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December 2015

This Month’s Bible Focus

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV

Welcome Everyone is welcome to join us at our December services.

If you have any questions, please don’t be afraid to ask.

After each Sunday service refreshments will be served, please stay and

enjoy a time of fellowship if you can.

St. Giles, Killamarsh

&

St. Matthew’s, Renishaw

Monthly

News

Sheet

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DECEMBER SUNDAY/CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Date Time Church Service

06/12/15

Advent 2

08.30 am. St. Giles Holy Communion

10.00 am St. Giles Service of the word

4.00 pm St. Giles Festival of Trees

Service

10.00 am. St. Matthew ’ s Holy Communion

13/12/15

Advent 3

10.00 am. St. Giles

Holy Communion

10.00 am. St. Matthew ’ s Service of the Word

20/12/15

Advent 4

08.30 am St. Giles Holy Communion

10.00 am. St. Giles Holy Communion

10.00 am. St. Matthew ’ s Holy Communion

24/12/15

Christmas Eve

04.00 pm. St. Matthew ’ s Crib Service

11.30 pm. St Matthew ’ s &

St. Giles

Midnight Communion

25/12/15

Christmas Day

10.00 am. St. Giles Holy Communion

10.00 am. St. Matthew ’ s Holy Communion

27/12/15

Christmas 1

10.00 am. St Giles Holy Communion

10.00 am. St. Matthew ’ s Holy Communion

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What’s on at a Glance

3C’s Saturday

Christmas Special

Saturday 5th December

11.00 am—1.00 pm

St. Giles Church Hall

Sheepcote Road

3C’s Friday Friday 4th & 18th

9 am—12 noon

Methodist Hall , Killamarsh

“Look Twice”

Open

Monday 1.30 pm- 4.30 pm

Friday 10 am—2.30 pm

Saturdays 10am.—1pm

St. Giles Church Hall

Sheepcote Road

Prayer Meeting Tuesday 01/12/15

7 .00 pm

St. Matthew’s Church

Festival of Trees

Service

Sunday 6/12/15

04.00 pm

St. Giles Church

Church Open Morning Saturday 12/12/15

10 am– 12 noon

St. Matthew’s Church

Genquip Band

Christmas Concert

Saturday 19/12/15 St. Giles Church Hall

Sheepcote Road

Messy Church No Messy Church this

Month

St. Giles Church Hall

Sheepcote Road

Bible Study & Discussion

Group

Wednesdays 7.30 pm The Rectory

Carols Around the

Christmas Tree

Sunday 20/12/15

4.00 pm

St. Giles Church

Carols by Candlelight Sunday 20/12/15

6.30 pm

St. Matthew’s Church

Crib Service Christmas Eve

4.00 pm

St. Matthew’s Church

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NEWS

Father Georges Harvest Appeal. The final total

raised for the Father Georges Harvest Appeal was a

tremendous £1264.39. Well done and thank you to

everyone who contributed in any way. See letter from Father

Georges on pages 14 and 15.

Christmas Fayre The St. Matthew’s Christmas Fayre raised a

wonderful £471.57. Thanks go to all who worked so hard to

make it a success and those who supported the event by com-

ing along and spending at the stalls and on refreshments.

Messy Church. There is no Messy Church in December but we

will return in the New Year. We wish all our supporters a Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing

you all in on 27th January.

Christians in Killamarsh: There will be a special Christians in

Killamarsh Christmas Service at The Methodist Church on

Christmas Eve at 10 am.

Renishaw School. It was a privilege to welcome into church

children and teachers from Renishaw School on three after-

noons in November. They arrived on a quest to find out more

about the church and its furnishings. They drew pictures, asked

lots of questions, listened to a bible story and sung a song. We

look forward to them returning in December for their carol ser-

vices.

Envision. The Christmas Envision is to be held on

Friday 11th December at St. Giles School at 6.30 pm.

