Date: Sunday 1st December 2024
Time: 9.15am

From the Church of England website;

"Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming (adventus) of Christ in his incarnation, and also looks ahead to his final advent as judge at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ’s birth, they also challenge the modern reluctance to confront the theme of divine judgement.

The Four Last Things – Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell – have been traditional themes for Advent meditation. The characteristic note of Advent is therefore expectation, rather than penitence, although the character of the season is easily coloured by an analogy with Lent.

The anticipation of Christmas under commercial pressure has also made it harder to sustain the appropriate sense of alert watchfulness, but the fundamental Advent prayer remains ‘Maranatha’ – ‘Our Lord, come’ (1 Corinthians 16.22).

Church decorations are simple and spare, and purple is the traditional liturgical colour. In the northern hemisphere, the Advent season falls at the darkest time of the year, and the natural symbols of darkness and light are powerfully at work throughout Advent and Christmas. The lighting of candles on an Advent wreath was imported into Britain from northern Europe in the nineteenth century, and is now a common practice. The Moravian custom of the Christingle has similarly enjoyed great success in Britain since the latter part of the twentieth century, with the encouragement of the Children’s Society; Christingle services may take place before or after Christmas.

The Third Sunday of Advent was observed in medieval times as a splash of colour in the restrained atmosphere of Advent (Gaudete or ‘Rose Sunday’), and the last days of Advent were marked by the sequence of Great ‘O’ Antiphons, which continue to inspire modern Advent hymns and meditations".

Date: Sunday 8th December 2024
Time: 6.00pm

STOP PRESS ... STOP PRESS ...

DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS EVENT WILL NOW BE HELD INSIDE THE CHURCH - PLEASE JOIN US THERE 

We have had the Tree of Light since 2015 and each year it shines through the darkness from early December until Epiphany, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the lives of  those we have lost and those we still have and are so grateful for.

We will be getting together in the Churchyard to light the tree and the crib, sing in Christmas and keep warm with mulled wine or spiced apple juice heated on fire pits.

Put the person's name, with a message if you want, on a star and hang it from the tree.

Each star costs £1 and all proceeds will be go to the maintenance of St Peter's. Stars are available for purchase on the night or in advance at the Community Market, Stanton Lacy Village Hall on 30th November (where St. Peter's Church Christmas Draw tickets will also be for sale).

Alternatively, you can buy your star by Jennette Arnold on ‭07568 083322.

If you would sooner buy online, then go to the DONATE page of this website, follow the links through to the payment section and specify the amount you would like to donate. When you get to the comments section just add in the words 'Tree of Light' and you can pick up your star when you come to the service.

Please join us - it will be lovely to see you and sing together.

 

Date: Tuesday 10th December 2024

Time: 10am onwards

Our friends at 'Caring for God's Acre' have been doing stirling work in the old Churchyard at St Peter's and we are always grateful to them. 

But, the churchyard is very large and we need more volunteers to help to keep it in shape.

We'll be working there from 10am on 5th November to continue the good work. But, we need all the help we can get. So, please join us.

You'll need gloves and stout clothing and please bring your own tools to use - scythes, sickles,  secateurs, shears ... To minimise the impact on wildlife we will be using just one strimmer, so you can leave yours at home.

We'll look forward very much to seeing you.

'Caring for God's Acre' are part of the movement to ensure churchyards remain "beautiful, accessible and connected to their communities". Let's make that a reality for St Peter's and Stanton Lacy.

 

Date: Tuesday 24th December 2024
Time: 3pm - 4pm

Venue: Stanton Lacy Village Hall

The Christmas Eve Carols event will take place place as usual in the Stanton Lacy Village Hall.

Members of the Congregation will join with others across the Parish as we all sing our favourite traditional Christmas carols.

Everyone welcome.

Date: Tuesday 24th December 2024

Time: 11.30pm

Gather with us for Midnight Mass as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ into the world.

This late-night service starts on Christmas Eve and ends just after midnight, so you’re among the first to celebrate Christmas!

Image by J. S. Arnold

We managed to begin organising events again at St Peter's, post-Covid, from September 2021.

If you would like to see what we have been up to, please click on the link below;

Previous Events