Friday 24th December – Christmas Eve
9.30pm Bethlehem Mass of Christmas: Holy Trinity, Tarleton
11.30pm: First Mass of Christmas: St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
The Collect
Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
First Reading: Isaiah 52.7-10
52.7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion.
9 Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Psalm 88: Refrain: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord
I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages. Refrain:
Happy the people who acclaim such a king, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who find their joy every day in your name, who make your justice the source of their bliss. Refrain:
He will say to me ‘You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.’ I will keep my love for him always, for him my covenant shall endure. Refrain.
NT Reading: Hebrews 1.1-4
1 1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Gospel: John 1.1-14
1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Saturday 25th December – Christmas Day
9.15am Sung Eucharist: St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
10.45am Sung Eucharist: Holy Trinity, Tarleton
Isaiah 62.6-end, Psalm. 97, Titus 3.4-7 & Luke 2.8-20
…came He to a world forlorn, the King of every nation
The Collect
Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
First Reading: Isaiah 9.2-7
9.2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Psalm 88: Refrain: I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages. Refrain:
Happy the people who acclaim such a king, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who find their joy every day in your name, who make your justice the source of their bliss. Refrain:
He will say to me ‘You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.’ I will keep my love for him always, for him my covenant shall endure. Refrain.
NT Reading: Titus 2.11-14
2 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Gospel: Luke 2.8-20
2 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Sunday 26th December – ST STEPHEN, first martyr
8am Eucharist: St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
9.15am Sung Eucharist: St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
10.45am Sung Eucharist: Holy Trinity, Tarleton
The Collect
Gracious Father, who gave the first martyr Stephen grace to pray for those who took up stones against him: grant that in all our sufferings for the truth we may learn to love even our enemies and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt, looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us, Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate.
First Reading: Acts 7.51-end
7. Stephen said to the high priest and the council: 51 ‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. 53 You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’
54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. 55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ 57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.
Psalm: 30: Refrain: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Refrain Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who redeem me, O Lord. As for me, I trust in the Lord: let me be glad and rejoice in your love. Refrain
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love. You hide those who trust you in the shelter of your presence from the plotting of men. Refrain
NT Reading: Galatians 2.16b-20
2 16b We have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gospel: Matthew 10.17-22
10 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Prayer intentions: UP↑ and ←OUT→
🙏🏼For the sick and those in need: Zena Ashcroft, Margaret Baxter, Sheila Bryan, Colin Brown, Andy Glanville, Val Huddart, Wayne Jackett, Mark Kinley, Alison Marshall, Susan Mahoney, Donald & Mary Sephton, Lavinia Sephton and Amanda Soady
🙏🏼Years mind: Gladys Mary Barron, Doreen Bond, John Burns, Harry Gregory, Arthur Harrison, Ellen Livesey, Mildred McCutcheon, Eva Melling, James Morris, Betty Radcliffe, Leslie Rimmer, William Henry Ritchings, James Shepherd, Lester Stazicker, Margaret Steele, Grace Wignall, Michael Williams & Nancy Yates
🙏🏼 We pray for those who worship with us but live outside the parish
A Collect for any time in the Christmas season:
Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth: accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God.
Monday 27th December – St John, Apostle, Evangelist
Exodus 33.7-11a, Psalm 117; 1 John 1 & John 2119b-end
10.00am Eucharist, Holy Trinity, Tarleton
🙏🏼 Give thanks for John’s Gospel
Tuesday 28th December – The Holy Innocents
Jeremiah 31.15-17, Psalm 124, 1 Corinthians 1.26-29 & Matthew 2.13-18
🙏🏼 Help us defend the weak from the tyranny of the strong
Wednesday 29th December – Thomas Beckett, archbishop, martyr, 1170
10am Eucharist: Holy Trinity, Tarleton
1 John 2.3-11, Psalm 96.1-4 & Luke 2.22-35
🙏🏼 Give thanks for those who oppose amoral and immoral political action
Thursday 30th December
7pm Eucharist – St Mary the Virgin, Rufford
1 John 2.12-17, Psalm 96.7-10 & Luke 2.36-40
🙏🏼 Give thanks for food banks and those running and supporting them;
Friday 31st December – John Wycliffe, reformer, 1384
10am-12noon – Coffee & Chat – Holy Trinity Church Parish Room, Tarleton, all welcome.
1 John 2.18-21, Psalm 96.1,11-end & John 1.1-18
🙏🏼 Give thanks for those who recall the Church to her basic meaning as imitators of Jesus
Saturday 1st January – Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
Numbers 6.22-end, Psalm 8, Galatians 4.4-7 & Luke 2.15-21
🙏🏼 Give thanks for the Incarnation of our Lord and King
Next Sunday 2nd January – Second Sunday of Christmas
No 8am. Bp. Philip celebrant and preacher at 9.15 and 10.45
9.15am Sung Eucharist: St Mary the Virgin, Rufford, then refreshments
10.45am Sung Eucharist: Holy Trinity, Tarleton, then refreshments
Jeremiah 31.7-14, Psalm 147.13-end, Ephesians 1.3-14 & John 1.10-1
🙏🏼 pray for those living in Baker’s Mews
