30th November 2025
Welcome to St Barnabas, especially if you are here for the first time! Please introduce yourself to our host team so we can welcome you personally.
This Sunday we begin the period of Advent, a word that means “coming”. During Advent, we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ coming as a baby in Bethlehem, we look forward to his return as King, and we open our lives for his coming into our lives today by the Holy Spirit. He casts out fear and fills us with hope and joy. It is not for nothing that each time in the Christmas story the angels announce the arrival of Jesus, they begin, “Fear not…!” In our troubled world, we need this message more than ever.
TODAY'S SERVICES
Fear Not - Zechariah
Luke 1:5-25
9am Holy Communion
Lead: Andy Buckler
Preach: Basir Amini
Hymns: 33, 98, 307
10:30am Morning Worship
Lead: Andy Buckler
Preach: Basir Amini
5pm French Connect Advent Celebration, followed by Raclette
Lead: Corinne Chellembrom
Preach: Andy Buckler
There will be a choir practice for Carols by Candlelight following the 10.30am service. All are welcome (light lunch provided).
FARSI TRANSLATION ON SUNDAYS
Each Sunday we aim to offer live translation of the 10.30 am service into Farsi.
To access this, please follow this link at the time of the service:
عزيزانى كه در كليسا حضور ندارند مى توانند از لينك زوم استفاده كنند و به زوم وصل شوند و ترجمه مراسم را گوش كنند با
سپاس كليساى سنت بارناباس
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85271717355?pwd=Z2svWG9pYWRlSmdjMjJXV0NIejhrQT09
Meeting ID: 852 7171 7355
Passcode: 270176
THIS WEEK
Each morning at 8am – Morning Prayer on Zoom (link on Prayer Page)
Tuesday 7am – Early Morning Prayer
Tuesday 10am - Barnies Soft Play
Wednesday 10am - Women on Wednesday
Sunday 7th December
9am Holy Communion
10.30am Family Christmas Service
7pm Create Christmas Celebration
NOTICES
THANKSGIVING OFFERING
Thank you to all who contributed to our recent thanksgiving offering. For those who have not yet responded: it is not too late to give! We often say that we are a Barnabas church - not just because of our name, but also because like him we want to be people of encouragement, marked out by our generous character and full of the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24). This offering gives us a practical way to show generosity and to invest in God’s kingdom work here at STBK. We particularly encourage all our members to commit to regular giving - if you don’t yet give this way, perhaps now is the time to start! Above all, let’s remember that God loves a cheerful giver!
Details of how to give, together with Andy's letter about the Thanksgiving Offering, can be found at stbk.org.uk/giving or by following the QR code.
Wildlife
This week in the Wildlife groups, we will continue celebrating God's light with a focus on understanding Advent. The children will also have the opportunity to make an Advent Activity calendar to bring home with them. These will include a daily activity to encourage this time of waiting, anticipation, hope and light. You can join in together as a family with these Advent activities! We look forward to seeing you on Sunday at the 10:30am service.
FAMILY FUN DAY - 29th November, 10am
You are warmly invited to join us at St Barnabas Church on Saturday 29th November for our Family Fun Day. There will be soft play toys, a bouncy castle, face painting, games and activities, and Advent themed crafts. It is taking place from 10am to 12pm. £5 entry per child. Come and join us for lots of fun! Please email nathalie@stbk.org.uk if you have any questions.
Family Christmas Service
A reminder that next Sunday, 7th December is our All Age service at 10:30am. Please join us (and invite other friends and families). We'll have a time of reflection and fun - with a little help from a few 'animals' to celebrate and remind us of the joy of Christmas. The service will also include a ballet performance celebrating the miracle of Christmas. We look forward to welcoming you for this special service.
ADVENT SEASON KICK-OFF — YOU’RE INVITED!
Come and celebrate the start of Advent with us during a special service, and stay afterwards for a warm, relaxed raclette together.
A time of worship • community • good food
https://stbk.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3282449
DISTRIBUTION OF CHRISTMAS INVITATIONS
This coming week we would like to distribute Christmas invitations around the parish. If you are able to help, please sign the form at the back of church and take the appropriate number of invitation cards.
DAPHNE ROTH FUNERAL
Daphne, for many years a faithful member of St Barnabas, died peacefully at home on Tuesday 11th November aged 101. Please note that her funeral will take place this coming Monday 1st December at 12pm at Putney Vale Crematorium. All are welcome. Please pray for Daphne’s sons and their families at this time.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR
We will be forming an ad-hoc choir for our special Carols by Candlelight service on 14th December. This doesn’t require any particular skill, other than singing in tune! Rehearsals will take place this Sunday 30th November and then on 7th December after the 10.30am service (lunch provided). Anyone interested, please see Chris Cole or let Heather know at info@stbk.org.uk
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
This year we want to organise a special Christmas lunch following the morning service on Christmas Day for all who would like to celebrate the joy of Christmas together. We will enjoy a full Christmas meal, with lots of fun and laughter. If you are interested in joining the fun and sharing in this special time with others, please let Andy or Uta know! We would also be delighted to hear of anyone who can offer practical help with this.
WOMEN OF STBK, Save The Date!
Join us for a weekend away from the to-do list at St. Columba's retreat centre in Woking, 6-8 February, 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other women at STBK and be restored in a relaxed environment. Our speaker, author and editor Claire Musters, has written widely for women and describes herself as "a lover of words and music-and the way that God has worked his grace in my life." There will be time and space for prayer, contemplation, singing, walking, creating, playing and resting.
The full cost for the weekend will be £245 for a single en-suite room, with all meals included, £215 if you are happy to share a twin room. Partial bursaries may be available if cost is a barrier. Spaces will be limited due to venue size; hold your spot with a £50 deposit. Please contact Carolyn Green or Dana Irons for more information. Please register in advance here.
BAPTISMS
We are planning on organising adult baptisms in February 2026. If you haven’t been baptised and would like to take this opportunity to explore this, please let us know by emailing tania@stbk.org.uk.
At St Barnabas, we are a vibrant and diverse community, passionate about
WELCOMING all in Jesus’ name, GROWING TOGETHER as his disciples,
and STEPPING OUT in God’s mission to all nations.