Bowland Benefice
Pews News
for 21 December 2025
and 28 December 2025
Collect for 4 th Sunday in Advent
God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
This week in the Benefice
Saturday
20 December
From
10.00am
Coffee Morning
and Santa’s
Sorting Office in
The Parish Room,
White Ladies
Aston
Sunday
21 December
10.30am
Benefice Holy
Communion in
White Ladies
Aston
4.00pm
Carol Service in
Broughton
Hackett
6.00pm Carol Service in
Peopleton
6.00pm Carol Service in
Upton Snodsbury
Monday
22 December 3.00pm
An Advent
Meditation in
Upton Snodsbury
Wednesday
24 December
Christmas Eve
8.30pm
Christmas Holy
Communion in
Upton Snodsbury
11.30pm Midnight Mass in
Peopleton
Thursday
25 December
Christmas
Day
10.00am
Carol Service in
White Ladies
Aston
10.30am
Service of Carols
and Readings in
Broughton
Hackett
Sunday
28 December
The Holy
Innocents
9.30am
Holy Communion
in White Ladies
Aston
10.30am Songs of Praise in
Upton Snodsbury
11.00am Holy Communion
in Peopleton
Gracious God,
may this last week of Advent be a time of turning our
faces towards the light, and a space to pause, to
reflect and to watch.
May we learn to wait in the present and not for the
future, that every moment may be lived in the
presence of the Christ Child, the Lamb of Calvary, the
Saviour of the World and to your glory. Amen.
As the fourth candle is lit this Sunday we remember
the meaning of The Candles in an Advent Wreath.
The first candle is the Candle of Hope when we
remember Abraham and the Patriarchs of the Old
Testament.
The second candle is the Candle of Peace when we
remember the prophets who foretold the birth of
Jesus.
The third candle is the Candle of Love when we
remember John the Baptist.
The fourth pink candle is the Candle of Joy when we
remember the devotion and sacrifice of Mary the
Mother of Jesus.
The final white candle is the candle of Jesus’ birth and
is lit on Christmas Day.
As we approach 2026 we pray for the world and hope
for peace.
The words of Errollyn Wallen - Master of the King’s
Music. Her own words set to a hauntingly beautiful
simple melody…..
And snow falls down on me.
Peace on earth.
The night is dark and soft.
Peace on earth.
The lights that sparkle in the square, The smoke the
lingers in the air.
Peace on earth.
And grace falls down on me.
Peace on earth.
The dark will turn aside.
Peace on earth.
The fires that burn in ev'ry hearth
Do sing out praise of Christmas past.
Peace on earth.
Hear them singing.
Peace on earth.
A very Happy, Peaceful and Spirit-filled Christmas
