Weekly Notices

[ See here for Notice archives ].

Sunday 9th November 3 before Advent

Welcome to our weekly newsletter

May we remember the huge cost and act of love offered by those who went out to serve, and those who suffered as a result.
May we appreciate what we have and work together, to be knitted into one family with all God’s people and creation.

The Collect, the prayer for the week
Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Readings for Sunday: 2 Thess. 2: 1-5, 13-17, Psalm 17: 1-9 and Luke 20: 27-38.

This Sunday
8:00am              BCP Holy Communion at St Mary’s
9:30am              Said Morning Prayer at St Thomas’
10:50am Act of Remembrance at St Thomas’
10:50am            Act of Remembrance at St Mary’s
10:50am            Act of Remembrance at St Andrew’s
5:00pm Discoverers

Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, 8th November

Please come and pray for the life of our parishes. This will take place in the Canterbury Room at St Thomas’. Coffee and croissants from 8:15am, followed by prayer for the life of our churches.
Finished by 9.30am Please do join us.

“Across the Atlantic”, Goring Chamber choir concert

Saturday 8th November at 3pm
Goring Chamber Choir will be giving a concert at St Thomas’ of music from the USA and Canada.
From the beautiful and accessible works of Toronto's Eleanor Daley to the lesser-known Stephen Hatfield from Vancouver Island and Barry Peters from Nova Scotia on the Atlantic coast,

this concert will transport you through Canada's vast musical landscape of remarkable discoveries. You'll also hear hauntingly familiar folk songs—from the beloved Red River Valley that began its journey in Canada to the achingly beautiful Newfoundland song She's like the swallow.
Tickets cost £15 (free for under 18s) and are available at Inspirations or from a choir member or by e-mailing tickets@goringchamberchoir.org.uk More information here: https://www.goringchamberchoir.org.uk

Families Meal, Sunday 16th Nov, 5-7pm in the Canterbury Room

Next Sunday we will be holding a meal for families and their children. Children will be able to play while adults chat with a drink from 5pm. The meal will start at 5:45/6pm. Please could anyone who’d like to come contact Sarah via the church office (875651) and give any dietary requirements.

Sharing the Chalice
In trying to please everyone… well I know I cannot! But we said we would use the common cup in the traditional, sharing way over the summer months.

Now as winter returns (after Remembrance Sunday) we have to review.
Each church has different feelings on this. Goring is more inclined to return to intincting for everyone during these winter months. Streatley and South Stoke please let your views be known to Ben asap. Thank you.

Advent Groups

This year’s Ecumenical Advent Groups will be using the book ‘Long Ago in Bethlehem’ by Amy Scott Robinson. Focussing on the book of Ruth – described as a jewel of the Old Testament – and the early chapters of Luke’s Gospel, it relates the story of Naomi and Ruth to that of Mary and Joseph, both beginning with a journey to Bethlehem.
The four week course starts on November 24, with a choice of four times and venues. Sign-up sheets can be found in each church, with a deadline of Sunday November 16. The cost of the book is £7, to be paid to the group leader.

Advent calendars...
We will soon be ordering chocolate Advent calendars from the Meaningful Chocolate company (https://meaningfulchocolate.co.uk/pages/real-advent-calendar), if people are interested in these. They are no longer sold in supermarkets and would cost £5.50. Please put the money with your order through the Vicarage door by November 17th.

... and Advent candles
These will be available in church soon, again with an accompanying card. 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.

Wallingford Foodbank
The foodbank is very grateful for the recent harvest gifts from St Thomas’ as they continue to support increasing numbers of people. We are encouraged to get Christmas goodies to them by the end of November. This enables them to get them to families who can be reassured that they have some treats put by, and do not worry about buying them.
Christmas items to consider are Christmas cakes (various sizes), microwaveable Christmas puddings (various sizes), chocolate tree ornaments, Christmas chocolate treats and other Christmas sweets, boxes of biscuits, packets of stuffing mix or packets of gravy and, of course, mince pies.
Donations can be left in the boxes in the porches at St Thomas’ or St Andrew’s. Thank you.

