9 / 24
9
CHURCH NEWS
Weekly Prayer Roster
Each week during the year the Churches, in their prayers, remember the residents of particular streets in the vil-
lage, those who work in the parish and village organizations. Those to be remembered this month are:
1st January
The Parish Council, The Village Hall and Playing Field Trust; those who help to run
the Village Hall, and the activities there
8th January
Greenway, Aragon Close, Hoo Close, Bishops Way
15th January
Village shops, and those who work in them; businesses based in the village, hotels,
inns, and those who work at home; homemakers, carers, the unemployed and un-
deremployed, and all visitors to the village
22nd January
Clubs and societies, their leaders and members, volunteers, and the team that pro-
duces and distributes the Buckden Roundabout
29th January
Cranfield Way, Cranfield Close, Weir Close, Smith Drive, Lucks Lane, Morris Close
STUDY LUNCHES
The study lunches continue on Monday January 9th and Monday February 13th
The Lent study lunches will take place on the following Mondays:
March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and April 3rd
Study topic to be confirmed
Methodist Church Hall 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm
Contact:
Ann Brittain
on
812012
Thought for the month
Last December, Pope Francis in his Christmas message proclaimed ‘Christmas is an event which is renewed in
every family, parish and community which received the love of God made incarnate in Jesus Christ. Like Mary,
the Church shows to everyone the “sign” of God: the Child whom she bore in her womb and to whom she gave
birth, yet who is the Son of the Most High, since “he is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1: 20).
In the Christian Churches we have just finished the season of Advent, a time of preparation for the celebration of
the birth of Christ. Whereas the shops and the media have now turned their attention elsewhere, we continue to
celebrate the season during the twelve days of Christmas leading up to the feast of the Epiphany. According to
the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus, the humble shepherds were the first visitors to the new born Son of God
in the stable at Bethlehem and the Epiphany celebrates the magi who had travelled from afar under the guidance
of a star, bearing gifts, representing the gentile world of the time. Jesus came to earth for the salvation of the
whole world and each individual.
An epiphany prayer:
The story is out! Jesus Christ, Light of the World has been born to dispel the darkness that covers its people.
God’s glory appears in human form. Life on earth will never be the same again!
Father God, the star that led the Magi to the stable announced to the world that its Saviour was born. Today we
live in a world that is still covered by darkness, and still needing to make that journey to the stable door. May our
lives reflect your light day by day, as we seek to serve where you have placed us. That we might be the means
through which others can encounter Jesus Christ. Amen
Fr. Chris Newman
Thanks to all who attended the Christingle service in St. Mary's on Saturday December 10th. I am delighted to
say that a total of £124.91 was raised during this collection; this amount will be donated to The Children’s Socie-
ty.