Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 10th August 

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Sunday 10th August
9:15 am Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester
9:15 am Holy Communion at St Michael's, Bradden
10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship via Zoom
11:15 am Family Communion at St Bartholomew's, Greens Norton

Thursday 14th August
11:00 am Funeral Service at St Lawrence, Towcester


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Our weekly news contains details of services for this and next weekend, as well as daily bible readings, prayer requests and notices for forthcoming events. 

Looking ahead to events and services that are happening please do look at the Monthly Calendar for August

Copies are available in churches for collecting especially for those who do not have emails. 

Dear all,

A confirmation service is a wonderful occasion.

As part of the service the bishop addresses each candidate by name, saying, ‘God has called you by name and made you his own’. The bishop will stretch out his hands and confirm saying, ‘Confirm Oh Lord your servant with your Holy Spirit’. And all will pray that each person may ‘daily increase in’ the Holy Spirit. Oil of Chrism, oil with fragrant spices, may be used to anoint each person confirmed. It is a sign of being empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfil their calling and what God is inviting them to do.

Confirmation is led by a bishop, who represents the universal Church. Last year we were joined by Bishop John for the confirmation service. As has become normal now the group was a group of adults who had studied together with members of the ministry team over 8 weeks to prepare for this occasion. For us confirmation is the other half of baptism. Often baptism is of infants and parents and godparents make the promises by responding with the words, With the help of God, we will , to the question asked by the presiding priest, ‘Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?’. At a confirmation each person ‘confirms’ this promise and becomes responsible for their own walk in the faith, and becomes a representative of Christ in their lives.

 Our next Confirmation Course will begin in September. Details are on the flyer below and on posters around the churches. We will meet on Thursday evenings in the Chantry house starting on September 11^th at 7.30 pm. Please do let a member of the clergy know if you would like to be part of the group or whether a family member or friends may be interested to proceed to confirmation or join us as a refresher in the faith. These groups are great opportunities to ask any questions about faith, life, the Bible.

With every blessing
Greg
Associate Priest

IMPORTANT

We have been made aware of scam emails circulating in our community.
Please be assured that no member of clergy—or anyone from the church—will ever contact you asking for money or gift vouchers.
If you receive such an email, please check the sender’s email address carefully and do not respond.
If in doubt, contact the church office directly for confirmation.

Ride and Stride - 13th September 2025

The Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride
This will be taking place on Saturday 13^th September with churches in Northamptonshire taking part along with many more all over the country.  Participants plan a route to walk, cycle, horse ride etc, on their own or in a group, visiting churches, many of which are open with people to welcome them and nearly all with basic free refreshments.  Some participants drive round the churches which is ok as long as their sponsors don’t mind! 
St Lawrence Towcester is planning to be open between 10am and 6pm on the 13^th September and we are looking to set up a rota of people willing to spend an hour or two in the church to welcome any visitors. It is very unlikely you be inundated and you may not be able to welcome anyone at all during your hour.  Welcomers can be sponsored but it is not essential.  We are also hoping to have participants raising sponsorship by cycling or walking (50% of the basic amount excluding Gift Aid is returned to the church of your choice)
I am planning on either cycling or walking between some of the local, or maybe not so local, churches and would be happy to have anyone else with me. I would also welcome sponsorship and will be putting a sponsor form in the Chantry Office.
Anyone interested in finding out more, please contact Val Hartley on 07511 636883 or val.e.hartley@btinternet.com
Other churches in the benefice are also taking part:-
St Michael, Bradden will be open, unmanned from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
St Mary, Easton Neston will be open and manned from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
St Bartholomew, Greens Norton will be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, manned from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with refreshments.
There is information about NHCT and Ride and Stride on the NHCT website www.nhct.org.uk also showing photos of 2024 participants and their stories.
 

Forthcoming Events

Worship for this coming week