We have a selection of readings and a prayer to help guide you through Advent.

A couple of great ways to engage with the bible passage are:

• Try reading it through a couple of times, picking what parts speak to you, and spending some time in silence thinking about what you have read.

• You could try imagining yourself in the bible passage you are reading and thinking about what is going on around you

there isn’t a wrong way to do this, so if it’s helpful to you, give it a go. As always, if you have a question or get stuck on a meaning, please let us know; we are happy to help! 

Advent Daily Prayer

Gracious God,
As we wait for the coming of Your Son,
Open our hearts to Your light and peace.
Teach us to hope in Your promises,
To love with open hands,
And to walk in faith each day.
May Your joy be our strength,
And Your presence be our guide,
Through Christ, our Savior. Amen

Week 1: Hope

1. Day 1 (Dec 2): Isaiah 9:2–7 – The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
2. Day 2 (Dec 3): Jeremiah 33:14–16 – A righteous Branch will spring up.
3. Day 3 (Dec 4): Romans 15:12–13 – The God of hope fills you with joy and peace.
4. Day 4 (Dec 5): Psalm 130:5–7 – In His word, I put my hope.
5. Day 5 (Dec 6): 1 Peter 1:3–5 – A living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
6. Day 6 (Dec 7): Matthew 12:18–21 – In His name, the nations will put their hope.
7. Day 7 (Dec 8): Luke 1:26–38 – Mary receives the promise of Jesus.

Week 2: Peace

1. Day 8 (Dec 9): Isaiah 26:3–4 – You will keep those who trust in You in perfect peace.
2. Day 9 (Dec 10): Micah 5:2–5 – He will be their peace.
3. Day 10 (Dec 11): John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you.
4. Day 11 (Dec 12): Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
5. Day 12 (Dec 13): Psalm 85:8–13 – The Lord will speak peace to His people.
6. Day 13 (Dec 14): Luke 2:8–14 – Peace on earth, goodwill to all.
7. Day 14 (Dec 15): Philippians 4:6–7 – The peace of God will guard your hearts.

Week 3: Joy

1. Day 15 (Dec 16): Isaiah 12:2–6 – With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
2. Day 16 (Dec 17): Luke 1:46–55 – Mary’s song of joy.
3. Day 17 (Dec 18): Zephaniah 3:14–17 – The Lord will rejoice over you with singing.
4. Day 18 (Dec 19): Psalm 98:4–9 – Make a joyful noise to the Lord.
5. Day 19 (Dec 20): John 15:9–11 – That your joy may be complete.
6. Day 20 (Dec 21): Luke 1:67–79 – Zechariah’s song of joy.
7. Day 21 (Dec 22): 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – Rejoice always.

Week 4: Love – The Story of Christmas

1. Day 22 (Dec 23): John 3:16–17 – God so loved the world.
2. Day 23 (Dec 24): John 1 – In the beginning
3. Day 24 (Dec 25): Luke 2:1-21 – Christmas – God with us

This year, we are offering across the MA a selection of Services for the Saints we celebrate immediately after Christmas. If you are around, you are very welcome to come and attend these reflective services. 

26/12/24	Thurs	Stephen Deacon and martyr	St Georges	10am	MA SERVICE
27/12/24	Fri	John Apostle and evangelist	St Davids	10am	MA SERVICE
28/12/24	Sat	Holy Innocents	St Sannans	10am	MA SERVICE
29/12/24	Sun	Ma Service	St Georges	10am	MA Service

We want to encourage everyone in our ministry area to connect with the Bible in a deeper, more personal way. Whether you’re familiar with Scripture or just starting, engaging with the Bible daily can open up new perspectives and insights on faith, life, and our shared journey with God. Here are some practical suggestions to help you get started or to deepen your current Bible reading routine.

1. Begin with the Gospels

If you’re not sure where to start, begin with the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books tell the story of Jesus’ life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Reading the Gospels first can give you a sense of God’s love, mercy, and the message Jesus brought to the world. Try reading a chapter a day, reflecting on what speaks to you, and allowing yourself to ask questions as you go.

