Thoughts from The Vicarage with Advent, help please, and Bishops
Greetings on a very chilly morning! Please find dates, thoughts and a short prayer below with Pews News attached for Sunday. This Sunday is the start of the new Church Year, Advent Sunday. The Season of Advent is a time of readying and preparation, as we focus our hearts and lives on the birth of Christ and a closer walk with God. Some ways you might like to do this:
- If you don’t already pray Morning or Evening Prayer, why not do so by downloading the C of E app called Daily Prayer. Alternatively, join in with myself and a few others on Zoom – I’m in St Michael’s every morning for 8.30 Morning Prayer – wrap up on cold mornings! The link and everything you need is on page 2 of Pews News.
- Try reading Luke’s gospel which has 24 chapters … Just right for Advent! A chapter a day – why not join me with an Advent candle lit.
- Join in one of the Advent gatherings all are welcome. Don’t worry if you forgot – never too late to join in! We’re using ‘Embracing Humanity’ by Isabelle Hamley. Copies £9 available from me. All are welcome to come along for thought, discussion and a cuppa!
New Bishops announced yesterday. The Revd Canon Mary Gregory is the new Bishop of Reading and Revd Canon Dave Bull is the new Bishop of Buckingham. Please pray for them as they take up office. Bishop of Buckingham and Bishop of Reading announced – Diocese of Oxford.
Refreshments – help please! There’s a number of special events coming up and if you are able to help out with refreshments at any of these please let me know. There is a sign up sheet on the notice board in St Michael’s and please let Paul Tame or Paul Reynolds know if you’d like to offer help in East Garston or Eastbury.
December dates
- Dec 8th 4pm Christingle @ Eastbury
- Dec 15th 6pm Carol Service @ East Garston with mulled wine and nibbles at the home of Karen & Jon Hack, Manor Farm. Contributions to the Tower Fund welcomed
- Dec 17th 6.30pm Jingle & Mingle @Lambourn with refreshments
- Dec 18th 6.30pm @The Vicarage Carol singing with refreshments
- Dec 20th 3pm Dress up Nativity @ Lambourn refreshments
- Dec 22nd 6pm Carol Service @ Lambourn
- Dec 24th 4pm Crib service @ Eastbury
- Dec 24th 4pm Christingle @ Lambourn
- Dec 24th 11pm Midnight Mass @ Lambourn
- Dec 25th 9am Christmas Day Communion @ East Garston
- Dec 25th 10.30 Christmas Day Communion @ Eastbury
- Dec 25th 10.30 Christmas Day Communion @ Lambourn
And finally as we prepare for the birth of Jesus the first of the O Antiphons we hear throughout Advent:
O come, O come, Adonai,
who in thy glorious majesty from Sinai’s mountain,
clothed in awe, gavest thy folk the ancient law.
Rejoice, rejoice !
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
God bless,
Julie