St Andrew's Newsletter

The December Newsletter from St Andrew's

ST. ANDREWS, WEST DEREHAM

(also St. Mary's, Denver; St. Mary the Virgin, Bexwell and St.

Michael's, Ryston)

Vicar: The Rev'd Judith Grundy

The Rectory, Ryston Road, Denver

Tel 383226

SERVICES AND EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2005

SUNDAY 4th: 11am -

FAMILY SERVICE: Led by Lesley Pearce:

Preacher: Rev'd Judith Grundy

(coffee / tea at the end of the service)

6.30pm -Advent Carols, St Mary the Virgin, Bexwell

Lead by Rev'd Judith Grundy

Preacher: Mary Hurst

FRIDAY 9th: 6.30pm: Christingle Service, St. Mary's Denver, led by Rev'd Judith Grundy

SUNDAY 11th: 9.30am - Service of Holy Communion led by Lesley Pearce: Celebrant and preacher, the Rev'd Judith Grundy

SUNDAY 18th: 3.30 pm Service of Lessons and Carols with Christingle, led by Lesley Pearce. Preacher the Rev'd Judith Grundy

8pm Compline at St Mary the Virgin, Bexwell,

led by Lesley Pearce

MONDAY 19th: 6pm: DenverVC School: Infant Nativity in St Mary's, Denver

WEDNESDAY 21st at 7.30pm Healing Service with Holy Communion led by Christine Vincent. Preacher Lesley Pearce

CHRISTMAS EVE 24th: 6.30pm Holy Communion, St Mary theVirgin, Bexwell Celebrant and preacher, the Rev'd Judith

Grundy

11.30pm: Holy Communion, St Mary's Denver

Celebrant and preacher th Rev'd Robin Blackall

11.30pm: Holy Communion, St Andrew's, W.D.

Celebrant and preacher: The Rev'd Judith Grundy

CHRISTMAS DAY 25th: 8am:ST MICHAEL'S RYSTON, Holy Communion BCP Celebrant and preacher: The Rev'd Judith Grundy

9.30 ST ANDREW'S W.D.,HOLY COMMUNION:

Celebrant and preacher: The Rev'd Judith Grundy

___________________________________________________________

CHURCHWARDENS for St. Andrew's West Dereham:

Mr. Graeme Pressley, The Plot, Church Road 01366 -

501179

Mrs Christine Vincent, Aspen, Ryston Road, W. Dereham 01366 -

500283

____________________________________________________________________

INTERCESSIONS: Please let one of our churchwardens know (see tel nos.above) if you, or anyone you know, needs prayer, for sickness, or any other personal or family problem (in absolute confidence: No details are made public unless you wish it). We will gladly add any names to our weekly intercession list.) We believe that God hears and answers prayers, according to His plan and purpose for your life.

HEATING

THE CHURCH IS NOW WARM!

For the first time in its long history (over 1000 years of a worshipping community on this site) St Andrews Church is able to extend an even warmer welcome to those who come to worship God!

LIGHTING

Final steps are being taken to ensure that the faculty (permission)application to the Chancellor of the Ely Diocese contains all the relevant documents.

On receipt of this faculty work will go ahead to complete the lighting of the rest of the church.

CHRISTMAS CARDS ON SALE:

Featuring St Andrew's church and with a suitable verse, they are now on sale from Christine Vincent, tel 500283 for a pack or two: All proceeds to St Andrews.

d m c f

(DOWNHAM MARKET CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP)

at THE SOVEREIGN CENTRE

Sovereign Way Industrial Estate, Downham Market

Tel: 384474

Pastor: Presently the Fellowship Pastorate is vacant

Youth Pastor: Jo Sankey

Pastoral Team Co-ordinators: Bernie and Jill Reed

Elders: Nick and Beth Butt, Nam and Ruth Tong, Andrew Wille

You will be most welcome to come along to join in any of the services at the "Sovereign Centre"..

Sunday morning services begin at 10.30am.

Tuesday Evening services begin at 7.30pm

For full details of services and events for December are included in the church newsletter: Phone 01366 - 384474 for your copy or, better still,call in for a coffee and a warm welcome at the Sovereign Centre.

WEEKLY EVENTS INCLUDE:

"Frantic" (for all Primary School children) Friday,6.15 - 7.30 at the Sov Centre

Tuesday Bible Study, 7.30pm at the Sovereign Centre

Happitots Playgroup Mondays, 9.30 - 11.30am

The Alpha Course, Start date to be announced

The Marriage Course (Thurs. from Sept 29th - please phone 500470)

Youth Alpha Every Thursday 6.15 - 7.45 at Lion House, Lynn Road D.Mkt

"Fusion" for Yrs 7, 8 & 9, 7 - 8.30, at Lion House, Mondays

CYF for Yr 10 onwards, Sunday's 6.15 - 7.45, Lion House

"Preparation for Marriage" Course -

for those planning to get married

This five-week course, is offered to engaged couples .

IF YOU HAVE JUST GOT ENGAGED, THIS IS THE COURSE FOR YOU:

Phone Todd and Monica, via the church, on 01366 - 384474 to ask about dates. The details are similar to The Marriage Course (see below)

"The Marriage Course" begins again in January 2006:

This SEVEN WEEK course is for those who have been married for a year or so (or much longer!) and would like to "tune up" their relationship:

Each evening * begins with a meal together

* then several parts of a video presentation

* interspersed with discussion between

husband and wife (totally privately)

. Using a workbook to help focus discussion

. Coffee and cakes served during the evening.

OPEN TO ALL

Phone 01366 - 500470/384474 to book a place on the next course.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOVEREIGN CENTRE:

An amazing amount of work has gone on at the Sovereign Centre during the last two months. A suspended ceiling now hangs in the first half of the building, and a large area is enclosed by vertical walls, to create a worship area, classrooms and a new office area along one side

Electrics are being installed, and, by the time you read this, the new worship area, stage, lighting desk and carpeting should be installed and ready for the Carol Service on 18th December at 10.30am. We invite you

to come along and see for yourself.

This has been made possible by the sacrificial giving of the congregation to kick-start the new work, and by the sale of the old High-Street building now occupied by FADS.

Soon a new kitchen will be created to serve one end of the new area, and all the present furniture moved from the present worship area at the far end of the building. The chairs will be arranged in arena-style, facing the stage from three sides.

The new area will be much warmer, with better acoustics and, for the time being, will be large enough for the usual 150-ish Christian Fellowship congregation.

Chris Young