Newsletter for December 19th 2021
This Sunday @ St Michael’s, Cumnor
8am Holy Communion (1662)
10:30am Crib Service
Join us at 10:30am on Sunday Morning for our Crib Service. Come with us as we journey to Bethlehem with Mary, Joseph and a host of others to meet the Baby Jesus.
The perfect Christmas service for children and grown ups alike.
6pm Nine Lessons and Carols
This Sunday @ St Andrew’s in Dean Court Community Centre
11am Carol Service
From 11-11.30 am there will be music provided by Margaret Scruby on her harp, with mince pies, mulled juice, etc. Then from 11.30-12.15 there will be an informal Carol Service led by Celia Clark and Helen Azer. There will be a Christmas craft activity for children; all welcome.
This Sunday @ St Mary’s, Farmoor
3:30pm Christmas Communion
Online worship
The service in St Michael’s will be live-streamed via our website at:
https://cumnor.org/sunday-19th-december-2021/
The service will remain available to watch online afterwards.
Amazingly we discovered this week that so far this year our live-streamed services on YouTube have been viewed 5426 times, for a total of 62,700 minutes!
COVID update
Masks are compulsory in church, unless you have a valid exemption, and we ask that you please keep them on when singing too, unless you are in the choir!
If you are feeling unwell or test positive then please stay at home.
Please will all those leading, preaching or on duty take a Lateral Flow test before coming along to Church.
Let’s keep protecting each other!
Lectionary Reading for Sunday
Luke 1:39-55
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!”
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Carol Singing in the Churchyard
Come and sing all your favourite carols around the Christmas Tree in St Michael’s Churchyard at 5pm on Saturday 18th December.
Nine Lessons and Carols
Our service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be a wonderful opportunity to journey again to Bethlehem with the traditional readings, congregational carols and contributions from the choir. This year’s service will be shorter than usual to help keep us all safe.
It’s on Sunday 19th December at 6pm in St Michael’s.
Christingle
At 4pm on Christmas Eve we’re holding our annual Christingle service in aid of the Children’s Society, and exploring the meaning of Christmas using oranges, candles, ribbon and sweets! All welcome.
Taizé Service
This months Taizé songs and readings are also available online at: https://cumnor.org/taize-service-december-2021/
From January 2nd, the Taizé service will be held in St Michael’s at the earlier time of 4:30pm.
Carol Singing at Westway Square, Botley
Join with other local churches at Botley Saturday Market on Saturday 18th December between 11am and 1.00pm for for singing. Please join us for however long you can manage that Saturday! We shall be collecting for the Oxford Churches Winter Night Shelter that will be operating again this winter from a single site at St. Ebbes Church. Their funding has been hit after the lockdown and they are also seeking volunteers to staff the night shelter. More info on ownsoxford.org. It will be a good way to cheer Christmas shoppers and get the message of Christmas out in song.
Memories Café
Sadly the Memories Café Christmas Party on Tuesday 21st December at 2:30pm has been cancelled due to COVID.
Meetings will resume in the New Year, as the pandemic permits.
Toddler Group
Toddler Group has finished for the Christmas holidays and will restart once the Schools go back.
December Worship Services and Events
St Andrews in the Dean Court Community Centre
19/12 11am Informal Carol Service (with Music, Mince Pies and Mulled Juice)
Christmas Day – 10am Christmas Morning Worship
Boxing Day No Service – join with Oxford Diocese Church at Home.
St Mary’s
19/12 3:30pm Christmas Communion
St Michael’s
18/12 5pm Community Carols in the Churchyard
19/12 8am Holy Communion (1662)
10:30am Crib Service
6pm Nine Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve
4pm Christingle
11pm Midnight Communion
Christmas Day
8am Holy Communion (1662)
10:30am Christmas Morning Worship
Boxing Day
No Service – join with Oxford Diocese Church at Home.
St Michael’s remains open for private prayer every Monday and Friday, from 9am-5pm.
Prayers
Collect for Advent 4
God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Please Pray For…
- All those who have been bereaved over the last couple of years or who find Christmas difficult.
- Our local schools, as staff and pupils enjoy a well-earned Christmas break.
- Those affected by COVID and especially those suffering from Long-COVID.
- Our CMS mission partner Bia.
- The rebuilding work at St Andrews.
- Our Christmas outreach plans.
- Everyone who leads worship, preaches or teaches in our parish.
Contacts
St Michael’s Parish Office
1, Abingdon Road,
Cumnor
OX29QN
01865 861541
office@cumnor.org
The Parish Office email and answerphone are being checked regularly or please get directly in touch with Jonathan.
Jonathan Widdess
Vicar
The Vicarage,
1, Abingdon Road
Cumnor
OX29QN
01865 863702
vicar@cumnor.org
Kate Elliott
Safeguarding Officer
07782 350491