All Saints Margaret Street.

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”  Jesus asks this referring to John the Baptist who is already in prison for saying undiplomatic truths about Herod and his marital arrangements.

John, who looms large in Advent, would probably not do well in the Church of England’s process for selecting ordination candidates, or the interviews which are now usual for  clergy appointments.  Much too plain-spoken for the parish of Much Snoring in the Wold.

This Sunday’s Collect was composed for the 1662 Prayer Book by John Cosin, who was made Bishop of Durham after returning from exile during the Commonwealth.  The Prayer Book Gospel for Advent 3 (Matthew 11.2-11) is the same as in the Common Worship Lectionary this Sunday.

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see, a reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?”

Preachers have to beware the tendency to assume the role of prophet to justify berating their hapless parishioners. You know the sort of thing – taking out our frustration about the folk who aren’t there on those who are; ungraciously lecturing Midnight Mass congregations because we won’t see many of them again until next Christmas! 

But the clergy we pray for in this collect, the “ministers and stewards of God’s mysteries”, (from the Prayer Book Epistle for Advent 3: 1 Corinthians 4. 1-5) are meant, like John the Baptist,  to “prepare and make ready (Christ’s) way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.”  If we neglect that responsibility in favour of easy popularity or a quiet life; if our lifestyles do not lend credibility to what we preach – those in rich clothing may be found in palaces but ought not to be in vicarages, we will have to answer for it one day.

But all of us, lay as well as cleric, have to ask what we come to church to see and hear.  We come, yes, for the assurance and comfort of God’s love, but not that alone. We come also to hear the word of God which speaks to the situation of our world; the word which reveals what we are and challenges us to be what God intends us to be. We should expect those who proclaim that word to us, to sit under its judgement themselves. We should expect that it will change their lives and ours too. We should expect more than comfortable words. And the good news is that, if we get more, then we will feel far better for it than any amount of pious platitudes can make us.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alan Moses 

PRAYER DIARY:
Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Harry Allan, Peter Burbidge, Margaret Campbell, Loretta Cappelluti, Rachel Clayton, Rosie Davis, Ursula Edwards, Arthur Fearns, Charles Forker, Joan Foster, Denise Inge, Philip Harland, Mason Jacobsen, Rachel Jackson-Stevens, Jill, Katherine Lee, Christine Loffty, Joshua Levy, Marimar Perez Fabo, Celia Shore, Stephen Short, Andrew Tillyard, Jo Vincent, Paolla Vincentin, Fr Stephen Williams.

For the recently departed: Raymond Chapman (Priest), Din Callan-Jones, Pamela Freer, Nelson Mandela, Sandra O’Brien, Pamela Freer, Thomas Vaughan, Sister Mary Magdalene SOG.

At the anniversary of their death (during the coming week): James Forsyth, Doris King, Leonard Beeken, Edwin Forsyth, Joan Gower, Philip Prain, Ena Knight, Lily King, Jack Monk, Charlie Hillier, Adam Reddington, Harry Nuttall.

WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS THIS SUNDAY:

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – 15 DECEMBER 2013: Music and Preachers: 

HIGH MASS 11am
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Mass for four voices – Byrd  
Rorarte cœli desuper – Byrd

CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION 6pm
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Service in E – Watson  
This is the record of John – Gibbons

EVENTS THIS COMING WEEKEND AND WEEK

Sunday 15 December, ADDITIONAL MEETING OF THE ALL SAINTS PCC – to consider an application for a Faculty for the New Lighting and Electrical Installation project. 

Sunday 15 December, SUNDAY LUNCH £5.00. This is the last lunch being served in 2013 and will be a traditional Christmas Lunch. In 2014 lunches will recommence a few weeks into the New Year.

OPEN NOW until lunchtime on Friday 20 December – CARD AID SHOP in the Parish Room, opening: Mon – Sat 11 – 3 (closed Sun). Card Aid shops offer an unrivalled range of cards, with the assurance that ALL profits from cards sold are going to charity. Award winning Peace Oil is also available.  

Thursday 19 December 2013, 6.30pm CAROL SINGING IN OXFORD STREET – please join us (meet at the Parish Office) to come out and sing and collect for the Church Army Hostel Emergency Bed supported by All Saints Margaret Street. For further information, speak to Janet Drake.

Sunday 22 December, TEACHING THE FAITH AT ALL SAINTS – Ten-to-One Talk Series by the Vicar: WHY DO YOU DO THAT? – Christmas: Carols and the Crib. The bell will ring to announce the start of the talk.

NEXT SUNDAY – 22 DECEMBER 2013 – THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Music and Preachers:
HIGH MASS 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Mass movements – Mendelssohn    
A Hymn to the Virgin – Britten

CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION 6pm
Preacher: Fr Neil Bunker
The Short Service – Weelkes
The Angel Gabriel – trad Basque, arr Pettman

NOTICES & NEWS

CALLING ALL WOULD-BE CAROL SINGERS!

