HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

 

WE WISH ALL READERS OF OUR BLOG A VERY HAPPY AND TRULY BLESSED NEW YEAR

CHRISTMAS AT ST.AUGUSTINE’S

CHRISTMA EVE

CHRISTINGLE

A good congregation gathered at 4.30 p.m. for the Annual Christingle Service conducted by Father Martin. One of the teachers from St. Edwards Church of England School read the First Reading and the Head of Rush Green Primary School read the Second. In his address Father Martin introduced a rubber turkey which talked to him with a “squeak”. The turkey maintained he was not a turkey but a chicken although he looked very much like a turkey to everyone there. His various antics as Father Martin explained the Christingle Service had everybody in fits of laughter including the organist for the service Father Mervyn. The church looked lovely when all the lights were turned off and the children and some of the adults held their lighted candles whilst there were many other candles lit all around the church.

MIDNIGHT MASS

The church was lit by candles for the Solemn Mass of Midnight with just very subdued lighting to enable the congregation to read the Mass and Hymn Books. Father Martin and Father Mervyn concelebrated the Mass. Father Mervyn preached the sermon in which he drew attention to the generosity of the Innkeeper in responding to Joseph’s desperate plea for somewhere for Mary to deliver her baby, letting the Holy Family use the stable-cave at the rear of the Inn which the Innkeeper’s family would normally use themselves at busy times. He said that Joseph had showed generosity in his response to the message of the angel in taking Mary as his wife and caring for her, despite his doubts over her pregnancy. Mary’s response to God’s call to her had been equally generous in accepting the role that she had been given that she had been specially chosen by God to be the bearer of His Son. Finally, he said that the most generous gift of all was God’s gift to humankind when he gave us His Only Son to be our Saviour. He ended with the text “God so loved the world that he gave his Only Son that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life” It must be our act of generosity in response to God’s love for us to make the good news known to everyone we can. At the end of the well-attended Mass, Father Martin blessed the Christmas Crib and the Bambino was placed in it. Afterwards we enjoyed Sherry and Mince pies in the Hall.

CHRISTMAS DAY

We wondered, after the good attendances at the Christingle and the Midnight Mass, and the bitterly cold weather, if we might find Mass attendance somewhat depleted – it wasn’t. Father Mervyn and Father Martin concelebrated the Mass and Father Martin preached whilst Father Mervyn led us in prayer. During the singing of the Hymn “Away in a Manger” a little boy from the congregation came up the aisle to the Altar Steps. Father Martin went to him and then they both sat on the steps for the hymn and then Father carried him back to his parents. It was a most moving moment and touched the hearts of everybody present.

THE HOLY FAMILY/SOLEMNITY OF ST. STEPHEN Sunday 26^th December

Again, today a good congregation came to the Solemn Mass concelebrated by Father Martin and Father Mervyn. Father Martin preached whilst Father Mervyn led us in prayer. We learnt this morning that the turkey who appeared for the first time at the Christingle was called Kenny Farmworthy Chicken - a likely story. Most of us still think he is a turkey in disguise just because it’s Christmas and he didn’t want to end up as somebody’s Christmas Dinner. Having successfully escaped the oven, the destination of many turkey’s this time of year, he will be making another appearance on Sunday 2^nd January 2011.

This has been a very good Christmas at St. Augustine’s and we have been blessed with good congregations at every service – Deo Gratias.

Mass will be celebrated on Monday – St. John the Evangelist, Tuesday – The Holy Innocents Thursday and Saturday – Mary, Mother of God at 10.00 a.m.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS–WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT OUR CHRISTMAS SERVICES

ADVENT IV

Understandably the congregation was a little depleted this morning due to the appalling weather conditions but Mass went ahead as normal. Our Organist and Choirmaster was unable to get through and so the singing was mostly unaccompanied. Despite the snow laden roads and treacherous footpaths many of the faithful managed to come. Father Martin presided and preached as Father Mervyn was due to preside and preach at St. Barnabas, Woodford Green. Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took an amazing £166 although numbers attending were considerably down due to the weather. This will be last Saturday Shop of the year but we open for business as usual in the New Year.

ADVENT 3 (Gaudate)

Today Father Martin presided and preached at the Parish Mass - Father Mervyn was officiating at St. Barnabas, Woodford Green. During the notices it was announced that yesterday’s Saturday Shop made an impressive £196, meaning that this year, so far, the amount raised by the Saturday Shop and our eBay trading is around £10,000. Father Martin also drew attention to the Advertisement in The Church Times about the appointment of new suffrage bishops for the Sees of Richborough and Ebbsfleet which invited people interested to supply names etc. In jest, he said he wouldn’t mind if anyone in the congregation suggested his name!

Details about our Christmas Services were published on the Blog last week and are also on the handout in church.

ADVENT 2

Today Father Martin presided and Father Mervyn preached at the Parish Mass. During his sermon Father Mervyn related how Handel had written the Oratorio “The Messiah” in just 24 days, giving the work to The London Foundling Hospital for fund-raising. He mentioned that originally the London Clergy had been opposed to it and prevented it from being performed. Handel had written The Messiah as a thanksgiving to God for his talent as a musician. Handel directed the performance every year for 20 years at venues decided by the Foundling Hospital. Unlike the Scribes and the Pharisees in today’s Gospel who assumed that their salvation was assured because they were “sons of Abraham” Handel did not make a presumption of entitlement – the way of selfishness –instead, he prepared. John the Baptist calls us to “prepare” and Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare for his coming again.

During the Notices we heard that the event “Santa’s on the Run” which was to be held on the 2^nd December had been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. It has been rescheduled for the 14^th but those taking part from St. Augustine’s are unable to take part on that date. Instead, they will go from the church to Queen’s Hospital on the 18^th December prior to Carol singing at the hospital.

Members of the PCC are reminded that their next meeting is on Wednesday 8^th December (The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) Mass at 7.00 p.m. followed by the meeting

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Christmas Eve 24^th December

4.30 p.m. CHRISTINGLE S SERVICE

6.00 p.m. Vigil Mass

11.30 p.m. MIDNIGHT MASS followed by Mince pies & Drinks in the Hall

CHRISTMAS DAY 25^th December

10.00 a.m. PARISH MASS with carols for all the family

Sunday 26^th December (St Stephen’s Day) THE HOLY FAMILY

10.00 a.m. SOLEMN MASS.

Sunday 2^nd January 2011

6.00 p.m. CAROL SERVICE.