in the communion, if you prefer to receive a blessing at the altar rail you are very welcome, and if you would like a special prayer or a prayer for healing please indicate that to the priest when he comes to you

Communion hymn 489 The Lord Will Come

sung quietly and prayerfully

Recessional hymn 358 O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O Lord our God,

Make us watchful and keep us faithful

as we wait the coming of your Son our Lord ;

that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin

but active in his serviceand joyful in his praise ;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Christmas Services

Here at St. John’s

Saturday 19^th December 18.00 Nine Lessons and Carols

Followed by mince pies and mulled wine

Christmas Day 10.30 am Christmas Holy Communion

At Grimaud Parish Church

Saturday 18^th December 19.30 Nine Lessons and Carols

Centenary Appeal.

Our Centenary Appeal has now reached 28000 euro, slightly more than our target for the first year so a huge thank you to everyone who has supported St John’s so far.

The new windows are in place and in the next few weeks the painting of the exterior will begin. The area behind the church has been planted with shrubs and thank you to the team who came last Monday to shift gravel; everything looks very neat and tidy.

New Year’s Eve.

Chris and Ian Valentine invite you to celebrate New Year’s Eve at their flat that overlooks the old port at St Raphael. The evening would start at 19.45 there will be a traditional finger buffet plus drinks. The evening would finish by moving outside to watch the municipal firework display and spectacle that ushers in the New Year. Chris and Ian are not arriving here until the 30^th so please sign up on the list at the back of the church if you would like to come. There is a leaflet that gives more details and you can always ask Anne for further info.

Taize Bible Readings for the month of December and Advent are available at the back of the church. Using these readings is one way in which we can prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

Christmas Cards.

Thank you to everyone who bought Christmas cards to support the centenary appeal. We would like to give a huge thank you to Carol Marcer for her magnificent effort, she produced 1560 beautiful cards and raised 1170 euro for the appeal, bravo and many thanks. Thanks also to Cathy Edwards who also made Christmas cards and who keeps us supplied with lovely greeting cards all year long.

St. John’s Church The Reverend Canon Ben Eaton

Avenue Paul Doumer 04 94 40 48 61