Notices for this week 20th December 2009

Season's Greetings for a Happy Christmas
"The Lord is Near!" We celebrate the closeness of God as our Advent journey draws to its climax in the joyful celebration of Christmas. I hope for you this has been a season of blessing and growth in love for God, and you have been able to prepare to welcome Jesus, Emmanuel, "God with us". In the joy and busyness of this season, let us not lose sight of the reason for the season and let us hear again God's call to turn to him and live afresh for him. I found myself challenged recently when I read these words from the medieval Christian writer Meister Eckhart:  'What good is it to me if this external birth of the divine son takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself?  And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace but I am not also full of grace? What good is it to me for the creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and in my culture? This then, is the fullness of time; when the Son of God is begotten in me."    Simon

Parish Christmas Card
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation to the St Joseph's Dovetail Project and added their name and greetings to the church family on our communal church Christmas card.

Christmas leaflets
We printed 1400 copies of the Christmas leaflet and it is important they are all distributed in the next few days. Please take some bundles today (20 leaflets to a bundle), write down which street you are covering and post them through doors in our parish. Thank you!

Happy Christmas to St Joseph's!
Our thanks to St Joseph's church family for your faith, fellowship and commitment to the life of our Christian community this past year. We look forward to seeing you and your friends at our Christmas services, starting this afternoon with our 3pm Afternoon Praise carols. We wish you and those you love and care for a joyful Christmas-tide and a very happy and peaceful New Year.
With love and blessings from Simon (Vicar) and Ray (Church warden)

Lights of Life Tree for Remembering
Christmas is often a difficult time of the year for those who have lost a friend or relative. You are invited to visit the Lights of Life Tree in the Dovetail Centre where you can spend a few moments remembering a loved one who has died and add their name on a gold coloured tag to the tree. The Lights of Life Tree is available now, around daily service times and through the day whenever the centre is open. Please spread the word to friends and neighbours.

Getting the church ready for Christmas
After our 10am mass today December 20th, we have a number of jobs to do together to prepare church for our Christmas celebrations, including changing the banners, setting up and decorating the Christmas tree and nativity scene. Please be prepared to give some of your time next week to help get the church ready. Thank you!

Friday Youth Drop-In Needs You!
The Drop-In cannot open if we do not have enough adults. So we are asking people to sign up on the rota in the Dovetail Centre to help for a night in the tuck shop. Come along, volunteer your time and find out what youth work is about. No upper age limit!! Chris Hill

Words For Weapons
It was great to hear from Mike Smith last week about Word for Weapons and the knife bin that has been placed beside our Bell Tower. The bin is a secure container where anyone can place a knife and in return can be offered an All I Need Bag that contains a bible among other items. When Mike was here last week he checked the bin and there had already been 5 knives deposited. This is great news!
See the posters and flyers in the Dovetail Centre for more information.

CAROL SINGING at Hillingdon Hospital
If anyone would like to join the chaplaincy team singing round the Wards on Christmas Eve please have a word with Mavis or be in the Chapel on the Lower Ground Floor by 7pm. If you can bring an instrument so much the better. Thanks  Mavis

“Save the Children Fund”Please don’t forget to bring your USED STAMPS to Church especially foreign ones. There are a lot about at Christmas. Please place them in the box on the ledge near the entrance. Thanks Joan Kearley

Confirmation Service in 2010
Bishop Pete will be visiting us for our confirmation service on Sunday January 31st at 10am. If you are a committed Christian, over 16 years and have not yet been confirmed as a member of the Church of England, please seriously consider making taking this step and speak to Fr Simon. There will be three preparation sessions on Thursday evenings in January.

New Wine 2010
If you want to come as part of our St Joseph's group to the New Wine summer conference in Somerset, July 24th-30th 2010, now is the time to get your booking in. Before 30th November places cost significantly less: for example, £116 for an adult. Or you can pay a deposit now to secure your place, and then budget something each month towards paying your place in full. The 12,000 places for the week are generally sold out by February. See http://www.new-wine.org/  for more information. There's a promotional DVD available to get an idea of what all ages enjoy at this week of worship, teaching and fellowship.

Advent Wreath
Each week in Advent we light a new candle on the Advent Wreath in church and as we do that we remember those who prepared for the coming of Christ. 
This week Advent 4– Mary
We pray together:

Lord Jesus, light of the world,
blessed is Gabriel, who brought good news; blessed is Mary, your mother and ours. Bless your Church preparing for Christmas; and bless us your children, who long for your coming
Amen