St Mary’s Monthly News Free or by Donation December 2016 that the Prince of Peace will advent hymn O come, O come, transform our world one life at a Emmanuel. You may wish to use time. Come and join these prayers as part of your the inclusive community of St. daily preparation in the last week Mary's as we rejoice that Christ is before Christmas. here with us. Below is a prayer December 17: O Wisdom: O of thanksgiving for Advent that Wisdom, coming forth from the you might want to use each day mouth of the Most High, of this holy season: reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly Blessed are you, Sovereign God ordering all things: Come and of all, to you be praise and glory teach us the way of prudence. for ever. In your tender December 18: O Lord: O Lord, compassion the dawn from on and leader of the House of Israel, high is breaking upon us to who appeared to Moses in the dispel the lingering shadows of fire of the burning bush and gave night. As we look for your him the law on Sinai: Come and coming among us this day, open redeem us with an outstretched From the Parish Priest our eyes to behold your presence arm. and strengthen our hands to do December 19: O Root of Jesse: O

your will, that the world may Root of Jesse, standing as a sign Advent and Christmas are rejoice and give you praise. among the peoples; before you wonderful seasons of the Blessed be God, Father, Son and kings will shut their mouths, to year. In the weeks of Advent we Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for you the nations will make their watch and wait as we prepare ever! prayer: Come and deliver us, and ourselves spiritually to be ready delay no longer. to celebrate once more the birth With love, Chris (Parish Priest) December 20: O Key of David: O of Jesus. In our journey towards Key of David and sceptre of the a deeper relationship with God The Advent Os House of Israel; you open and no there will be three Advent one can shut; you shut and no Evenings this year at the one can open: Come and lead the Rectory. We will start with wine prisoners from the prison house, and drinks and then conclude the those who dwell in darkness and evening with the short service of the shadow of death. Compline by candlelight. In the December 21: O Morning Star: O service we will reflect on the Morning Star, splendour of light Gospel reading for the coming eternal and sun of righteousness: week and join our prayers with Come and enlighten those who those of the Saints of Heaven. dwell in darkness and the

shadow of death. On December 18th at 6pm we December 22: O King of the will hold our annual traditional The Advent Os are short prayers nations: O King of the nations, Carol Service which again will be within the traditional liturgy of and their desire, the cornerstone held in candle light. On Evening Prayer during the last making both one: Come and save Christmas Eve our Crib Service is seven days of Advent. They are the human race, which you at 4pm and then Midnight Mass referred to as the "Os" because fashioned from clay. starts at 11.30pm. Jesus was the title of each begins in Latin December 23: O Emmanuel (God born in humble circumstances with the interjection "O". Each with us): O Emmanuel, our king and came to bring peace and joy refers to one of the names or and our lawgiver, the hope of the to the world. As we get ready to attributes of Christ, mentioned in nations and their Saviour: Come celebrate his birth let us pray Scripture and they are the inspiration for the 18th century and save us, O Lord our God.

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St Mary’s Monthly News

cannot see the ending, by paths 500 Years of Reformation as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out ViaMedia.News is a weekly blog with good courage, not knowing aiming to bring the historic where we go, but only that your Anglican perspective of the ‘Via hand is leading us and your love Media’ (the ‘Middle Way’) to supporting us; through Jesus debates that are current in the Christ our Lord. . Avoiding divisive positions, the writers Mary and Jesus in Blackburn look at issues in the Church and the wider world as they seek to bring a fresh perspective to areas of controversy. One regular contributor to the blog is David During 2017 Roman Catholics Walker, . and Lutherans will be looking In a recent piece Bishop David back 500 years on the events of has written about the experience the European Reformation and of “Welcome” in the church. You reflecting on the past 50 years of can access the blog at worldwide ecumenical dialogue www.viamedia.news during which time the fellowship they share has continued to Renewal and Reform grow. The Reformation anniversary celebrations will offer an opportunity to express a common hope in Christ. The Blackburn Cathedral's most joint Lutheran – Catholic treasured relic is its 15th Century commemoration began with a “Pax”, a small bronze tablet service in Lund Cathedral, engraved with the Madonna and The national Church of England Sweden, during which this prayer Child, which was kissed during has embarked on a “Renewal was used: Mass by the priest and and Reform” programme as a Jesus Christ, Lord of the church, congregation. Most examples of focus for the mission and work of send your Holy Spirit! Illumine our this particular sacred ornament the church into the future. To hearts and heal our memories. O were destroyed during the quote from the Church of Holy Spirit: help us to rejoice in Reformation and it is thought England website, “Renewal and the gifts that have come to the that only eight now exist in Reform seeks to bring a message Church through the Reformation, England. The Blackburn Pax had of hope through changed lives prepare us to repent for the been hidden in a gravestone in and transformed communities as dividing walls that we, and our the churchyard and came to light people of faith and people forebears, have built, and equip in 1820 when the stone was finding faith discover their us for common witness and moved during building work. An vocation to love God and serve service in the world. enlarged fibreglass replica of the others. This loving service will figures of the Madonna and Child find voice and expression in a St Marys…. myriad of ways but will be is mounted on the east wall underpinned by justice, mercy inside the cathedral (pictured and a humble walk with God.” above). More information is at www.churchofengland.org/rene wal-reform.aspx and the following prayer is offered: Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we The Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Prestwich www.stmarysprestwich.org Page 2

St Mary’s Monthly News

Diary Dates Sunday 8 January – Feast of the Epiphany & Sunday 4 December – Ven David Sharples, Celebration of the Prestwich Mission Partnership Archdeacon of Salford, preaching at 1030 Sunday 22 January – The Tuesday 6 & 20 December – Advent Evenings at the presiding at the 1030 Eucharist. Rectory, including Compline 1945-2100 Sunday 26 February – The new Bishop of Bolton, Rt Revd , presiding at the 1030 Eucharist.

