St Mary’s Christmas
21st & 28th December 2014
& 4th January 2015
Welcome to St Mary’s. If you are a newcomer please introduce yourself to
one of the clergy or fill in and hand to one of us the detachable section of our
new Welcome Bookmark. Do come and join us for coffee in Church House
(opposite the North Door) after the 9.35am service.
St Mary’s, through its Charitable Giving Group, supports
AquAid Lifeline Fund’s Philip Veale Children’s Centre in
Malawi caring for over 150 orphans in Gomani. AquAid can
provide a whole month’s child care for just £8. Ask Robin
Sternberg  684588 for more details, or look on the Church
House noticeboard.
All communicant members of the Christian Church are
welcome to receive the bread and the wine at a celebration of
Holy Communion. Others are welcome at the altar rail to receive
a blessing. If you wish for a blessing please ask.
For very young churchgoers: Please feel free to be in church
during the services, but if you feel very distressed the choir
vestry (at the back of church) also doubles as the "early years
gurgling room". In there you will find a cabinet of toys. The room
has glass doors so that you and your parents can see and hear
services, but it also has an environment where you can feel at
ease to be yourself and gurgle away.
Words and music printed under CCL Licence No 224366
Details of future notices are needed by Wednesday and should be sent ideally
by email to [email protected] or left in the “Bulletin Editor” pigeon
hole at Church House.
The e-bulletin If you wish to be included in the email distribution of this bulletin, please send
an email as above. Tracy Watson
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Services on 21st December 2014
Fourth Sunday of 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
8.00am – Holy Communion (BCP)
President:
Canon Michael Roden
9.35am –Sung Communion
President &
Preacher:
Setting:
Processional Hymn:
Lesson Readings:
Canon Michael Roden
The Revd Fizz Gibbs
Rutter
360 For Mary, Mother of our Lord – St Botolph
2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 read by Barry Arends
Romans 16:25-27 read by Fiona Forde
Magnificat
Luke 1:26-38
Jasmine Norton
484 Long ago, prophets knew – Personent Hodie
A Hymn to the Virgin – Britten
256 Let all mortal flesh keep silence – Picardy
422 Tell out my soul - Woodlands
Gradual:
Gospel:
Prayers are led by:
Offertory Hymn:
Anthem:
Communion Hymn:
Recessional Hymn:
11.15am – Mattins
Officiant:
Preacher:
Introit:
Offertory Hymn:
Final Hymn:
Belinda Copson
The Revd Fizz Gibbs
360 (omit*) For Mary, Mother of our Lord – St Botolph
484 Long ago, prophets knew – Personent Hodie
422 Tell out my soul - Woodlands
4.30pm – Candlelit Compline
Officiant:
Opening Hymn:
Anthem:
Final Hymn:
Canon Michael Roden
26 O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Veni Emmanuel
Zion hears the watchmen’s voices – Bach
484 Long ago, prophets knew – Personent Hodie
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Services on 24th December 2014
Christmas Eve
Eternal God, who made this most holy night
to shine with the brightness of your one true light:
bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth,
to see the radiance of your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
4.00pm – Crib Service
Led by:
Canon Michael Roden
7.00pm – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Priest:
Hymn:
Invitatory:
Hymn:
The First Lesson:
Carol:
Hymn:
The Second Lesson:
Carol:
The Third Lesson:
Carol:
Hymn:
The Fourth Lesson:
Carol:
The Fifth Lesson:
Hymn:
The Sixth Lesson:
Carol:
The Seventh Lesson:
Hymn:
Carol:
The Eighth Lesson:
Carol:
The Ninth Lesson:
Hymn:
Canon Michael Roden
Once in royal David’s city - Irby
Wonder Tidings - Shaw
O come, all ye faithful – Adeste Fideles
Isaiah 9:2,6 & 7
Love came down at Christmas - Rutter
O little town of Bethlehem – Forest Green
Isaiah 11:1–6
One winter night - Hunt
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Make we joy now in this fest - Archer
Good Christian men rejoice – In Dulci Jubilo
Micah 5:2–4
My Lord has come - Todd
St Luke 1:26–38
Unto us is born a Son – Puer Nobis
St Luke 2:1-7
Wassail Carol - Mathias
St Luke 2:8-16
Away in a manger
Ding dong merrily on high – arr Williamson
St Matthew 2:1-11
Great joy and jollity - Carter
St John 1:1-14
The First Nowell
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Hymn:
Voluntary:
Hark! The herald angels sing - Mendelssohn
In dulci jubilo BWV 729 – J S Bach
11.30pm – Midnight Mass of the Nativity
President:
Preacher:
Setting:
Processional Hymn:
Lesson Readings:
Canon Michael Roden
The Revd Hilary Oakley
How
Of the Father’s love begotten
Isaiah 9:2-7 read by Tim Cranfield
Hebrews 1:1-4 read by Sara Cranfield
It came upon a midnight clear - Noel
Wendy Sternberg
John 1:1-14
O come, all ye faithful – Adeste Fideles
The Shepherd’s Farewell - Berlioz
O little town of Bethlehem – Forest Green
Silent night, Holy night
Hark! The herald angels sing - Mendelssohn
Gradual:
Prayers are led by:
The Gospel:
Offertory Carol:
Anthem:
Communion Carols:
Recessional Carol:
Services on 25th December 2014
Christmas Day
Lord Jesus Christ,
your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder
at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God; Amen.