2. Use the Church in Wales Online Lectionary

The Church in Wales provides a convenient online lectionary that lists daily Scripture readings, making it easy to follow along with the church’s reading cycle. This is especially helpful if you enjoy reading the same passages that others in church are reading. Following the lectionary can help you feel connected, knowing we’re journeying through these Scriptures together. You can access the lectionary through the Church in Wales website: https://lectionary.churchinwales.org.uk

3. Follow a Bible Reading Plan

Consider using a Bible reading plan to guide you. There are many different plans out there, from covering the Bible in one year to plans that focus on specific topics or books. If a year-long plan feels too intense, look for a shorter plan to start with. These structured approaches can provide a sense of accomplishment as you track your progress, and they help make the Bible feel more accessible by breaking it into manageable sections.

Try these:

Online:

https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans

Printable:

Click to access navigators-bible-reading-plan.pdf

Physical:

https://amzn.eu/d/7EuNzBE

4. Reflect and Pray

Whenever you read, take a few minutes to reflect on what the passage might mean for you. You might find it helpful to jot down your thoughts in a journal. Ending with a short prayer, asking for God’s guidance or thanking Him for the bible, can also deepen the experience and help it feel more personal.

5. Support

If you would like to know more then please consider joining up to one of our regular small groups.

If you need a bible of have questions then please get in touch as well!: https://mynyddbedwellte.church/contact/

It is great hearing that so many people from our ministry area are enthusiastic to support the Saints project by volunteering their time and efforts at upcoming events. Please could all those who would like to volunteer their support complete and submit the following Google form: https://forms.gle/bFKeFWwXBWK5oY6F8

The information you provide will help to create a group of volunteers that can be contacted regarding events where support is needed, along with allowing me to keep track of how and when you are willing volunteer your support.

All of your support and continued prayers will be very much appreciated. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding Saints Tredegar.

God Bless

Saint Francis was born between 1181/82. His name was Giovanni, Francisco di Pietro Berndone. His father was known as Pietro Bennardone. He was a wealthy businessman who wanted Saint Francis to follow in his footsteps as a Taylor /clothes merchant. Saint Francis lived with his family in a place called Spoleto. Francis was known as a little bit of a rebel in his younger days. He used to hang around with his friends and drink a lot, and people in the town commented how rude he was. He was one of seven children, and he was named after the people of France.

Not until 1202, when Francis of Assisi fought in the war between Assisi and Perugia,
Saint Francis was captured and was held prisoner for almost a year. His health
became that he was confined with others in a damp and dirty-smelling cell with rats
and mice in it.

Francis’s participation in the war was the turning point in his life. After his release, he
began to receive visions from God that changed his life. He abandoned his life of
luxury, became a devotee of the faith, and devoted himself to serving the church and
the needy so much. Hence, he even kissed a leper when, before, he used to shun
and be nasty to these people at home. On one occasion, he gave his cloak from his
clothes. If we look at Matthew 10. 9, you will see this chapter, where Matthew
inspired Saint Francis; within a year, Francis gained 11 followers.

On one occasion, Saint Francis is accused by his father of wasting money and stealing money and clothing from his father’s shop. So Saint Francis, in front of the town’s Bishop, stripped his clothes off so he was naked and disowned his father. The Bishop was so embarrassed that he took off his clerical robe and wrapped it around Saint Francis, trying to call the situation down, and the people of the town were embarrassed by his behaviour. Some of them, remembering how Francis used to act being drunk, muttered under their breaths what can you expect from a boy who gets his way? He said when he gave his father his clothes back, he said I will be naked before God.

Saint Francis went to the Pope and asked him if he could start an order. After
several attempts to see the Pope, he was finally granted permission to begin his only
order, now known as the Saint Francis Friars or the San Franciscan order. One of
the things that not many people know is that in 1205, in a place called Dominio, he
heard exultation from Christ on the cross while he was in the country sitting in a
ruined church across from the wall where he heard Christ say to him go and rebuild
this church he had stopped there to meditate, but this had a tremendous effect on
him hearing what Christ said so he and his followers began to bring stones and
bricks and rubble to rebuild this church.

