And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
We’re at the final Sunday in Advent, and the last of our Sundays looking at being ready in Advent. The writer to the Hebrews wants us to have two things in mind as we prepare. First, the Day is coming - the day when Jesus returns. Second, that we can draw near to God because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
You would be very welcome to join us at our 10:30am service of Holy Communion in St Andrew, Cuffley, or at 8:30am for a service of Holy Communion in St Thomas, Northaw, this Sunday, as we look together at how to prepare as we see the Day approaching.
The 10:30am Sunday morning service will be taking place simultaneously online and in-person at St Andrew. Streaming for the 10:30am service will start at 10:25am, and can be accessed directly via Facebook or YouTube, found on our website, and is advertised on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
If you encounter problems with viewing the service via Facebook (or YouTube) please follow the link for YouTube (or Facebook) instead.
Coronavirus arrangements
Cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in our area. While there are no formal restrictions in place, please do maintain caution. Please be aware that the wearing of face coverings in places of worship is now mandatory.
Morning prayer
You would be very welcome to join us for a short service of Morning Prayer in St Andrew at 10:00am on Wednesday morning.
Coffee and Carols
There’s no Coffee Shop this week, instead you’d be very welcome to join at at 10:30am (10:45am start), in St Andrew’s, for Coffee and Carols (and mince pies!).
Sunday 26th December
On Boxing Day, there will be a short service of Morning Prayer at 10:30am at St Thomas, Northaw. There will be no other services that day.
Advent Readings
During Advent, we’ll be providing a links to short daily readings from the prophet Micah. These will be in the weekly update emails, and in the weekly prayer emails.
| Day | Reading |
|---|---|
| Friday 17 December 2021 | Micah 5:10-15 |
| Saturday 18 December 2021 | Micah 6:1-5 |
| Sunday 19 December 2021 | Micah 6:6-8 |
| Monday 20 December 2021 | Micah 6:9-16 |
| Tuesday 21 December 2021 | Micah 7:1-4 |
| Wednesday 22 December 2021 | Micah 7:5-7 |
| Thursday 23 December 2021 | Micah 7:8-13 |
| Friday 24 December 2021 | Micah 7:14-20 |
| Saturday 25 December 2021 | Matthew 2:1-12 |
Foodbank
In preparation for the January collection (5th January), you might consider a ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’: every day in Advent, put one item aside for the foodbank. By the time we get to January, there will be around 25 items ready to take to the foodbank.
Christmas Services
Publicity for our Christmas services is out this week - you may already have noticed the posters in our noticeboards - please take as many of the cards as you would like to share with friends and neighbours. Subject to any enforced changes, we are planning the following additional services:
| Day | Service |
|---|---|
| Sunday 19th December | 6pm Carols by Candlelight at St Thomas |
| Wednesday 22nd December | 10:30am Coffee and Carols at St Andrew |
| Friday 24th December | 4pm Crib Service at St Thomas |
| 11:30pm Christmas Night Communion at St Thomas | |
| Saturday 25th December | 10am All Age Christmas Celebration at St Andrew |
| followed by Holy Communion | |
| Sunday 26th December | 10:30am Morning Prayer at St Thomas |
Memorial Tree
As part of our season decorations, one of the trees in St Andrew’s is being set up as a memorial tree. We are going to make some blank paper decorations available for anyone, if they would like, to write the name of someone they will be missing this Christmas. These will be collected together and put on the tree.
Sunday 2nd January 2022
On Sunday 2nd January 2022, there will be a service of Holy Communion at St Andrew, Cuffley; we will be welcoming the Rev’d Tom Lilley (Vicar, St James, Goffs Oak) to take the service. There will be no other services that day.
Vicar’s Leave
Chris will be on leave from Sunday 26th December to Monday 3rd January.
Praying during the week
Please can I encourage you, when possible, to stop at noon and spend a few minutes praying; we’ll email out possible areas for prayer each week. If you would like to make any suggestions, please email prayers@norcuff.com.
How to join us live
The website has the information on how to join our live services and virtual coffee. Do feel free to share the links to our services with friends and relatives; everyone is very welcome to join us, no matter where they are in the world.