Dear all
“Through the greatness of your mercy, I will come into your house” (Psalm 5, vs 7) It is with great joy that we opened the church doors for public worship once again today, and that we extend a warm welcome to join us at any (or all!) of the forty-five services which will take place in St Mary Abbots between today and New Year’s Eve. From Morning Prayer on Zoom to our daily service of Midday Prayer in church; from the beautiful and traditional Advent Service of Light to a Service of Lessons and Choral Carols for Christmastide, specially adapted for a Covid season, we look forward to worshipping with you in God’s house as we await the coming of the Christ-child at Christmas. This coming Sunday (6th), there will be a celebration of Holy Communion at 8 am, a Family Eucharist with children leading our readings and prayers and Mother Alice preaching to us at 9.30, and a service of Matins at 11.15 am, at which the preacher will be the Revd Prof Peter Galloway. In the evening, we have our Advent Service of Light, with readings and Advent motets which will lead us (by candlelight) to reflect on the message that during this season God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. We are excited that we shall have a full octet to lead our choral music and very much hope that you will be able to join us – there are still spaces available or by phoning Leonora. The following Sunday we have both a new Covid-friendly version of the Nativity with our parish children and in the afternoon/evening, two performances of Handel’s Messiah, part 1 – for which tickets are now available to buy on Eventbrite. Our guest preacher at Matins next week will be Canon Tom Mendel, father of our Sunday virger! We are aware that current restrictions will necessitate some changes to our usual Advent and Christmas services, but we look forward nonetheless to sharing in something of the joy and mystery of this wonderful, holy season and will be delighted to see you back. We continue to hold in our prayers all who remain at home during this period, and hope that you know you are constantly remembered before the altar and in the heart of St Mary Abbots. Let us together hope and pray that with vaccines on the horizon, this time of separation and limitation may be drawing to a close. With my love and prayers Mother Emma 3rd December 2020 |
Virtual Donation Plate
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