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7th December 2025

Second Sunday of 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
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion
Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him
with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Advent Candle Lighting - John the Baptist
Lord Jesus, light of the world, John told the people to prepare, for you were very near. Help us to be ready to welcome you now. Come, Lord Jesus, light of the world. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 11: 1 - 10
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see or decide by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

NewTestament Reading:  Romans 15: 4 – 13
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the ancestors and that the gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the gentiles and sing praises to your name”; and again he says, “Rejoice, O gentiles, with his people”; and again, “Praise the Lord, all you gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gospel:  Matthew 3: 1 – 12
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

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
David Shield
Miss Christine Williams
Caroline Hunt

Sick
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
Joyce Hansell

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.

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.


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.

CTT Carols in the Square
Please join us at 6:30pm on Thursday 18th December for CTT Carols in the town.
There will be mulled wine, soft drinks and mince pies served in the Town Hall afterwards, St Lawrence Church will be open until 9:00 pm for the Christmas Tree Festival.

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