St Martin

Dear Friends, Today we reach the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath, the fourth Sunday of Advent - entering the final week of our preparation for Christmas. My thanks to Laurence for sharing his sermon with us.

Once again, that preparation has been full of uncertainties and a few last minute decisions and I am very grateful to all of you who have been involved in arrangements for the carols serviecs and events in our churches in the last week for your care and carefulness in enabling us to welcome those who wish to encounter the story of Christ's birth in reading and song in the tradition of the community in churches close to home; and the families of our schools, able once more to see the story shown in the way only children can tell it in their nativities. Today we hold the last carol service of this year at Parracombe at 6pm. I will include a reminder of the pattern of Christmas services at the end of the email, but contraray to the publsihed service list, there will not be an 9am service at Lynmouth this week.

We are now working within risk assessments drawn up for serviecs in the light of the Plan B restrictions and guidance from the Church of England. That means that face coverings must be worn through church services (unless a person is medically exempt) including through the singing of carols. This will enable us to open the door to all who wish to come to services without the need of a tickets system restricting numbers. I am fully aware that there is a higher level of anxiety around at the moment, and as throughout all we have experienced through the lst years, I would encourage you to listen to your own heart, and be guided by your own wisdom about whether you are comfortable to attend services. I will record a short Christmas liturgy for those who feel safer at home, and will send out some suggestions about services on the television and on line.

As we enter this final week of Advent, with thoughts of all those caught up in the confusion of feelings and uncertainty through the week leading to Christ's birth in our mind, let's hold all who are anxious, or ill, or concerned for loved ones, or awaiting the arrival of new members of their own family, in our own prayers. I love the evocative bidding prayer from the Nine Lessons and Carols which brought solace to those reeling from the First World War- some of the language we might change now, but the sentiments are kind - you may like to make some of it your own:

Beloved in Christ, at this Christmas-tide let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manager. Therefore let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought to us by this Holy Child.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all his people; for unity and brotherhood within the Church he came to build, and especially in this our community.

And because this would rejoice his heart, let us remember, in his name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children;

all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are one for evermore.

God bless

Samantha

Christmas Eve:

Lynton Church open for quiet reflection in the afternoon

4pm Nativity on the Farm at Lee Abbey - all welcome

11.30 Lynmouth Church Midnight Mass

Christmas Day

9.00 Parracombe Family Communion

11am Lynton Holy Communion

Sunday 26th December

9.00 Brendon Holy Communion (BCP)

11.00 Lynton Holy Communion (simple said service

St Martin

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