Weekly News

Benefice Office Opening Hours
Monday to Friday -  9:30 am to 1.00 pm

Weekly News
22nd December 2024
The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent Ring Prayer
Today we light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of Love.
Scripture tells us “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18). God created this world in love and this world will end in the love of God. God’s love pervades all aspects of this life. From birth to death, pain to delight, strangers to lovers, God’s love is there. We light this candle in Love. (Light Candle) On this day, we remember God is Love.

The Collect
God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Post Communion
Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Advent Ring Prayer
Throughout this season we have lived, waited, and remembered the hope, peace, joy, and love of God found in Christ. (Light Candles) Tonight we gather together and light candles in honor of the Christ Child. With the birth of Christ, salvation has drawn near. The God who ordered the chaos of the universe has come down into the chaos of our world. The Word which was with God at the beginning came down and lived with us. While we were yet living in the valley of the shadow of death, the light of new life burst forth. We light this candle for Christ. On this night, we remember God has come in the Christ Child.

The Collect
Almighty God, as we prepare with joy to celebrate the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Post Communion
Eternal God, for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life: keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lectionary Readings Christmas Eve:

Lectionary Readings Christmas Day:

Please click here (or on the image) for This Weeks Daily Readings
 

Benefice Prayers 

We pray for those who are sick at this time and remember those who have recently died and pray for their families:

Continuing Prayers For
Debbie Morris   
Ellen Jones
Rachel Batchelor

Benefice Notices

If you are new to this church, welcome, it is lovely that you can join us.
We produce the Weekly News on a weekly basis which you can also have emailed to you along with other information about the benefice.
If you would like to go onto our regular mailing list please call 01327 350459 or email tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com

The Benefice Office will be closed from 1:00 pm Friday 20th December until 9:30: am Thursday 2nd January 2025.

Revd Paula, Revd Greg and Revd Nigel thank you for the cards and gifts we have been given and we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Christmas Tree Festival -
St Lawrence Christmas Tree Festival 2024 is now open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, until 3rd January.
Following the recent success of the Narnia Prayer spaces, we have retained Mr Tumnus and with the help of the local community, decorated a beautiful forest of trees in the Lady Chapel.
Please do come and enjoy these wonderful displays and enjoy the peace of St Lawrence during this Christmas time.

Candles for Ukraine
We are working alongside other churches in the deanery this Christmas period to collect the remnants of candles for reuse. These will be collated and taken to a factory in Swindon where they are melted down to make trench candles and provide light for the displaced who don’t have electricity. Please donate all unwanted candles used or new into collection boxes which will be at each of our churches.

Sponne Wellbeing 
There is a joint wellbeing project starting with Year 7 & 8 at Sponne in January courtesy of Churches Together. We need short, simple games for this session. These are games such as Jenga, Dominoes, Dobble, Pictionary, Connect 4, Guess Who or even packs of cards - anything that is quick and easy to play. These would be gratefully received as we bring this project to life.

RIP Diary 
This is now in church please indicate with a tick if you would like your loved one/relative to be remembered, or add new.

Communion
Please can we ask and remind people to refrain from dipping (intinction) their wafer into the wine when receiving communion. Those administering the chalice do not wish to cause upset at the communion rail. The reason for non-dipping policy is on the bishop’s advice and twofold: firstly one of hygiene and secondly because we have members who are gluten intolerant. If you feel unable to receive the wine from the chalice then receiving in one kind means you are making a valid communion. Thank you for your understanding.

Easton Neston Church and Churchyard visitors
If you have previously registered your number plate for access to visit St Mary's Easton Neston Church and Churchyard and it is not working the gate, please would you let Bev know on 01327 354385.

Please click here, or on the image, for This Months Services