Bowland Benefice
Pews News
24 December 2023

Christmas Eve Collect
Almighty God,

you make us glad with the yearly remembrance
of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ:
grant that, as we joyfully receive him as our

redeemer,

so we may with sure confidence behold him
when he shall come to be our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
This Christmas Week in the Benefice
Sunday
24 December

10.00am Christmas
Family Service
in Broughton
Hackett
8.30pm Christmas Holy
Communion in
Upton
Snodsbury
11.30pm Midnight Mass
in White Ladies
Aston

Monday 25
December
Christmas Day

10.00am Carol Service in
White Ladies
Aston
10.30am Family Service
in Peopleton

Sunday
31 December
Christmas 1

10.30am Benefice Holy
Communion in
Broughton
Hackett
We look forward to welcoming you at one of the
Christmas services in our Bowland Benefice.
Also please do remember that our churches are
usually open during the day and are ideal places to
find a bit of ‘me’ time and space, and some peace
away from the demands of everyday life.
A quote from Mother Teresa
It is Christmas every time you let God love others

through you ...

yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your
brother and offer him your hand.

Messages from Revd Claire……
As Christmas arrives once again, I’d like to give my
thanks to everyone who does anything at all to
make our churches and churchyards so welcoming. 
I certainly couldn’t do what I do without the
preparation, thought and love that is shown by so
many, especially before services.
I’m not forgetting those who quietly support us but
who don’t come to church. Finally, thank you to
Carole Oliver who, among many other things, is

amazingly patient. 

I wish you all a blessed and healthy Christmas.
Thoughts and prayers for the Christmas season

Loving God,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires

with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ

brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy

children,

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with

grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Ring out the bells for Christmas,
The happy, happy day,
In winter wild, the Holy Child
Within a cradle lay.
Pointers for Prayer

With thanks for family gatherings, meals together,
fun, laughter, the making of happy memories and

deepening relationships.

For all those who have given up time with family over
Christmas to help in shelters, refuges and Christmas

centres for the homeless.

For the thousands and thousands of people across our
globe who have nothing – nothing of what we take for
granted. Open our eyes to their needs and prepare us
to do whatever we can, to help.
For families where Christmas is a painful and lonely
time. Where family break up has separated parents
from children and children and parents alike feel

alone and alienated.