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Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child - Killamarsh Appeal 2015

Congratulations to Ben and Rachel Wheelhouse on coordi-

nating the collection of 207 shoe boxes for this year’s

appeal. Boxes came from various sources including the

Methodist Church, local schools, St. Matthew’s and

St. Giles churches and 3C’s Friday. They were duly dis-

patched to bring a little happiness into young lives.

Some of the Shoe Boxes in St. Giles Church awaiting

dispatch to children in various parts of the world.

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Both churches are registered with easyfundraising.org.uk.

This means that if you do your Christmas shopping on line you

will be able to give a donation to one of our churches without it

costing you a penny - just shop online using one of easyfund-

raising’s partner retailers including: Amazon, John Lewis,

M&S and over 2000 others. When you make purchases, they

will donate money to your chosen

cause. Go to the above web site,

click on “support a good cause”

and search for St. Giles Church Killamarsh or St. Matthew’s

Church Renishaw, Click “support” and follow the directions to

create a personal account and then simply shop and the retailer

will donate between 1% and 2% of whatever you spend to your

chosen church. It really is that simple.

Remembrance The annual parade and service of Remem-

brance took place on Sunday 08/11/15. The parade halted for

a short act of remembrance at the War Memorial where the

names of the fallen were read out by David Taylor. The parade

then moved on to St. Giles for a service in church which in turn

was followed by a Remembrance Tea in the Church Hall. A huge

thank you to the members of the Genquip Band who played at

the memorial and in the hall afterwards, their contribution was

much appreciated. Thanks also go to councillor Diane Charles

for funding the tea and to the WI who prepared and served the

food. The service of remembrance held at St. Matthew’s con-

cluded with a procession to the war memorial for the act of re-

membrance. The names of the fallen were read out by Council-

lor Brian Ridgeway . Further services were held at the Memo-

rial Window at St Giles and at the Memorial in Renishaw on

11/11/15. The Service at the Renishaw was conducted by the

teachers and children from Renishaw Primary School.

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Christmas at our Churches

St. Giles

Festival of Trees Service. 06/12/15 at 4.00pm Special service

and opportunity to view the Christmas trees put into church by local

community groups and businesses.

Carols around the Christmas Tree 20/12/15 at 4.00pm An op-

portunity to sing Christmas Carols around the Christmas tree.

Christingle Service. 24/01/16 at 4.00 pm. Come and hear the

story of the Christingle and help us bring light and hope to children

living in poverty in this country. All donations go to the Children’s So-

ciety. Every child attending the service receives a decorated orange

(Christingle). Sing carols and hear how much God loves the world.

St Matthew’s

Carols by Candlelight 20/12/15 at 6.30 pm. Come and enjoy this

special Christmas service as we hear the Christmas Story told in a se-

ries of readings and carols read and sung in the magical atmosphere

of candlelight.

Crib Service 24/12/15 at 4.00 pm. Children and families come and

help us dress the crib as we listen to the Christmas story and sing well

known Christmas carols. Every child is welcome to take part and to

dress up or simply just be there.

Both Churches

Midnight Communion 24/12/15 11.30 pm Come and experience

the real meaning of Christmas on this the most Holy night of the year

as we celebrate Holy Communion into Christmas Day.

Christmas Day Communion.25/12/15 10.00 am. Put the busy-

ness of Christmas Day, opening presents, preparing dinner, getting

ready for family visits, to one side for just one hour and spend it in

the company of the One Christmas is all about.

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FESTIVAL OF TREES

SERVICE

St. Giles Parish Church

Killamarsh

Sunday 6th December at 4pm.

Everyone Welcome

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December Letter

A quick glance through this news letter should give you an idea as to why I am so proud of the congregations of our

two churches. Reading the news items you soon become aware that we belong to churches and communities that

have a heart. You only have to look at the fantastic results of recent appeals to realize how generous our people are

£1264.39 raised for Father Georges, 207 shoe boxes col-lected and dispatched to various countries around the

globe, £471.57 raised at the Advent/Christmas Fayre which will go towards the running costs of St. Matthew’s.

