Newsline Winter 2004

Presents to get, parties to attend, sometimes it can seem so overwhelming, that the actual person, who makes Christmas what it is, can be forgotten! (And we're not talking Father Christmas!)
If that is something you don't want to happen this year, then why not make some time, for some of the opportunities highlighted. There is a wide variety, in terms of appeal & style.
They've been listed in chronological order. So, on behalf of the Shefford churches, I pray that this year, we can each have the time to remember and celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way.

Wednesday December 1st
10am-11.30am Mini-M's Christmas Party @ Shefford Baptist Church, for all carers, & babies, toddlers!

Sunday December 5th
9.30a.m. Toy service @ Shefford Methodist Church - An opportunity to bring gifts for a children's charity
10a.m. Gift service @ Shefford Baptist Church - gifts going to local children's charity, Spurgeon's Child Care.

Tuesday December 7th
Time TBC. Annual Candle service @ St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, organised by Union of Catholic Mothers, with ladies from other groups.

Saturday December 11th
10am - 12noon, Christmas Activity Morning @ Shefford Baptist Church, for Lower School age children.

Sunday December 19th
10a.m. All-age Christmas celebration @ Shefford Baptist Church, led by the children & young people
2.30p.m. Ecumenical Christmas service @ The Birches' Residential Home, Hitchin Road, Shefford
6p.m. Carols by candle-light @ Shefford Baptist Church
6p.m. Christmas Carol service @ Shefford Methodist Church

Monday December 20th
7.30p.m. Town Carol Service with Shefford Town Band @ St. Michael & All Angels

Friday December 24th (Christmas Eve)
11-12noon Confessions @ St. Francis of Assisi
2.30p.m. "Jigsaw Christmas" - A children's Nativity service @ St. Michael & All Angels
3-3.30p.m. Confessions @ St. Francis of Assisi
4p.m. Christingle Service @ Shefford Methodist Church
6p.m. Christingle service @ Shefford Methodist Church
11.15p.m. Midnight communion with carols@ St. Michael & All Angels
12midnight Midnight Mass @ St. Francis of Assisi

Saturday Dec. 25th (Christmas Day)
9 a.m. Mass @ St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church
9.30a.m. Christmas Day celebration @ Shefford Baptist Church (bring a present to show)
9.30a.m. Christmas Day celebration @ Shefford Methodist (bring a present to show)
10a.m. Christmas Family Communion @ St. Michael & All Angels
11a.m. Mass @ St. Francis of Assisi

Note. There will be confessions after each Sunday in Advent at St Francis.

On behalf of the Shefford churches, I pray that this will be a special time for everyone, and that amidst everything that takes place, the reason for Christmas won't be forgotten.

For any further details, or queries, then please contact the appropriate person.

JohnHarpur 813334 Fr. Bennie Noonan 813436
Phil Snelson 813284 Steve Summerfield 812564

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS WITH THE SHEFFORD CHURCHES
Presents to get, parties to attend, sometimes it can seem so overwhelming, that the actual person, who makes Christmas what it is, can be forgotten! (And we're not talking Father Christmas!) If that is something you don't want to happen this year, then why not make some time, for some of the opportunities highlighted. There is a wide variety, in terms of appeal & style. They've been listed in chronological order. So, on behalf of the Shefford churches, I pray that this year, we can each have the time to remember and celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way. Wednesday December 1st 10am-11.30am Mini-M's Christmas Party @ Shefford Baptist Church, for all carers, & babies, toddlers! Sunday December 5th 9.30a.m. Toy service @ Shefford Methodist Church - An opportunity to bring gifts for a children's charity 10a.m. Gift service @ Shefford Baptist Church - gifts going to local children's charity, Spurgeon's Child Care. Tuesday December 7th Time TBC. Annual Candle service @ St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, organised by Union of Catholic Mothers, with ladies from other groups. Saturday December 11th 10am - 12noon, Christmas Activity Morning @ Shefford Baptist Church, for Lower School age children. Sunday December 19th 10a.m. All-age Christmas celebration @ Shefford Baptist Church, led by the children & young people 2.30p.m. Ecumenical Christmas service @ The Birches' Residential Home, Hitchin Road, Shefford 6p.m. Carols by candle-light @ Shefford Baptist Church 6p.m. Christmas Carol service @ Shefford Methodist Church Monday December 20th 7.30p.m. Town Carol Service with Shefford Town Band @ St. Michael & All Angels Friday December 24th (Christmas Eve) 11-12noon Confessions @ St. Francis of Assisi 2.30p.m. "Jigsaw Christmas" - A children's Nativity service @ St. Michael & All Angels 3-3.30p.m. Confessions @ St. Francis of Assisi 4p.m. Christingle Service @ Shefford Methodist Church 6p.m. Christingle service @ Shefford Methodist Church 11.15p.m. Midnight communion with carols@ St. Michael & All Angels 12midnight Midnight Mass @ St. Francis of Assisi Saturday Dec. 25th (Christmas Day) 9 a.m. Mass @ St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church 9.30a.m. Christmas Day celebration @ Shefford Baptist Church (bring a present to show) 9.30a.m. Christmas Day celebration @ Shefford Methodist (bring a present to show) 10a.m. Christmas Family Communion @ St. Michael & All Angels 11a.m. Mass @ St. Francis of Assisi Note. There will be confessions after each Sunday in Advent at St Francis. On behalf of the Shefford churches, I pray that this will be a special time for everyone, and that amidst everything that takes place, the reason for Christmas won't be forgotten. For any further details, or queries, then please contact the appropriate person. JohnHarpur 813334 Fr. Bennie Noonan 813436 Phil Snelson 813284 Steve Summerfield 812564