Dear Friends,
There will be a Eucharist service this Sunday 28th November at St John the Evangelist, Little Tew at 10am with Revd William Burke.
The readings are: Jeremiah 33:14-16 & Luke 21: 25-36
Advent Service in the Old Church at Heythrop on Saturday 27th of November at 6pm
After a covid-break in 2020, we will be again having an Advent Service in the Old Church at Heythrop on Saturday the 27th of November, at 6.00 pm. This will be an atmospheric candle-lit service of hymns/carols and readings, and, with no heating there, people will need to wrap up well. After the service, Charlie and Gilli Heneage have kindly invited everyone to warm up with drinks and good nibbles at the Old Lodge (right by the entrance to the main church).
GREAT TEW CAROL SERVICE – Saturday 11th December at 5pm
Please join us for carols at St Michael & All Angels on Saturday 11th December at 5pm
St Michael & All Angels Christmas Flowers
At Great Tew we would be grateful for any donations towards the cost of Christmas flowers. There will be a basket at the back of the church where money can be put when we have services there. If not, any donations can be given to Susannah Veale, the church wardens or William. Thank you very much.
THE FIRST GREAT TEW CIRCLE TALK – 29th January 2022 at 6pm
Many of you will be familiar with the Great Tew Circle, a philosophical and religious study group led by Lucius Cary which met at Great Tew Manor from c 1633 to 1639 before the Civil War. The members of the Circle could be described as precursors of the Enlightenment. We are planning to examine the activities of the Great Tew Circle.
Our first speaker will be the Revd Professor Nigel Biggar CBE, the controversial Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, University of Oxford who will talk about the Great Tew Circle and what might concern it today. The evening will start with talk and discussion in church at Great Tew, followed by a supper in the Vicarage, for which tickets will be sold on a first come- first served basis. This will give people a chance to talk to our speakers. Details to follow. Tickets may be booked through Kate at [email protected] Price of tickets for talk are £15 (£10 for students) and for the supper is £25 to include 3 courses and a glass of wine. Rowan William, former Archbishop has also been invited to come and talk later on in the Spring.
Wish List
Members of the congregation are asked to propose to the PCC via the wardens or Vicar any enhancements that they would like to see in church. These proposals will be taken to the PCC for approval and once agreed they will be added to a “wish list”.
ADVENT REFLECTIONS- VICARAGE Wed 1st December and Wed 8th December at 7pm
ADVENT HYMNS: THEIR ORIGINS and THEOLOGY
Some of the loveliest music and hymns are associated with Advent. Not just hymns like “O come O come Emmanuel”, and” Lo he comes with clouds descending” and “Come thou Redeemer of the earth” but famous pieces such eg Palestrina’s Advent Mattins Responsory and other music now set to hymns like “Wachet auf” (Awake, awake; ) “Wie schon leuchet die Morgenstern” (how brightly shines the morning star) both by Bach .
The Advent Reflection this year will be on the Hymns and Music associated with Advent. We will reflect on their scriptural origins and their theology which is quite challenging in many cases. If you intend to join us please bring a Bible. Feel free to bring a favourite advent hymn or piece of music to discuss if you wish. I will have preselected a cross-section including those mentioned above.
The Chalice
The chalice will be offered to the laity by way of Intinction at Communion. People are asked to take great care to ensure that when they dip their wafer in the wine their fingers do not touch the wine.
Refreshments after church
This has now been reintroduced, and we would be grateful for volunteers to join the coffee rota. Please email [email protected] or speak to the wardens or Vicar.
The Daily Office
The Angelus and Mattins – Morning Prayer (usually from the Book of Common Prayer) is said every day from Monday-Saturday at 9am in Great Tew Church
The Angelus and Evensong – Evening Prayer is said every day at 6pm
Flowers
It has been agreed that both the kitchen and broom cupboard in the new vestry should be kept unlocked to enable their use by people preparing flowers for church.
COVID 19 update
As a Benefice we want to remain in a Covid aware situation due to the case numbers still being high. Mask wearing is voluntarily, to allow the congregation to sing, however we will continue to be doing the below:
– sitting in alternate pews
– use the test and trace app or signing in when you attend services
– hand sanitize upon entry to the church
– continue to offer the peace remotely
– the church doors will be kept open to ensure maximum ventilation
– communion will be offered in one kind only
– we encourage people to say hello outside after the end of the service
The above will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
ADVENT SUNDAY YEAR – The Year of Luke
The First Advent Candle
We have this Advent Ring to remind us
of the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World!
We light the first candle to remind us of God’s
People who in every age watch for his coming.
Collect
Almighty God,
give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
First Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16
4 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
Gospel Acclamation from the First Sunday of Advent until Christmas Eve
Alleluia, alleluia, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia. Isaiah 40.3-5
Gospel: Luke 21: 25-36
25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’29 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
Introduction to the Peace
In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high shall break upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Post Communion Prayer
O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear,
he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service
and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For your Prayers:
Max Lewis
Josephine Gilliland
Mike Bennett
Michael Barnes
Leska Kowol
Future Services
Sunday 5th December – St Michael & All Angels, Great Tew 10am Benefice Communion
Saturday 11th December – St Michael & All Angels Carol Service 5pm
Sunday 12th December – St Nicholas, Heythrop 10am Benefice Communion
Vicar’s Contact Details
Revd William Burke
Mobile telephone number 07770 630202
Email [email protected]
The Vicarage, New Road, Great Tew OX7 4AG
Best wishes
Kate