Thursday 19 December 2013, 6.30pm for 6.45 – 7.30pm, All Saints is carol singing in Oxford Street once again and we need cheerful singers to make a joyful & pleasant sound. Please join us (meet in the Parish Office at 6.30pm) to sing and collect for two homeless charity projects in London – West London Day Centre and the Church Army Hostel for Homeless Women in Marylebone. Wrap warmly! Mulled wine to thank you afterwards in the Vicarage.  For further information, please speak to Janet Drake and let her or the Parish Office know if you can come and be part of the merry band.

CHURCH ARMY HOSTEL CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Thank you to everyone who kindly donated socks, blankets, bubble bath, soaps, scarves, perfume and chocolates to the collection for the Hostel for Homeless Women. Today a well filled car-load of goodies was delivered by Janet Drake and Frances O’Neil and will make a Happy Christmas for a good number of homeless women.  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP!

Friday 20 December 2013, 12.30pm LUNCHTIME CAROL SERVICE
For the next week before 20 December volunteers are needed to distribute publicity leaflets about this service around the Parish, and then on the day itself to assist with refreshments (serving Mulled Wine and Mince Pies). Please contact Janet Drake (Tel: 020 7278 9930) if you are able to volunteer some time. Donations for the mince pies and wine also gratefully received!

ALL SAINTS RESTORATION APPEAL – Church Lighting & Electrical Renewal

Update on Fundraising – we have already raised £152,000 (with anticipated Gift Aid) or 61%, towards our total of £250,000.  The balance we still need to fund-raise for is £98,000

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed so generously to this important project; we are very grateful.

If you have still to contribute, please make cheques payable to: All Saints Margaret Street PCC Restoration Account and send to Restoration Appeal, All Saints Church Parish Office,
7 Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG. 

If you are a UK tax payer and have signed/will sign a Gift Aid declaration with us, your donation to the Appeal is increased by 25%.  Please indicate that you wish your donation to be Gift Aided and ensure we have your full name (with initial/s), address and postcode. If you are unsure if you have signed a Gift Aid declaration form, please pick one up from the table in church, complete the details and return with your donation to: Mrs Dee Prior, Parish Administrator.

2014 ALL SAINTS LICENSED CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARDS

These are now available in the All Saints Bar at £3.00 for the calendar year (same rate as 2013). Please see one of the Bar team after Mass or Choral Evensong.

CHRISTMASTIDE AT ALL SAINTS
All welcome – please bring some friends!

Monday 16 December 2013, 6pm – FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS and CAROLS
Featuring the full Choir of All Saints. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

Friday 20 December 2013, 12.30pm – LUNCHTIME CAROL SERVICE
Featuring a soloist from the Choir of All Saints – Jennifer Snapes.
Mince pies and mulled wine served afterwards – join us and take a restorative break from work!

Tuesday 24 December, 11pm – MIDNIGHT HIGH MASS AND BLESSING OF THE CRIB – Missa Sancti Nicolai – Haydn and O magnum mysterium – Victoria Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses

Wednesday 25 December, 11am – CHRISTMAS DAY HIGH MASS  (Low Mass 9am) Spatzenmesse – Mozart and In dulci jubilo – trad carol, arr Pearsall
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning

Sunday 29 December, 11am – FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
Mass in G minor – Rheinberger and I sing of a maiden – Hadley
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses 

Monday 6 January 2014 – THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD – Procession and High Mass, 6.30pm – Missa ‘Bel’ amfitrit altera’– Lassus and Magi videntes stellam – Clemens non Papa
Preacher: Canon Michael Hempel, St Paul’s Cathedral

Sunday 12 January 2014 – THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST – High Mass, 11am
Missa Brevis – Berkeley and Lo, star-led chiefs – Crotch
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses

Sunday 12 January 2014 – Epiphany Carol Service, 6pm
A service of Readings and Music for the Ephiphany with the Choir of All Saints

FUTURE EVENTS (note for your diary)

Sunday 26 January 2014 – 7.15pm (after Evensong & Benediction) – ORGAN RECITAL – Charles Andrews, Associate Director of Music All Saints. Programme includes works by J. S. Bach and Karg-Elert. Post recital collection in aid of Choir and Music at All Saints.

If you would like to encourage others to receive this weekly email, please forward this email on to them, or people you would like to invite to services. If you know of others who would like to receive this correspondence, or for whom you would like prayers offered at All Saints, please ask them to email the Parish Administrator Mrs Dee Prior at: astsmgtst@aol.com.

If you would like any pastoral assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses: alanmoses111@gmail.com.