8.00am – Holy Communion
President & Preacher:
Canon Michael Roden
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10am –Festival Communion
President:
Preacher:
Processional Carol:
Gradual:
The Gospel:
Prayers are led by:
Offertory Carol:
Anthem:
Communion Carols:
Recessional Carol:
The Revd Fizz Gibbs
Canon Michael Roden
O Come all ye faithful – Adeste fideles
The Advent Ring
Luke 2:1-20 read by Ben and James Watson
Susie and Benjamin Powell
Once in Royal David’s City - Irby
I saw three ships – arr. Willcocks
See him lying on a bed of straw
Away in a manger
Hark! the herald angels sing - Mendelssohn
Services on 28th December 2014
The First Sunday of Christmas
Almighty God,
who wonderfully created us in your own image
and yet more wonderfully restored us
through your Son Jesus Christ:
grant that, as he came to share in our humanity,
so we may share the life of his divinity,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
9.35am – Sung Communion
President:
Preacher:
Setting:
Processional Carol:
Lesson Readings:
Gradual Carol:
Gospel:
Prayers are led by:
Offertory Carol:
Communion Carol:
Recessional Carol:
The Revd Fizz Gibbs
Stephen Holland
Appleford
34 (v1-3) O come, all ye faithful – Adeste Fidelis
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 read by Leslie Mustoe
Galatians 4:4-7 read by Belinda Copson
37 While shepherds watched – Winchester Old
Luke 2:15-21
Robin Sternberg
46 Once in royal David’s city – Irby
42 In the bleak midwinter – Cranham
35 Hark! The herald angels sing - Mendelssohn
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Services on 4th January 2015
The Second Sunday of Christmas
Almighty God, in the birth of your Son
you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word,
and shown us the fullness of your love:
help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love
that we may know the fullness of his joy;
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen
8.00am – Holy Communion
President & Preacher:
Canon Michael Roden
9.35am – Sung Communion
President:
Preacher:
Setting:
Processional Hymn:
Lesson Reading:
Canon Michael Roden
David Sellick
Appleford
A great and mighty wonder – Es ist ein’ Ros’
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Ephesians 1:3-14
413 O sing a song of Bethlehem – Kingsfold
John 1:10-18
Derry Charman
250 Thou didst leave thy throne – Margaret
From the rising of the sun – Ouseley
256 Let all mortal flesh keep silence – Picardy
51 As with gladness men of old - Dix
Gradual Hymn:
Gospel:
Prayers are led by:
Offertory Hymn:
Anthem:
Communion Hymn:
Final Hymn:
11.15am – Storyteller Service
Led by:
Canon Michael Roden
6.30pm – Evensong
Officiant:
Preacher:
Processional Hymn:
Responses:
Psalm:
Old Testament Lesson:
Canon Michael Roden
Pauline Sadler
48 Earth has many a noble city – Stuttgart
Ferial
135 (chant page 9)
Isaiah 46:3-end
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Office Hymn:
Canticles:
New Testament Lesson:
Anthem:
Hymn:
Offertory Hymn:
54 Thou whom shepherds worshipped – Quem
pastores
Chants page 9
Romans 12:1-8
O Holy night – Adam
47 Brightest and best – Epiphany
142 (omit *) Hail to the Lord’s anointed - Cruger
Forthcoming Services
Morning Prayer (9:05am) and Midday Prayer (12:15pm) is said on Mondays,
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Tuesdays and Fridays, but not from 26 December to 2 January
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See page 2
Sunday 21 December
The Fourth Sunday of
Advent
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Tuesday 23 December
10am Holy Communion
Wednesday 24th December
See pages 3-4
Christmas Eve
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See pages 4-5
Thursday 25 December
Christmas Day
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See page 5
Sunday 28 December
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1 Sunday of Christmas
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See page 6
Sunday 4 January
2nd Sunday of Christmas
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Tuesday 6 January
10am Mothers’ Union Corporate
Communion
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Thursday 8 January 12.15pm Holy Communion
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Sunday 11 January
8am Holy Communion
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1 Sunday of Epiphany
9:35am Sung Communion.