All are welcome to celebrate Christmas 2016 at St Mary’s

Sunday 18 December – 4th Sunday of Advent 1800 Carol Service Saturday 24 December – Christmas Eve 1600 Crib Service 2330 Midnight Eucharist Sunday 25 December - Christmas Day 0800 Eucharist 1030 Sung Eucharist

Church Yard News Hope Square behind the In a corner of St Mary’s Church Friendship Inn - he became a Yard you will find the graves of respected botanist in Rochdale. some local 19th Century botanists Below the steep slope is the – the Artisan Naturalists. Self- simple slab of Richard Buxton taught and independently (1788-1865), born at Sedgley organised, their groups Farm. He collected his many World AIDS Day falls on 1 flourished in the area some 150 observations into a Flora of December. The Anglican Mission years ago. To find the graves, plants…around Manchester, organisation USPG has issued walk on the main path past the published in 1849. new resources for World Aids church entrance and tower and Day, to be found at go straight down the slope www.uspg.org.uk/hiv, including looking for a marker post under this prayer: Father, we offer you the trees – but take care on wet thanks and praise that in Jesus grass and slabs! You will find you have found us and placed us John Horsefield (1792-1854) from under the protection of your love. Besses o’ th’ Barn who founded May we, your people, using all the Prestwich Botanical Society in our energy and imagination, and 1820 and was its President for trusting in your unfailing love, be over 30 years. The Society had united in conquering all disease just started to meet in a new and fear. We make this prayer in pub, The Naturalist, later the name of the one who has renamed with an added Railway borne all our wounds, and whose after the line opened in 1879. Spirit strengthens and guides us. Look for the commemorative Warm us with the fire of your Above, an image of Horsefield & blue plaque when you pass that Spirit so that all may come to Buxton meeting up in Prestwich building on Bury New Road. know the joyful good news of Clough, with St Mary’s Church in Alongside is the tomb of James healing and peace. the background. Percival (1828-1902), born at

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St Mary’s Monthly News

A meditation on Christian Children are a valued part of our Giving to St Mary’s Mission, attributed to St Theresa community. Junior Church God calls us into a life of love and of Avila (1515-82) meets on Sunday at 1030. The abundant blessings. Giving and Prestwich Mission Partnership our use of money are important Youth Group meets on Sunday at spiritual issues. We invite you to 1830. The 22nd Prestwich Scout consider how God is calling you Group meets on weekday to make an appropriate level of evenings. Pre-School Praise is on giving towards the life of the Thursdays at 1000. We enjoy a parish. Our giving is a key part of Christ has no body now close relationship with our Parish living out our faith. but yours. School. More information at: No hands, no feet on earth www.stmarysprestwich.org/church-groups. but yours. Yours are the eyes Sunday Gospel Readings with which he sees. Yours are the feet with which he walks. Yours are the hands

with which he 4 December blesses all the world. 0800 Luke 21: 25-33 1030 Matthew 3: 1-12 Regular worship at St Mary’s 11 December To find out more, please contact 0800 Matthew 11: 2-10 Adele McKie 0161 773 9544. 1030 Matthew 11: 2-11 18 December 0800 John 1: 19-28 1030 Matthew 1: 18-end 25 December Christmas Day 0800 John 1: 1-14 1030 Luke 2: 1-14 Web: www.stmarysprestwich.org Twitter: @stmaryprestwich THANK YOU… E: [email protected] Sunday To staff from the Bury and Post: St Mary the Virgin, Church 0800 Eucharist Manchester branches of the Lane, M25 1AN 1030 Sung Eucharist Yorkshire Building Society who Parish Priest: Chris Wedge Tuesday tidied war graves in the Church telephone 0161 773 2912 0730 Morning Prayer* Yard in advance of the placing of Church Wardens: Stewart Barnet Wednesday Remembrance crosses. Thanks telephone 07950 354445; Julia 0730 Morning Prayer* to Tom Gribben and Alan & Ruth Dutton telephone 07931 293470 1000 Eucharist Ritchie who placed the crosses. Thursday

0730 Eucharist* £628 was raised for the Greater St Mary’s parish prayer 1000 Pre-School Praise Manchester Winter Night Loving Father, we pray your Friday Shelters at a floral demonstration blessing on our parish. Help us to 0730 Morning Prayer* held at St Mary’s in October. have hearts open to your Holy 0915 Eucharist in St Mary’s Many thanks go to all involved. Spirit. Give us the courage to School follow the way of Christ. Services marked * take place in the We welcome contributions to St Strengthen us to be faithful in Oratory at the Rectory, Church Lane. Mary’s Monthly News by email to prayer and loving service. Help [email protected] us to play our part in building up your Kingdom here and now. The Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Prestwich www.stmarysprestwich.org Page 4