Weekly letter from St Luke's - 20th December 2024

Dear Parish Friends

In our Advent readings this year, we have been moving backwards. First we looked at Jesus' foretelling of his second coming, then, over two weeks, we reflected on the ministry of John the Baptist, as he pointed towards Jesus' adult ministry. Finally this week, we come to the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, pregnant with Jesus and John as they point towards the babies they were carrying as something truly special. Elizabeth says "blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord" (Luke 1:45). God had done great things in the past for God's people, but now was to fulfil in a profound way God's promise to bring salvation. We live in the light of this news that Mary's boy brings and this is why we celebrate again at this season.

Our services on Sunday are the usual 7am Holy Communion and 9am Family Communion (with Zoom streaming). Children's Church is on holiday, but children are always welcome and there will be a children's message in the 9am service. We also, at the 9am service, welcome Ernest Blue Grenfell-Dexter, with his family, as he comes for Baptism. See the links below for a copy of the week's notice paper and order of service for 9am.

A reminder of our Christmas services:

• Christmas Eve 5pm. Family service with interactive nativity story and communion.

• Christmas Eve 11pm. Midnight mass with candles.

• Christmas Day 9am. Family communion service (also streamed on Zoom).

Please invite your family and friends to join us.

Regards

Rev'd Timothy