All this in the austere times in which we live. It would be easy to look to ourselves at such times and be more cau-

tious with our money, but there is obviously something within our people that recognizes that the whole earth and

every thing in it belongs not to us but to our Lord, and

that we are merely stewards of the resources given to us by the grace of God. One might well attribute this gener-

osity to the Christmas spirit but for the fact that it has been exercised throughout the whole year any appeal be-

ing met with the same willingness to give in response to our Lord’s words “Insomuch as you did it for the least of

these you did it for me”. Sadly this is not the case in every community where a more selfish attitude often

seems to prevail.

The truth is, observation is often the key to unlocking di-

vine truth. We need to watch how life works. Look at the long-term impact of selfishness and generosity and draw

our conclusions from what we see. How are we enriched or blessed? Not by hoarding, but by

giving; not by keeping but by sharing. We are to be dili-

gent in work, but not greedily protective of the rewards it brings us. Compassionate, caring, inclusive capitalism is

what the Bible calls for and what our affluent society finds

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so difficult to practice.

The scriptures dealing with generosity are many. We are

continually reminded of how God has behaved in his gen-

erosity toward us. The laws of cause and effect are not

suspended in the behavioural and spiritual world. Good

sowing does mean good reaping, bad sowing, bad reaping.

Yet this creation law is not the whole story. A personal

God is at work, not only granting just rewards and fair

punishments, but using our acts of generosity to bring His

justice and His compassion into the lives of others. That

some people will have more than others is assumed. That

the talented young people being schooled to serve as

leaders will have more than others is especially assumed.

But that again is not the whole story, with that privilege

comes responsibility and the obligation to bring surprises

of grace into the lives of the needy with the same caring

touch with which God has blessed us. We may think of a

child opening one of our shoe boxes or the joy of the

Malagasy farmers harvesting their crop.

The resources we have been given are not only God's gift

to us but God's means of helping others through us. A

wealthy and influential person should understand that his

position means obligation not privilege, service not leisure,

philanthropy not greed.

We, as a church, are called to example this kind of living

and though we are far from perfect the generosity thus far

demonstrated proves that we are at least taking our Lord’s

words to us seriously. God Bless.

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December Word Search

F G Y S D N A L R A G I L B R W R S L O R A C S K C V J A D

T P A T L V Y A X Y O L T U L

J R M N I O V R C O M S S B T

Z E T T K I H O A O M J T L U

X S S P O I W J N M U E U E R

E E I U Y N N R D G N R F S K

F N R J S G E C L X I U F U E

U T H C O G E N E R O S I T Y

F S C E N S U S L N N A N S B

W I F A N G E L I T S L G U A

A G M Y R R H P G R B E R G B

B A B E T H L E H E M M A U Z

T M I D N I G H T E R A Z A N

H E R O D L O G V S A G D F O

ANGEL

AUGUSTUS

BABY

BAUBLES

BETHLEHEM

CANDLELIGHT

CAROLS

CENSUS

CHRISTMAS

COMMUNION

EGYPT

FESTIVAL

FRANKINCENSE

GARLANDS

GENEROSITY

GOLD

HEROD

HOLLY

JERUSALEM

JESUS

JOSEPH

MAGI

MANGER

MARY

MIDNIGHT

MYRRH

NAZARETH

PRESENTS

SAVIOUR

STAR

STUFFING

TREES

TURKEY

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GAZETTE

Baptisms St. Giles: 15th November: Brady Edward James Hazlehurst

Funerals St. Giles: 30th October : Susan Sykes. 20th November: Ann Froggatt

26th November: Kenneth Brookes

Weddings St. Giles : None

Baptisms St. Matthew’s: 15th November: Ella-Mae Brown

Weddings St. Matthew’s: None.

Funerals St. Matthew’s: 6th November: Baby Jayden Stuart Crookes.

