Once again the Sisters will be distributing festive Christmas bags for low income families/homeless in St Paul’s (goodies for 500 bags needed).

Gifts of food for each festive bag include—chocolate biscuits, tin of biscuits, tin of ham, box of chocolates, chocolate spread or jam, Christmas pudding, jar of peanut butter, 40 tea bags & a jar of coffee.

Also new toys for babies & children, including cars, lego, hand held computer games, Airfix models, baby & fashion dolls, play makeup, jewellery, craft & painting sets, tea sets etc. are most welcome.

Most years they do run short of gifts for teenagers such as hand held computer games, toiletries, ‘trendy’ hair products, small radios, watches, fashion gloves, scarves etc.

In addition they are pleased to receive gifts for adults—new gloves, hats, socks, scarves & toiletries.

There will be a red box for gifts in the foyer—Sun 4th Dec is the last day for collection.

Posted 24 Nov 2011 @ 18:09Share this on Facebook

Throughout Advent the chapel will be available to pray and to wait on God. Dennis Coburn has recently joined St Matthew’s and, along with the Trinity Context Students, he has put together a prayer space including some artwork to help us wait for God during Advent. Do have a look at his website too.

The chapel will be available in the week whilst the office is open (8.30am to 1pm each day) and at some other times. There is also always someone in church from 9.15 on a Sunday morning and from 6 on Sunday evening.

Do collect an information card from church for more information.

Posted 24 Nov 2011 @ 17:48Share this on Facebook

This was presented at women@stmatts weekend@home on 18-19 November.

Would he speak my language—TAW 2011

Would he speak my language if he came to earth for me?
Would he recognise my features, and wave across the street?
Would he want to spend time with me, and arrange a place to meet?
Would he speak my language if he came to earth for me?

Would he sit at table with me, with my friends and family?
Would he want to say grace for us, before we start to eat?
Would he change the water into wine, the crumbs into a feast?
Would he sit at table with me, with my friends and family?

Would he follow me to work and sit across the desk from me?
Eat doughnuts in the staff room, and talk of what was on TV?
Would he get bored during meetings, and so slowly fall asleep?
Would he follow me to work and sit across the desk from me?

Would he join me on the school run, in the rush at half past three
Collecting kids and bags and coats, and kissing injured knees?
Would he laugh and splash in puddles as we ran beneath the trees?
Would he join me on the school run, in the rush at half past three?

Would he meet me at my lowest ebb, in the depths of tragedy
When all seems false and far-away, and pain is all I see
When I start to build the walls that separate the rest from me—
Would he meet me at my lowest ebb, in the depths of tragedy?

Jesus, would you be my friend? Would you join my family?
The God who comes to earth each day, the God who comes for me
The one who knows my thoughts, in whom I was, am and will be
This Jesus: come, and be my friend; come, and walk each step with me.

Posted 21 Nov 2011 @ 12:48Share this on Facebook

If you would like to join the Christmas choir and sing at the Carol Service (18th Dec 7pm) and other Christmas services then do come along to the rehearsals. First rehearsals are on Fri 25th Nov and Fri Dec 2nd at 7.30 in church. It is an advantage to be able to sing harmonies but support is given.

Posted 17 Nov 2011 @ 16:01Share this on Facebook

Tired of the same old commercial calendars? Looking for a creative way to celebrate Advent with your family? Then look no further! The Jesse Tree is a unique way of counting down to Christmas by looking at different parts of God’s great salvation story and hanging up symbols to represent each day’s reading.

If you would like a pack (which includes instructions, a story reading plan and tags ready for you to cut out and use) please sign up on the notice board. Maybe you could pass one on to a friend? There is a small charge of £1 to cover the cost of materials.

For more information see Nicola Such.

Posted 30 Oct 2011 @ 15:25Share this on Facebook