Christmas Services 2012

Christmas Eve

Christingle Service with Carols - at 4.30 pm.

Vigil Mass - at 6.00 pm.

Midnight Sung Mass with Carols at 11.30 pm.

Mince Pies & Drinks in the Hall afterwards.

Christmas Day

Sung Mass with Carols for all the family at 10.00 a.m.

December 26th — St. Stephen’s Day

Said Mass at 10.00 am.

Said Mass on the other Feast days of Christmas. Times vary see Christmas Service Sheets for details.

The Holy Family

Sunday December 30th 2012 

Sung Mass with Carols at 10.00 am.

Epiphany

Sunday January 6th

Sung Mass with Carols at 10.00 am.

Evening Prayer with Benediction at 6.00 pm.

Confessions by appointment

UNIFORMED ORGANISATIONS CAROL SERVICE

On Tuesday evening, St Augustine Uniformed organisations held their annual Carol Service organised this year by the Guides, during which the girls of the Guide Company, Brownies and Rainbows put on a rather beautiful tableaux of the Holy Family, Angels, Shepherds, Wise men and a variety of animals including sheep. I officiated at the service. Light refreshments were served in the church hall after the service.

ADVENT 2

This morning Father Mervyn presided and Father Martin concelebrated and preached at the Parish Mass. In his sermon, Father Martin asked how many people made lists like shopping list or lists of things they had to do. Nearly everybody put their hands up. After talking briefly about the authorship of the Book of Isaiah, Father pointed out that Isaiah had a list of things which it would be necessary to look for to about the coming of the promised Messiah. The problem was that faithful Jewish people referred to the list but failed to recognise when Jesus was actually born. We must be ready for when Jesus comes again and to celebrate his birth at Bethlehem.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took over £200

TUESDAY 11th DECEMBER 7.00 p.m. The Uniformed Organisations have their Annual Carol Service with refreshments afterwards in the Hall. All are very welcome.

Pre-Christmas Lunch

We held this today at the Romford YMCA which is in our parish and several of our congregation serve on the board of the Association. On arrival we were offered either bucks fizz  or champagne. It was a really splendid meal with a choice of melon, soup or duck pate, followed by roast turkey or salmon en croute with roast potatoes, carrots, brussel sprouts with chestnuts, stuffing and gravy, followed by either Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or custard or warm chocolate gateaux and cream or biscuits and cheese, tea or coffee.

It was a well-supported and wonderful occasion enjoyed by everyone.

ADVENT NINE LESSONS & CAROLS

Yesterday evening we continued our celebration of the start of the Advent Season with our annual Advent Carol Service. Father Mervyn accompanied the service as our regular organist was not available.

During the service our choir sang several solo items including a setting of the Magnificat by Paul Inwood and some English Hymnal Advent Plainsong Hymns. The congregation joined in such popular Advent Hymns  as “Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding” “Come thou long expected Jesus” “On Jordan’s Bank” On this hymn Father Martin commented that he and Father Mervyn had stood on Jordan’s Bank earlier this year and we, and some of our congregation, would be doing so again on our 2013 Pilgrimage

At the end of the service Father Martin reminded us of the work of “Crisis at Christmas” by reading a short poem written about them. After the final prayers and blessing we sang O Come, O Come Emmanuel and as we left the church Father Mervyn played a Meditation based on that by Flor Peeters.

Every year, for the last 4 years our attendance at this service has increased and last night was no exception.

ADVENT SUNDAY

Today Father Martin presided and preached at the Parish Mass for Advent Sunday. Father Mervyn celebrated and preached at St. Paul’s, Goodmayes. In his sermon Father Martin pointed out that Jesus would not take a double page spread in one of the newspapers to announce to the world that he had come again. Christians had to be constantly ready by practising their faith, by regular prayer and worship so that we are ready for that day when he comes again.

Tonight we are holding our

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE & READINGS  at 6.00 p.m.

Yesterdays Saturday Shop took approx. £180

Tomorrow we are holding our pre-Christmas lunch at the YMCA

THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE ETERNAL KING

Today at the Solemn Parish Mass we celebrated Christ the King. Father Martin presided and Father Mervyn concelebrated, read the Gospel and preached. Ann led us in our Intercessions

In his sermon, Father Mervyn reminded us that this year we have enjoyed several Royal celebrations: the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Royalty was an institution which fascinated many people with the lovely palaces, the beautiful clothes, the expensive cars etc. With our royalty, the Queen and her family had given  a life time of service to our country. He compared that to the coronation of  Bokassa president in the very poor country of the Central African Republic. Father Mervyn outlined the lavish expenditure that Bokassa had authorised. In the Old Testament Kings were compared to Shepherds who cared for their sheep even willing to lay down their own lives to protect them. In Jesus, our King and our Good Shepherd, he laid down his life for us, his crown was of thorns his throne a cross. He concluded the sermon by saying that  today gives us the chance to offer Jesus our praise and worship, our love and our fidelity as the true King of the world; to join with the angelic throng and say " Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing - the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

During the Communion the Choir sang a setting of Psalm 23 by Paul Inwood.

YESTERDAYS SATURDAY SHOP TOOK £336

Last week as we had the Bazaar there was no Saturday Shop but we sold the waste clothes for £194.70

The restored Lady Chapel Altar has now been returned and very splendid it is, too. The gifted artist who undertook this restoration has achieved a really remarkable result. So far we have raised £1,829.95 towards the cost of £3,300. If you would like to make a donation, perhaps in memoriam or as a thanksgiving for blessings received, please see Father Martin.