The Rector, Fr. Paul, led the morning Eucharist services in the parishes on Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Advent. The Bible readings were 2 Samuel 7.vv 1-11 and 16, Romans 16.vv 25-27. The Gospel reading was Luke 1.vv 26-38, where we read of the foretelling of the birth of Jesus. During the service in Jeffreyston, Leah from the Sunday School lit the four candles on the Advent ring, whilst the congregation sang the first five verses of the Advent Candle Song. Fr. Paul was proud to show the congregation the model angels, which the children had cleverly made in the Sunday School. The children were also thanked for gathering on the altar the model figures to be used in the annual building of the crib. They all then assembled at the front of the church and sweetly sang the carol, 'Away in a Manger'. Each child was then presented with a Christmas present, after which Emma June and Jessica read out the closing prayers. Fr. Paul, assisted by Bob Lewis, led the evening Eucharist service in Jeffreyston church. The morning readings were repeated. For his sermon, Fr. Paul highlighted verse 37 of the Gospel reading, 'For nothing is impossible with God'. Fr. Paul said that just as the Virgin Mary had accepted and responded to the changes in her life, so we could embrace changes in our lives by putting ourselves in God's hands for Him to lead us. The Christmas and New Year services in the Jeffreyston group of parishes are: Christmas Eve - 11.30 pm, Jeffreyston Church, Midnight Mass. Christmas Day - 8 am Eucharist, Reynalton Church; 9 am Eucharist, East Williamston Church; 11 am Eucharist/Children's Service, Jeffreyston Church; 12.15 pm Eucharist, Loveston Church; 6 pm Evensong (said) and Christian Aid Appeal, Jeffreyston Church. Monday, December 26 - Jeffreyston Church, 9 am Eucharist (Feast of St. Stephen). Tuesday, December 27 - Jeffreyston Church, 10 am Eucharist (The Innocents Day). New Year's Ev - 10.45 pm, Jeffreyston Church, 'In the Light of Christ'. Sunday, January 1 - 'The Naming of Jesus', Jeffreyston Church, 10.30 am; United Parishes Eucharist Service, Reynalton Church, 6 pm, Carol Service.
