The Benefice of St. Bartholomew

Advent Praise - St Mary's Church, East Knoyle - 8th December 2019

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Written by The Rev'd June Lane

There will be a special service of words, music, drama, poetry and reflection to celebrate Advent on

Sunday 8th December 2019 at 6.30 pm

at

St Mary's Church, East Knoyle

 There are items to appeal to all age groups, so please do come and share some of the joy and fun of this special season.

Advent and Christmas Services in the Benefice - 2019

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Written by Tony Gowers

Advent and Christmas will be celebrated at services in Churches throughout the Benefice as follows:

Sunday 1st December
6.00 pm: Advent Carols - St Leonards's Church, Semley. Click here for more information.

Sunday 8th December
6.30 pm: Advent Praise - St Mary's Church , East Knoyle. For more details, click here.

Sunday 15th December
6.30 pm: Carol Service - St Mary's Church , East Knoyle

Monday 16th December
3.15 pm: Informal Carols accompanied by Music Group - St John's Church, Charlton. Click here for more information.

Saturday 21st December
6.00 pm: Village Carols by Candlelight - St Mary's Church, Donhead St Mary. For more details, click here.

Sunday 22nd December
4.30 pm: Nine Lessons and Carols - St Andrew's Church, Donhead St Andrew. Click here for more information about this service.
6.30 pm: Carol Service - St Catherine's Church, Sedgehill

Tuesday 24th December - Christmas Eve
9.00 am: Said Eucharist - St Leonard's Church, Semley
3.00 pm: Crib Service - St John's Church, Charlton. For more information, click here.
6.00 pm: Carols with Lanterns - St Leonard's Church, Semley. Click here for more details.
11.30 pm: Midnight Mass - St Mary's Church, Donhead St Mary

Wednesday 25th December - Christmas Day
9.30 am: Christmas Sung Eucharist - St Leonard's Church, Semley
9.30 am: Christmas Eucharist - St Catherine's Church, Sedgehill
11.00 am: Christmas Sung Eucharist - St Andrew's Church, Donhead St Andrew
11.00 am: Christmas Sung Eucharist - St Mary's Church, East Knoyle

Sunday 29th December
9.30 am: Benefice Eucharist - St Catherine's Church, Sedgehill
11.00 am: Family Service with Carols - St John's Church, Charlton

All are welcome - please do come and join us.

From the Rector - December 2019

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Written by The Rev'd Richard Warhurst

Dear Friends,

How often these days do we hear about 'causing offence? It can be as though people go out of their way to take offence, or at least to be offended on behalf of others, who are often not remotely offended, but no matter! The festival of Christmas is often caught up in this and every year we can find examples of local authorities, schools, charities, shops or whoever else, diluting or even doing away entirely with this Christian celebration because of the fear of causing offence. Why should this be?

The Christmas story is rather modern and multicultural. An unmarried mother, homelessness and sleeping rough, foreign visitors, travelling from afar, and then refugees fleeing persecution seeking shelter in a far-off land. What is there to fret over you might wonder? Indeed, you might question why Christianity is being more and more marginalised across Europe and for that matter, persecuted in numerous other regions across the globe. Perhaps it is because the true message of Christmas is indeed offensive to our modem, selfish way of thinking because it demands a response from us.

The dynamic message of the angels would transform our world for the better, if only we’d let it.

'Christ is born in Bethlehem'.

It demands a response. That response is either to bow down in worship or to judge the claims made of this baby as false and to move on, ignoring Christmas altogether. However, before being tempted by the latter, people should first examine the life and teachings of who this baby grew up to be. His teachings speak so powerfully across the generations right into our lives today. They are still transforming lives for the better and they can transform ours.

• 'Love your neighbours as yourselves. Forgive those who sin against you.
• Don’t hoard wealth, share it with those who have little.
• Help the stranger, love the outcast, love each other, love God.'

It is so simple, yet the world thinks it knows best. But here is the answer to the world’s many problems. It is a message so alien to the wray humanity conducts itself, and God knew that. He knew what we needed, and so he gave it to us; He gave freely of His love, His guidance, His forgiveness and His redemption, clothed in the fragile, yet perfect form of the Christ child.

Yes, this message is uncomfortable for many. Much better to gloss over it and hold a Shopping Event in October or better to elbow out the life-changing message of the Prince of Peace by using the excuse that we don’t want to cause offence.

What really lies at the heart of these negative responses to Christmas as it's meant to be is an unwillingness to engage with that simple invitation that God gives us in the person of Christ.The Lord of the ages calls us into a relationship with him, yet so many would rather pretend they haven’t heard it because of the awkward challenges that such a relationship would bring to their lives.The all-embracing loving example of Jesus of Nazareth has been causing 'offence' for 2,000 years.

The light which first shone from Bethlehem’s stable will never be extinguished. It continues to shine all around our world, usually at its brightest when facing the greatest resistance. Why do so many light it? The gracious invitation is for us all.

'Peace on earth, goodwill to all men, salvation and forgiveness of our sins.'

It is freely available to each and every one of us, if only we would stop trying to change the subject and just accept that during our short, temporary lives, we would do well to follow the example of the shepherds and wise men; to acknowledge, like them, that something truly amazing happened that night in Bethlehem, something that we can no longer ignore. It is the greatest decision any of us can make. Christ, the saviour of the world came to bring you light and hope and peace. What is your response to be?

The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ. Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming.This means that when He comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep.

Yours, Richard

Prayer Cycle and Prayer of the Month - December 2019

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Written by The Rev'd June Lane

Please keep the requests coming to The Rev’d June (tel: 01747 828427), Julia (tel: 01747 829166), Theresa (tel: 01747 829188), The Rev’d Richard (tel: 01747 830174) or the Rev’d Kevin (tel: 01747 828551). There are many of us in need of that extra help and comfort.

Prayer Of The Month

I think I have used this little Prayer almost every Christmas but it really does sum up just how Christmas can help us every day so here it is again.

May the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas.

Amen