News from St Andrew's

Our news comes in two forms - Parish News, our online parish magazine and the email newsletter. The latest newsletter from 27 November is below: you can subscribe here and see past issues here.

The Parish News is available from the links alongside.

It won’t surprise you to know that there is lots of information about our Christmas services and events below, so I hope you will be able to join with us to celebrate the birth of Jesus once again. Don’t miss our Christingle on December 3^rd at 10am when you can also bring a new toy or Christmas treat to donate to those who receive Boxes of Hope via Gorse Hill Baptist Church.

However you celebrate Christ’s birth this year, I pray you will have a peaceful and joyous Christmas time.

God bless,
Sally

Sally Robertson, Vicar
revd.sally.robertson@nschurch.org.uk, 07588594410

Advent prayer and reflection

There are many events and initiatives we could try at St Andrew’s, but we only have limited energy and resources. So, to seek God’s plans for the coming year we will be having a focus on praying together from 29^th November to 17^th December. There will be daily reflections and prayer ideas available on paper and online (see our website for details) and the following times to join together with others:

Tuesday 5^th and 12^th December 12.30pm Prayer during the day on zoom
Wednesday 6^th and 13^th December 8am Morning Prayer on zoom
Thursday 7^th and 14^th December 5.30pm Evening prayer on zoom
Sunday 17^th December 10am (in church) Morning prayer with focus on praying for our parish.

To join a service on zoom from a computer, smartphone or tablet: http://bit.ly/StANS - by phone, 0208 080 6592 and enter 813 6651 6924 # when asked

Getting ready for Christmas
Saturday 16th December 10am

You are welcome to join us at St Andrew's, making the church festive, ready for the upcoming services.

Christmas Services and other events

Please pick up a flier from church with the dates of the Christmas services on for yourself and your friends, or share our Facebook posts. Flyers will also be available at the Christmas Fayre at Tadpole Farm Primary School on Wednesday 6 December between 3.30pm and 6.30pm: do say hello at our table.

You are also encouraged to join us at:
Monday 11^th December 2.30pm Ridgeway Rise Carol Service, Richardson Way, St Andrew’s Ridge.
Saturday 16^th December 10am Come and help decorate the church for Christmas
Wednesday 20^th December Big North Swindon Carol Sing 5.30-6pm Sainsbury’s Green Street, Tadpole Garden Village followed by 6.30pm at the Orbital. Join with Christians from across North Swindon to celebrate the Christmas season outdoors.

Epiphany Party
Friday 5th January 2024 from 7pm

Everyone is invited to the Sally’s house, 15 Rackham Close, SN25 2QT for our annual Epiphany Party.

Bible Book Club - Psalm selection
Monday 8th January at 7pm
and Tuesday 9th at 10.30am

At our next discussion we will be looking at various Psalms: 8, 14, 23, 32, 44, 55, 65, 78, 90, 95, 103, 121, 137, 142.
We will be discussing these on Monday 8^th January at 7pm and Tuesday 9^th January at 10.30am in church. Choose whichever time is most convenient for you. If you would like to know more, please contact Sally.

Welcoming the new Bishop of Swindon

We are all invited to Christ Church, Cricklade Street at 6.30pm on Sunday 3^rd December for a service to welcome the new Bishop to Swindon. This will be instead of an evening service at St Andrew’s. Please let Sally know if you would like a lift.

Coffee, prayer and chat

Please note the dates for Coffee Prayer and Chat this month are 6^th and 20^th December at 11am.

Services and events in December

Sunday 3rd December
10am Christingle and Toy Service (in church and on video)
6.30pm Service to welcome new Bishop of Swindon
(Christ Church, Cricklade Street)
Wednesday 6th December
11am Coffee, Prayer and Chat (in church only)
Sunday 10th December
10am Holy Communion (in church and on video)

Monday 11th December
2.30pm Ridgeway Rise Carol Service
(Richardson Way, St Andrew's Ridge)
Saturday 16th December
10am Help decorate the church for Christmas (in church only)
Sunday 17th December
10am Morning Prayer (in church and on video)
6.30pm Carols by Candlelight (in church and on video)
Wednesday 20th December
11am Coffee, Prayer and chat (in church only)
5.30-6pm Tadpole Garden Village Carol Sing
(Sainsbury's, Green Street)
6.30pm Big North Swindon Carol Sing (Orbital Centre)
Sunday 24th December
10am Children's carol service (in church and on video)
11.30pm Midnight Communion (in church and on video)
Monday 25th December
10am All Age Communion (in church and on video)
Sunday 31st December
10am Holy Communion (in church and on video)
Sunday 7th January
10am Children's Service (in church and on video)
4pm Holy Communion (in church only)

Please note we are now using the common chalice again for receiving wine in Communion services. If you do not feel comfortable with this, you are welcome just to receive the bread.