Those we are praying for….. Ron and Beryl Lines, Rosemary Wood, Derek Wiltshire, Trevor Morgan, Nigel Begbie, Phyllis, Stella Hopton, Gladys, Dennis Crew and Sandra and Paul Hemmings & family.

Pray for our Growth TogetherPlease continue to pray for growth in our Christian community

Eternal Father, look with your love on your people of this benefice and the wider Partnership, and pour upon us the gifts of your Spirit. Draw us to you and one another that our growing unity may bring healing of life to all, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Thought for this week…..by Rev. Jordan Ling“I can be a Christian without going to church” I hear this phrase often, and I sympathise with those who have distanced themselves from church – church life is complicated. However, this recent time of illness for me has been the longest I have been separated from a church family since I became a Christian. Some of the time I was too ill to pray. So time with God, in any form, has been limited.

Returning this Sunday to our worshiping families I was profoundly struck by the sense of God’s presence among us and within our relationships. Church life is a relationship - of sharing our lives, our prayers, our worship in the hope that together we might make sense of our faith in God. To be a Christian without going to Church is to ignore the relationship that defines God – The Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We can of course believe without belonging but to belong is to enter in to the heart of God – relationship. It may be messy, it may be less than perfect but relationship is God. Please join me in praying for those whose lives might be richer for sharing in belonging to a church family, and perhaps invite them this Christmas to join us.

Priest-in-Charge of Benefice – Rev. Jordan Ling 0117 3304953Associate Minister – Rev. Trevor Denley 07960 329127

Assistant Curate – Rev. Nicola Callen 0117 9658833Assistant Curate – Rev. Michelle Martin 07804 610929

East Bristol Partnership OfficeTel: 0117 9586412 Email: eastbristol.org@gmail.com

All notices for the following Sunday to be sent to Amy Donaldson, East Bristol Partnership Administrator by midnight on Tuesday.

News from the Pews 3 Churches working together in East Bristol as part of the

East Bristol Partnership

St. Aidan’s St John’s St Michael’s ‘Reaching Out to ‘Serving the Community, ‘Serving the Community Welcome In’ Worshipping God’ of Two Mile Hill’

Welcome Sunday 21st December

Our Collect Prayer for today – The Fourth Sunday of Advent Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, as we wait for his coming in

glory; bring us through the birth-pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.

What’s happening this morning:St Michael’s Church 9.00am – Eucharist with Rev. David SansumSt Aidan’s Church 10.30am – Lay-led Service with Sheila McKay co-ordinatingSt John’s Church 10.30am – Eucharist with Rev. Nicola Callen Readings: 2 Sam.7:1-11, 16; Rom.16:25-end; Luke.1:26-38

Upcoming events for us all…… Jordan would like to thank everyone for their support over the last few weeks, the cards and flowers and cakes were much appreciated. After a nasty chest infection she is finally better and looking forward to catching up with everyone.

The funeral of Austin Thomas will take place at St Mary’s on Tuesday 23rd December at 9.30am.

Look inside to see what else is going on……

S John’s Churchwww.stjohnsfishponds.com

Special notices….Carol Service is today at 6.30pm. All welcome.The Crib and Christingle Service is on Christmas Eve starting at 6pm with Midnight Mass starting at 11.30pm. The Church will be open from 9.30pm to drop in for a mince pie. All welcome.We are hoping to get some Christmas Lights for outside of church this year. We have received some donations towards the cost, however if you would like to make a donation please give any contribution to one of the Wardens.

Regular weekly events….

MONDAYS 3pm – 4.30pmMonday 6.30pm – Evening PrayerTuesday 9.15am - Morning Prayer

Saturday 10.00am – Bible Study in the Church

www.staidanbristol.co.uk

Special notices….The Crib Service is on Christmas Eve starting at 5.30pm with Midnight Mass starting at 11.15pm. All welcome.

Regular weekly events….

EVERY 1ST SUNDAY IN HALL 9.45am – 11amMondays 2.00pm – Welcome Club for retired’s

Tuesdays 7.00pm - Evening Prayer in the Lady ChapelWednesdays 3.30pm – Messy Church, Air Balloon Primary

Thursdays 9.15am – Morning Prayer in the Lady Chapel

Thursday mornings 10am – 12pm in the Café area of Church

St Michael’s ChurchSpecial notices…..The Crib Service is on Christmas Eve starting at 4pm with Midnight Mass starting at 11.15pm. All welcome.Regular weekly events….. Every 1st and 3rd Wed 10.00am - Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing