Weekly News

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

11th January 2026

The Baptism of Christ

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
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion
Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday:

Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 42: 1 – 9
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry out or lift up his voice or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth, and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

NewTestament Reading:  Acts 10: 34 - 43
Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Gospel:  Matthew 3: 13 – end
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

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
William Ironmonger

Sick
Bob Upton
Emily
Revd Arthur Hughes
Connie Cowley
Caroline Hunt
Brian Manning

Rest In Peace
Lynne Linney
Nai Piper
Jock Hillyer
Derek Walsh
Pamela Gardner
Les Lefever

Benefice Notices

A Thanksgiving Service for Lynne Linney will take place at St Lawrence on Saturday 10th January at 3:00 pm.

Please contact Mary with dates you are unavailable during February and March to volunteer for Welcomer, reading, Intercede and Chalice Assistant.
email address volunteer.tovebenefice@gmail.com

Men at The Mill will next meet on 28th January at 7:30 pm at The Mill in Towcester.

Confirmation Course
Bishop Ed Condry will be confirming candidates who recently completed the course at 3:00 pm on 8th February at St Lawrence Church, Towcester.
Please pray for those awaiting their confirmation.

Snowdrop Saturday
In the New year the Snowdrops in St Bartholomew's churchyard are beautiful. To see them the Churchyard is always open but you can chance to buy your own snowdrops gathered from the churchyard last year. On one Saturday in January/February 2026 they will be available in church, together with hot refreshments. As is often the way, Nature will always have the last say and, as such, no date can yet be fixed. Adverts will be place around the village when the flowers are approaching their best for everyone to come and see the spectacle. Come and buy your own snowdrop or several other species of snowdrop as well as violets and primroses from the churchyard. Look out for further information in the New Year.

Tuesday Bible Study Group will recommence on Tuesday 27th January and follow a course recommended by John Booth that lasts 8 weeks all about the Holy Spirit, though we will take a break for half term. So no Bible Study on Tuesday 17th February though there will be Ash Wednesday services on Wednesday 18th February. The contents of the course include topics such as ‘The Spirit and the Bible’, ‘The gift of the Spirit’, ‘The Spirit and You’.
In the Chantry Hose, 7.30 pm to 9:00 pm as usual.

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.

Experience Easter 
This March, we’re excited to be welcoming local Key Stage 2 children from primary schools in Greens Norton and Towcester into church for Experience Easter. Through interactive prayer spaces, the children will explore the Easter story — its meaning, symbolism, and importantly how they can relate to the story in their own lives. To make this possible, we’d really love some help. There are up to three sessions each day (two in the morning and one in the afternoon), each just over an hour long, running on Monday and Tuesday 2nd–3rd March in Greens Norton, Monday 9th–Friday 13th March in Towcester, and Monday 16th–Thursday 19th March in Towcester. If you might be interested, or would like to know more, please get in touch with Sarah Barnett at tovefamilies@gmail.com

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