THE ABBEY CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, PERSHORESunday, 09 December, 2018

The Second Sunday of AdventSUNG EUCHARIST with Junior Church & Upper Room Group

PROCESSIONAL HYMN A&M 30 (Cross of Jesus)

THE COLLECTO Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

FIRST READING Baruch 5:1-9A reading from Baruch

Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on for ever the beauty of the glory from God. Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God; put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting; for God will show your splendour everywhere under heaven. For God will give you evermore the name, ‘Righteous Peace, Godly Glory’. Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look towards the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them. For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back to you, carried in glory, as on a royal throne. For God has ordered that every high mountain and the everlasting hills be made low and the valleys filled up, to make level ground, so that

WEEKLY SERVICE SHEET & BULLETINPlease use this service sheet in conjunction with the green service booklet

A very warm welcome to our services today. Please join us for refreshments after the 10:30 service.

1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.

2. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

3. Born thy people to deliver; born a child and yet a king; born to reign in us for ever; now thy gracious kingdom bring.

4. By thy own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by thy all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

[Charles Wesley, 1707-1788]

Israel may walk safely in the glory of God. The woods and every fragrant tree have shaded Israel at God’s command. For God will lead Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.

For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING Philippians 1:3-11 A reading from the Letter to the Philippians

My brothers and sisters, I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL HYMN A&M 327 (Morning Hymn)

5. Then sing for joy, and use each day;give thanks for everything alway.

Lift up your hearts; with one accordpraise God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[John Raphael Peacey, 1896-1971]

THE GOSPEL Luke 3:1-6Alleluia, alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia.

1. Awake, awake: fling off the night!For God has sent his glorious light;and we who live in Christ’s new daymust works of darkness put away.

2. Awake and rise, with love renewed,and with the Spirit’s power endued,

the light of life in us will glow,and fruits of truth and goodness show.

3. Let in the light; all sin exposeto Christ, whose life no darkness knows.

Before his cross for guidance kneel;his light will judge and, judging, heal.

4. Awake, and rise up from the dead,and Christ his light on you will shed.Its power will wrong desires destroy,and your whole nature fill with joy.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke Glory to you, O Lord.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”’

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

OFFERTORY HYMN A&M 52 (Dundee)

7. Lord Jesus, reign is us, we pray,And make us yours alone,

Who with the Father ever are And Holy Spirit, One.

[John Morrison, 1750-1798]

COMMUNION MOTET Come now O Prince of Peace

1. The people that in darkness sat A glorious light have seen; The light has shined on them who long In shades of death have been.

2. To hail you, Sun of Righteous,  The gathering nations come; They joy as when the reapers bear Their harvest treasures home.

3. For thou their burden dost remove, And break the tyrant’s rod, As in the day when Midian fell Before the sword of God.

4. For unto us the Child is born,  To us a Son is given, And on his shoulder ever rests All power in earth and heaven.

5. His name shall be the Prince of Peace, The everlasting Lord, The Wonderful, the Counsellor, The God by all adored.

6. His righteous government and power Shall over all extend; On judgment and on justice based, His reign shall have no end.

COMMUNION HYMN A&M 437 (Pastor Pastorum)

[Alan Gaunt, b. 1935]

POST COMMUNION PRAYERFather in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FINAL HYMN A&M 75 (Personent Hodie)

1. 'Come to me', says Jesus, 'all who are distressed; take my yoke upon you, I will give you rest.

2. I am meek and humble, find, with me, release from false airs and graces; come, and be at peace.'

3. Hear the call of Jesus, come, be deeply blessed; his the invitation, you the honoured guest.

4. Here, where bread is broken, here, where wine is poured, thankfully receive him, find your faith restored.

1. Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come, born a Jew, come to make all things new; bear his people's burden, freely love and pardon.

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing! When he comes, when he comes,who will make him welcome?

2. God in time, God in man, this is God's timeless plan: He will come, as a man, born himself of woman, God divinely human:

3. Mary hail! Though afraid, she believed, she obeyed. In her womb, God is laid: till the time expected, nurtured and protected,

4. Journey ends! Where afar Bethlehem shines, like a star, stable door stands ajar. Unborn Son of Mary, Saviour, do not tarry!

Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!Sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing! Jesus Comes! Jesus Comes!We will make him welcome!

[Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000]

PLEASE TAKE THIS SERVICE SHEET & THE PEW BULLETIN HOME WITH YOU

PLEASE LEAVE THE SERVICE BOOKLET WHEN YOU LEAVE

As a Kingdom People we are a church that seeks to:

● Worship God ● Welcome All● Reach out to the world

Priest-in-Charge: The Revd Claire LordingEmail: vicar@pershoreabbey.org.uk

Wardens: Mr Bill Newman (01386 640497) Mrs Suzanne Clarke (01386 553293)

The Benefice Office of Pershore with Pinvin, Wick & Birlingham  Alveston House, 11, Broad Street, Pershore, WR10 1BB (01386 552071)

Email: office@pershoreabbey.org.uk Website: www.pershoreabbey.org.uk

The Office is open for visitors on Monday - Friday between 1100 & 1300

PLEASE PRAY FOR

~

NOTICES & EVENTS

REVD PETER RICE: I would just like to say a big thank you for all the prayer support over recent months for my husband, Peter Rice, as he battled with cancer; it helped a great deal to know that he was being upheld in prayer by so many. Thank you, also, for your cards and words of sympathy and encouragement to me and our daughters, Eleanor and Bella, and for all those who contributed to making Peter's funeral run so smoothly. Fiona Rice

THE NEW QUARTERLY ROTAS for January, February and March 2019 have recently been distributed by email. Paper copies are available from the letter rack for those who have requested them.

TRAIDCRAFT: Our last stall of 2018 will take place on 16th December after the 10:30 Eucharist. Please take a look and buy you final cards and gifts, also cookies to last you over the festive period. In 2019 we will have our first stall on 20th January which will have some sale items along with foodstuffs. Thank you for supporting this worthwhile cause. We wish you all a brilliant Fairtrade Christmas. Dora and the team x

HEARING AID LOOP UPDATE: We now have our re commissioned equipment refitted following repair, please let us know how you get on with it or if any further adjustment is required. Thank you. Robin Hancox

PERSHORE ABBEY & BENEFICE BULLETIN & DIARY 09 DECEMBER 2018

All those who are celebrating their wedding within the Pershore Benefice, those who are being baptised, those who are in need and those who have recently died.

We also pray for those whose anniversary of death occurs today or in the coming week.

PRAYER DIARIES: Please collect and take home the new Diocesan Prayer Diaries which are available at the back of the church.

ABBEY LIGHTING: The PCC has recently acquired a specification for the installation of a modern, enhanced energy efficient lighting system to change what is currently an inadequately lit Abbey interior into a warm and welcoming space with the ability to alter the lighting levels and ambient feel within the church through selective switch-ing and dimming. The aim is to provide appropriate lighting for different styles of worship, concerts and performances or drama etc. To this end an application for a faculty is about to be made to the Diocesan Advisory Committee. If you are interested in this project and would like to see details of what is being proposed please speak to David Long or Robin Hancox. Further details about this project will be posted on the notice boards as this project evolves.

LOST IN ST ANDREW'S: Two umbrellas, one spotty, one flowery, a walking stick, a woollen cap and two toy cars are among the items in the St Andrew's lost property box located by the tables trolley in the main hall. Please do check the box for missing items or ask at the office for more valuable items like jewellery or money. Thank you.

BRUSH UP YOUR GERMAN - in time for the May visit from our friends in Salzwedel. The County Council run a class at the library for Pre-Improvers, those who have a beginners knowledge but would like to express themselves better. The course is very inter-active, focusing on speaking and listening. You can sign up online at http//www.worcestershire.gov.uk/adult learning for the next 12 week course beginning on Wednesday, 9th January until 3rd April at a cost of £120 (just £10 per 2-hour session) from 1500-1700. The Tutor, Connie Lightowler, can be contacted through Pershore library if you want more information. Angela Gerrard is enrolling and would love people to join her.

DO YOU MAKE YOUR OWN SAUSAGES? Not the ones with pork or beef but the stuffed cloth type used to prevent drafts at the bottom of doors. If so the Abbey needs one for the North door by the St John's chapel. Can you help ? Robin Hancox, 01386 553779

NEW ASSISTANT CURATE: I am delighted to be able to share with you that the Revd Steve Dunton will be coming to the Pershore Benefice next year to serve his curacy with us. Steve was previously a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently training at Ripon College Cuddesdon and will be ordained priest in Worcester Cathedral on 22nd June 2019. We look forward to welcoming Steve, his wife Hannah, and two of their children, Will and James. Steve and his family are very much looking forward to coming and serving alongside us. Claire

CHRISTMAS 2018

COMPLINE IN ADVENT: On 10th and 17th December at 1900 there will be a short service of Compline held in the Apse of the Abbey. The service will last approximately half an hour and will include a short refection on the season. This is a great opportunity to take some time out from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations and everyone is very welcome. Claire

CHRISTMAS AT THE ABBEY: Please help yourself to the small colour leaflets showing Christmas services at the Abbey. Do invite your friends and neighbours, a warm invitation is extended to all.

SHOEBOX APPEAL 2018: Thank you very much for all the items, the knitting, and the money donated. The 100 boxes were delivered to the Evesham distribution warehouse during recently. Suzanne Clarke

THE ABBEY CRIB: We have now been given the battery we need to complete the refurbishment and look forward to seeing it at Christmas.