The Baptism of Christ 11.15am Holy Communion (BCP)
4:30pm Epiphany Carol Service (note time)
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Readings for 11 January
Morning Services: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11
Evening Service: The Three Kings (Longfellow), Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:112, The Journey of the Magi (T S Eliot), Psalm 72:10-19
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Prayers for people
We pray for all those who are to be married, including: Katharine Cranfield
& Stephen Boag; Migle Zitinskaite & Thomas Girulis
We pray for all who are ill, and by name for: Ted Hollingdale, Angela
McNally, Ann Steward, Alison Crisp, June Wimpory, Joan Burton, Scilla
Douglas, Mary Foster, Sally Thompson, Charlotte Sabey-Corkindale, Paul
Rushby, Paul, Katherine.
…and we pray for all who love and care for them.
We pray for church members at home or in residential care: Colin
Atkinson, Sheila Axtens, Dennis Cole, John Coxall, Roma Greenaway, Adrian
Haigh, Cameron Harrison, Alice Hazelwood, Edith Ingram, Mollie Jenkins,
Cynthia Myers, Jean Pay, Sheila Pay, José Perry, Joan Randall, Shirley
Robinson, Peg Saunders, Bill Shinn, Mark Vincent, Eileen Warren.
…and we pray for all who love and care for them.
We also pray for: Ann, Anna, Anne, Alan and Jean Bailey, Sue Bartrum,
Bernie Bottesch, David, Ethel Edwards, Margaret Gorman, Jenny Hall, Helen,
Liz Hughes, Joy Hukin, Jacquie, Jill, Brian Jones, Emily Kilby, Hanna King,
Michael Laurens, Alan Lawson, Adrian Lucas, Dot Milton, Agnes Emmanuel
Odiachi, Orla, Ian Stewart, Julia Stocker, Paul Street, John Toll, Ron Walters,
Lewis Willis, Jenny Yateman.
…and we pray for all who love and care for them.
We remember before God those who have died: Jon Stallworthy, Sanda
Haigh.
…and we pray for those who mourn.
Prayers for the World Church
For Dec 21st
Lebanon is the highest per capita refugee hosting nation in the world. There
are grave concerns about the stability of the country and about growing
hardship as winter sets in. CMS mission partners based at a church in Beirut,
are attempting to demonstrate, in the midst of tragedy, the good news of
God's Kingdom for people who have fled from Syria and Iraq. The church is
providing them with what practical and spiritual help it can muster. Let us
pray for these efforts and for the building up of peace at every level.
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For Dec 28th
God of compassion, we pray for the thousands of women men and children
in Gaza, who are wounded and scarred in body mind and spirit following the
latest war there last summer. We pray for the Anglican run Al Ahli Hospital,
the only Christian hospital in Gaza, that it may continue to be a place of
healing and a sign of hope. We pray also for the reconstruction of homes
destroyed in the war.
For Jan 4th
On World Braille Day, we honour the memory of Louis Braille and others who
contributed to the development of the Braille systems and equipment. Let us
pray that further technological advances will help more people who are blind
to benefit, and pray that the Christian Blind Mission will continue to extend its
work in service to the blind internationally.
4th January
Evensong Chants
Psalm 135
Magnificat
Nunc Dimittis
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What next?
I'm really delighted to be able to make public that I am to serve my Curacy in
nearby Baldock and Bygrave and look forward to joining the team there after
my ordination in July 2015.
As a family we will continue to live and worship in Hitchin. For the next few
years, I will be a non-stipendiary curate and will continue to work in London
full time. Though I hope to become a full time stipendiary minister in due
course. Who knows where that might lead?
I've enjoyed such tremendous support from this church throughout my
training for which I'm immensely grateful. Having lived in Hitchin and been a
part of St.Mary's congregation with my wife Rosie for almost 25 years, this is
going to be a significant and potentially difficult change for me and the family.
