Happening this week at
St. Francis’.
Our “Duty Churchwarden” until
6th January is Steve Williams
Duty Warden from 14th – 20th January
is Andrew Grove
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Note:
St Francis’ School Breakfast Club (7.30 a.m. – 9.00 a.m.) &
St Francis’ After School Club (3.30 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.)
held each weekday in School Terms.
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Saturday 12th January:
08.30 a.m. – 09.45 a.m.: Men’s Breakfast: Large Meeting Room.
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Sunday 13th January:
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
8.45 a.m.: Said Holy Communion (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland);
10.00 a.m.: Parish Communion: (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland);
7.00 p.m.: Informal Evening Worship (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland/Dr. Ian Clarke).
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Monday 14th January:
09.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.: NHS Management Meeting: Large Meeting Room;
7.30 p.m.: Worship Group Planning Meeting: Large Meeting Room.
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Tuesday 15th January:
8.00 a.m. – 8.30 a.m.: Morning Prayers for the Church and Community: Chapel (Entry via Office Door).
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Wednesday 16th January:
09.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon: St. Francis’ Rendezvous Community Café: Large Meeting Room;
7.00 p.m.: Valley Park Ladies: Large Meeting Room.
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Thursday 17th January:
2.15 p.m.: Said Holy Communion (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland): BrendonCare Library.
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Friday 18th January:
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Saturday 19th January:
08.30 a.m. – 03.30 p.m.: St. Boniface, Chandler’s Ford PCC Away-Day: Large Meeting Room.
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Sunday 20th January:
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
START OF WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
8.45 a.m.: Said Holy Communion (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland);
10.00 a.m.: Morning Worship: (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland).
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MESSY CHURCH
Craft, Activities, Afternoon Tea, Celebration.
The fun way to do church
for all the family.
Next Session
Sunday 27th January:
Theme:
“Follow the Good Shepherd”
Click this link to find out More:
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ST FRANCIS’ RENDEZVOUS
COMMUNITY CAFE
Café Open every Wednesday
9.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon.
All members of the Community of all ages most welcome.
Creche with toys and games for children.
Community Information Point for Local Community, Health
and Benefits Information.
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MEN’S BREAKFAST
Join us for a
“Full English”,
fellowship and
Thought for the Day
Next Breakfast:
Saturday 12th January 2019
8.15 a.m. for 8.30 a.m.
All menfolk most welcome.
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Glitter and Glue
Glitter and Glue is an hour of
craft, messy play, stories and
songs for the under fives
and their parents/carers.
Glitter and Glue is held monthly in term-time –
all pre-school children and
their parents / carers are welcome.
Next Session:
Friday 8th February 2018
10.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.
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INFORMATION:
St Francis’ Church in action:
To find out more about what else we are doing through the coming year please look at our Parish Calendar and Weekly Notices pages.
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What were we doing in 2017?
To read about the Ministry, Mission and Witness we undertook, and how we used the Financial Resources gifted to us in 2017, please click on St Francis Annual Report 2017
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What are our strategic plans for Ministry and Mission in the coming months?
To read our latest Parish Mission Action Plan (pMAP) please click on:
St Francis Valley Park – pMap 2017 – 2020 – v 2-2,
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Safeguarding those at risk:
To find our policies on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults please click here;
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Data Protection:
To read our Data Protection Policies please click here. Please let the Parish Office know if you no longer wish us to hold your information.
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To contact us:
For our contact details please click here.
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Some of our Home Groups develop their studies around the central theme of our Sunday worship and study.
Our teaching theme this week focusses on:
“The Baptism of Christ: Recognising Christ in the World”
Here are some local notes for personal reflection.
Key Readings:
- Isaiah, Ch. 43, vs. 1 – 7;
- Luke, Ch. 3. vs. 15 – 17 and 21 – 22.
The season of Epiphany actually lasts for a month, and it’s the time when we think about the manifestation of Christ to the world; of encountering God and being transformed by that. Both our readings today show us the difference it makes in our lives for us to have a revelation of God – an ‘epiphany’ that will change us.
In Isaiah 43, the context is of the Jewish nation in exile in Babylon, having turned away from God. Into this situation the prophet Isaiah speaks God’s tender words, reminding His people that because they are precious to Him, He will give people and nations in exchange for them. This foreshadows God’s gift of Jesus.
In Luke, the ministry of John the Baptist is highlighted. A baptism of repentance indicated a person’s desire to turn away from the things that separate them from God, to prepare to meet with Him. So why was Jesus baptised?
Jesus endorses the message of John that we need to turn away from things that get between us and God, in order to meet with Him – we need to repent. And of course, God endorses Jesus’ identity as his ministry begins.
In these two passages, then, are clues about how we might encounter God. As we indicate the slightest desire to turn back to Him, he rushes to meet us, operating out of grace – favour that we don’t deserve and can’t earn. He calls us by name: he knows us intimately and calls us out on a journey of following him. And just as he equipped Jesus for ministry at baptism, he also equips us to serve him with his Holy Spirit.
Study both passages looking for these clues (suggestions in brackets not exhaustive):
- Repentance (start at Luke, Ch. 3, Vs. 7);
- Grace (Luke, Ch. 3, vs. 22 – God was pleased with Jesus before Jesus had started his ministry. Isaiah, Ch. 43, vs. 1- 7 – pick out all the actions of grace!);
- Calling (Isaiah, Ch. 43, vs. 1 and 7);
- Equipping by the Spirit (Luke, Ch. 3, vs.22 – and check out Romans, Ch. 8, vs. 15 & Galatians, Ch. 4, vs. 6).
Have you ever had an epiphany?
Will these clues help?
Why / why not?
Sarah. |
DIOCESE OF WINCHESTER
WESSEX PROVINCE