10th November: Peter Ernest Caudwell.

Mick’s Monthly Soup Recipe

Serves 4

Leftover Turkey Soup

Method

In a large soup pan, heat garlic in the

olive oil. Allow to brown slightly and add

onion, carrot and celery. Cover; sweat

over medium-low heat until softened,

about 10 minutes. Add the chopped sage

to the pan along with the stock and the

bay leaf. Bring to a simmer. When sim-

mering, add the green beans, sweet po-

tato and pasta to the soup. Bring it back

up to a simmer; lower heat and cook for

further 15 minutes or until vegetables are

tender and pasta is cooked. Stir in turkey.

Turn the heat off. Cover, and allow to sit

and steam for 5 minutes. Serve

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, peeled

chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 onions, roughly

diced

1 large carrots, peeled

and roughly diced

2 cups chopped green

beans

1 sweet potato

chopped

750 ml good chicken/

turkey stock

3 cups cooked turkey

meat

Half cup uncooked

pasta

1 bay leaf

Salt and freshly

ground black

pepper

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THE ADVENT WREATH

To find out more information about the origins of the Advent

Wreath, go to the following site:

http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html

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Dear Reverend Canon Helen and Fr Michael.

To all our friends at St Giles and St Matthew’s. Greetings from all us in Antananarivo.

Thank you very much for all your generosity to contribute to our Vermicomposting project. Also, thanks go to all who worked so hard to make this event success and to all those

who supported it. As usual we are very pleased to let you know our up date

news with some photos : Political situation : Two years after the election of the new President, lots of the Malagasy citizens are not satis-

fied because of the great inflation, of the lack of security both in the towns and in the countryside. The corruption is

seen everywhere in the administration…The international communities does not send any investment to our Govern-ment… Consequently, Madagascar is classified in the five

poorest countries of the world. Our planting project : We believe that this year, we will be

very equipped both in water for watering (by using the plas-tic pipes …) and in biologic fertilizer ( by

the Vermicomposting project…)Nowadays, we have thou-sands young plants to be planted ,soon. And to be sold as well.

The progress of our parish : The Bishop was pleased to hear our work in developing the economic and social

lives beside the spiritual life. This year, we will take care specially the children for the Christian education. We will involve more in the Healing Ministry and in

the Renewal mainly to encourage the young people to work more for the development of the church.

Our school : The pupils need more help. We will do our best to contribute by providing their need in copy books, pens, books …There is a great difference between the

schools in Madagascar and in England. Here, in my parish the pupils do not wear any shoes. Lots of children can not go

to school because their parents can not pay their schooling fees. Consequently, lots of children go to work as helpers to the rich families to earn money to support their own

family.

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Eveline leads the women to transport the fertilizer

and to plant

The young fruit trees planted

last year

Fr Georges giving some

help to the pupils and to

the 3 teachers.

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3C’s Saturday

Christmas Special

St. Giles Church Hall

11am—1pm

December 5th

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Competition

Can you identify the

architectural feature pictured

and say where it is?

Ans. It is the first roof corbel on

the left hand side in

St. Matthew’s Church

Poetry Corner

A long time ago in a stable bare A baby boy was born

His cradle was a manger On that first Christmas morn

Joseph his father a quiet man Mary his mother, gentle and mild

Gazed down with loving eyes upon

This tiny sleeping child. Shepherds on the hillside

Watching their flocks by night Were visited by an angel

Surrounded by a shining light, Wise men travelled from afar

Precious gifts to bring Guided by a bright star

Searching for a king. The journey ends at the stable

For wise men and the shepherd boy As they kneel before the cradle

Their hearts are filled with joy For this is no ordinary baby

But one born to be a king

And as they gaze in wonder They hear the Angels sing. Ann Ward

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CHRISTMAS QUIZ University of Leicester

1.Which word, often associated with Christmas, stems

from the Greek word for circle dance ?

