Weekly News

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

16th November 2025

Second Sunday Before Advent

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
Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Post Communion
Gracious Lord, in this holy sacrament you give substance to our hope: bring us at the last to that fullness of life for which we long; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Malachi 4: 1 – 2a
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

New Testament Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 – 13
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister living irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living irresponsibly, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Gospel: Luke 21: 5 – 19
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

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
Sophie Laffey
Rachel Batchelor

Sick
Caroline Hunt
Jackie Parson
Bob Upton
William Ironmonger
Revd Arthur Hughes
Emily
John Smith

Rest In Peace
Patricia Ould
Nigel Slater
David Nunn
Alan Thorpe
Margaret Brown
Christa Griffiths

Benefice Notices

Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride September 2025 - 13th September
Thank you to everyone who sponsored me. I enjoyed four short walks (two of them different from last year) and only had to put my umbrella up once. Thanks to your support, I raised £500, half of which will be returned to St Lawrence Church, Towcester. I was lucky in once again receiving sponsorship from Towcester Homes estate agents and also from several very generous individuals. Churches which raise money for the Ride and Stride are regarded favourably when applying for a grant from NHCT. Ride and Stride is always the second Saturday in September so the 2026 date will be September 12th. I would be happy for anyone to come on all or some of the walks with me.
Val Hartley

Cake donations for Benefice Advent Carol Service
If you would like to make a donation of cakes/biscuits/traybakes for the Benefice Advent Carol Service at St Lawrence Church on 30th November at 4:00 pm could you please leave in the kitchen area marked 'For Benefice Carol Service'.

Sunday 30th November 
Benefice Advent Sunday Service 10:15am at St Bartholomew’s with Archdeacon Richard and Benefice Advent Carol Service 4:00 pm at St Lawrence – Revd Paula is looking for volunteers to read one from each parish. Please call her or the Benefice Office 01327 350459

St Lawrence Christmas Tree Festival 2025
This will run from Thursday 18th December throughout the Christmas period. The theme will be “Peace on Earth, and goodwill to all mankind”.
If you would like to contribute with decorating a tree or a standalone decoration please contact the Benefice Office for more details.

Bradden Village Quiz
We are pleased to announce the quiz will take place on Friday the 12th December at 7:30pm (subject to a minimum number of villagers taking part). Will the Martin Family defend their title again? They’ve won the last 2 quizzes so who fancies giving them a proper challenge this time out? If you don’t have a team to enter, don’t worry as we will make sure you will team up with other villagers. This is also the planned date for the BIG Bradden Village Lottery draw, where the winner walks away with £200. So – lots going on, lots to enjoy, we really hope many of you can support the village by joining us. Tickets are £5. All we ask is that you confirm your attendance by the 22nd of November so that we can plan the event, and buy some cheese and biscuits, crisps and stock the bar.

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