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Advent
and Christmas 2018
(Posters showing details of the various Services leading up to
Christmas can be found on our
Special Services
Coming Up page)
Advent Sunday
The most ancient and probably most neglected of seasons begins on 2
December. Advent also heralds the Christian New Year, and the cycle
of readings changes to Liturgical Year C featuring particularly the
Gospel according to Luke.
At 10.15am our All Age Mass will be exploring the meaning and themes
of the Advent season, in particular the idea of Christian waiting,
of being watchful and alert, of looking for the coming Saviour. As
many of us will be aware, these things are little known or valued
within contemporary society, and it is vital, therefore, that we do
all we can to make sure that as many as possible are exposed to the
message, and put the Christmas season within in spiritual context.
Please do come.
The Advent Procession
Our Advent Carol Service takes place on Sunday 2 December at 5.30pm.
The service is held by candlelight and, as the title implies, the
Procession moves around the building to various self-suggesting
‘stations’ or stopping points, to articulate some of the themes of
the Advent season, and to recognise that Christ, the Light of the
world, is the only answer to the darkness created by human sin and
selfishness. The service also recognises that Christ has already
come, that we are recalling events that have already taken place,
and so the services takes place within sight of the Risen Lord,
symbolised by the lit Paschal Candle. Refreshments will be served in
the parish centre after the service.
The Real Advent
Calendar is a nativity advent calendar – a fun way for parents,
grandparents and Godparents to share the Christmas story. The 2018
calendar comes with a free 24-page Christmas story activity book
designed to be used every day in Advent. This year, the book is
illustrated by award winning artist Alida Massari. Behind each
window there’s a line from the Christmas story with a colourful
matching picture. All 25 chocolates are made from a high quality
Fairtrade blend with 35% cocoa, are palm free, and foiled for
freshness. The box and tray are completely recyclable, and with each
purchase there’s a charitable donation. Each calendar costs £3.99.
We would like to give one to each worshipping child on Advent
Sunday, and we invite you to help defray this cost. If you are able
to help with this, please contact Kate at the parish office. The
Calendar will be given the children at the All Age Mass on Advent
Sunday.
Follow The Star is a pocket-sized booklet published by the
Church of England inviting you to travel in the footsteps of the
Wise Men this Christmas to meet Jesus. It contains 14 daily
reflections, one for each day from Christmas Eve throughout the 12
days of Christmas, ending with the Epiphany on 6 January. Each one
includes a picture, a short Bible passage, a simple prayer and a
challenge to reflect or act differently. Together, they form a
journey through Jesus’ early life – a journey that will help you
take the joy and wonder of Christmas into the year ahead. We would
like to give one (priced £1.50) to families at the Crib Service on
Christmas Eve. Once again, if you feel able to help reduce the cost
to the parish please contact Kate Arch who will be ordering them.
Thank you.
Carol Concert
Our choir will be presenting an informal evening of Christmas music
and seasonal readings on Saturday 8 December at 7.00pm entitled
‘Christmas Cheer!’ Download the poster
here.
Christingle Service
Our annual service in aid of The Children’s Society takes place on
Sunday 9 December at 4.00pm. The Children’s Society do invaluable
work helping abused and vulnerable children. This is always and
enjoyable and atmospheric opportunity to encourage the younger
people of our parish to engage with the coming of Christ into the
world, and what the amazing event of Christ’s birth means for them
in their daily lives. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Christmas Fayre
This annual community event takes place on Friday 14 December. Doors
open at 7.00pm and there will be plenty of fun to be had till 9.00pm
– download the poster
here.
Pre-Christmas Confessions
Please note that those wishing to make their confession before
Christmas should do so at the following times:
Wednesday 19 December from 10.30am
Thursday 20 December from 10.30am
Fr Nicholas will be available at these times in the Lady Chapel.
Penitents should come and go quietly via the north door, facing
Collingwood Road, and wait in the body of the nave, well away from
the Chapel, until the coast is clear. All others are respectfully
asked not to enter the church building around these times.
Festival of Nine Lessons and
Carols
This evergreen, ever popular candlelit service takes place on Sunday
23 December at 5.30pm. There will be a retiring collection, and
refreshments will be served in the parish centre afterwards.
Crib Service
Our parish Crib Service takes place on Christmas Eve at 4.00pm.
There will be a simple, narrated nativity story and tableau.
Children are invited to come dress at shepherds, angels and kings.
Midnight Mass and Blessing of the Crib
We worship in the Birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm.
Christmas Day
Please note that services will be at the usual times of 9.00am,
10.15am and 5.30pm. There will be a procession at 10.15am, and
Evening Prayer, according to the Book of Common Prayer, will be said
in front of the Crib at 5.30pm. Entry is via the main porch.
Post Christmas
Please note that details of weekday services after Christmas Day
will be advertised in the weekly notices.
New Year’s Day
On Tuesday 1 January 2019 we
will be celebrating the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. There will
be a Parish Mass at 10.15am, and worshippers are warmly invited to
the Vicarage afterwards for refreshments.
Epiphany
On the Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday 6 January, we welcome the Vice
Dean of Peterborough, Canon Tim Alban Jones, as our preacher at the
Parish Mass. Please note that the 9.00am service is cancelled.
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Spiritual Communion |
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Find out about Spiritual Communion - how to
make it.
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Church Without |
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Read how to establish your home as places of
worship.
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Times of Services |
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Find out what times our services are held.
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Worship Calendar |
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Take a look at our worship calendar for the
current month.
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Services Coming Up |
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See a full list of the planned services for
this month.
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Music
Lists |
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Discover what music has been planned for the
current month. You can also view music for
previous months.
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Weekday Scripture Readings |
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Step forward in your discipleship and join
others in weekday scripture readings.
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Healing Ministry |
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Learn about the theological background to
the Ministry of Healing and Wholeness. |
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Walsingham Cell |
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Learn about the Parish Cell of the Society
of the Holy House of Our Lady of Walsingham |
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Walsingham Cell
Gallery |
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View photos relating to the Walsingham Cell.
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Baptisms & Weddings |
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Learn about Baptisms & Weddings at St
Matthew's church and the Initial Enquiries
Evenings that take place. |
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