ABBEY CHRISTMAS TREES 2018: A big thank you to everyone who has helped in any way with this years trees and in no particular order Margaret and Roger Piper, Steve and Suzanne Clarke, Stephen and Jane Knox, Terry and Jodie and there friends (who came on Sunday night) Nick, Judy Dale, Bill Newman, David Bray, Claire , Colin Reeves , photos, Julie Newman and Liz Gill who manned the tea urn and all those who came along on Monday morning without you we could not have done it. And the donations towards the other tree.A BIG THANK YOU must go to Mrs Margaret Newell who donated the big tree (20 feet) in memory of her husband Mr Ken Newell. We were so thrilled at her generosity, Ken Newell was a member of the Abbey Congregation for many years and it was a lovely thought to have the tree in his honour.The trees will be a splendid way of welcoming those people who come into the Abbey over the festive period. Ann and Margaret.

FOLLOW THE STAR: The Booklets have been ordered and we will let you know when they arrive.

REVERSE ADVENT CALENDARS: As Advent approaches you might like to think about doing a Reverse Advent Calendar, in aid of Pershore Foodbank. For every day, instead of eating chocolate from a calendar, you put in a box something Christmassy which can then be used for the Christmas hampers that go out to families and individuals in need. The Foodbank would appreciate any gifts you collect this way to be delivered to them by the middle of December so thy can be distributed in time. Many thanks. Claire

ABBEY CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: Once again this year there is a board at the back of church where you can pin up one Christmas card for everyone in the Abbey. You are then invited to give a donation from the money you perhaps won’t be spending on individual cards, which will be given to Christian Aid. More information if needed from Margaret Goodrich and Sarah Thomson. Many thanks. Claire

MINCE PIES for our Town traders – For the third year Churches Together in Pershore will be delivering mince pies (and including some gluten free and a few mini chocolate rolls) to the traders in the town on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 December. Any donations of ‘bought’ mince pies (sorry, we cannot accept home-made) will be gratefully received in the Abbey from now on until Sunday, 16 December. If anyone is able to volunteer and help with distribution please sign up on the form at the back of the Abbey indicating which day you can help. Please meet at the Baptist Church at 09:30 on both days if you are able to help. This year we will also be giving out leaflets and a letter of introduction to all the traders about Workplace Chaplaincy, and those who have been training for this role will be accompanying the mince pie distribution and collecting any prayers in the new year for the United Service on 20 January, when they will be commissioned.

MORE MINCE PIES PLEASE! Following the Carol Service at the Abbey on, Sunday 23 December, there will be Mince Pies and Mulled Wine available - contributions of Mince Pies (home-made or shop bought) would be wonderful! If possible please bring them to the morning service. Sara Speed

CONCERTS THIS MONTH & NEXT TO BE HELD AT THE ABBEY

DECEMBER 2018

15th (Saturday 19:30)Pershore Choral Christmas Concert

JANUARY 2019 5th (Saturday - 14:30)

Worcester Philharmonic OrchestraFestive and Viennese Favourites

ABBEY & BENEFICE DIARY

(A) Abbey, (B) Birlingham, (P) Pinvin, (W) Wick, (St A) St Andrew’s, (V) New Vicarage, (CTIP) Churches Together in Pershore

THE FOLLOWING SERVICES TAKE PLACE EVERY MONDAY TO SATURDAY IN THE ABBEY

08:00 Silent Prayer 08:30 Matins and Eucharist 17:00 Evening PrayerEveryone is very welcome to attend these services

ABBEY SERVICE - SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER 2018 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

08:00 Eucharist (A)10:15 Junior Church and Upper Room Group - Nativity Rehearsal

10:30 Sung Eucharist with Laying on of Hands (A) 15:00 Provincial Carol Service (A)

SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER - THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

08:00 Eucharist 10:30 Sung Eucharist 15:00 Carol Service for Retired Firefighters 17:00 CTIP Wholeness and Healing at St Andrew’s Centre

Monday 10 December09:15 School rehearsal (A)09:15 Musical Explorers (St A) 10:30 Bells (St A)10:30 PUC Meeting (Upper Room)18:30 Weight Watchers (St A) 19:00 Compline (A)19:30 Bells (St A)

Tuesday 11 December11:00 CTIP Food Bank (St A)14:30 Mother's Union Party (St A)

Wednesday 12 December 10:00 School Performance (A) 19:00 Diocesan ALM Course

(St A upper room)20:00 Vale Harmony (St A)

Thursday 13 December09:15 Weight Watchers (St A)09:30 Vicar & Wardens' Meeting

(St A Upper Room)

11:00 Eucharist (Roland Rutter Court)13:00 School Performance (A) 13:15 Art Club with Becca (St A, upper)19:00 Guitar Class (St A)

Friday 14 December 09:30 Babies and Toddlers (St A) 11:00 Eucharist (A)13:00 CTIP Food Bank (St A)18:00 Choir Practice (A) 180019:30 Bells (St A)

Saturday 15 December10:00 Concert set up & rehearsals (A)19:30 Pershore Choral concert (A)

Sunday 16 December14:00 Pianoscapes - Chris Long (St A)15:00 Provincial Carol Service (A) 17:00 Youth Group Christmas Meal 18:00 Carol Services at

Wick and Birlingham