Sunday 30th November
Advent Sunday
Sunday 30th November
10:15 am Benefice Communion with Archdeacon Richard St Bartholomew’s Greens Norton
4:00 pm Benefice Advent Carol Service St Lawrence Towcester
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Dear friends,
Last weekend Revd Nigel’s sermon and reflection included part of a sermon by Pastor S M Lockridge from the 1970s. The whole sermon, from which the excerpt came, is over an hour long and can be listened to online. A shorter seven minute version with music and images is also available. That is my King. Do you know him?
On Saturday it is the diocesan annual Explore Day in Northampton, and we have a number of people attending from the benefice as they explore what God might be calling them to be. Please pray for all who attend, that they may be blessed in their conversations, their worship and their fellowship together.
From Christ the King Sunday last week we move into Advent this Sunday. In the morning service our focus with Archdeacon Richard will be the Holy Spirit, and in the afternoon at four o clock our focus will be the King and his Kingdom.
If you are joining us for the afternoon service, please remember Helen Castle’s invitation to take part in the lantern walk down Watling Street from Whittons Lane to St Lawrence Church. You are invited to bring a lantern or a jam jar with a battery operated tea light, or simply a torch, anything that gives light. We meet at three thirty and aim to arrive at church in time for the Advent Service at four. If you would like to join us, please contact Helen Castle on 07786 385207 or the Benefice Office on 01327 350459.
There is something quite beautiful about services held at this time of year, with darker evenings and the glow of candles. One of the traditional carols for this season is O Come, O Come Emmanuel, a carol many of us think we know by heart. This year I would like to encourage you to listen closely to the words, because it feels almost like a conversation. The verses cry out with longing, the voice of a people waiting for their true King and yearning for a world made right. They name the shadows honestly: exile, fear, uncertainty and the deep ache for justice and peace. Then the refrain answers like a second voice, gently lifting our eyes. Rejoice. Emmanuel shall come to thee. Hope breaks in. A different kingdom is drawing near.
This carol gives us language for what it means to wait for that kingdom. We do not pretend that everything is well, but we stand firm in the promise that God’s reign of justice, mercy and joy is coming. The King has not forgotten his people.
As Nigel said so clearly last week, “He is King over everything, over heaven and earth, over life and death, over the past we cannot change, the present we are struggling with, and the future we cannot see.”
As a ministry team we have also been reflecting on what it means to be rooted in God. We have been thinking about the importance of true sabbath rest and the value of praying together so that our shared ministry is shaped by God rather than by our own striving. Advent invites us to let our roots grow deep into the rich soil of God’s faithfulness. We are grounded not in shifting circumstances but in the steady hope that Emmanuel, God with us, is both our foundation and our future. Like a tree that stands through winter because its roots hold firm, we are called to remain rooted in the God who brings his kingdom to life among us.
As our choir prepares for this year’s Advent Carol Service, these threads of longing, kingdom hope and deep rooted faith run through the music and the readings. We would love you to join us as together we listen for the voice of hope that speaks into our waiting.
On Wednesday this week an independent audit report on the Diocese of Peterborough and Peterborough Cathedral was been published by the INQEQ Safeguarding Group. You can read the full reports, together with statements issued by the Bishop of Peterborough and the Dean of Peterborough, here.
I now have details for Richard Evans's funeral which will take place on the 10th December at 2:00 pm at St Lawrence.
Finally I am sorry to let you know that Councillor Peter Allen died suddenly last weekend. Peter was involved in many areas of Towcester, both as a town councillor and as a valued trustee on several local charities. He was part of the core team who planned the World War One commemoration events from 2014 to 2018, as well as the year long celebrations in 2017 to mark the Battle of Towcester between the Saxons and the Vikings in the year 917. Peter was also the person who placed the notice on the gates of St Lawrence Church to let people know when a funeral was taking place. Funeral details will be shared in due course. Please hold Janet, Kate and the family in your thoughts and prayers.
With my prayers
Revd Paula Challen
Rector, Tove Benefice
The annual Explore Day is an information occasion for those who feel God may be inviting them to serve. It is open to everyone and is an opportunity to hear from people who have gone into new opportunities to serve God, Church and community and have the opportunity to meet others who are also wondering what God is inviting them to next.
Bishop Debbie has recorded a video inviting people Explore Day. Watch the video here.
https://www.peterborough-
Forthcoming Events
Worship for this coming week
Lectionary Readings : (these links will take you to Bible Gateway from the NRSV):
Isaiah 2: 1 – 5 Matthew 24: 36 – 44
Zoom Services:
The meeting rooms are opened approx. 15mins before the service is due to start. All the liturgy for the service will be displayed on the screen.
- Sunday 10:15 am Benefice Sunday Worship
- Monday to Saturday 9:00 am Morning Prayer (except on the first Tuesday of each month)
Benefice Office Hours
Monday to Friday
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
01327 350459
tovebeneficeoffice@gmail.com
Key Ministry Team Contacts
The Rev'd Paula Challen (Rector) rector.tovebenefice@gmail.com
The Rev'd Greg Roberts (Associate Priest) TheRevdGregRoberts@
The Rev'd Nigel Clent (Assistant Curate) tovecurate@gmail.com
Sarah Barnett (Children and Families Leader) tovefamilies@gmail.com
