A Novena simply means nine days of prayer.
Pentecost Novenas are held between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday, when many people and churches join together in prayer. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are asking churches to pray for the evangelisation of the nation during the week before Pentecost Sunday.
Premier Christian Radio is praying each day for different groups of people, such as leaders, refugees and young people.
AnEcumenical Pentecost 2016 Novena Prayer Serviceis being promoted here in the Northampton Diocese, so that prayers are said each day in different churches for the Holy Spirit to renew us, and our church, and our whole world.
More details on the Ecumenical Events page
The violin music Veni Creator Spiritus is based on a prayer to the Holy Spirit, first sung in the 9th century at Pentecost.
Singers from nearby churches are
preparing for a Christmas Flashmob in the local shopping centre Giving out Christmas baubles and invitations to churches celebrating the Birth of Jesus, with Mary, Joseph and three kings making a special appearance.
WHY? To remind shoppers what Christmas is really about, in case they have forgotten, or didn’t know in the first place. LINK to Christmas Flash mob
MUSIC FOR CHRISTMASby Teresa Brown Gloria! Gloria! in excelsis Deo! Sheet Music available now
Contact Devine Music
But before Christmas, comes ADVENT. Time to prepare!
MUSIC FOR ADVENT by Teresa Brown
Prepare for the Coming of the Lord
Prepare for the Coming of the Lord Keep watch through the darkness of the night Wait in joyful hope for the coming of the King And the dawn of eternal light
Sheet Music for voice, keyboard, guitar, flute and clarinet Available from Devine Music
“Sing the Gospel!” workshop led by Bill Tamblyn (www.billtamblyn.co.uk) at Christ the King, Bedford on 14th November was organised by the Northampton Diocesan Liturgy Commission, Music Section. We sang a lot of Gospel music, and learnt a lot about it too. Thanks Bill!
The theme of this year’s pilgrimage from Northampton Diocese to Walsingham was Mary. Woman of Silence. There was little time for silence for the musicians except when Bishop Peter invited everyone to be silent for a minute during the Mass. That was a very prayerful moment.
The singers and instrumentalists came from Bedford, Milton Keynes and Wellingborough and joined with others from St Aidan’s, St Gregory’s and the Cathedral Choir in Northampton to lead the singing in the Reconciliation Chapel. Music List here
Walsingham 2015 These fantastic musicians all understand music as a ministry, and they led the singing at the two services very beautifully. It made all the preparations and rehearsals worthwhile!
Having been to Walsingham many times over the years, there are now signs that Something Big is happening in Walsingham, with plans for a new retreat centre, Conference centre and a Catholic Media hub as well as completing the restoration of the Slipper Chapel Shrine, all within the next three years. Details here www.walsinghamdevelopment.org
Changes have already begun, and the Holy Ghost Chapel looks completely different now. For the sake of nostalgia, this is what is used to be like.
Holy Ghost chapel Walsingham 2014
Perhaps for health and safety reasons, all the candles that used to be lit in this part of the shrine are now reduced down to one candlestand.
Next, in Northampton, the Sion Community are leading a mission at Sacred Heart Church. The mission theme is ‘I have called you by your name’ and the music will be led by Gerry Markland, who wrote the song ‘Do not be afraid…. for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are mine.’
School Pastor Karen had news of a second school taking part, Adam Eakins talked of the success of AHoF in the park, Joe Story shared some plans for a really useful charity shop – no wonder he looks happy! Steve challenged everyone with John 17… so that the world may believe; we added the names of churches to the cross and prayed “may they all be one”.
Prayer and Praise for Northampton is held in different churches on the first Monday of the month. Recent photos from the New Testament Church of God and All Nations were taken by Antony Denman.
Praise and Worship in different churches
On the first Monday of the month
Choir at the New Testament Church of God
Music group & extra musicians
Choir at All Nations Church
Time to talk to someone you don't know
In December 2014 Helen Boardman spoke about the Force Fire and Faith meeting to be held – with the Police Force, Fire Brigade and Faith leaders – to make Northamptonshire the safest place in England.
In January 2015 Nick Amis came from the Cinnamon Trust to speak about the Faith Audit which is now being carried out, to inform the government of the many good works done by all churches in the county.
In February, Robert Chirgwin spoke about the Prayer Call of 1784, in which it was said that: The grand object in prayer is to be, that the Holy Spirit may be poured down on our ministers and churches, that sinners may be converted, the saints edified, the interest of religion revived, and the Name of God glorified. Over 200 years ago, meetings began on the first Monday of the month. . . sounds familiar.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are asking churches to pray for the evangelisation of the nation during the week before Pentecost Sunday.
Read and reflect more on the Holy Spirit
