The Parish of St Augustine's with St Luke's Sharing God's Love
Weekly Message 26th November 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Can you believe that this Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent?! Sadly, the busyness of life at this time of year often threatens to distract us from preparing ourselves spiritually, to receive the coming Christ. So, how can we intentionally focus ourselves on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords ~ rather the latest Christmas catalogue?
Reading the Bible: Use these weeks to read through one of the four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John ~ and immerse yourself in the world of Jesus
Services and Events: Join us at our services in St Augustine's and St Luke's, and be part of the preparation and celebrations, see below for all the details...
Below is our December diary; it would be great to see you at some, or all of these events!
Prayer:
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.
Almighty God,
give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness,
and put upon us the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty,
to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
now and ever. Amen.
This Sunday - 28th November, First Sunday of Advent:
10.00am Holy Communion at St Augustine's Church
Join us as we meet to worship together on Sunday morning.
"Club JC" (Jesus Christ)
This Sunday during the service there will be opportunity for our young members of church to gather together to worship and have fun in Club JC!
If you are unable to come this service will be Live-Streamed on our YouTube channel address below:
If attending church services in person is difficult why not consider joining in with our weekly ZOOM online gathering at Wednesday lunchtime... by telephone as well as on zoom.
If you do not have internet access or a laptop but would like to consider a trial using one to join us by video contact Revd Rachel on 07311330202
You can find this Midweek Prayer and Reflection on Zoom here.
Sunday 5th December at 10am Second Sunday of Advent
Morning Worship in St Augustine's Church: Southborough Lane, Bickley, Bromley BR2 8AT
Parish News and Notices
Parish administrator – we need help!
We are looking for someone to work with the Team in the Parish office at St Augustine’s church as a paid part-time Parish Administrator for 12 hours a week. Hours are flexible.
Please contact Steve for further details.
CONNECT GROUPS IN DECEMBER
Our Connect Groups are all about making connections and deepening relationships. Each session will have time for chat and catching up, plus an opportunity to discuss a theme or Bible passage and pray for our community.
Our next meeting details are below where we will be looking at the fruit of Kindness.
Tuesday 30th November at 7.30pm on Zoom (led by Ann and Nigel Pope). Zoom, link here.
Thursday 2nd December at 10am in person in St Augustine's Garden Room (led by Revd Steve Spencer)
Thursday 2nd December at 7.30pm on zoom, Zoom, link here. (led by Liz Carter and Alan Mitchell)
If you have not signed up, no problem just come to any group either on zoom or in person (Thursday Morning)
Art for advent
ADVENT ART AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY 11 DECEMBER 10am
This year’s trip to the National Gallery to look at some glorious Advent and Christmas paintings will be on Saturday 11 December. Lucy Adcock and Alan Mitchell will be your genial guides. Optional hot chocolate and cakes afterwards. For those travelling from Petts Wood, please meet on the platform at 9.15am for the 9.23 train to Charing Cross. For those travelling on other routes, meet at the Sainsbury Wing entrance to the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square at 10am. Entry to the Gallery is by free ticket which can be booked in advance online, although walk up tickets should be available. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/plan-your-visit.
ADVENT ART ON ZOOM 7 DECEMBER 8pm
To introduce Saturday’s visit, we are also having a one-off evening 8-9pm on Zoom here on Tuesday 7 December when Lucy and Alan will introduce some of the paintings we will be seeing in the flesh on the Saturday. We can explore what to look for in a painting, how to draw an angel or the ‘face of God’, and literally ‘zoom in’ to some of the finer details. All are welcome and of course you can come to either one or both of these events.
Calling all Singers - Parish Carol Service 2021
It's been quite a while, but it would be lovely if you can join me and sing at the Parish Carol Service at St Augustine's Church on Sunday 19th December. In addition to congregational carols we will be singing four items, three of which we have sung before and the fourth is a simple hymn.
We will be rehearsing in St Augustine's church 7.45 - 9pm on Thursday 25th November, 2nd, 9th and 16th December. I do hope you will be able to join in the fun, although I fully understand if you are being cautious this year. Best wishes, Lucy: 07789 207911
The Christmas Journey is starting soon!
After missing last year's Christmas Journey, for obvious reason, it is great to say that we are offering The Christmas Journey to local schools in a few weeks time, from Monday 6th December to Friday 10th December. This is an incredible opportunity to teach children in year 2 (6/7 year olds) about the wonderful story of Christmas in an interactive way. Like so many things that we offer, we cannot make it work without your help. Would you be free to help during the week? We need people to help with the simple craft, actors to play a small role in the story and people to set up on Sunday 5th after church. If you can help in any way, please contact Helen B: 07576233119
"The ARK" Toddler Group
Wednesdays at St Augustine's Church 10.00 - 11.30am
Please use the link below for Eventbrite each week and you will be able to get a ticket on a first come first serve basis. If you are coming with multiple children please can you book ONE ticket per child. The booking for that week’s session will open at 10am on Monday and close at 6pm on Tuesday. If you cannot make the session after booking please can you cancel via Eventbrite or contact me directly and your ticket can be allocated to someone else.
Helen Baker, Youth & School's Minister @ St. Augustine's Church, Bromley 07576233119
CAMEO Friendship Tea (Come And Meet Each Other)
Our social afternoons are continuing on a weekly basis, with the next one being Thursday 2nd December, 2.30pm - 4.00pm
Everyone is welcome, and if you bring a friend or neighbour that would be wonderful.
Offers of help to welcome and chat, or to make cakes, are still needed - please contact Hilary: 07884 195700
Very Merry Pilgrim Walk! ~ Saturday 4th December
Our next walk will be on Saturday 4th December, meeting at Bromley Common, the Toby Carvery car park at 11am. We will walk across Bromley Common to our local hostelry; the ground may be muddy so good walking shoes are recommended. We have planned this festive event on a Saturday & hope that those of you who haven’t been walking with is in the past because of work commitments can come along
Our Merry Pilgrim walks provide gentle exercise in the company of others from St. Augustine’s with St. Luke’s. These also provide an opportunity to reach out to a neighbour ~ why not invite them to join us?
If you have any questions please contact:
Pam Pointer 02084029008 or Tanya Wardley 02084670562 our walk leaders
Youth Christmas Movie Afternoon
What's your favourite movie to get you in the Christmas spirit? There are so many to choose from. If you are in Year 7 or above then why not join us for a Christmas movie afternoon on Sunday 12th December, 4pm - 6.30pm. Popcorn and snacks available.
St Luke's Church
Our next service at St Luke's will be on Christmas Eve for Midnight Mass. The service will start at 11.30pm. This is a time for us to truly contemplate God's gift to the world, his son, Jesus Christ.
Advent Trail ~ Starts on Monday 29th November!
The 2021 Advent Trail will be set up from Sunday 28 November and includes 24 posters in gardens & shops in some of the roads between St Luke’s church (memorial garden) & St Augustine’s church in Southborough Lane. On each post there is a hidden letter (1-24) that spells out a Christmas message. Visit them all and write down each letter on the numbered sheet (Available on our website and in the leaflet holder at the front of St A’s church).
Technical Help Needed...
Now, more than ever, we need help running our Live-streaming and AV Desk on a Sunday morning! We know, by the figures, that many people have been joining us online Sunday by Sunday and, of course, we are dependent on those that operate our systems to supply the words and images on the screens in St Augustine's church.
At present we rely on just a few individuals, to whom we are extremely grateful for making this work. The reality is that, unless we have more volunteers that can fill the rota, some hard choices might have to be made in the New Year. Therefore, please do pray as to whether you can offer assistance and be part of the Team; training will be given for those who need it. The more people who come forward the less pressure this puts on the few.
Just so you know...
Thank you for your well wishes however, Revd Rachel's hand operation was cancelled this week and has been rescheduled to 16th December. Please pray this goes ahead and for a speedy recovery. (Thank you)
Keep Praying ~ Sheela Thomas
Our previous Ordinand, Sheela, who was with us from 2019-2020, is recovering from a recent blood clot on the brain. Sheela is now regaining speech and appreciates all our prayers for her full recovery.
Advent Calendar
Advent is often a busy time in the build up to Christmas, but it can also be an opportunity to reconnect with the message of Christmas. Do you need something that will focus your thoughts and prays for advent this year? Why not count down to Christmas day with a handcrafted advent calendar, that reminds you of who Jesus is. Each day you will open a paper bag containing one of the many names of Jesus, a Bible verse or passage and a quirky painting! You can either hang them up using the twine and pegs or put it on your desk or mantle piece. Each calendar is £8 and available from Helen Baker or at www.thecreativebakergb.etsy.com
Charity and Community Updates
On behalf of everyone at Bromley Borough Foodbank, thank you very much for donating an amazing 101.9 Kg of food to us, this Harvest time! The constant and unwavering support we receive from Churches across our borough is incredible and we feel very blessed to receive this food. These donations will help feed many vulnerable people across our community and will allow us to continue serving those that need us. We thank you for your kindness and generosity.
URGENTLY NEEDED FOOD ITEMS:
LONG LIFE MILK
LONG LIFE FRUIT JUICE
SUGAR FREE SWEETS
BABY WIPES
SHAMPOO
SHOWER GEL
CONDITIONER
WASHING DETERGENT CAPSULES
TINNED CARROTS
Items not required include: Pasta, rice, Beans, Gazpacho with Pimento and Caraway seed Twists , Cereals and Tea.
Love, prayers and the peace of the Lord Jesus be with you always.
Currently the church office is being run on a Part-Time basis by volunteer staff until longer term plans are in place.
In the meantime if you need to make an enquiry about booking St Augustine's Halls please contact Liz Carter on: 0208 467 8155
If you need assistance about any other enquiries you can contact Linda Spencer or Rev Steve Spencer on 0208 467 1351
If you wish to donate our bank details are 20-14-33 20772100.
Payee Account Name
THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST AUGUSTINES WITH ST LUKES BROMLEY
Alternatively you can give via credit or debit card on our Online Web Page
