St Matthew's Church, Northampton
Worship & Prayer
Patronal Festival at St Matthew's Church
Saturday 21st September 2024
The 131st Patronal Festival at St Matthew's Church, Northampton will not only celebrate St Matthew's feast day but also mark the anniversary
of the church's founding. The church was consecrated on St Matthew's Day, 21st September 1893, by the Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Revd Mandell
Creighton, who also appointed Revd John Rowden Hussey as its first vicar. The church was built in memory of Pickering Phipps II, a former
mayor and MP, with land donated by his family in honor of his legacy.
The festival will feature a procession and parish mass with guest preacher Fr Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints Church, Northampton,
alongside Assistant Curate Nicolas Boisson as deacon. This day is a celebration of the faithful witness of generations past, offering thanks
to God for the blessings bestowed upon the parish over the years.
In the evening, the Ron Gates Memorial Organ Recital will honor the memory of Ron Gates, a highly respected organist from Northampton,
especially remembered for his work at All Saints Church. The recital, performed by Tom Moore, Director of Music at St Matthew's, will include
music from the British Isles and France, paying tribute to Gates' lifelong dedication to church music.
This year's festival is a reflection of St Matthew's long-standing commitment to spiritual growth, cultural enrichment, and community service.
The dedication of its founders and the support from generations of parishioners has cemented the church's role as a beacon in Northampton.
For more information on the event and to participate in the celebrations, you can
visit he St Matthew's website.
Pentecost on BBC One
Pentecost Live on BBC One
Sunday 19th May 2024
We were delighted to announce at the beginning of April that the BBC will broadcast our Pentecost morning service live on BBC One. This special airing will seamlessly
integrate with our standard worship practices, likely eliminating the need for our own livestream of the service.
The service will be led by the Reverend Oliver Coss, Rector of All Saints' Church, and the preacher will be the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin, the Bishop of Peterborough
on her first visit to All Saints'. The choirs will be singing a mass setting by Franz Schubert, and the anthem is Mozart's setting of Veni sancte Spiritus.
Intensive planning is now underway for the BBC Broadcast of 'A celebration for Pentecost'. While the broadcast will begin at 10.30am, we invite you to come a little
earlier from 9.30am and take part in the congregational warm-ups before the service begins. This will ensure we're all in good voice ready to share our worship with
the nation. Please note that it won't be possible to enter the church once the broadcast has commenced.
Please do pass the details around - it would be splendid to see a good crowd. On the day of Pentecost, you're also invited to Pentecost in the Park
from 2.00 pm at Abington Park Bandstand, joining with other Christians from across the denominations to give thanks for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Please remember our staff and volunteers in your prayers as this special act of worship approaches, and don't forget to turn up or tune in on the day itself.
The Ordination of Mr Nicolas Boisson as Deacon
Thursday 18th July 2024
We announced recently that Mr Nicolas Boisson is to become our Assistant Curate this summer. His ordination as deacon will take place in All Saints'
Church on the evening of Thursday 18th July 2024, at 7.15pm. Please mark the date in your diaries. We hope that refreshments will follow.
Please pray for those to be ordained. This prayer comes from the Book of Common Prayer:
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son: Mercifully
look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may
lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And
to those which shall be ordained to any holy function give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine
they may set forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 21st April 2024
In the gospel reading from John 10 Jesus declares himself to be the Good Shepherd,
who lays down his life for the sheep. We recall that we are part of one flock because we have one shepherd, and that - as our Lady
Chapel window pictured here shows - Jesus called Peter to feed his sheep and care for his lambs.
The preacher at 10.30am this week will be the Reverend Haydon Spenceley, Diocesan Director of Ordinands. He's visiting us following
the announcement last week that Nicolas Boisson will be ordained to our parish in the summer to serve as Assistant Curate for the
next three years. It's also Vocations Sunday, and we pray for vocations to the sacred ministry and to the religious life, praying
that God's voice will be heard and responded to by those whom he is calling.
There's music by Stanford and Mendelssohn's epic 'I waited for the Lord' to look forward to. At 8.00am we'll celebrate Holy Communion
according to the Book of Common Prayer.
All are welcome, no charge to enter. It'll be really good.
The Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday 7th April 2024
Easter, surely the greatest festival of the Christian faith, is a celebration that lasts for eight days. The Paschal Candle has
been burning throughout our worship this week, and this Sunday - known as the Octave Day of Easter - marks the end of this
celebration and our settling into the season of Eastertide.
In tomorrow's gospel reading, from John 20.19-31, we'll hear about the appearance of the risen Lord to the disciples, but not to
Thomas. When Thomas hears about this, reacts indignantly to the idea that Jesus has risen, and yet a week later Thomas is on his
knees before the Lord, declaring 'My Lord and my God!'
Worship at All Saints takes place at 8am, 9.15am, and 10.30am tomorrow -- and all are welcome. May the light of Christ, burning
in glory, aid our unbelief.
Resurrexit, sicut Dixit
Easter and the Holy Feasts for 2024
The Announcement of Easter, and of the Holy Feasts for 2024 is part of our Epiphanytide celebrations. All are welcome at our acts of
worship, and there's no charge to enter. Our 10.30am Sunday services are livestreamed through the church's
YouTube Channel.
Traditionally, members of the congregation have helped sponsor the Easter candle and other essential sundries for Holy Week and
Easter. This includes items such as flowers, incense, candles etc. We would be most grateful for any financial help to cover the
costs this year. Please contact the wardens if you are able to help.
Sunday 24th March 2024 - Palm Sunday
8:00am |
Holy Communion. |
10:30am |
Liturgy of the Palms, Procession and Solemn Mass. |
Monday 25th March 2024 - Fig Monday
Tuesday 26th March 2024 - Temple Tuesday
Wednesday 27th March 2024 - Spy Wednesday
12:00 noon |
Stations of the Cross &Mass. |
5:30pm |
Choral Evensong. |
The Triduum Sacrum begins
Thursday 28th March 2024 - Maundy Thursday
7:45pm |
Mass of the Lord's Supper followed by the Gethsemane Watch. |
Friday 29th March 2024 - Good Friday
12:00 noon |
Stations of the Cross. |
1:45pm |
The Good Friday Liturgy. |
Saturday 30th March 2024 - Holy Saturday
9:00am |
Morning Prayer followed by Church Cleaning & Decorating. |
7:45pm |
The Easter Vigil. |
Sunday 31st March 2024 - Easter Day
8:00am |
Holy Communion. |
10:30am |
Choral Eucharist for Easter Day. |
Blessing of palm branches on the portico
Palm Sunday
23rd March 2024
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and the very beginning of Holy Week. Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8:00am.
As part of the Choral Eucharist at 10.30am, we gather on the portico to bless palm branches, process around
the church, recalling the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The Passion according to St Mark, arranged
by Lassus, will be sung.
All are welcome at any of our acts of worship. Please be advised that the annual Laforey Day parade will also be
taking place on Sunday morning - please leave a little extra time for your journey