However, working in new situations is part of my continued training and
development as a deacon and priest. I feel that God is building up the
Church in this diocese. I pray that the links between the Baldock and Hitchin
teams that already exist will help me to be part of that process. Please pray
for us as I make this transition.
James Sawyer
Future Events
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8 January 8pm Mothers’ Union “Organ Donors” by Liz Brettle in Church
House
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11 January 4.30pm Epiphany Carol Service
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15 January 8pm Wives’ Group Beetle Drive in Church House
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17 Jan 7.30pm The Phantom of The Opera. Large screen showing of this
celebrated original 1925 silent film in St Mary’s Church, with live organ
accompaniment. Tickets £12 from any Churchwarden, or from Hitchin
Initiative, David’s Bookshop, or online from www,hitchinfilms,co,uk For further
details please pick up a flyer at the back of the church. In aid of church funds.
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24 January 10am-4pm Parish Quiet Day at the Focolare Centre, Welwyn
Garden City. This will be led by Canon Ian Laine, who until recently was Canon
Residentiary for Education at St. Albans Abbey. Cost will be £12. It is hoped we
will take a mini coach from the Parish so book early. If you wish to come please
complete the list at the back of the Church or contact Joan Worboys (434179)
or Michael Taylor (459611)
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7 March 10am-4pm Quiet Day at Holy Saviour. Connecting with God - Some
Different Ways of Praying both Old and New
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Notices
Christmas Flowers We would be very grateful to receive donations for
flowers at Christmas, there are 'flower donation boxes' on the end of the
pews nearest the north and south doors, and plates at the back of church.
We would also love to hear from anybody who would like to help with the
arranging. Margaret.
Gift Day Update: The total currently stands at £5038, excluding Gift Aid.
Thank you to all those who contributed. There is still time to make a donation
if you would like to do so. Place your gift in an envelope, marked Gift Day
and either hand to a Warden or leave in Church House addressed to the
Rector. Please complete the form attached to your original letter or complete
a white Gift Aid envelope and mark it ‘Gift Day’ if we can add Gift Aid to your
donation.
Midweek Services: we would like to encourage you to come to one or more
of our midweek services. These are all short services, but provide a time for
space, prayer and reflection in our busy days.
Morning Prayer: this is held on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 9.05am
and lasts about 15 minutes.
Midday Prayer: this is also a service of about 15 minutes held on a Monday,
Tuesday and Friday at 12.15pm.
Holy Communion: this is a service of about 30 minutes held on a Tuesday at
10.00am and a Thursday at 12.15pm.
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Holy Saviour 150 Anniversary Year: Holy Saviour is celebrating its 150
anniversary in 2015 with a programme of events throughout the year, Do
look at the Holy Saviour website http://holysaviourhitchin.org.uk for further
details of their celebrations. Don’t forget that the Christmas Tree Festival is
still on this afternoon!
MS Charity Calendars: David and Ann Norman's daughter-in-law, Carmen,
has produced an appointments calendar featuring her photos of the Lake
District, and they are on sale to raise funds for the MS Society at a cost of
£6. A sample can be viewed, or calendars purchased, by getting in touch
with David or Ann on 01462 434778 or at [email protected]. Help
in raising funds for the Society's work would be very much appreciated.
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RSCM Voices seasonal away days. St Mary’s Choir members of RSCM
Voices have recently sung Evensong in Romsey Abbey, Hampshire, and
Advent Carols in Rothwell Parish Church. As Christmas approaches, the
Voices’ charity collecting tins will again be active at a carolling event from 4nd
6pm on the move at Gatwick Airport on Monday 22 December.
Hitchin Foodbank: The foodbank urgently requests the following items this
month:
• Milk (UHT or powdered)
• Fruit juice (UHT)
• Sponge pudding (tinned)
• Toiletries for men and women
Thank you for your continuing contributions.
St Mary’s Contacts
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Team Rector and Vicar - Canon Michael Roden  452758 in the first
instance, otherwise  434017. Please send all mail to Church House.
Michael’s day off is Wednesday.
Parish Office  452758 email: [email protected]
Team Rector's Secretary - Dorothy Grieves  432951
Churchwardens – Michael Taylor 459611, Robin Sternberg
684588 & Derry Charman 420665
Verger - Stephen Holland  07904 305743
Director of Music – Alan Childs 01582 883420
email: [email protected]
St Mary’s Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/StMarysChurchHitchin
All other St Mary’s contacts are published on the first Sunday in the
month in the Bulletin Supplement.
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