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Lessons & Carols by Candlelight The church at this evening’s candlelit service at 6.30pm is certain to be filled to overflowing. It is suggested that our church members should arrive early if they wish to secure a pew and not find themselves sitting or standing at the back.

A Decorated Church Well done and thank you to the five ladies who have decorated the church so beautifully for Christmas. Also to the pupils of St Matthew’s Primary Academy for their hand-made decorations in the church porch.

The Season of Advent The fourth Advent Candle will be lit today. Often called the Angel’s Candle, it represent Peace

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, as we are called to serve you, to be like her in responding and carrying out the

work you give us.

Share Prayer Cancelled For those ladies who had were going to attend the Share Prayer meeting on Wednesday, 21st December, please note that it has been CANCELLED.

Notice of Draft Pastoral Scheme There is a legal notification displayed on the churchyard entrance gate regarding the Pastoral Scheme which will unite the (Anglican) benefice and parish of Eggbuckland and Estover under Mission & Pastoral Measure 2011. Some of the key changes are that the new parish and benefice will be known as ‘The Parish of Eggbuckland with Estover’. Eggbuckland will be the parish church for the whole area. Estover will remain ‘parish centre of worship for the whole area’. Rev Chris will have the title ‘Vicar’ as opposed to ‘Priest in Charge’. There is provision to dissent as outlined on the displayed notification which will remain until 5th January

Donkey to Arrive before the Reindeer Fine weather permitting, the Donkey Sanctuary at Ivybridge will be bringing one of their four legged residents for our Crib Services here on Christmas Eve. The ‘DIY’ Nativities will be at 2.30pm and 3.30pm so that all who wish to attend and participate can be fitted in. In the hall there will be refreshments and craft activities from two o’clock so everyone will have the chance to enjoy that, either before, during or after one of the services.

Church Christmas Party If you have not already done so, please make sure you enter your name on the list on the notice board at the back of the church if you intend coming to the Christmas Tea and Party for all members of our church family this coming Tuesday at 6.30pm in the hall. Our hosts, the Community Lunch Team, need to know the number for whom they will be catering. There looks to be a good fun

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Only Joking! It was Christmas Day but all the police leave in town was cancelled following a shooting in the park. Officers searched the area for evidence relating to the gun but could find nothing until one young detective took a closer look at the only deciduous tree in that part of the park – a huge oak that had shed all its leaves. Sure enough, almost immediately he had found the spent bullet casing from the shooting. He was asked by his senior officer how he knew where

to look. “It was obvious when you think about it,” replied the young detective. “What do you associate with the first day of Christmas? A cartridge in a bare tree.”

An Amazine Response! Helen Soole wishes to thank all at St Edward’s Church, Eddy Bears and Sunbeam Toddlers at Derriford who donated 100 bags (yes, 100!) of chocolate coins and 5 bags of candy cans to be distributed with the North Plymouth Food Bank’s Christmas hampers, for the children. Helen also says that Hilary Clift who runs the Food Bank is very appreciative for all the donated general food stuffs that our church members have so generously donated throughout 2016.

Christmas Community Lunch The ‘Dream Scheme’ Christmas Community Lunch in the hall last Saturday (10th December) proved a great success as 60 diners were served what has been described as a first class meal. One lady, attending for the first time, who has a difficult home situation, enthused that this was indeed Christmas for her. She thought the flowers were magnificent and so enjoyed the company and even the entertainment by Carl on guitar. This was the fifth year the lunch has taken place and only two of the original Community College student helpers remain. Much credit has to go to our Ward Councillors and their families for their very hard work both in all the prior organising and the involvement on the day to give so many such a good time.

Tamar Concert Choir The evening of Christmas music which the Tamar Concert Choir presented in St Edward’s on Friday, 9th December was attended by an audience numbering at least fifty. The programme was a well varied one of sacred songs, carols, more recent popular numbers and well-loved standards. Rev Christ gave a vote of thanks to the members of the choir and their Musical Director David Lodge – well known to

many of us as one of our stand-in organists when required. Proceeds for our church funds amounted to £256 and £39 was received for refreshments which will help swell the porch door fund.

Christmas Tree Festival The Christ Church, Estover Christmas Festival begins this coming Wednesday, 21st December at 2.00pm. It will run up to and including Friday, 23rd. Cost of entry to view is just 50p.

Midnight Communion & Christmas Day Our Midnight Service on Christmas Eve begins at 11.30am and on Christmas Day there is just the one service, the Morning Communion at 10.30am, allowing an extra hour in bed or a leisurely breakfast – or both.