Weekly news for 26.11.23

Dear Friends,

Here’s the update for the week

A little word 

Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. The church is the body of Christ and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.                     Ephesians 1.21-23 (CEV)

This is the last week of the Church year before we hit Advent. It is often called ‘Christ the King.’ As St Paul wrote Ephesians, it would have been quite subversive to suggest that there is a ruler of all, and its not the Roman Emperor. He describes Christ sitting in the place of power and honour, as the head of all, and as filling all. And it is all for the good of the Church, us, his body here on earth. Mind blowing really. However big and scary rulers and Empires might seem, we serve a greater power and a greater good.

Things to pray for

  • Give thanks for the knowledge that Christ is the supreme power, we have no need to fear anything. 
  • For the builders as they start the work on the roof.
  • For the hope that a ceasefire might grow into a lasting peace in Israel/Gaza.

Sunday services 

9.15am Sunday Gathering

The Sunday Gathering is happening as usual at 9.15am

10.30am Holy Communion

Christ the King

The reading is Matthew 25.31-46

CoG’s children’s group meets this week.

Refreshments to follow.

7pm Reflective service

Giving news

Envelopes – new boxes are available for those who wish to use them. Please see Karen to get your pack.

Gift aid – a reminder that if you are a taxpayer, we can reclaim an additional 25% on your giving. If you give under gift-aid and stop being a taxpayer, you will need to let us know. Karen can help you with forms.

Contactless giving- we know not everyone has cash these days. We have a contactless giving card reader on trial. If this would work for you, give it a go.

easyfundraising – We are registered with easyfundraising, which means you can raise FREE donations for us every time you shop online. Over 7,000 brands will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself! These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment.

You can find our easyfundraising page at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/christchurchpitsmoor/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pmc&utm_content=gs-email1

Gardening stuff

Will Ross has a list of gardening/maintenance tasks that need to be done around the church grounds. Things like leaf clearing and pruning. If you could spare an hour or two, at a time to suit you in the next couple of weeks, have a word with him and we’ll allocate tasks. willross55@outlook.com

Amos Trust Christmas Tour

Tues 5 Dec lunchtime at St Aiden’s, Manor. See Amos Trust Christmas Tour 2023 for details

Deanery days

On Wednesday, 6 December Bishop Pete and others will be in Ecclesfield Deanery, visiting schools, joining in with church-based activities and meeting with local church leaders. This will allow him to increase his understanding of the Deanery’s needs and its mission opportunities.

The following day, Thursday, 7 December, after a similar visit by Bishop Sophie to Hallam Deanery, there will be an evening gathering open to all church members. This will be at St Thomas, Philadelphia, starting at 7.30 pm with refreshments served from 7.00.  It will include worship, a sermon on Isaiah 55 from Bishop Pete, some stories of what God has been blessing in the two Deaneries, information about possible financial support from the national church and time to ‘dream dreams’ about the future of mission in our parishes. Please think seriously about attending this event.

What’s on this week?

Wednesday 10am – Stay and Play – in the Welcome Centre

Wednesday 7.30pm – After 8 – at 225 Nottingham Street

Thursday 10am – Holy Communion followed by coffee and Lunch Club in the Welcome Centre.

Friday 1pm – Craft and Chat – in the Welcome Centre