Weekly News

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

30th November 2025

Advent Sunday

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



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The Collect
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion
O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Advent Candle Lighting - The Prophets
Lord Jesus, light of the world, the prophets said you would bring peace and save your people in trouble. Give peace in our hearts this Advent.
Come, Lord Jesus, light of the world.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 2: 1 - 5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Gospel: Matthew 24: 36 – 44
But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

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
Lynne Linney
Ann Taylor

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

Rest In Peace
Margaret Brown
Christa Griffiths
Mike Smith
Richard Edwards
Peter Allen
Georgie

Benefice Notices

Christingle Services
“Come and hear about the light that shines in the darkness”.
Our Christingle Services take place at:
St Mary’s, Easton Neston 4:00 pm on Saturday 6th December,
St Lawrence, Towcester 4:00 pm on Sunday 7th December and
St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton 4:00 pm on Sunday 14th December.

Soup, Sandwich and a Social Chat
Tuesday 2nd December
We invite you 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.





Hog, Hits and Hallelujahs!
7:00 pm Wednesday 10th December at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton.
Our God & Chips community has been growing, laughing, sharing and eating together throughout the year. Now we’re bringing that same welcoming spirit into Christmas with a carol concert like no other! Hogs, Hits & Hallelujah blends much-loved carols with some of the greatest Christmas number-one hits, creating a fun, meaningful and memorable celebration for all ages. And because food is part of our story, we’ll finish together with a delicious hog roast and mince pie. It’s about neighbours becoming friends, church feeling like home, and discovering joy, hope and belonging this Christmas. Tickets £5 available from Hunts Butchers.


Advent Candles 
These are available to purchase now from Sarah Barnett or The Benefice Office. There are red and white ones with gold writing, £2 each.






Walking Into Advent – Sunday 30th November
Every Christmas, we celebrate the coming of our Lord to the Earth to rescue us.
Advent is the time when we wait in hope and anticipation. God came and dwelt among us. This year, we thought it would be good to share our joy with the people of Towcester, by walking down Watling Street carrying Lanterns. These can be proper lanterns or jam jars with battery operated tea lights in, which we can provide. We meet at 3.30pm, starting from Whittons Lane. The aim is for us all to be carrying lanterns and slowly walk towards St Lawrence Church, perhaps singing as we go. We will go into the church in time for the Advent Service at 4:00pm. If you would like to join us, please contact Helen Castle on 07786-385207 or the Benefice Office on 01327350459.

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.

Carol Services
Traditional carol services with choir will be taking place at:
4:00 pm on Saturday 20th December at St Lawrence, Towcester,
4:00 pm Sunday 21st December at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton and
6:00 pm at St Augustine’s, Caldecote.

The dates for all our Christmas Services are listed on a sheet and available to collect from church.
Please take a copy, and one to pass on to friends and family.

Ukraine 
Looking for a meaningful Christmas present/stocking filler please consider buying Towcester Writer’s Group “10 Minute Tales” all profits in aid of our Ukraine Charity work.
Books available from the Chantry House or Steve Challen - £10 each.





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