Banner Image:   archive-g691bcefba 1920

 
BeneficeLogoWithText
Sunday 26th November                                                          Christ the King

Welcome to our weekly newsletter
Advent carols
There is darkness in the world, but we have a light that cannot be put out, a hope which can keep us through all life is. May we turn to him whose way is the one to find and follow, so we are found ready and active in him.
 
 [Last week’s picture was of the newly decorated porch roof in St Thomas’ along with its LED lighting.]
The Collect, the prayer for the week
   Eternal Father,
   whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
   that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
   keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
   and in the bond of peace,
   and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
   who is alive and reigns with you,
   in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
   one God, now and for ever.


Post Communion prayer
   Stir up, O Lord,
   the wills of your faithful people;
   that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded;
   through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings for this Sunday:  Eph. 1: 15-end, Ps. 95: 1-7, Matt. 25: 31-end.

This Sunday:
8:00am               BCP Holy Communion at St Mary’s
9:30am               Holy Communion at St Thomas’
11:15am             Christingle service at St Mary’s
11:15am             Holy Communion at St Andrew’s
4:00pm               Advent carol service at St Thomas’
5:15-6:15pm      Discoverers
CoffeeAndCroissant
Prayer Breakfast,
Saturday 25th November

This will take place in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’ from 8:15am.
Join us as we pray for the life of our churches.
Advent carols
This week we prepare for Advent with our Benefice Advent Choral Service at St Thomas' at 4pm on Sunday.
Advent hymns, readings, reflection time on God knowing our longings and the choir leading some beautiful timely pieces.
Christingle 2

Our Christingle services begin this weekend too at St Mary’s on Sunday at 11:15am.

Next weekend they will be on Sunday at 11:15am at St Andrew’s and then 4pm at St Thomas'.
Advent candle jk
Advent candles are now available in church with a new card this year, an ideal present for yourself, a friend or grand/godchildren, offering calming hope at the opening moment in each day in December.
These cost £4. Cash please.
Children and Families Meeting
On Wednesday evening we are holding a meeting of our families and those willing to help hold together our families’ work when Jo leaves. 
Please pray for this meeting and tell Ben or Jo if you would like to  be involved more.
News from Honduras
Poulsons nl
Steve and Lindsay Poulson have produced a video update of how things have been going with Proyecto Alas. You can see this here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W9IPYvHBb9Z1LxfCjuahGTgGKLV4h4HU/view?usp=sharing (warning it's a large file so may take a while to load). 
Thank you from Wallingford Food Bank
We have received an e-mail from Alice at the food bank this week saying “Please would you pass on our thanks to the congregation at St Thomas’ for such generous donations received today. It is so amazing to have such support. It encourages us very much in the face of such need.”

Friends' of St Mary’s event
Sadly the fish and chips quiz has been cancelled as not enough people expressed interest. Thank you to Jeremy and John for all their work in organising it. Next year…. sign up early.

Care Bus Trip
The next trip will be on 1st December departing from St. Mary's at 13:15.
Due to popular demand, it will be a return trip to Toad Hall Garden Centre, near Henley-on-Thames, at a time when their famous Christmas grotto will be in full swing; there were tempting preparations going on when we last visited.
As before, there is no charge for the trip, but you must register by 
contacting me via 875651 or officeofgsandss@yahoo.com                       
John 
Daily Prayer continues its usual pattern. Why not join in one day? We listen to the Bible and pray for our world and church.
Monday: 8.30am Goring,     Tuesday and Thursday: 8.30am Streatley.
Friday: 9am Goring.

This week we are asked to pray for

  • For the work of the Children’s Society and the Poulsons in Honduras with vulnerable families and children.
  • For medical and relief workers in Gaza, and all who grieve and wait in fear. For a desire to understand and seek long term hope for all.
  • We give thanks for those who organise community groups and events. May we support them
  • For our plans for Advent, to wait on God and grow closer to him.
Diary for next week
Monday 27th November
Advent groups continue this week.

Wednesday 29th November
10:30am      BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
The readings will be Dan. 5. 1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 and Luke 21. 12-19.

Evening       Children and Families meeting

Thursday 30th November
2:00pm        Marriage of Josh and Alana at St Mary’s

Friday 1st December
1:15pm        Care bus trip to Toad Hall Garden Centre

Sunday 3rd December
8:00am        BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
9:30am        Holy Communion at St Thomas’
11:15am      Holy Communion at St Mary’s
11:15am      Christingle service at St Andrew’s
4:00pm        Christingle service at St Thomas’

Prayers for this week
Thank you to Sally for this week’s prayers which are based on “Clouds and Glory” by David Adam.

You are the king of glory, O Christ,
you are the everlasting Son of the Father.
May your kingdom come in us on earth,
as it is in heaven, Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christ, we confess you as King of kings and Lord of lords;
come, rule in our hearts and claim us as part of your kingdom.
We seek to dedicate our lives to you and to your glory.
We pray for all who are working for the bringing in of your kingdom,
for those striving for justice, peace and freedom,
for all relief agencies and bringers of aid.
Lord, we seek to do your will
Your kingdom come as it is in heaven

God of Love, we lift up Palestine and Israel – its people, its land, its creatures.   
War is a monster that consumes everything in its path.  
Peace is a gift shared at meals of memory with Christians, Muslims and Jews.
Let us burn incense, not children.  
Let us break bread, not bodies.  
Let us plant olive groves not cemeteries.  
We beg for love and compassion to prevail on all your holy mountains.

We pray for rulers of peoples, leaders of nations, remembering the war in Ukraine,
that they may govern with gentleness and integrity.
We remember all who suffer from injustice.
We pray for the scorned and rejected people of our world,
for all who have lost their freedom,
for all who are deprived of their basic rights.
We pray for the work of Amnesty International.
Lord, we seek to do your will
Your kingdom come as it is in heaven

Come, Lord, rule in our hearts.
Come, Lord, rule in our homes.
Come, Lord, rule in our lives.
Come, Lord, and transform your people.
Lord, we seek to do your will
Your kingdom come as it is in heaven

We pray for all who are struggling,
for all who cannot cope.
We remember weak people needing protection,
lost people longing for salvation.
We remember the hungry, thirsty and naked,
the prisoners and the homeless.
We pray for friends and loved ones who are in need.
Lord, we seek to do your will
Your kingdom come as it is in heaven

Christ, O King, ruler of heaven & earth,
in you we triumph over darkness and death,
in you we have life eternal.
We pray for all our loved ones departed this life,
that they may be one with you and your saints
in your everlasting kingdom;
and that we, setting our hearts on things above,
may be raised up to where you reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever.
Lord, we seek to do your will
Your kingdom come as it is in heaven

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily readings for the week beginning 27th November
Monday am: Ps 96 Isa. 14. 3-20 Matt. 9. 18-34 pm: Ps 80 Rev. 14. 1-13
Tuesday am: Ps 97 Isa. ch. 17 Matt. 9.35-10.15 pm: Ps 101 Rev. 14.14-15.end
Wednesday am: Ps 112 Isa. ch. 19 Matt. 10.16-33 pm: Ps 122 Rev. 16. 1-11
Thursday am: Ps 47 Ezek. 47. 1-12 John 12. 20-32 pm: Ps 87 John 1. 35-42
Friday am: Ps 139 Isa. 22. 1-14 Matt. 11. 2-19 pm: Ps 146 Rev. ch. 17
Saturday am: Ps 145 Isa. ch. 24 Matt. 11. 20-end pm: Ps 150 Rev. ch. 18
Please send any notices or articles for the next news sheet by noon on Thursdays to vicarofgsandss@yahoo.com.
DioceseOfOxford
Copyright © 2023 The Benefice of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
The Benefice of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke
The Vicarage
Manor Road
Goring, Berkshire RG8 9DR
United Kingdom