Sunday, 11th December 2022

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer

Making the love of God known in our community

Welcome to our worship today

Sunday, 11th December 2022- The Third Sunday of Advent.

8.30am – Holy Communion

10.00am – Holy Communion

Our Prayer List

Each week we pray for a different street: this week is Whitney Road.

We remember those who are ill or need our prayers at this time, especially: Anne-Marie Miller, Susan Downing, Liliarna, Margaret Jones, Marion Heygate, Hazel Smith, Barbara Chapman.

We pray for the souls of those who have died: Baby Iona

We pray for those anniversaries at this time: Peter Oram

Contact details:

Rector: The Reverend Patrick Kelleher, The Rectory, Preston Court, Burton Latimer, Kettering, NN15 5LR. Telephone 01536 722844, email: patrickkelleher185@outlook.com

Churchwardens:

Mike Jones, telephone 01536 724860

Carol Sharman, telephone 01536725759 (weddings, baptisms and funerals)

Safeguarding Officer: Lucy Lorentzen, telephone: 07944597181

Website: www.stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk or visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk

Collect

Advent Week 3

God our Father,

you gave to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age

a son called John.

He grew up strong in spirit,

prepared the people for the coming of the Lord,

and baptized them in the Jordan to wash away their sins.

Help us, who have been baptized into Christ,

to be ready to welcome him into our hearts,

and to grow strong in faith by the power of the Spirit.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,

the light who is coming into the world.

First Reading

Isaiah 35.1-10

1The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus2it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.

3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’

5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

8A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. 9No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with

singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Gospel reading.

Matthew 11.2-11

2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to Jesus, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ 4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” 11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.’

Post Communion Prayer

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever.

11th December 2022

We should like to thank everyone who contributes to our stewardship scheme, whether by standing order to our bank, through the Parish Giving Scheme or by regular giving through the plate. We are grateful for your gifts. If you would like to support us, please contact Charmaine Augustus for further information.

Chip and Pin: We are able to accept donations for our church by chip and pin and there is card reader available at the back of church for this purpose. The plate collection will also be available.

Prayer list: The names of those who are ill or in need of prayer will remain on the prayer list for three weeks. However, we realise that some people may need to be on for longer and, if this is the case, please speak with Carol Sharman who will be happy to arrange this.

Please pray for the Cassie Deeming who is preparing to go to Korea as a missionary early next year. Cassie, who is Sharon‘s daughter, ask for our prayer support as she gets ready to work in our link diocese of Seoul.

Wellbeing Café: Come along. Speak to Sharon to find out more or email shazzasunflower@yahoo.co.uk

This Week

Monday – 9am Morning Prayer (Chapter House Entrance)

Tuesday -10.30am SMUFs (Guiding Centre Alexandra Street)

Wednesday – 9.30am mid-week service, followed by our Wellbeing Café

Thursday – 5pm Evening Prayer (Chapter House Entrance)

Friday – 9am Morning Prayer (Chapter House Entrance)

Sunday, 18th December 2022-The Fourth Sunday of Advent.

8.30am – Holy Communion

10.00am – Holy Communion

CCL Licence No. 480320