Weekly News

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

26th April 2026

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

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.
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or email tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com

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The Collect
Almighty God,whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion
Merciful Father, you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd, and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again: keep us always under his protection, and give us grace to follow in his steps; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 2: 19 - 25
For it is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

New Testament Reading:  Acts 2: 42 - 47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Gospel:  John 10: 1 - 10
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

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
Connie Cowley
Caroline Hunt
Richard Watts
Jean Duck

Rest In Peace
Caroline Eyre

Benefice Notices

Vergers for Baptisms
We are always looking for vergers for baptisms. If you or anyone you know would like to become a verger please contact the office on 01327 350459.

Faith, Food and Fun 
Sunday 19th April 2:00 pm at St Lawrence, Towcester.
We will be holding a praise and worship event for local young Christians.
We will be joined by the worship band from Thomas Becket Catholic School.

Clothing Recycling Fundraiser 
St Lawrence Spring Recycling Collection. We are collecting clothing, shoes, bags, and belts for resale / recycling. No bedding please. Please drop bags into church or at the Vicarage garage door. Last date for drop offs is Sunday 10th May. If you would like bags to be collected from you, please call the benefice office on 01327 350459.

St Lawrence Fete
Sunday 28th June. Helpers needed for stalls and games. Tombola items also needed – bottles, boxes of biscuits and chocolates, smellies, new small gifts. Please drop into the Chantry House Office or contact Steve Challen 07593700754

APCMS
Please note dates for the APCMS are as follows:
Saturday 2nd May APCM following Holy Communion at St Mary’s, Easton Neston at 6:00  pm.
Sunday 10th May APCM following Holy Communion at St Lawrence, Towcester at 9:15 am.
Sunday 10th May APCM following Holy Communion at St Michael’s, Bradden at 9:15am.
Sunday 17th May APCM following Holy Communion at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton 11:15 am.

Greens Norton Village Fete
Sunday14th June. Helpers needed. Please speak to Revd Greg or Roberta if you can help.

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