An Invitation to arrange Flowers at St Thomas’

Flowers placed on the altar reflect the seasons and give pleasure to our congregation. Here at St Thomas’ there has been a faithful and creative team who have made sure that there are always arrangements in place. Each individual looks after their vases for two weeks before handing over to the next person on the rota. As well as this we all come together to create a more ambitious display for the various festivals of Easter, Harvest and Christmas.

For a variety of reasons, we are now much reduced in numbers and are looking for new flower arrangers to join us. We would welcome anyone who would enjoy the activity. It is not necessary to have experience as we arrange our flowers in vases, without floral foam, so our creations are essentially a lot simpler than in past times.
Please do get in touch via the church office (875651) if you would like to help us keep this lovely tradition going and would like more information. I am very happy to give guidance or tuition if you think you might need it. You will be most welcome!
Jenny

This week we are asked to pray:

For our armed forces and emergency services as they confront danger. For their families.
For peacemakers and reconcilers to be at work among those who grieve for injustices done.
For those who carry authority and responsibility on our behalf. May we pray for them and support and honour them.

Diary for the week

Tuesday 11th November
11:00am            Act of Remembrance at war memorials

Wednesday 12th November
10:30am             Little Lights at St Mary’s
10:30am           BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
The readings will be Titus 3.1–7, Ps. 82 and Luke 17.11–19.

Sunday 16th November
8:00am              BCP Holy Communion at St Thomas’
9:30am              Holy Communion at St Thomas’
11:15am BCP Holy Communion at St Mary’s
11:15am            BCP Holy Communion at St Andrew’s
3:00pm Bereavement Café in the Canterbury Room
5:00pm Meal for families in the Canterbury Room

Prayers for the week
Thank you to Mike for this week’s prayers.

Father of all, remember your holy promise, and look with love on all your people, living and departed. On this day we especially ask that you would hold forever all who have suffered during war, those who returned scarred by warfare, those who waited anxiously at home, and those who returned wounded, and disillusioned; those who mourned, and those communities that were diminished and suffered loss. Remember too those who acted with kindly compassion, those who bravely risked their own lives for their comrades, and those who in the aftermath of war, worked tirelessly for a more peaceful world. And as you remember them, remember us, O Lord; grant us peace in our time and a longing for the day when people of every language, race, and nation will be brought into the unity of Christ’s kingdom.
This we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God of the nations, as we look to that day when you will gather people from north and south, east and west, into the unity of your peaceable Kingdom, guide with your just and gentle wisdom all who take counsel for the nations of the world ,that all your people may spend their days in security, freedom, and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember before you all who are finding life a problem, all who are disillusioned, discouraged or despairing, all who are without vision or hope, Bless all involved in accidents or who are taken ill today; we remember the chronically ill and the dying. We pray for all loved ones in their need.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We give thanks that you bear us up and do not suffer us to face destruction; you offer us life which is eternal. We pray for loved ones departed, for all who have left sorrow and pain for life and love eternal and we pray for their families and friends.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Father, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Daily readings for the week beginning 10th November

Monday am:	Ps 20	Isa. 5. 8-24	Matt. 4.23-5.12	pm: Ps 34	Rev. ch 5
Tuesday am:	Ps 21	Isa. 5. 25-end	Matt. 5. 13-20	pm: Ps 40	Rev ch 6
Wednesday am:	Ps 23	Isa. ch 6	Matt 5. 21-37	pm: Ps 37	Rev 7. 1-4, 9-end
Thursday am:	Ps 26	Isa. 7. 1-17	Matt 5. 38-end	pm: Ps 43	Rev ch 8
Friday am:	Ps 32	Isa. 8. 1-15	Matt 6. 1-18	pm: Ps 31	Rev 9. 1-12
Saturday am:	Ps 33	Isa. 8.16-9.7	Matt 6. 19-end	pm: Ps 86	Rev. 9. 13-end

Please send any notices or articles for the next news sheet by noon on Thursdays to vicarofgsandss@yahoo.com.

The Benefice of Goring and Streatley with South Stoke

The Vicarage

Manor Road

Goring, Berkshire RG8 9DR

United Kingdom