The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts
Inspiring faith, hope and love in each generation.
We’d like to wish you a very peaceful and joyous Christmas.
Details of remaining services for Christmas are at https://rossparishes.uk/christmas All services require pre-booked places.
Or join us live on YouTube (not Facebook): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q5Hx_UyH3o&list=PLjHmbsCmLi21n-0C4EF8CJ3TXBKLjnLQ8
…because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
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Pray for babies being born during this time and their parents.
When all things in silence lay, and the night was in the midst of her course, you Word leaped down from your royal throne, O God. So we rejoice and give you praise, that your Word may live in us, and that we may glorify you for ever. Amen
based on Wisdom of Solomon 18:14, Orthodox liturgy in The Book of a Thousand Prayers compiled by Angela Ashwin
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Have a chat with someone: What is your favourite Christmas movie?
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Give a donation to a homeless charity or give a homeless person some spare change if you can.
We have taken the difficult decision to cancel a number of our planned Christmas services. This is largely due to concerns over the rise in Covid infections but also influenced by weather conditions. The following will not now take place:
You’ll find details of the services that are still going ahead at https://rossparishes.uk/christmas. We ask everyone who comes along to observe good social distancing and to bring a face mask. All services require pre-booking and if you don’t make it, most will be live streamed on Facebook.
An angel of the Lord appeared and said: “Do not be afraid; for see—I am
bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, [a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, [b] praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
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Pray for those who feel afraid at the moment. May they feel comfort and protection.
With the shepherds of Bethlehem
help us, oh Lord, to stand in vigil on the eve of your Coming,
to run with haste to meet you,
to see your face in the faces of others
and to wake from our sleep as a new world is being born.
With the angels of Bethlehem help us,
oh Lord, to tell the whole world of your presence
God is with us!
Let us create peace amongst people
and work for justice amongst nations.
With Jesus, the infant Christ
help us, oh Lord,
to cherish the hope that is born at Advent,
to hear the calling of your people,
to nurture the seeds of your Kingdom
and through our actions to be messengers of your love
in building communities of service and prayer.
Amen.
This prayer was sent by Miguel Alonzo Macias from Honduras for CAFOD
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Have a chat with someone: What is your favourite Christmas food?
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Leave someone a note, voice message, or text message to spread cheer and joy.
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Pray
Pray for those who will be missing loved ones this Christmas.
Christ our Advent hope, bare brown trees, etched dark across a winter sky, leaves fallen, rustling, ground hard and cold, remind us to prepare for your coming; remind us to prepare for the time when the soles of your feet will touch the ground, when you will become one of us to be at one with us.
Kate McIlhagga- The Book of a Thousand Prayers compiled by Angela Ashwin
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Have a chat with someone: How hard is it to wait? What’s something you’ve had to wait a long time for?
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Set a timer and spend 5 minutes in silence….waiting.
In the light of increasing concern over the progress of Coronavirus we have been reviewing some of our remaining Christmas programme today and have, with a heavy heart, decided to cancel the proposed outside carol singing in the churchyard that was to have taken place on Wednesday and Thursday.
We apologise to all who had planned to come. The Bap Shack, who were to have been providing refreshments will instead be in the churchyard at the time of the Crib Service on Christmas Eve (4 pm service). There are only 5 places remaining at that service so book soon
Details of all our Christmas services will be found at https://rossparishes.uk/christmas.
We are sorry that the Carol Service live stream had streaming errors and we’re still trying to work out what the problem was. However, here is an uninterrupted recording of the repeat one at 6pm.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
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Pray for those who also don’t have a place to lay their head tonight.
Vulnerable God,
As we contemplate the wonder of your birth,
Stir in us the desire to cradle those who have no where to lay their head,
That together we may rock the boat of injustice.
Give us grace to offer our hands to those who reach out
That with faltering steps we may find a way home
And kindle our hearts to embrace the rejected and dispossessed
And so meet you face to face.
We ask this in your name. Amen.
Annabel Shilson-Thomas/CAFOD
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Have a chat with someone: How do you decorate your home for Christmas?
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Visit someone today, even if it just means standing on their doorstep for a bit.
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God our Father,
the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary
that she was to be the mother of your Son.
Though Mary was afraid,
she responded to your call with joy.
Help us, whom you call to serve you,
to share like her in your great work
of bringing to our world your love and healing.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
the light who is coming into the world. Amen.
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Have a chat with someone: What’s a favourite memory you have of your mum or a mother-like figure in your life?
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Do something that you have been too nervous or afraid to do.
There are still a few tickets left for tomorrow’s carol services at St Mary’s. Sunday 20th December @ 4pm (2 tickets left) and 6pm (5 tickets left). If you don’t mange to get there you could watch the live stream on Facebook at 4pm (or any time after that).
Also there’s a Messy Church drop-in service from 2 to 3.15 pm.
Next week: Carols on the Green (you can sing) in the churchyard at 5.30 pm on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th (no booking required – just come along).
Details and booking for all Christmas services at https://rossparishes.uk/christmas
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Pray
Pray for joy in our homes and communities.
God, as we look forward to Christmas, may we have the joy, excitement, and anticipation of children as they look forward to Father Christmas coming. May we greet your coming with the same sense of awe. Amen
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Have a chat with someone: What is your favourite part of the Ross Christmas Carnival?
