Weekly News

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

21st December 2025

Fourth 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.
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
God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion
Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Advent Candle Lighting - Mary
Lord Jesus, light of the world, Mary bore you in her womb. May we bear your love and bring your hope today.
Come, Lord Jesus, light of the world. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 7: 10 – 16
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

NewTestament Reading:  Romans 1: 1 – 7
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of his name, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel:  Matthew 1: 18 – end
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Advent Ring Prayer

Christmas Eve
Lord Jesus, light of the world, soon you will come as promised - our Emmanuel, God with us. Bless our watching and our waiting.
Come, Lord Jesus, light of the world.

Christmas Day
Lord Jesus, light of the world, you are born among us now. May your love shine in our hearts and your peace fill the earth.
Glory to God in the highest!

The Collect
Almighty God, as we prepare with joy to celebrate the gift of the Christ-child, embrace the earth with your glory and be for us a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Post Communion
Eternal God, for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life: keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man, Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

Lectionary Readings for Christmas Eve:

Lectionary Readings for Christmas Day:

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
Linda Wibley
Debbie Morris
Ellen Jones

Sick
Bob Upton
William Ironmonger
Revd Arthur Hughes
Emily
John Smith
Revd Sara Cliff
Connie Cowley
Caroline Hunt

Rest In Peace
Mike Smith
Richard Edwards
Joyce Hansell
Peter Allen
Georgie
Lynne Linney
Nai Piper

Benefice Notices

The Benefice Office will be closed from 1:00 pm on Tuesday 23rd December until 9:30 am Friday 2nd January 2026.
On Monday 5th January the office will close at 12:30 pm.

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 on Sunday 21st December at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton and
6:00 pm on Sunday 21st December 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.

Revd Paula, Revd Greg and Revd Nigel thank you for the cards and gifts we have been given and we wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Used / unwanted candles are once again being collected after Christmas for remelting in aid of Ukraine.
Please collect along with friends and drop into St Lawrence by 18th January.
No tea lights please.

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.





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