Bowland Benefice
Pews News 1 December 2024

Advent Sunday Collect
Almighty God,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the
light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
This Week in the Benefice

Sunday
1 December

10.30am

Christingle
Service in
Upton
Snodsbury

11.00am

Holy
Communion in
Peopleton

6.00pm

Advent Carol
Service in
White Ladies
Aston

Thursday
5 December

1.30pm

Memorial
service for
Tony Crocker
in Upton
Snodsbury -RIP

Friday
6 December 6.00pm

The Nativity at
The Crown,
Peopleton

Saturday
7 December

From
10.00am

Christmas
Market in The
Parish Room,
White Ladies
Aston

Sunday 8
December
Advent 2

10.30am

Holy
Communion in
Upton
Snodsbury
3.00pm Carol Service in
Churchill
4.00pm Christingle
Service in
Peopleton
The Seasons of Advent and Christmas can be difficult,
lonely and painful times for people. If you feel you
need just to talk or you know of someone who would
benefit from a bit of tender loving care, please do
contact Revd Claire on 07921 101320.
We say thank you for the little glimmer of a hope with
the cease fire in Lebanon. A fragile candle flame of
light, in a world of mankind’s hatred and destruction.

A thought from Claire

Suddenly we find ourselves in the season of Advent. 
This is the time of waiting, of preparation for the birth
of Jesus Christ.  Christmas will be here soon enough,
but right now, it’s time just to be as we anticipate with
wonder and joy that story from Bethlehem that we
know so well.  Let’s not rush through Advent without
giving thought to what we are waiting for. 

About Advent

The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus,
meaning coming. During the 4 th & 5 th century it was a
season of preparation for the baptism of new
Christians at the Festival of Epiphany. 40 days were
spent in penance, prayer & fasting.
By the 6 th century Advent was tied to the ‘coming’ of
Christ – his 2nd coming as judge of the world.
During the Middle Ages Advent became linked to
Christmas. Nowadays there are 4 Sundays in Advent,
balancing elements of remembrance & anticipation.
The first 2 Sundays look forward to Christ’s 2nd
coming & the last 2 look backwards to remember
Jesus’s 1st coming as a baby in the manger.
It is difficult to keep in mind, during all the stress of
December, that Advent is intended to be a season of
fasting, & reflection on all the evil in the world. A time
to cry out for God to make things right & to put
death’s dark shadows to flight. A time to look at our
own lives & where we have gone wrong. A time of
contemplation on our need for God’s grace & healing.

O come Thou Day-Spring
Come and cheer
Our spirits by thy Advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Advent & Christmas Happenings in the Benefice
For Services see Bowline and weekly Pews News…..
Friday 6 December at 6.00pm The Nativity at The

Crown, Peopleton.

Saturday 7 December from 10.00am Christmas
Market in The Parish Room, White Ladies Aston.
Weekend of 14, 15 December Christmas Tree Festival
in Upton Snodsbury. Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm and
Sunday 2.00pm-4.00pm.£2 entry with raffle, craft stall
and refreshments. Still time to offer a tree and join in
the fun! Contact Helen – 01905 381490.
17, 18 & 20 December Upton Snodsbury Village Carol
Singing in aid of the Children’s Society.
23 December from 6.30pm Street Carols, 16 Monk’s

Way, Peopleton.

“Open wide your door to the one who comes. Open
your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see
the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the
sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet
the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all men.”

– St. Ambrose of Milan.