December 2018

The Parish Churches of

St Michael & St Wulfad, Stone, with

St Saviour Aston by Stone

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!Can you help? Due to losing a couple of members from the rota, we are in need of some volunteers for the coffee rota. It would be a shame if we had to go back to once a fortnight like we used to do. The more volunteers we have, the less frequently you will need to do it. We are also looking for Sides people. If you can help with either of these roles please speak to Nichola. Thank you.

A VERY BIG THANK YOUto everyone who worked towards, attended or simply spent money at both Aston Christmas Fair and the Christmas Tree festival over the last two weekends. Both events were extremely successful and it was a great pleasure to see so many people supporting each other’s churches. Well done everyone!

AND ANOTHER BIG THANK YOUto everyone who read for the New Testament leg of the Bible Readathon in this last week. The final chapters of Revelation just crept over into Wednesday morning! Again, so many thanks to Dennis who organised this for St M&W’s 260^th year

 “Are you ready yet?” – Surely a cry heard in many family homes down the years. But this week the cry comes from none other than John the Baptist – that great titanic and abrasive figure that makes his first appearance this Advent as we move to our second Sunday. John resembles the last of the Old Testament prophets – someone who continually nudges God’s people and tells them that his Kingdom is on the way

And John tells us simply that we have to repent – a very unfashionable word for our times. In our age so many people believe that no-one should dare to criticise or comment on the way that they live. But John’s message is imply one that says that “where we are” is not where we should be:- in God’s time things have to change – and we must be ready for his Kingdom when it comes

Ian Cardinal

Hymns for today

                        Aston                          Stone              

            49                                49

            519                              98

358                              513

98/566                         198/295

307                              566

Please pray for the sick in the benefice:

Mary Townsend, Noelle Emery,  Peter and Dianne Harvey, Elsie Richardson, Roy & Barbara Ball, Vera Tomkinson, Neil & Pat Wynne, Gary Kelsall, Jocelyn James, Emily Franks, John Richardson, Annette McMullen, Peter Bowler, Howard Boswell, Catherine Ritchie, Sarah Taylor, Graham Baker, Jackie Finnemore, Wendy Gee, James Astle, Miles Brain, Joan Lazonby,  Elsie Woodcock, John & Ann Shuttleworth, Sheila Howells and

Richard Kempa, Frank & Joyce Crowther, Evelyn Cotterill

And for the departed:

Ted Bourne, Winnie Lyons, Maurice Bunn, Frank Clark

Remembering their families and friends at this time

This week:

Monday 10^th 7pm 5^th Stone Scouts Carol service – St M&W

Tuesday 11^th 7pm Aston Scouts Carol service – St Saviour’s

Thursday 13^th 9.30am Holy Communion – The Moorings

10.30am Holy Communion – St M&W

Ladies group lunch at Bridgemere today

PARISH DIARIES Please buy a diary.We still have 75 to sell!!

LADIES: Please see Steph regarding arrangements and transport for Thursday 13^th.

CIVIC CAROL SERVICE.The Mayor’s Carol service will be held this Sunday, 9^th December at 3pm at St M&W. Do come and support a great event in the life of our town

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHTSunday 16^th 3pm at St Michael & St Wulfad’s – all welcome