NEWS & VIEWS

Today, four Sundays before Christmas, the season of Advent begins. Advent means coming, or arrival, and we prepare both to celebrate Christ’s birth over two thousand years ago and for his second coming at a time only God knows. The special liturgical colour of Advent is purple; this represents hopeful anticipation that once again Christ will be born in our midst. Christians are called to use this time before Christmas to prepare for that great arrival.

ADVENT AT ST MARY’S During the season of Advent, which begins the church year today, we prepare for the great festival of Christmas. The scriptures and liturgical themes turn us to thinking about the end times, when Christ will come again (the second Advent) to restore all things and take his people to himself in the Kingdom prepared for us. On Thursdays during Mass, Seminarian Marcel Firth will give a short homily on the Gospel reading for the day.

JOHN and CLARE COX Today we say a fond goodbye to John and Clare who are moving to York, where they will be nearer much of their family. After Mass there will be a presentation over drinks and cake in the Hall. Please do ensure you stay awhile. We shall miss them very much indeed - as friends and members of our church family and because of the many offices they adeptly fulfil for the running of the church and our worship. We wish them good health and every happiness in their new home.

ORGANIST A warm welcome to Ian Boakes, who from today and for the time being will be our organist for most services, whilst we seek to recruit a permanent Director of Music. Please pray that a suitable candidate will come forward.

ADDITIONAL CURATES SOCIETY RAFFLE

ACS helps fund assistant priests for less well-off parishes and has helped St Mary’s in the past - and we hope may do so again in the future. There will be a raffle in aid of them after Mass today. Tickets cost £1 each and obtainable from Hilary Hardwick.

REGULAR GIVING Giving to fund the ministry of the Church is an essential part of our Christian faith. Please, if you don’t already, would you consider giving a regular amount? No amount is too small. Using our parish giving scheme is easy and you are in full control (and Margaret Quinney will be pleased to help you if needed). One-off donations can be made using the Parish Giving Scheme, or with the card machine at the back of church, or by putting cash/cheques in the offering plate. Cheques should be made payable to St Mary’s Ilford PCC.

INTERCESSION

OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY

for the sick, distressed and bereaved
Joan Cassidy, Richard Holland, Lucy Ball, Amberly Crediton, Kathy Valentine, Margaret Harding, Mel Taylor, Bernard Street, Keith Holland, Sally Cox, Matthew, Leslie Haigh, Bibi Bacchus, Fr Michael, Fr Elwin Cockett, the Noory family, Jeanmarie Morton, Alastair Ogilvie; Katharine & Edward Lewis

for the recently departed 

Muriel Masters

for those whose anniversaries of death fall this week

Sunday

Winifred Smowton, Clifford Pomfret, Sylvia Jones

Monday

Doris Taylor, Jessie Simmans, Daphne Lungley

Thursday

Albert Hart

Friday

Jack Long, Peter Jackson, Catherine Dougal

please pray especially for

peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine

ORDER OF SERVICE