Bowland Benefice
Pews New
26 November 2023
Christ the King
Collect
God the Father,

help us to hear the call of Christ the King
and to follow in his service,
whose kingdom has no end;
for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, one glory. Amen.
and from

The Book of Common Prayer
Last Sunday before Advent

Collect

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord,
the wills of thy faithful people;
that they,

plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may of thee be plenteously rewarded;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
This week in the Benefice

Saturday
25 November

Collection in St
Nicholas Church,
Peopleton for St
Paul’s Hostel (see
below)

Sunday
26 November

9.30am Holy Communion in
White Ladies Aston
10.30am Morning Prayer in
Upton Snodsbury
11.00am Holy Communion in
Peopleton

Sunday
3 December
Advent
Sunday

10.30am Christingle Service
in Upton Snodsbury
11.00am Holy Communion in
Peopleton
6.30pm Advent Carol
Service in White
Ladies Aston
Please remember, there is still time to donate items
of single bedding, towels and toiletries for St Paul’s
Hostel in Worcester Please take contributions to St
Nicholas Church this Saturday 25 November.
Any problems, please contact Gill Creed
on 07583 276702.
Many thanks!

Worcester’s new Archdeacon, The Revd Canon Mark
Badger will be licensed during Evensong at 5:30pm,
on Saturday 2 December in Worcester Cathedral.
Everybody is welcome to this special service.

A bit about Stir up Sunday

The collect in the Book of Common Prayer for the last
Sunday before Advent begins….Stir up we beseech
thee……and in days gone by was a gentle reminder
that it was time to make and cook the pudding ready

for Christmas Day.

Families gathered together to mix and steam the
pudding. Everyone took a turn to stir the mixture
(thirteen ingredients representing Jesus and his
twelve disciples) and make a special wish for the year
ahead. By tradition the pudding was stirred from East
to West in honour of the three Wise Men who visited

the baby Jesus from the east.

It is sad that very few children and young people know
of this custom any more as it is quicker, easier and
costs no more, to buy ready-made puddings from the

local supermarket.

Coming up during Advent in the next few weeks
Sunday 3 December at 10.30am. Traditional
Christingle service in Upton Snodsbury.
Sunday 3 December at 6.30pm there will be a very
special Advent Carol Service in White Ladies Aston
with the WLA Singers. Come and hear the Advent
readings and sing some wonderful strong Advent
hymns, support Revd Claire and St John’s in this new
venture and feel part of our wonderful Bowland
Benefice as we begin the journey towards Christmas.
Friday 8 December at 6.00pm Nativity at The Crown.
Claire writes…what do a baby, a donkey, sheep,
possibly a camel and hopefully you have in common? 
They will be taking part in, or watching, the Nativity at
The Crown in Peopleton. Dress for the weather and
join us for a short play of the most famous event in
history. Bring your torches and singing voices and
remember what Christmas is really about. No
photographs to be taken during the play thank you,
but come along and be present in the moment. Then
warm up afterwards in The Crown.
Weekend of 9 and 10 December. Upton Snodsbury’s
Christmas Tree Festival. Warden Helen would love
contributions from all the villages in the Benefice –
there is still time. Ring Helen on 01905 381490.
Tuesday 12 December. Holland House Advent Quiet
Day. Cost £35. Ring 01386 860330 to find out more.
Wednesday 13 December at 7.00pm in Peopleton,
Delia Harding will lead a Candlelit Quiet Service – a
time for reflection away from life’s hustle and bustle.
Thursday 14 December at 7.00pm in All Saints,
Spetchley – Christmas Cheer – an evening of delights.
A retiring collection will be taken for the work of the
Churches Conservation Trust to raise funds to

maintain the church.
…….more information next week!