That Holy Thing by George Macdonald
They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes and lift them high;
Thou cam’st, a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.
O Son of Man, to right my lot
Naught but Thy presence can avail;
Yet on the road Thy wheels are not,
Nor on the sea Thy sail!
My how or when Thou wilt not heed,
But come down Thine own secret stair,
That Thou mayst answer all my need–
Yes, every bygone prayer.
Worship Services over Christmas
Christmas Eve
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
No Service
St Michael’s, Cumnor
4pm Christingle
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
11pm Midnight Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Christmas Day
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30 Christmas Communion (family friendly)
Leader & Preacher: David Wenham
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
10:30 Christmas Celebration (All-Age)
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
New Years Day
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader: David Wenham
Preacher: Eve Lockett
St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jessica Turner
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Online Worship
The 10:30am services in St Michael’s are usually live-streamed via our website at: https://cumnor.org/sunday-service-online/
These remain available to watch online afterwards.
Christmas Services
Whether you love Christmas and can’t wait for it to arrive or you find this time of year a bit difficult, whether you’re older than you look or younger than you feel, whether you’re all “Ho! Ho! Ho!” or more “Oh No!”, we’ve something going on for everyone this Christmas. Come and join us, and, why not bring your friends and neighbours along too?
Wayside Nativity
Giving
“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
As you may be aware, our Parish finances are at a low ebb, and we expect that the energy price rises will hit the church hard. While we know things will be difficult for many this winter, we really do need your support. If everyone could give just a little extra every week it would make all the difference.
All your donations to the parish support the church’s ministry, and our mission to reach the wider community with the good news of Jesus.
Apart from the weekly collection, you can also give online. Alternatively, giving regularly by Direct Debit via the Parish Giving Scheme is a brilliant option.
For more information or to give online please visit: https://cumnor.org/giving/
Reverse Advent Calendar
As we approach Christmas, the season of giving, we’re inviting you to join in this year with a Reverse Advent Calendar. No one should have to go hungry this Christmas (or any other time!), so we’re asking you to buy items of non-perishable food for the Oxford Food Hub. You can choose whether to buy one item for each of the four Sundays in Advent or for each day from December 1st to 24th. We know this is a difficult time for many, so please don’t feel any compulsion to give more than you can afford. Even one item will make a difference!
There is a collection box in St Michael’s, another outside The Vicarage, and another outside 66, Pinnock’s Way. All the gifts will be taken to the food hub after Christmas. Thank you for your gifts to help those in need this Christmas.
Toddler Groups
St Michael’s Toddler Group
The St Michael’s Toddler group meets on Wednesday mornings in the Parish Centre, 1 Abingdon Road. Each session costs just £1 and runs from 9am-11am during term times. The group is open to everyone.
For more details please contact Dianne Taylor (01865 862165) or Angela Evans (01865 864397).
St Andrew’s Toddler Group
The new St Andrew’s Toddler group meets on Friday mornings in St Andrew’s Church, Orchard Road. Each session has a suggested donation of just £1 and runs from 9:30am-11am during term times. The group is open to everyone.
For more details please contact Sue on 01865 864991
Taizé Worship
The next Taizé service will be held in St Michael’s on Sunday 5th February, at 4:30pm.
Online Taizé services can be found at https://cumnor.org/taize/
Choir Practice
St Michael’s Choir hold their practice in Church on Friday evenings at 6:30pm. New members are always welcome. Please contact Andrew Dyer for more details. Tel: 01865 862042 e-mail: ajdyer47@hotmail.com
Bellringing
The Bellringers practice on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9pm. Please contact Jenny Dyer for more details. Tel: 01865 862042 e-mail: jadyer55@hotmail.com. Their website is at https://cumnorbellringers.uk
BRF – Trustees Needed
BRF are are looking for two Trustees with particular areas of experience and expertise to join their Board of Trustees: a Digital Trustee and a Legal Trustee.
They write, “We are looking for a new trustee to join our board to bring knowledge and understanding of the digital world and provide guidance to help BRF maximise the digital aspects of its ministries and identify future digital opportunities.
“We are looking for a new trustee to join our board to provide informal guidance and support to BRF’s Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive on governance and legal matters.”
For further information and application details, see their website, https://www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/jobs/
Make a Difference in Ukraine
💛💙
If you would like to use the church for prayer and reflection, a dedicated area remains available in St Michael’s.
You can find information on Hosting refugees, Supporting refugees, Why we should help, and some Prayers & liturgy on the Oxford Diocese Website.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/make-a-difference-in-ukraine.php
💛💙
Bible Readings
Christmas
New Year’s Day
Collects
Christmas Eve
Eternal God,
in the stillness of this night
you sent your almighty Word
to pierce the world’s darkness with the light of salvation:
give to the earth the peace that we long for
and fill our hearts with the joy of heaven
through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Christmas Day
Lord Jesus Christ,
your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise
as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God.
Amen
New Year’s Day
God our Father,
in love you sent your Son
that the world may have life:
lead us to seek him among the outcast
and to find him in those in need,
for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Amen
Worship Services in January
Sunday 1st January
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader: David Wenham
Preacher: Eve Lockett
St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jessica Turner
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Sunday 8th January
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jessica Turner
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader: Jessica Turner
Preacher: Chris Scruby
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Sunday 15th January
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: Jessica Turner
St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Sunday 22nd January
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
11am Joint Service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Botley Baptist Church
St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion
Leader & Preacher: Jonathan Widdess
11am Joint Service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Botley Baptist Church
St Mary’s, Farmoor
3:30pm Hymns & Cake
Leader: Jessica Turner
Sunday 29th January
St Andrew’s, Dean Court
10:30am Morning Worship
Leader & Preacher: David Wenham
St Michael’s, Cumnor
10:30am Big Story Sunday
Leader: Jonathan Widdess
St Mary’s, Farmoor
No Service
Please Pray For…
- Our Christmas services and events.
- Michael Payne and family as his cancer spreads.
- All those who find Christmas a difficult time of year, and especially those who’ve lost loved ones this year.
- Everyone who is struggling financially or spending Christmas on the streets.
- Those who are lonely or alone this Christmas.
- More new people to find a living faith in Jesus and join us in church.
- The conflict in the Ukraine.
- Everyone who leads worship, preaches or teaches in our parish.
In Memoriam (Ring Out Wild Bells) by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
And Finally…
Contacts
Jonathan Widdess
Vicar
01865 863702 / vicar@cumnor.org
The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN
Kate Elliott
Safeguarding Officer
07782 350491 / KateE@cumnor.org