What a mess. . . at least it is at the moment. . . but what a joy it is going to be!

 

The work has now started.

Easter is coming. . .

Sunday 18th Dec Advent 4

Christmas Carol Service by candlelight for all the Community with seasonal refreshments afterwards and mulled wine (Full choir and congregational Carols)

Saturday 24th Dec Christmas Eve

10am Crib Service for all the Family as we hear the Christmas story and gather around the Crib

11.30pm The great Midnight Mass of Christmas with the Blessing of the Crib. All welcome.
(Petit Messe de Minuit – Charpentier and Choir Carols.)

Sunday 25th December Christmas day

11.00am Family Mass of the Day with Carols at the Crib.

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Sunday 1st January The Holy Family

10.00am Parish Mass

Sunday 8th January The Epiphany

10.00am Mass of the Epiphany with Procession to the Crib and Presentation of the Gifts.

Followed by New Years’ Party Everyone is welcome to all of our services.

Call to Worship

As the days of Jesus’ suffering and death draw near, God calls his people to renew their discipleship. Let us pray for grace to walk courageously in the way of the cross, committed to love one another as Christ loves us and faithfully to those in need.

Gospel Teaching

We will never know what was eaten at the meal in today’s Gospel, but the location, timing and the characters involved are all significant in helping us on our journey through Lent. Bethany is almost our final destination, but not quite. Passover, the time of Jesus’ death, is almost with us, and Jesus will be in Jerusalem. We are beginning to see how our lives might be reflected in those at the table. Judas was once faithful, but now epitomises hypocrisy and disloyalty; Martha, the practical one and obedient, but is she devoted enough? And what then of Mary Magdalene? Is she extravagent, overly dramatic, attention seeking? Or does she point us in the only way we must go: one of loving discipleship? Jesus is going to face the bleakest of times. Will we be with him?

Readings

In our pilgrimage through Lent we are nearing our journey’s end. The Gospel helps us to understand ‘discipleship’ as we focus our attention on the events of Jesus’ final ‘hour’.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Isaiah proclaims God’s promise to restore and protect his people. He will do something unprecedented to bring about their salvation

New Testament Reading: Philippians 3: 4b-14

Paul’s former righteousness has been overturned by Christ. Paul longs to be with him, and presses on to his goal – fufilling Christ’s call.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal Glory.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.

Holy Gospel: John 12:1-8

Jesus attends a dinner at the home of Lazarus. Mary anoints Jesus with costly perfume and so reveals the path of true discipleship.

We had a wonderful celebration last Sunday of All Hallows Day.

All Hallows Celebration

It was All Saints Day at All Saints Church. The name All Hallows means the same thing.

In the morning we had a lovely Parish Mass with a Procession all around the Church. At a special service in the evening at 5.00pm, we had our ‘guest night’ service when we invited other neighbouring churches and friends to join us.

We enjoyed beautiful music, with a special choir, conducted by our Organist ,Martin Kemp. The organ was played magnificently by Edward Hewes, the Organist of St Silas.  The Preacher was Fr.Philip Barnes – what an excellent sermon it was!

Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely buffet supper with Chicken coronation and other delicious goodies. A good time was had by all.