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Send a Christmas card to someone today.
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Thank God for the season of Christmas- for Christmas trees and decorations and baked goodies and more!
A prayer for your Christmas tree:
This tree is a blessing to our home. It reminds us of all that is beautiful, all that is filled with the gentleness and the promise of God. It stands in our midst as a tree of light, that we might promise such beauty to one another and to our world. It stands like that tree of paradise that God made into the tree of life, the cross of Jesus.
from the Catholic News Agency
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Have a chat with someone: What is your favourite Christmas ornament and why?
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Make a Christmas ornament for someone.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Luke 2: 8
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Pray
Pray for people working 0-hour contract jobs, migrant workers, and other jobs that you or I might not want to do.
With the shepherds of Bethlehem
help us, oh Lord, to stand in vigil on the eve of your Coming,
to run with haste to meet you,
to see your face in the faces of others
and to wake from our sleep as a new world is being born.
(this is part of a prayer on CAFOD sent by Miguel Alonzo Macias from Honduras)
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Have a chat with someone: What was the first Christmas present you ever bought?
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Plan a way to say thank you to your mail person and/or rubbish people this Christmas; it could be just a note or maybe a box of chocolates!
Today we celebrate the joy of pantomimes, theatres, and the performing arts. This year we especially think of the challenges that performers face during this pandemic, but look forward to the future where they can share their gifts more widely once again.
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Pray
Pray for the performing arts to be able to survive this time of reduced activity and come back in strength. Pray for the performers who will be struggling financially.
‘Lord, we thank you for creating each and every person with unique gifts and skills. We especially thank you for those that entertain us and bring such joy to this time of year. We pray that they too may experience your joy. Provide for them and their businesses. Amen.
Chat
Have a chat with someone: What is the best pantomime you’ve seen?
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Encourage an actor/ actress/ musician/ performer today.
Get ready to tune in!
Tomorrow night at 6pm tune in to BBC Hereford and Worcester and sing carols on your doorstep!
Tell your neighbours! Get them involved!
Just like clapping for carers—sing together to bring comfort and joy!
Sing carols across Ross, Walford and Brampton Abbotts!
Tune in at 6pm tomorrow to BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester Doorstep Carols here: https://www.doorstepcarols.co.uk/is-your-area-involved-/radio-hereford-and-worcester
Or listen live on 94.7, 104, 104.4 & 104.6FM
Download the carol sheet to your device or to print here:h_and_w_doorstep_carols.pdf (bbc.co.uk)
Info sheet and invite here: Invite-BBC-Hereford-Worcester-2 (doorstepcarols.co.uk)
| gag RADIO Hereford & Worcestergag RADIO Hereford & Worcester 11 You’re invited! Wednesday 16th December, 6pm oo DOWNLOAD Visit the website doorstepcarols.co.uk and download the words.www.doorstepcarols.co.uk |
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2.10)
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Pray for the ability to follow God wherever He leads.
O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we,
who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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Have a chat with someone: Where were the best Christmas lights you’ve ever seen?
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Light a candle and put it in a window or put up some Christmas lights to shine in your neighbourhood.
and followed it.
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Pray
Pray for those who are searching for meaning.
Lord, may we be like the Wise Men who were guided to you by a star. Give us the wisdom to seek you, light to guide us to you, courage to search until we find you, graciousness to worship you and generosity to lay our gifts before you, who are our King and our God for ever and ever.
Amen.
(http://www.prayer-and-prayers.info/christmas-prayers/lord-may-we-be-like-the-wise-men.htm)
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Have a chat with someone: What do you think it would have been like to be one of the 3 kings?
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Go outside after dark and look at the stars.
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Lord Jesus, light of the world,
John told the people to prepare,
for you were very near.
As Christmas grows closer day by day,
help us to be ready to welcome you now. Amen.
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Have a chat with someone: Whose Christmas could you make this year? How could you do that?
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Tune into a Christingle service today- go to http://www.rossparishes.uk- or watch the Children’s Society Christingle on their webpage.
Why not come along to a Christingle service on Sunday 13th December at St Mary’s in Ross (4 pm) or at Walford (11.00 am).
The Christingle is an ancient tradition that in more modern times has been adopted by the Children’s Society. Christingle Services are taking place throughout the world this month, and our two services are a part of that.
You’ll need to book a place though and seats are going fast. If you can’t come you could watch the service from St Mary’s live on Facebook.
You’ll find all the links to booking and the live stream (and information about everything else that’s happening in the Ross Parishes this Christmas) at https://rossparishes.uk/christmas.
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Pray
Pray for singing and joy to fill our homes and community during this Advent season.
God of all hope and joy, open our hearts in welcome, that your Son Jesus Christ at his coming may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God now and for ever. Amen
A New Zealand Prayer Book- The Book of a Thousand Prayers compiled by Angela Ashwin
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Have a chat with someone: What is your favourite Christmas carol?
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Get ready to join in with Carols on Your Doorstep at 6pm on Wednesday 16th. Tell your friends and neighbours about it and encourage them to join in too! Find out more at http://www.doorstepcarols.org.
The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts 