St Hilda’s Ashford

SERVICE OF THE WORD

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Preparation

Let us worship God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.All Amen

The Lord be with youAll and also with you.

This is the day that the Lord has made.All We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Words of welcome and introduction

The Lighting of the Advent CandleThe Third Candle (Pink candle) - John the Baptist Today is the Third Sunday of Advent and we will light the third candle as our prayer for love.

Song

O come, O come, Immanuel,And ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! ImmanuelShall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,who ordered all things mightily;

to us the path of knowledge showand teach us in its ways to go. Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,Who to your tribes on Sinai's heightIn ancient times didst give the lawIn cloud and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! ImmanuelShall come to you, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, freeThine own from Satan’s tyranny;From depths of hell Thy people saveAnd give them victory o’er the grave.

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheerOur spirits by Thine advert here;Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

O come, Thou Key of David, comeAnd open wide our heavenly home;Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.

Tr. John N. Neale (1818-66)

Prayer of Penitence

cf Psalm 51Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true faith turn to him: have mercy on, you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

Collect

God for whom we watch and wait,you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:give us courage to speak the truth,to hunger for justice,and to suffer for justice,and to suffer for the cause of right,with Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

Matthew 11:2-11

2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting,[a] or should we keep looking for someone else?”4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.[b]”7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and

he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

     and he will prepare your way before you.’[c]

11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

Nativity Play

Little donkey, little donkey,On the dusty road.Got to keep on plodding onwards,With your precious load.

Been a long time, little donkey,Through the winter’s night.Don’t give up now, little donkey,Bethlehem’s in sight.

Ring out those bells tonight,Bethlehem, Bethlehem.Follow that star tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.

Little donkey, little donkey,Had a heavy day.Little donkey, carry MarySafely on her way.

Little donkey, little donkey,Journey's end is near.There are wise men waiting for a Sign to bring them here.

Do not falter, little donkey,There's a star ahead.It will guide you, little donkey,To a cattle shed

Ring out those bells tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem Follow that star tonight Bethlehem, Bethlehem Little donkey, little donkey Had a heavy day,Little donkey, carry Mary Safely on her way. Little donkey, carry Mary Safely on her way

Eric Boswell

Children Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

All The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,And stay by my side till morning is nigh.

All Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stayClose by me for ever, and love me, I pray.Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there

Anonymous Philadelphia 1883

Hark! the herald angels sing,Glory to the new-born King;Peace on earth, and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled:Joyful, all ye nations, rise,Join the triumph of the skies,With the angelic hosts proclaim,Christ is born in Bethlehem:

Hark! the herald angels sing,Glory to the newborn King.

Charles Wesley (1707-88) and others

Silent night! Holy night!Heaven is near, earth is bright,Angel songs are heard aboveAs the Child of peace and loveSleeps in Mary's arms,Sleeps in Mary's arms.

Silent night! Holy night!Skies are clear, stars are bright,Now the shepherds wend their way,Homage to this Child to pay:He is Christ the Lord,He is Christ the Lord.

Silent night! Holy night!Christ is here, all is light,Shadows of the past are goneWith the advent of the Son,Born to save us all,Born to save us all.

G. B. Timms 1910Based on J. Mohr 1792-1848

Profession of Faith Let us affirm,our common faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father,source of all being and life,the one for whom we exist?

All I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in God the Son,who took our human nature,died for us and rose again?

All I believe and trust in him. Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,who gives life to the people of Godand makes Christ known in the world?

All I believe and trust in him.

This is the faith of the Church.All This is our faith.

We believe and trust in one God,Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Prayers of Intercession

ResponseAll Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

The Lord’s PrayerAs our Saviour taught us, so we pray 

All Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,

your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.Amen.

Notices

Blessing

May God the Father, judge all-merciful,make us worthy of a place in his kingdom.Amen.May God the Son, coming among us in power,reveal in our midst the promise of his glory.Amen.May God the Holy Spirit make us steadfast in faith,joyful in hope and constant in love.Amen.And the blessing … Our Lord says, ‘I am coming soon.’Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.May the Lord, when he comes,find us watching and waiting.Amen.

The Peace

In the tender mercy of our God,the dayspring from on high shall break upon us,to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of deathand to guide our feet into the way of peace.The peace of the Lord be always with you

All And also with youLet us offer one another a sign of peace.All may exchange a sign of peace.

Offertory Hymn

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And Heaven and nature sing,And Heaven and nature sing,And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth! the Saviour reigns;Let us our songs employ;While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joy,Repeat the sounding joy,Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,And makes the nations proveThe glories of His righteousness,And wonders of His love,And wonders of His love,And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Isaac Watts 1719

SERVICE TIMES THIS WEEK

Tues 17th Dec 9.45am Eucharist Sat 21st Dec 4.00pm 9 Lessons & CarolsSun 22nd Dec 8.00am Eucharist

9.30am Parish Eucharist

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK:

THE SICK:

James Bedford Margaret Kerr Elsie StoneRobb Clarke Raymond Nation Roy StoneAnn Considine Elizabeth Savill-Burgess Sandra SwainMichael Dixon Delphine Scrivener Rev. Peter TaylorDennis Goff Riley Shaw Chick WilsonJim Hennessey Anne Shenton Peter Wilson

THE RECENTLY DEPARTED:

Margaret Peacock Robert Marshall Rene GormanMadeline Bedjin-Lea Joan Derek

THOSE IN OUR MEMORIAL BOOK THIS WEEK

Paula Scotchford Gordon Firth Sydney Albert W Byne Tom Pradey Ronald Francis Lionel Eldred Fulton Thomas John Taverner Nan Purvey Yerolemos G Pouffou

Cyril Holliday Verna Rose Bembridge Norman Alfred Why Flo Dobbie Florence Louisa Fox Frederick Bleckwen Lucy Danielle R Rouse Phyllis Martin Betty May Purvis

NOTICES

Forthcoming events:

15th December 11.30-4pm – Nativity FestivalSee the display of treasured and created Nativity scenes. Refreshments available.