Saint Francis is also known in 12/20 for setting up his first known nativity scene,
which is now common worldwide. Saint Francis is known as the patron of St of Italy.
Also, the patron saint of animals, St. Saint Catherine of Siena, Francis, was named

the patron saint of ecology. On October 4, churches celebrate ceremonies blessing
animals, which has become a World Animal Day. . Francis was canonized as a Saint
by Pope Gregory1x on July 16 1228. Today, there are Franciscan orders all over the
world of the Friars Minor, the order of Saint Clair, who was a longtime girlfriend of
Francis and followed him to start up an order for women, and there is the lay 3 rd
order, of which I have been a member for the last five years
Saint Francis died on October 3 1226, but he was said to have received stigmata,
known as the wounds of Christ, two years before he died. He is the first person to be
recorded as receiving the stigmata on October 3. We always celebrate the life of
Saint Francis, and we follow the same ruling as the first order. We have a daily
prayer routine, the service of which is written in our prayer books of Saint Francis.
Our closest monastery, known as Friary, is in Somerset, known as Highfield. It is
surrounded by lovely countryside, and some items indicate the life of Saint Francis.
L0VE, POVERTY, CHASTITY, HUMANITY PRAYER

By

Pierre Cornlouer

As the season changes to autumn, we come to the harvest season. Traditionally, harvest is a time to gather in the fruits of our labour, celebrate abundance, and give thanks for the blessings of the earth. For many, it brings back images of wheat fields, baskets of apples, and community feasts, as well as being thankful for the farmers who grow our food beyond the physical harvest. However, this season also invites us to reflect spiritually on the ways God has provided us throughout the year and prepare for the seasons ahead.

God Provides 

In the Bible, harvest was also a time of celebration and thanksgiving. In the Old Testament, the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was a week-long festival where the people of Israel gave thanks to God for his goodness and providing remembering how he had led them out of Egypt and cared for them in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:39-43). 

Just as the Israelites were thankful for God’s faithfulness in both physical and spiritual ways, we are called to pause, reflect, and thank God for his blessings in our lives.

This time of year encourages us to take stock of the material provisions—food, shelter, health—and the many unseen ways God has been at work. Perhaps He has strengthened us in times of difficulty, provided guidance when we felt lost or surrounded us with the community when we needed support. Harvest reminds us to focus on what we have received in a world that often emphasises what we lack.

The Power of Thankfulness

Thankfulness is not just a response to receiving something; it is a spiritual practice that can be transformative. When we give thanks, we acknowledge God’s role in our lives and recognise that all we have comes from him. This perspective shift helps cultivate contentment and deepens our trust in God. As Psalm 100:4 tells us, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Thankfulness prepares us to live with open hands—both to receive and to give. When we are grateful, we are more likely to share what we have with others, whether through giving, helping, or even encouraging. This is particularly important during the harvest season, as we, as churches in the Mynydd Bedwellte Ministry Area, give food for those in need to our local food banks at our harvest services. 

Preparing with Thankfulness

This is a time of season change and new challenges that are always on the horizon. Just as farmers prepare the soil for the next growing season, we, too, can prepare our hearts for the future by cultivating thankfulness. Preparing like this allows us to enter the coming months not with anxiety or fear but with faith that the same God who has provided for us thus far will continue to meet our needs.

In Philippians, St Paul encourages us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When we root our preparations in thankfulness, we approach the future not with uncertainty but with trust in God.

Conclusion

Harvest is more than just a time to gather crops—it is an invitation to pause and thank God. As we reflect on the goodness we have received, let us prepare for the future with hearts full of thankfulness, ready to share what we have been given, and confident in God’s continued faithfulness. 

Harvest Services In The Ministry Area:

29th September: St Georges 10am St Sannans 11am

6th October: St Davids 10:30am St Pauls 9.15am

13th October:  St Dingats 10:30am 

We want to inform everyone that the churchyard is undergoing essential clearance of overgrown vegetation. This work is necessary to conduct health and safety surveys, address invasive species, carry out critical tree maintenance, and develop a sustainable management plan for the future.

Our dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly to care for the graveyard for many years. We are exploring various options to prevent the churchyard from falling into disrepair again, including forming new volunteer groups and considering other innovative solutions. It would cost more than is viable to keep the grass constantly down. This project alone is a considerable cost to the church. 

This is just the first stage of a multi-step process, and we kindly ask for your patience as we work through it. We will also be hosting a community consultation in the near future to discuss our plans and gather your input.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this time. Together, we can ensure that St Sannan’s remains a beautiful and well-maintained space for everyone. 🌱

#StSannans #CommunitySupport #ChurchyardRestoration #VolunteersNeeded