Notice of Services for Lavenham Benefice for December 2012

As ever, Lavenham and Preston St Mary are gearing-up for a very busy Advent and Christmastide. Advent Sunday falls on the 2nd of December this year and we’ll be straight into the caroling at 6pm for the Benefice Advent Carol Service.

Please note that we will be adding to the seasonal festivities a very special celebration of Rev. Stephen Earl’s institution and Induction, at which Bishop Nigel and Archdeacon David will be in attendance.

Lavenham Church hopes you can join us (in full voice) at worship at this most happy time in our calendar.

Click here to see the Lavenham Benefice Services during December 2012

Sunday 1st January – The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus

With much of secular society now putting away the decorations, it’s worth bearing in mind that we are still only half-way through the twelve days of Christmas in terms of the church calendar. We celebrate the coming of the Lord through to the festival of the Epiphany, on the 6th of January (and beyond, of course!).

This Sunday we mark the naming and circumcision of Jesus. There will be an 8am Holy Communion in Lavenham and a 9am at Preston St Mary. The choir will be resting this Sunday after their heavy duties last week, so the 10.15 Eucharist in Lavenham will be said rather than sung…

…but we will have carols so you can start the New Year on the right note by coming to church and joining with us in our celebration of new beginnings.

Details of these services, the litany and dates for your diary in the week ahead are on the Pew Sheet for 1 Jan 2012

Sunday 18th December – Advent IV

This Sunday we will be having a special service of nine readings and carols in Lavenham Church at 4pm. As we draw near to the end of advent, the service should be a great way to get us into the Christmas spirit, in anticipation of thw weekend following.

Parish Eucharist will be celebrated at the usual time, 10.15, in Lavenham Church. Please click the link following to see the 18.12.11 service sheet

If you are in the mood for practising the sung elements of the service, details are provided below. New English Hymnal, I think, for the hymns…

Processional – 11 Veni Emmanuel

Kyrie – Mass in Three Parts (Byrd)

Gradual – Psalm 89 v 1-4, 19-27

Alleluia – Soon and very soon  (Crouch)

Offertory – 186 Woodlands

Sanctus – Missa Penitentia (Hogger)

Agnus Dei – Mass in the Phyrgian Mode (Wood)

Communion – The Angel Gabriel (Trad. Arr. Pettman)

Post Communion – 9 Helmsley