Congratulations
Thanks to everyone who cam to support all those being confirmed on Tuesday night. It helped to make the evening special for them. The church was full, there was a range of joyful music and the lovely service lead by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Julian Henderson. Also thank you to all who sponsored a candidate. 16 children and 4 adults from our two churches were confirmed.
Please continue to remember the Confirmation candidates in your prayers.
United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors
First Sunday of Advent
This service is live in church, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online. Now most of the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.
However, below are the day’s readings plus the intercessions for reference, as there will not appear on screen.
First reading: Isaiah 35: 1-10
The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Second reading: Luke 21: 25 – 36
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Third reading Romans 13: 11 – 14
11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber,because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[a]
Spirit of Christmas
‘Mary and Joseph‘ can visit your house for one night on the way to Bethlehem. – sign up on the sheet at the back of church if you would like a visit.
Why not have fun and decorating an Advent / Christmas window?
Please let Revd Toby know if you’d like to decorate a window in your house. The theme is Christmas carols or songs, you can choose which you would like to do.
This year all windows need to be ready for the 4/5th December.
Looking forward to seeing this year’s windows.
What opportunities are there to prepare for Christmas?
Weekly reflections – Thursdays 7:30pm in All Saints’ Church and on-line
Deanery Advent Carol Service – At St. James’ Haslingden on Sunday 5th December at 6:30pm. Sung by a joint choir including members of our own church.
Advent bible reading – Please take one of the booklets with a bible reading and comment for each day in Advent. The readings follow the story of King David.
Also visit our calendar to find out what else is on.
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Confirmation Tuesday 23rd November
at 7:00pm in All Saints’ Church
16 children and 4 adults from our two churches are going to be confirmed by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Julian Henderson.
Please do come and support our Confirmation candidates and remember them in your prayers.
All welcome
All Saints’ Church
Friday mornings from 9:00am in term time.
Tea – coffee – toast – cordial.
Come and enjoy a brew and a chat.
If you have any pre – school children bring them along too.We’ll have toys and books out for them to enjoy.
All welcome.
(This is with the exception of Friday 10th December as there is a wedding on the morning.)
Tots Praise
1st December 2:00 pm in All Saints’ Church
A fun time of worship and fellowship for the under 5s and their parents / carers.
Looking forward to seeing our under 5s again and new members are also very welcome.
Now we are getting back to normal, you will again, find all future events on the calendar
Please continue to support our local Food back based at Clayton Baptist Church, especially as more and more people in the local area are struggling.
sauce, tea / coffee etc. Also fruit and vegetables.Please can you drop items off at Clayton Baptist Church. Alternatively if you bring your items to church on Sunday we will make sure that they get to the food bank.
Thank you.