St Mary Our Lady: Sunday 20th December 2020 4th Sunday of Advent

Sunday 20th December 2020 4th Sunday of Advent

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On Wednesday the 16th of December Father Stephen drew the winning tickets from the Grand Christmas Draw. The many prizes were then distributed to the winners. Many thanks to everyone who gave prizes, and bought tickets. We were delighted thanks to the generosity of everyone to raise almost the same amount as we usually raise at our Christmas Fair! In such a difficult year in so many ways we are blessed to be in such a generous community.

Today, the 20th of December, was the fourth sunday in Advent, and the third in December, so our service was Mattins. We said the Venite and the Jubilate, but the Choir sang the Benedicite, in the setting by Lloyd, and the set psalm for the day no 126.

The Choir also sang the Advent Prose as an anthem, and some Advent hymns.

In the evening at 6pm we had 'Village Carols' at which the choir, in a covid safe manner sang some well known and not so well known carols, and we had a selection of readings, some biblical, some secular. It was much appreciated by the small audience who had booked beforehand and were seated in a socially distanced manner. It was good to have some christmas celebrations in this time of restrictions.

There will be a gift service at 4:00pm on Christmas eve, and a Eucharist at 10 am on Christmas Day.

Isaiah 7:10-16

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The Lord spoke to Ahaz saying,

"Ask a sign of ther Lord your God;

let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."

But Ahaz said, "I will not ask,

and I will not put the Lord to the test."

The Isaiah said: "Hear then , O house of David!

It is too little for you to weary mortals,

that you weary my God also?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.

Look the young woman is with child and shall bear a son,

and shall name him Immanuel.

He shall eat curds and honey by the time

he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.

For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good,

the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted."

Luke 1:26-38

Hear the gspel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God

to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David.

The virgin's name was Mary.

And he came to her and said,

"Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you."

But she was much perplexed by his words

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel said to her,

"Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favour with God.

And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you will name him Jesus.

He 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.

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Mary said to the angel,

"How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

The 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.

And 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.

For nothing will be impossible with God."

Then 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.

Useful links

Here are some links to resources you may find helpful:

Chichester Cathedral will be live streaming services. For the Eucharist and order of service Click here before 10:00am Sunday and follow the instructions.
The BBC Daily Service is available here.
Prayer for today.
The C of E youtube channel.
We will be updating Fr Stephens Message page on a regular basis.
Hearing You is a new phone help line launched by the Diocese of Chichester in partnership with Together in Sussex in response to the impact that Covid 19 has had on Just about the whole community. It aims to provide pastoral support and a listening ear to the recently bereaved and people directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
COVID-19 advice from the Diocese of Chichester here.

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