16th December 8pm – Advent Course (week 3)

The Advent Course ‘Someone To Believe In’ is an original Advent course based on the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street. Through discussion of some of the themes and characters of this perennially popular film, the course helps us to think more deeply during the Advent season about the coming of Jesus, and what the Christmas story can teach us about our faith today. The course comprises four weekly group sessions, starting at 8pm, which explore the following themes: 2nd December: Beginning our walk of faith; 9th December, Responding to challenges in our faith; 16th December, What does faith mean when common sense tells us not to believe?; 23rd December, Understanding the gift of miracles. Each session includes watching scenes from the 1994 Miracle on 34th Street, starring Richard Attenborough and Elizabeth Perkins.

17th December 5pm – Staines Rotary Santa Collection

We have again been given the chance to go out collecting with the Staines Rotary Sleigh to raise money for St Hilda’s. If you are able to help out with the collecting please see Darran or Denise, or leave a message at the parish office.

21st December 9.30am – Church DecorationCome and help the flower ladies in decorating St Hilda’s for Christmas. See Sheila Freeman for more details.

21st December 4.00pm – 9 Lessons & Carols

Service followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

25th January 2020 – 7pm – Burns Night

After last year’s success, we will again be holding a Burn’s Night Supper. Tickets will be £10 (adults) & £5 (children under 12) and will be available to purchase from 1st January.

23rd February 2020 – 6pm – Confirmation Bishop Graham will be visiting St Hilda’s where we will be holding a service of Confirmation.

May 2020 - Whitby Weekend

We are in the early stages of planning a weekend to Whitby to visit the home of St Hilda. It is planned for the late May Bank Holiday, 23rd-25th May. More details to follow.

St Hilda's Christmas Card

We will again be offering a St. Hilda's Family Christmas card this year - from everyone to everyone. You sign it, and donate the money you save on individual cards to friends in church. The

money will be donated to charity. Last year we raised £80 - can we do better this year? The card will be available in December.

St Hilda’s Hamper Raffle

We are holding a Christmas hamper raffle again this year. Tickets and donation sign- up sheets are available at the rear of the church. Please return sold tickets in an envelope with the money to Denise in the office or at church. We will again be donating some hampers to those who may need a little extra help or cheer this Christmas. Please put any nominations for these in a sealed envelope addressed to Fr Joseph.

Bronzefield Vacancy – Chaplaincy Administrator (Full Time)

HMP Bronzefield are recruiting for the above position, the closing date for this is 15th December 2109. Please go online for a job description athttps://www.sodexojobs.co.uk/jobs/job/Administrator-Chaplaincy/53292

St Hilda’s Memorial Tree

Come and place a star on our tree in memory of your loved ones.

We would like to thank Waitrose, Egham for their kind donation again this year of a Christmas Tree for our Memorial Tree.

Christingle Service

Thank you to all who came to the service last week, we raised £232 for The Children’s Society.

St Peter’s Prom Concert

Rehearsals for this start on Thursday 9th January at 7.30 (£10 participation fee). Concert is Friday 7th February. All welcome to take part.

Crossroads

Please email Rosemary at crossroads_ashford@hotmail.com if you have anything you would like to include in the parish magazine.

Regular Gatherings

Wednesday 8pm – Bible Study at 6 Seaton Drive Next meeting is 8th January 2020

Wednesday 7.30pm – Ladies Homegroup next meeting January

Thursday 2.30-4pm – Feed My Sheep (1st Thursday of the month)next meeting February

Friday 7pm – Choir Practice. Everybody welcome.

Friday 8.15pm – Community Sing in Church with Paula. December 20th & January 10th 2020

Saturday 9.30am – 12pm – Knitting Group in Church

ContactsVicar   Fr Joseph Fernandes Vicar@sthilda.org Parish Office 01784 253525 Vicarage 01784 254237 Mobile 07999 053433 Licenced Lay MinistersCarolyn Clark Carolyn@sthilda.orgRosalyn Young rosalyn@sthilda.org Mail & Phone via Parish Office [01784 253525] ChurchwardensBobbie Bedford and Stuart YoungMail & Phone via Parish Office [01784 253525] office@sthilda.org   PCC Secretary   Denise ButtigiegMail & Phone via Parish Office [01784 253525] office@sthilda.org Church Hall Booking SecretaryMrs Chris Davenport 01784 252170 Interim Parish AdministratorDenise Buttigieg 01784 253525 office@sthilda.org

The Parish Office: 

St Hilda's Church, Stanwell Road, Ashford, MiddlesexTW15 3QL

Telephone 01784 253525              Charity Number 1134119

CCLI: 708985

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