The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Burton Latimer
Making the love of God known in our community & homes
Week commencing 20th December 2020
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Our Prayer List
Each week we pray for a different street: this week is George Street
We remember those who are ill or need our prayers at this time, especially:
Sebastian, Adam Bennett, Louise Armstrong, Anne-Marie Miller
We pray for the souls of those who have died:
Theresa Beirne, Rosie Hales, Ann Drage, Patricia Harmer,
Kay Brown
We remember those whose anniversaries of death are at this time:
Sam Armstrong, Marlene King, Penelope Hill, Ray Harris, Graham Hill, Jo Harmon, Gill Bosworth, Dr Ken Padget
Contact details:
The Rector: The Revd Jez Safford, The Rectory, Preston Court, Burton Latimer, NN15 5LR. Telephone: 01536 723810.
Assistant Curate: The Revd Tom Houston, 3 Virginia Crescent, Burton Latimer, NN15 5GB. Telephone: 01536 685664.
Safeguarding Officer: Lucy Lorentzen, 3 Clipson Close, Burton Latimer,
NN15 5GH. Telephone: 07944597181.
Website: www.stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk or visit us on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmarysburtonlatimer.co.uk
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.
All Amen
First Reading
Romans 16.25-27
25To God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – 27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.
This is the Word of the Lord
All Thanks be to God
Gospel
Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
All Alleluia
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
All Glory to you, O Lord.
Luke 1.26-38
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ 34Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ 35The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.’ 38Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
All Praise to you, O Christ
Prayer after 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.
Stewardship If you have already signed up to our Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), thank you. If you would like to join this scheme, please contact our treasurer Charmaine Augustus (telephone 352914), who will be happy to provide you with the necessary form/information. We now have so little take up on the boxed weekly stewardship envelopes that it is no longer viable for us to purchase them. We hope therefore that those of you who currently give via this method will feel able to change to PGS or at least will still feel that you can support us via the collection plate. We shall of course still provide gift-aid envelopes in the pews.
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.
Thank you for Eve Support. A big thank you to all the people who responded to the article in the Dec Focus. I have sent the monetary gifts to Eve, the Northamptonshire Women’s Christian Refuge. Along with a card and good wishes from us all. Let us hope that next year we will be able to collect pamper gifts and deliver them as normal. It is a very stressful time for many families at the moment and Eve provide care and support for many in need. Please continue to remember them in prayer. Many thanks. Christine Armstrong The Outreach Team
Church cleaning: When the time comes for church cleaning to begin again, would anyone be willing to volunteer to help with this on a rota basis. If you are interested, please ring Carol Sharman on 725759.
Hymn
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
The light that shines is the light of love,
Lights the darkness from above,
It shines on me and it shines on you,
And shows what the power of love can do.
I’m gonna shine my light both far and near,
I’m gonna shine my light both bright and clear.
Where there’s a dark corner in this land,
I’m gonna let my little light shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine …
On Monday He gave me the gift of love,
Tuesday peace came from above.
On Wednesday He told me to have more faith,
On Thursday He gave me a little more grace.
On Friday He told me to watch and pray,
On Saturday He told me just what to say,
On Sunday He gave me the pow’r divine
To let my little light shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine …
Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.
© St Mary the Virgin Burton Latimer, 2011. CCL Licence No. 480320
Internet Order of Advent Eucharist Service for use at home or church.
Welcome
Lighting of the candle(s)
The Collect
The minister prays the collect on your weekly sheet
All Amen.
Reading
Please see the weekly sheet.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Reflection
Invitation to Confession
Christ the light of the world has come to dispel the darkness of our hearts. In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.
Confession
Silence is kept.
Lord of grace and truth,
we confess our unworthiness
to stand in your presence as your children.
We have sinned:
All forgive and heal us.
The Virgin Mary accepted your call
to be the mother of Jesus.
Forgive our disobedience to your will.
We have sinned: All forgive and heal us.
Your Son our Saviour
was born in poverty in a manger.
Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
We have sinned: All forgive and heal us.
The shepherds left their flocks
to go to Bethlehem. Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision.
We have sinned: All forgive and heal us.
The wise men followed the star
to find Jesus the King. Forgive our reluctance to seek you.
We have sinned: All forgive and heal us.
Absolution
The minister says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
who in his great mercy
has promised forgiveness of sins
to all those who with heartfelt repentance and true faith turn to him:
have mercy on you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and bring you to everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Please refer to the weekly sheet
Eucharist Prayer
Have your bread a wine ready
The Lord be with you
All and also with you.
Father, on the night before he died,
Jesus shared a meal with his friends.
He took the bread, and thanked you.
He broke it, and gave it to them, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this to remember me.
After the meal, Jesus took the cup of wine.
He thanked you, and gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you.
This is my blood,
the new promise of God’s unfailing love.
Do this to remember me.
Father, as we bring this bread and wine,
and remember his death and resurrection,
send your Holy Spirit,
that we who share these gifts, though apart but together now in you,
may be fed by Christ’s body and his blood.
Jesus Christ has died.
All Jesus Christ has died.
Jesus Christ is risen.
All Jesus Christ is risen.
Jesus Christ will come again.
All Jesus Christ will come again.
And now we give you thanks
because you sent him to redeem us from sin and death and to make us inheritors of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may with joy behold his appearing,
and in confidence may stand before him.
All Amen
We take communion.
Prayer after Communion
Post communion prayer available on your sheet
The Lord’s Prayer
Awaiting his coming in glory,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
All Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Blessing
Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you,
scatter the darkness from before your path,
and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.