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Scripture readings for Sunday
The big problem for those of us who write this kind of stuff for parish magazines is that the December issue is on people's coffee tables all through Advent and ought to address Advent matters. But by the time the January issue is out, Christmas is almost over, so we have to address that in December, too, and the two somehow feel different.
But need they be different? OK, Advent is a penitential season and Christmas is second only to Easter as a joyful season. Yet the coming of God into his world, whether it be at Bethlehem in 1AD or at some unspecified time in the future when the final judgement occurs, or (and this is where it all come together) in creation itself, in our own relationship with him, the bread and wine as we gather at his table, in the words of scripture or in countless other ways, is about God's action in this world. He is not a distant God who cares not for us, he is not one who set the world off and left it: he is always working in his world and sustaining its life second by second, and in Jesus he showed us not only that he was involved but what he is like and how we, made in his image, ought to be too.
So this Advent look forward to the coming of Christ in the same way that you look forward (or did if you've "grown up") to the coming of Father Christmas, with unbridled excitement. He is Lord, and he loves you! Come, Lord Jesus!
3rd December, 1st Sunday of Advent:
10th December, 2nd Sunday of Advent:
17th December, 3rd Sunday of Advent:
24th December, Christmas Eve:
25th December, Christmas Day:
31st December, 1st Sunday of Christmas:
7th January 2001, The Baptism of Christ:
The Common Worship Services begin on 3rd December and the Old and New Testament lessons will both be read
Several volunteers have offered to give a lift to anyone who would otherwise not be able to get to church. If you would like a lift at any time either on a regular or occasional basis, please contact the Churchwardens.
On Thursday 7th December at 7.30pm the Bishop of Grantham will confirm a number of people at the Priory Church, as they take for themselves their vows of allegiance to Christ. Half a dozen Pathfinders and four adults are taking this important step in their journey of faith and we pray for them as they near the end of their preparation. It would be good for them and for us all if there were a large gathering of the congregation to support them as they make their commitment. The service will include Holy Communion and for the newly confirmed it will be their first communion, for the rest of us an opportunity to show our fellowship in Christ with them as we share fully at his table.
This is a wonderful sign of growth in the life of our church, and is also a milestone in our youth and children's work, marking the first confirmation of people who have come to faith through the Explorers group and the junior choir begun only a few short years ago. So as we pray for the candidates, please give thanks to God, too, for his work in those who have led the groups which have helped them find their way to Christ, notably Jane Thompson and John Worthington but also others who have been involved.
Our hard-working social committee is arranging refreshments after the confimration service when we can meet the Bishop again and offer further encouragement to the newly confirmed.
This book has been called the least-read best-seller of all time. Many people find they get a few pages in and find it impenetrable thereafter, which is a great pity because Professor Hawking wrote it as a popular presentation of the human voyage of discovery of which his own work forms a part. Indeed it is a simple treatment, but deals with a complex and often rather abstract subject and the reader needs to keep a clear head and pay close attention to the writing.
The book purports to be about science and to a large extent it is about that, about physics and mathematics in particular, with a fair bit of astronomy thrown in. But it is also about God and about the whole concept of scientific endeavour. It is not a science book, for, as its name suggests, it is really a history book and deals with the way knowledge about the universe, and especially about its beginning and end, has changed over time. Because Professor Hawking sees the beginning of the universe as we know it being more-or-less equivalent to creation, he sees a seeking of the creator in the search for more understanding about the "creation" he is attempting to study.
I would want to argue that creation is actually a slightly different, and rather bigger, subject than this, although the making of the universe has to be a part of it! From the big matters of interstellar gravitation to the minute issues involved in Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, we are taken through some amazing theories and conjectures, but when we come out of the book at the end, we have to remember two related facts: first, that this is a real scientist writing about what he observes and the conclusions he draws, sometimes firmly, sometimes only tentatively; and second, that no scientific knowledge is ever complete or immune from future disproof, as the book itself makes abundantly clear.
Finally, this is a book to be read after coffee, not wine, and with the TV and radio switched off.
See also http://www.dsj.org.uk/science.htm
Plans are in hand for the decoration of the Church at Christmas with flowers and seasonal greenery. Contributions towards the overall cost would be most welcome – please give your donation to Joan Dyke or either of the Churchwardens.
Flowers especially when keyed to the liturgical seasons and festivals, add a further dimension to our celebrations and worship. If you would like to assist in the ministry of preparing them please do have a word with Joan.>/P>
Two years ago now, we held a successful Funding Campaign for the ongoing mission of the Priory Church in Deeping St James.
The Deepings, as many of you will know, has a constantly changing population. Families come (and go!) all the time but the work of the Church has to go on. This means that some who were previously participating in our Planned Giving Schemes have moved on, while our outgoings still continue at the rate previously budgeted.
If you are not yet sharing in Planned Giving please would you give it your consideration this Christmas? These schemes are very flexible and no longer commit you to a four year period. If you are a taxpayer your giving can be made even more efficient by using Gift Aid – effectively a Government subsidy!
Simon Marshall, Peter Wilde or Mark Warrick would be very happy to explain the details to you in confidence.
Margaret has given us two recipes this month to grace our Christmas tables
Soak the Sultanas in the Sherry for 45 minutes until plump, beat the Cheese and 2 oz Butter together add Pepper, stir in the sultanas and remaining sherry. Place in small pots, melt the remaining butter and pour over the cheese mixture. Chill for one hour or until required, serve with hot toast or salad.
Serves 4
Line the base and halfway up the sides of a large glass serving bowl or china dish with the cubed trifle sponge cakes. Whip the cream with the sugar until it starts to thicken, then gradually whip in the fruit juices, adding the fruit rind towards the end. Carefully pour the creamed mixture into the bowl or dish, taking care not to dislodge the sponge. Cover and chill for 3-4 hours. Serve decorated with the orange and lemon slices and rind.
Watch point
Take care not to over whip the cream - it should just hold soft peaks.
When you listen to the Bells ring out their message this Christmas, perhaps you would like to know a little of the history of the Priory Bells and Tower.
Currently there are six bells in the tower of the Priory Church of Deeping St James. In 1923 a new treble bell was added to the existing five bells.
Treble: weight 7cwts, lqtr, 241bs. (379 kilos)
Cast and installed by "J Taylor in 1923 on ball bearings.
Second: weight 9cwts, 2qtrs, 4lbs. (485 kilos)
Inscription reads "Alex.Rigby made me l704-~- Recast by J.Taylor, 1900"
Third: weight l2cwts, Oqtrs, 3lbs (611 kilos)
Inscription reads "Non clamor sed amor cantat in aure dei, 1608" (Let love
be sung not shouting in GODS hearing) Recast by J.Taylor, 1900
Fourth: weight l3cwts, lqtrs, l4lbs. (680 kilos)
Inscription reads "Sce Jacobe" ( SAINT JAMES)
The bell has the original founders mark and initials "R.C.", probably
Richard Selyoake, Nottingham. Circa 1500. Recast by J.Taylor, 1823
Fifth: weight l2cwts, 2qtrs, lllbs. (640 kilos)
Inscription reads "Non sono annimabus mortuorum sed auribus viventium,1624
Tobie Norris cast me" (I do not sound for the souls of the dead but for the
ears of the living). As can be seen the weight of the fifth bell is less than that of the Fourth bell. The reason
being that the fifth bell has never been recast whereas the Fourth bell has.
Tenor: weight l6cwts, 3qtrs, 221bs. (861 kilos)
Inscription reads "Jesus Speede me. Non Sono annimabus mortuorum sed auribus
viventium. Tobie Norris fecit 1623" (Jesus encourage me. I do not sound for
the souls of the dead but for the ears of the living).
The present tower and spire are not the first, this having to be pulled down and rebuilt in 1717 when the original 5 bells (2 to 6) were rehung. The present bell frame of iron dates from 1900. In 1976 the old plain bearings of number 2 to 6 bells were replaced and the bells rehung on ball bearings.
As quoted in The Field magazine, June 1993, "Most bells are beautiful but the very best are positively glorious". Deeping St James is one of the four towers listed as being "Glorious".
The ringers practice on Friday evenings from 7.30 to 9.00. Anyone interested in joining us, as a learner or experienced ringer, will be made very welcome.
The ringers of the Priory Church wish all "A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year".
We welcome to the Lord's family:
8th:
We commend to God's keeping:
also
24th August Dorothy (Dot) Worsdall (76)
followed by
Interment of Ashes in the Churchyard on 19th September
This is only an extract from some of our magazine. Residents of Deeping St James can subscribe to the printed version.
Copyright © 2000 Deeping St James PCC
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