Weekly News

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

15th February 2026

The Sunday before Lent

Welcome
If you are new to this church, it is lovely that you can join us today. We produce this information on a weekly basis which you can 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



Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter here.




 

The Collect
Holy God, you know the disorder of our sinful lives: set straight our crooked hearts, and bend our wills to love your goodness and your glory in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Post Communion
Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ: may we who are partakers at his table reflect his life in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to change and save. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Exodus 24: 12 – end
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there; I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up onto the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come back to you. Look, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.” Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the Israelites. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

NewTestament Reading:  2 Peter 1: 16 – 21
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Gospel:  Matthew 17: 1 – 9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

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
David Shield
(Miss) Christine Williams

Sick
Tilly
Brian Manning
Connie Cowley
Barbara Townsend
Caroline Hunt
John Smith
Roger Howe   

Rest In Peace
Peter Curtis

Benefice Notices

Ash Wednesday Services with Imposition of Ashes will take place on Wednesday 18th February, 10:15 am at St Lawrence, 7:30 pm at St Bartholomew’s.

Half Term Family Fun – join us for craft activities, snacks, drinks and pancakes races!
St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton on Wednesday 18th February 9:00 am to 10:30 am and at St Lawrence, Towcester on Thursday 19th February 9:30 am to 11:00 am.

Men at The Mill – Our next meeting is on 25th February, please make strenuous efforts to join us. All men are welcome whether you have been before or not.

St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton - Wednesdays during Lent 
Holy Communion service at 12:00 noon, followed by a soup lunch. All are welcome.

Soup, Sandwich and a Social Chat 
The last one before the summer break will take place on Tuesday 24th March. Please come to join us for lunch in the Chantry House from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm. A small donation would be appreciated. Please speak to Gail or Eileen for more details.

World Day of Prayer 2026 Nigeria
This year the service will be at Towcester Methodist church, Brackley road on Friday 6th March at 10:30 am. There will be singing, you will hear accounts from women from Nigeria. All welcome. Refreshments served.

Experience Easter
This March, we’re excited to be welcoming local Key Stage 2 children from primary schools in Greens Norton and Towcester into church for Experience Easter. Through interactive prayer spaces, the children will explore the Easter story. There are up to three sessions each day (two in the morning and one in the afternoon), each just over an hour long, running on 2nd and 3rd March in Greens Norton, 9th to 13th March in Towcester, and 16th to 19th March in Towcester. If you can offer any help please get in touch with Sarah Barnett: tovefamilies@gmail.com

Do you have a spare room and would benefit from some extra company/ income?
Liudmyla came to the UK from Ukraine almost 4 years ago, and due to a change in her hosts circumstances is looking for a new temporary host. Liudmyla, 67, is well known to us, being related to our Ukrainian friends and aid volunteers here in Towcester, Oleh and Uliana. During her time here, Liudmyla has gained good basic English and is very active volunteering at the Renew cafe and with our Little Sprouts group. Under the current UK Govt scheme a host is paid £350pm. Please let me know if you are interested in meeting Liudmyla and potentially offering her a temporary home. Steve Challen 07593 700754

Confirmation Course
Bishop Ed Condry will be confirming candidates who recently completed the course at 3:00 pm on 8th February at St Lawrence Church, Towcester.
Please pray for those awaiting their confirmation.
The service will include full immersion baptism. Please can we hold in our prayers: Adam, Daniel, James, Louise and Mike. All are most welcome to attend the service and support the candidates, they would appreciate your presence in this significant step of faith. If anyone can help by making a cake for the service we would be very grateful. Please drop off at St Lawrence.

Ash Wednesday Services with Imposition of Ashes will take place on Wednesday 18th February.
10:15 am at St Lawrence, 7:30 pm at St Bartholomew’s.

The next Ladies Night Out will be on Thursday 26th February 7:00 pm at the Rice Bowl in Towcester, menu details will be supplied shortly. There are a firm 24 places available (3 tables of 8 people). Please RSVP by 10th February to Stephanie at stephaniejwatts@gmail.com Please include in your email all allergies and dietary requirements. It should be another fantastic night out!

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