Christine Wilson, Dean Mark Hocknull, Chancellor John Patrick, Subdean
Philippa White, Succentor
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit, these simple and familiar words, communicate the fact that at the heart of the Advent and Christmas story is that our faith is not something we achieve but something we receive. Christ’s coming amongst us does not depend on our efforts. All we have to do is to hand ourselves over to God and receive his greatest gift – God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son…
Many of us are now in the midst of frenetic preparations for Christmas and I wish you all the best in your preparations for the Festive Season. But now, in Advent, we are reminded that the real meaning of Christmas is to be found in the slow maturing will of God which comes as a pin point of light into the darkness; a pin point but nonetheless a light which the darkness will never put out and which comes to us as a message of love and peace, compassion and justice.
It’s a light that enlightens our troubled and divided world and speaks into places where there is destruction and violence; where there is depression and social disintegration; and where there is also personal tragedy and suffering. It is into this situation that Christ comes as a message of peace. God loves the world so much: God loves YOU so much that he sends his only Son to you not to condemn you but so that you might be saved. He comes as a light to lighten the darkness and with the promise that the dark will never extinguish the light. Above all he comes as God’s gift to you. You can never “earn” God’s love; you can never save yourself from the predicament you are in. You do not have to do anything, but receive what God has done for you – what he gives you as a free gift.
Are you ready to receive? That is the real preparation require for Christmas. When Christ first came to Bethlehem he was crowded out – there was not room for him in the bustle. Are we ready to make room in our crowded lives for Jesus? “The true light which enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth” (John 1.9-14)
John Patrick, Subdean
Grants & Donations Officer, Matthew Tarling writes… For an unusual Christmas gift, why not consider adopting a stone, book, organ pipe or manuscript. Starting at just £25 (illuminations £150), these are gifts that last a lifetime! Visit www.lincolncathedral.com or telephone 01522 561613 for more information or to adopt. Alternatively, Cathedral membership from just £24 or a Community Card at £39.99 both make interesting gifts that last until next Christmas!
Santa Fun Run, Sunday 11 December 2016 There will be restricted access and parking in Minster Yard and uphill Lincoln between 0800 and 1300.
faith@lincolncathedral Everybody is welcome to come along to faith@lincolncathedral! There is one more discussion evening before Christmas, meeting at the Victoria (top of Union Road, near the corner with Westgate and Burton Road) at 7 for 7.30pm: Wednesday 14th December – Rocking around the Christmas Tree and Joy to the World – do they have anything in common?
Christmas Eve Carol Service, Saturday 24 December 4.00pm Congregation Tickets – a limited number of tickets for members of the regular Cathedral congregation, for seats in the crossing, will be available from Sunday 11th December. Tickets may be collected in person from the Vergers Vestry. Please note seats will be reserved until 1530 only.
La Nativité du Seigneur, Sunday 18 December 5.30pm Join us for the annual performance of La Nativité du Seigneur played on the world famous ‘Father Willis’ organ and performed by our own Organist Laureate, Colin Walsh. The performance will comprise of a series of meditations for the organ, which explore the story of Christmas.
Written in 1935 by Olivier Messiaen, it is considered to be one of the greatest organ works of all time. Performed in the Nave of Lincoln Cathedral, this is one Christmas tradition not to be missed. Tickets cost £6 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets please visit the Cathedral Shop or www.LincolnCathedral.com.
Ruth at Visitor Services writes… We are looking to recruit a Lincoln Cathedral Ambassador to provide a warm welcome in Castle Square engaging with potential visitors, giving out leaflets and encouraging people to step inside the Cathedral. The role is part-time, Saturday’s only from 13.30-16.00.
Details and an application pack can be found on the website at: https://lincolncathedral.com/get-involved/current-vacancies/ or contact the Visitor Services Team Leader on 01522 504392 or email vstl@lincolncathedral.com. All applications must be received by Wednesday 21st December 2016.
Messy Cathedral, Saturday 07 January 2017 By popular request, we will be celebrating Epiphany with a Messy Cathedral event. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy a morning of craft and messy science activities, a celebration and lunch, all on the theme of “Light in the Darkness.” Messy Cathedral is church for the whole family: so please bring your children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces and nephews – and let your friends know! If anyone would like to help out on the day or by helping to prepare beforehand, that would be brilliant (if you don’t have under-11s to bring, that would be the best way to enjoy the day!) Please contact the Succentor curate@lincolncathedral.com Tel: 01522 567004.
Bible Studies Series, starting on Monday 9th January 2017 A series of Bible Studies is planned for the new year. Meetings will be held at St. Anne’s House, 27 Sewell Road, Lincoln, LN2 5RY from 7.30 – 9.00pm on alternate Monday evenings. Leaflets setting out the programme are available on the choir aisle tables. For further details please contact Frederick Hackett Tel; (01522 524091). Everyone is welcome.
Dates for your diary: 2017
St. John Passion by J.S. Bach performed by Lincoln Cathedral Choir, Saturday 1 April. Tickets for this event are on sale now and are available from www.LincolnCathedral.com or the Cathedral Shop.
Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical, Tuesday 22 August to Friday 1 September (no performance on Sunday 27 August). Tickets will be available to purchase from Tuesday 14 February 2017 via www.LincolnCathedral.com
Charter of the Forest Dinner, Friday 22 September. Bookings will open in Spring 2017. Corporate and private sponsorship packages are available to book now. For further information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Alex Schimmel: eventsmanager@lincolncathedral.com
Bible Readings
Sunday 11 December Third Sunday of Advent
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 35.1-10; James 5.7-10; Matthew 11.2-11
Mattins Zephaniah 3.14-end; Philippians 4.4-7
Evening Prayer Isaiah 5.8 – end; Acts 13.13-41
Sunday 18 December Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 7.10-16; Romans 1.1-7; Matthew 1.18-end
Mattins Micah 5.2-5a; Luke 1.26-38
Evensong 1 Samuel 1.1-20; Revelation 22.6-end
Sunday 25 December Christmas Day
Sung Eucharist Isaiah 52.7-10; Hebrews 1.1- 4 [5-12]; John 1.1-14
Evensong Isaiah 65.17-25; Luke 2.1-20
