Last Week's LifeLine

Readings 
Philippians 4.4-7 and Luke 3.7-18
 
Prayer for the week
God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice,
and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
 
Readings for the coming week
Monday                  Psalm 40, Isaiah 49.14-25 & 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11
Tuesday Psalm 70, Isaiah 50 & 1 Thessalonians 5.12-end
Wednesday Psalm 75, Isaiah 51.1-8  & 2 Thessalonians 1
Thursday Psalm 146, Isaiah 51.9-16 & 2 Thessalonians 2
Friday Psalm 46, Isaiah 51.17-end & 2 Thessalonians 3
Saturday Psalm 121, Isaiah 52.1-12 & Jude
 
For your prayers
For the staff and pupils of Elmhurst Junior School,  Walton C of E school and Compton Dundon School as they celebrate Christmas at carol services and Christmas assemblies in our churches. For all those in our churches who are unwell, recovering from surgery or undergoing treatment, including Bob Lampert, Bill Ingham, Jane Doyle & Yvonne Guerin. For those who are grieving for a loved one they have lost including the families and friends of Jenny Hall.
 
Christmas at SWCD Churches - spread the Good News
In each of our churches, you will find flyers advertising the principle Christmas services and events for that parish together with separate flyers for those particularly suitable for families across the benefice. Please take a stack of these away and share them with friends, family and neighbours or even deliver them down your street. You can also find full details on our website and on Facebook and in December Life. 
 
Decorating our churches for Christmas
Our churches at Walton and Compton Dundon are decorating for Christmas, today, Saturday. If you'd like to get involved, please talk to your church warden. 
 
Christmas Celebration@theMission
At our service this Sunday, 15th December, we will be having a scratch nativity, involving all ages. If you'd like to bring along a costume,    however old or young you are, you would be welcome.
 
Warm Space
Our Warm space Christmas special (and also the last warm space of 2024) will be today, Saturday 14th December 11am - 1pm in the     Mission Church. If you know someone who would welcome a warm space, good conversation and a Christmas buffet, why not invite them along. All who've been involved in the team are also very welcome. 
 
Come and sing the wondrous story..
Why not invite your family and friends to join you at our carol services over the coming week. Services will take place at:
Holy Trinity Walton, this Sunday, 15th December, 6pm. St Andrew's, Compton Dundon, Tuesday 17th December, 6pm and Parish Church, Street, next Sunday, 22nd December at 3pm.
Seasonal refreshments will be served after each of these services. 
 
Can you bake a cake for Street Carols?
Whilst Compton Dundon and Walton Carol services have their catering 'sorted', we are still looking for cakes and  / or mince pies for the new Community Carols and tea at the Parish Church Street on Sunday 22nd December at 3pm. We already know we have a good number coming and want to love our communities by offering great hospitality. If you can help, please speak to your church warden or Ana. Goodies can be home-made or shop bought. 
 
Christmas Connections@theMission
Come and share good food, good conversation at our Christmas themed Connections at the Mission this Thursday 19th December  2.30 - 4pm.
 
Crib Services on 24th December
Come and celebrate the excitement and anticipation of Christmas eve with our family friendly crib services. Bring your grandkids, bring your granny and come dressed as a nativity character if you'd like to. Our services will be at: St Andrews, Compton Dundon, 3pm, Holy Trinity, Walton, 4.30pm, Mission Church, Street, 4.30pm.
 
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services
Please see our Christmas flyer, website, Facebook or diary below for our other Christmas eve and Christmas day services across the   benefice. 
 
Foodbank Request
The Street Foodbank is likely to run short of supplies in the weeks  after Christmas. When you do your big Christmas shop, why not add a few things for those in need and donate them via the boxes in our churches or directly to the Foodbank at the Salvation Army in Street.
 
See the work on Compton Dundon Bells
As many of you know, the bells at Saint Andrew's, Compton Dundon have been removed and are currently at a bell foundry being restored for their re-installation in 2025. The bell committee are organising a trip to the bell foundry in Bridport to see the work in progress and all are invited to join them on the 31st January. Depending on numbers, the plan is to organise a minibus or coach and please let Judy   Skelding (Compton Dundon) know if you're interested in the next few days. A £5 deposit will be needed towards the cost of transport.
 
Dates for the diary
Christmas Celebration@theMission, Mission Church, 15th December
Carol Service, Walton, 15th December
Carol Service, Compton Dundon, 17th December
Community Carol Service, Parish Church, 22nd December
Crib Service, Compton Dundon, 24th December
Crib Service, Walton, 24th December
Crib Service, Mission Church, 24th December
Midnight in Bethlehem, Parish Church, 24th December
Midnight Communion, Walton, 24th December
Christmas Communion, Compton Dundon, 25th December
Christmas Day Communion, Mission Church, 25th December
 
What’s on this week
 
Sunday 15th December
9.15am        Celebration@Walton, Holy Trinity Walton
10am             Morning Worship, St Andrew’s Compton Dundon
10.30am      Christmas Celebration@the Mission,  Street Mission Church
11am             Holy Communion, Street Parish Church
6pm              Carol Service, Holy Trinity Walton
Monday
8.45am Prayer meeting, Street Mission Church
11am Elmhurst Carol Service, Street Parish Church
7.30pm Housegroup, Street Mission Church
Tuesday
11am Elmhurst Carol Service, Street Parish Church
6pm Carol Service, St Andrew’s Compton Dundon
7.00pm Housegroup, Zoom
Wednesday
9.15am School Assembly, St Andrew’s Compton Dundon
10am Midweek Communion, Street Mission Church
11am Elmhurst Carol Service, Street Parish Church
11am Holy Communion, Bluestone Court
7.30pm Handbell practice, Street Mission Church
Thursday
9.30am Prayer meeting, St Andrew’s Compton Dundon
11am Harvey Burt’s funeral, St Andrew’s Compton Dundon
11am Elmhurst Carol Service, Street Parish Church
10.30am Coffee morning Christmas Special, Holy Trinity Walton
2pm School Carol service, Holy Trinity Walton
2.30pm Connections Christmas Special, Street Mission Church
Sunday 22nd December
8.30am Holy Communion, Street Parish Church
9.15am Morning Worship, Holy Trinity Walton
10am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Compton Dundon
10.30am DigDeep@theMission, Street Mission Church
3pm Community Carols & tea, Street Parish Church