From the Assistant Chaplain
Advent, from the Latin for ‘coming’, is a short season of preparation before the great festival of Christmas. The readings from the Bible that we hear in church during this season remind us to be prepared for the coming of Jesus that was foretold long ago. It is a time to be quiet and reflect on how we will receive Jesus and the good news he brings. The hymns we sing during this season urge us to get ready for the arrival of the great king Jesus. As one hymn puts it:
“Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne,
and every voice a song.”
As Christmas approaches there is much to prepare, food to buy and cook; presents to wrap etc... It is such a wonderful time of year for so many people as family and friends often travel long distances to be together for the holiday season. The Church invites us to prepare our hearts to receive king Jesus this Christmas time, our royal visitor who travelled from the glory of heaven to make his home amongst us and longs today to make his home in our hearts.
On behalf of Beth and myself and everyone at St Paul´s, Estoril and St George´s, Lisbon, we extend the warmest of welcomes to you and your family; to any or all of the many Christmas services that are taking place over the festive season. And if you cannot join us then we pray God´s richest blessings upon you and your loved ones this Christmas time.
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Prayer
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Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do, seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things, look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways, long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy, seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
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Sunday 8th December - Second Sunday in Advent
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Eucharist
Livestream* through Zoom (please see below)
To view the service sheet please
To view the readings, please  |
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*Livestream at St Paul's. When you log in, you will automatically be admitted to the Zoom room with your video off and your sound muted.
To log in please 
Meeting ID: 846 2559 3881
Passcode: 664631
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Do use the Church of England Facebook post as an alternative if need be.
To view please
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Christmas Fair at St Paul's - 10.00am to 2.00pm
There’s so much to enjoy at the Fair. CLICK HERE TO SEE.
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Find out what's on in the Chaplaincy in a glance.
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Advent Warming Tree
As usual over our Advent season we are collecting gifts of scarves, gloves, hot water bottles, heaters, jumpers, socks for our warming tree. Any second-hand items in good condition or new items are welcome to adorn the trees at the entrance of both churches and will be distributed via the Estoril Freguesia to those in need.
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Bishop's Advent Appeal - Eye Clinic in Yemen
We are also supporting the Bishop´s Advent Appeal. Bishop Robert writes:
"My 2024 Advent Appeal is to raise funds for the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic in Yemen, a country experiencing, in the words of UNICEF, ‘one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises that is robbing children of their future’. The war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in the Middle East dominate the news and we continue to pray for peace in both regions. Meanwhile, the crisis in Yemen is overlooked although its effects are no less pernicious on those caught up in it. For many years the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic has been welcoming and offering heavily subsidised eye care to the poor, refugees, and displaced people."
Donations can either be given in cash in baskets at the back of both churches or online with 'Advent' used as a reference (bank transfer details can be found in the green section at the end of this newsletter).
Find the Bishop´s letter in full here.
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Carol Service - next Saturday 14th December - St George's
This is a great service to invite friends to, with the classic carols to sing, and choral pieces from the Estoril Singers.
Download this .jpeg poster to share via email or social media.
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Christmas Lunch
This year, as usual, there is an open invitation to Fran and Fritz´s for Lunch on Christmas Day. If you are on your own or a family who would like some company, then please do join in!
Further details will follow once Revd Fran returns from her locum duties in Spain
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Transforming Spaces, Enriching Lives Project (TSEL)
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Further information can be found HERE.
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Your support is invaluable to us, and we are excited to see the positive impact you will bring to our community. Whether it's helping to maintain the beauty of The British Cemetery gardens, opening St. George's Church, contributing to our digital content or supporting our TSEL initiatives, your efforts are truly appreciated.
All our volunteer roles can be found HERE .
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New in January: Weeknight Growth Group
One of our new small groups, this Growth Group is forming in Lisbon. It will meet fortnightly on a weeknight beginning in February for a simple dinner, fellowship, worship, and discussion around the topic of Christian discipleship. An organizational and information meeting will be held on 15th January in the church hall at St. George's. For additional information, contact Revd Steve at frstevedanzey@gmail.com.
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Coffee in the Library at St Paul's, Estoril
Coffee in the Library at St Paul’s Tuesday and Thursday 10.30 -12.30. Drop in any time for coffee and a chat and for Midday Prayers on Tuesdays, or Portuguese conversation on Thursdays at 11.00am.
Volunteers for one morning a month would be very welcome.
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Church Spirit - Wednesday 15th January
The next Church Spirit will be in on Wednesday 15th January when our guest speaker will be Charles Muller, whose subject will be: “Memories of a Professor of English in Apartheid South Africa.”
Church Spirit wishes you a very happy Christmas!!!
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Readings 
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Sunday 8th December,
Advent 2
Malachi 3 : 1 - 4
Luke 1 : 68 - 79
Philippians 1 : 3 - 11
Luke 3 : 1 - 6
To view the readings
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Sunday 15th December,
Advent 3
Zephaniah 3 : 14 - 20
Isaiah 12 : 2 - 6
Philippians 4 : 4 - 7
Luke 3 : 7 - 18
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