Weekly News

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

13th September 2026

The Fifteenth Sunday After Trinity

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
God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion
Keep, O Lord, your Church, with your perpetual mercy; and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall, keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Genesis 50: 15 – 21
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

New Testament Reading:  Romans 14: 1 – 12
Welcome those who are weak in faith but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat, for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on slaves of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it for the Lord. Also those who eat, eat for the Lord, since they give thanks to God, while those who abstain, abstain for the Lord and give thanks to God. For we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then, each one of us will be held accountable.

Gospel:  Matthew 18: 21 – 35
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

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
Ann Taylor
John Lindsay

Sick
Caroline Hunt
Mary Minnie
Carol McCormick
Dawn McCormick
Abbie Mardell & Hollie
Rob Ramos
Janet Gross
Jane Small

Rest In Peace
Lily Watkins
Arthur (brother in law of Hazel Starmer)
Rev Haydn Jones
Cathy Miles
David Bell

Banns (away)
Francesca Toman and Matthew Clark

Benefice Notices

Family Communion
Sunday 20th September,  at 9.15 am. 
We are looking forward to welcoming guests to this service. I know Eileen has already asked some folks if they can bake a cake, but is looking for others as well. If you could provide something for the day please do speak with Eileen, Glynis or Linda.
Don’t forget to RSVP to the invitation as well, by 13th September (call 01327 350459 or email tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com).

Ride, Stride & Drive 
Join in or sponsor this year’s Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust event on Saturday 12th September. St Lawrence will be open from 10am – 6pm (with welcomers and refreshments), alongside St Michael’s, St Mary’s and St Bartholomew’s. Whether you’d like to cycle, walk, drive, or join a rota welcoming visitors, please contact Val Hartley (07511 636883 / val.e.hartley@btinternet.com) to get involved. Full details are in this week's Benefice Mailing.

Bible Study
Started on Wednesday evenings but you are still welcome to join us, exploring the Book of Acts and the life of St Paul. Everyone is welcome to join us at The Chantry House from 7:30 pm. We suggest starting to read the Book of Acts as preparation. Those who follow the daily readings on the Weekly Sheet or join in with Morning prayer will be doing this anyway!

St Bartholomew's Harvest Supper in Greens Norton will be held on Friday October 2nd from 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm in the Community Centre. As always there will be a choice of hot meals and variety of puddings. The community choir will lead singing and all are encouraged to join in. Tickets will be available from the Chantry House and at St Bart's church from Teresa or call her on 01327 352727

Calling all bakers!!!
We are short of bakers for Sponne weekly cakes for staff and 6th form. If you could help once or twice a term can you please let Revd Paula know.

Choral Evensong at St Mary's, Easton Neston on 13th September. If you'd like to join the scratch choir, rehearsal begins at 1.45 pm, with a short break for tea and cake before the service.

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