2. Which English leader prohibited the singing of Christmas songs ?

3. The following are words from which Christmas songs ?

a. she didn ‘t see me creep down the stairs to have a peep

b. she'd been drinking too much egg nog

c. once bitten and twice shy I keep my distance

d. in the lane the snow is glistenin’

e. the choir of children sing their song they practiced all year long

4. Many people claim that the first unofficial football international be-

tween Germany and a Scotland England side was played on a Christ-

mas Day. The pitch or playing field was found between what ?

5. The Christmas film 'Miracle on 34th Street' has been remade many

times. Who won a best supporting actor Oscar for the role of Kris

Kringle in the original 1947 film and which two time Oscar winner

played Kris in the 1994 remake ?

6. 'Who' catches the Grinch red handed stealing Christmas presents ?

7. In which country does an ugly old witch named Bafana deliver

presents on the 6th of December ?

8. In which country is St. Nick called Sinterklaas ?

9. "Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephan". In

which country was Wenceslas king ?

10. Apparently, while poking at the fire, the London sweet shop

owner Tom Smith got the inspiration to make what ?

11. "So this is Christmas" are the first words to which John Lennon

song ? (complete title please)

12. What are the names of the Three Wise Men or The Three Kings ?

(in western folklore)

13. A Christmas present for country western fans. Who sang "It was

Christmas in prison the food was real good, we had turkey and pistols

carved out of wood" ?

14. Other than blue, which other colours are mentioned in the Elvis

song 'Blue Christmas'?

15. Which 'Christmas' word means 'turning of the sun' ?

16 Which popular poem did Clement Clark Moore write for his six children in 1822 ?

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PRAYER OF THE MONTH

Blessing of a Christmas Tree

Lord our God,

the heavens are the work of your

hands, the moon and the stars you

made; the earth and the sea,

and every living creature came

into being by your word.

And all of us, too.

May this tree bring cheer to this

house though Jesus Christ your

good and holy Son,

who brings life and beauty to us

and to our world. Lighting this tree, we hope in his

promise.

Catholics on Line

Quotation

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in

spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder

Monthly Mystifier

Question: Where did Jesus live for the shortest time?

Clue. It might not be were you think.

Answer to last month’s Mystifier: According to Deuteron-

omy how was a prophet to know that he was truly sent by

God?

Answer: If what he proclaims comes true (Deut 18:22)

In the News

A church in Queens, New York, experienced a 'Christmas mira-cle' a little early this year, when a newborn baby was found—wrapped in a swaddling blanket—and left in the indoor manger scene. It was reportedly around 1pm on Tuesday at Holy Child Jesus Church in Richmond Hill, when the custodian who had been setting up the creche and had taken a break, heard a cry and returned to find the infant. "The baby was found in the creche, a sort of manger scene where we would put the baby Jesus during Christmas time," explained Father Christopher Heanue to the NY Post. " sidered a safe haven for drop offs."

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Information

Web Site

Our joint web site contains information about the life and work of our two churches.

Web address www.StGiles-Killamarsh.org

MISSION STATEMENT

To Be Christ in Church and Community

Rector Revd. Canon Helen Guest

01142482769

Associate Priest Revd. Michael Guest 01142482769

Reader Mr. John Hall 01142484531

Reader Mrs. Christine Beach 01142480656

Church Warden St. Giles

Mrs Ann Ward 01142513079

Church Warden St. Giles

Mrs. Margaret Hall 01142484531

Church Warden St. Matthew’s

Ms. Anne Joule 01246433497

Church Warden St. Matthew’s

Mrs. Betty Cordy 01246432671

Hire of Church Hall Revd. Michael Guest 01142482769

Web Site Editor Mrs Sarah Parker

Monthly News Sheet Editor

Revd. Michael Guest 01142482769

St.Matthew’s

The Tuesday Coffee Morning takes place every Tuesday commencing at 9.30 am. Please drop in for fellowship, fun and refreshments.

New years Eve Service Thursday 31st December 4.00 pm.