Author: Reuben

2nd Sunday before Advent Sunday 19 November 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
Heavenly Lord,
you long for the world’s salvation:
stir us from apathy,
restrain us from excess
and revive in us new hope
that all creation will one day be healed
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Zephaniah 1.7, 12–18
A reading from the book of the prophet Zephaniah.
7 Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is at hand; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests. 12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do harm.’ 13 Their wealth shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them. 14 The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter, the warrior cries aloud there. 15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. 17 I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the LORD, their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath; in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed; for a full, a terrible end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
Responsorial Psalm 90:1-8
Response: O Lord my God, in you I take refuge.
Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another. Before the mountains were brought forth, or the earth and the world were formed, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. R You turn us back to dust and say: “Turn back, O children of earth.” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday, which passes like a watch in the night. R You sweep them away like a dream; they fade away suddenly like the grass. In the morning it is green and flourishes; in the evening it is dried up and withered. R For we consume away in your displeasure; we are afraid at your wrathful indignation. You have set our misdeeds before you and our secret sins in the light of your countenance. R
SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 5.1–11
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.
1 Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 When they say, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden

destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!
4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Matthew 25.14–30
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew GLORY TO YOU O LORD
Jesus said to his disciples, 14 ‘The kingdom of heaven is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” 21 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” 23 His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26 But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”’
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
Gracious Lord,
in this holy sacrament you give substance to our hope:
bring us at the last to that fullness of life for which we long;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

The materials used in this sheet are from the Common Worship materials of the Church of England www.churchofengland.org all Bible verses are from NRSV translation this sheet created by Fr Reuben James Preston SCP OblOSB rectorofsharnbrook@rjpmedia.co.uk www.sharnbrookcofechurches.org

The United Benefice of Sharnbrook, Felmersham and Knotting with Souldrop
St Peter’s Church, Sharnbrook MK44 1HU, St Mary’s Church, Felmersham MK43 7JP All Saints Church, Souldrop MK44 1EX www.sharnbrookcofechurches.org Welcome to church—may God richly bless you today!

Worship in the Benefice today-2nd before Advent 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion with RnS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1500 Souldrop Parish Communion 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong—LLW Rosemary
Monday—Lesser Festival- Edmund, Martyr, 870 1130 Sharnbrook Messy Church 1330 Souldrop Funeral and Burial of Late James York 2000 Christian Meditation in SPR Tuesday—-feria
1500 depart for parish Launde Abbey Advent Retreat: Now is the time
Wednesday—Commemoration-Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c.230 parish Launde Abbey Advent Retreat: Now is the time
0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion by Extension—LLW Andrea Thursday—Lesser Festival-Clement, Martyr, c.100 parish Launde Abbey Advent Retreat: Now is the time
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion by Extension—LLW Andrea Friday-feria -parish Launde Abbey Advent Retreat: Now is the time Saturday—Commemoration-Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century Next Sunday—Christ the King 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion with RnS 1100 Felmersham Choral Matins 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong—LLW JaneT
The Benefice Diary is online on the websites www.sharnbrookcofechurches.org & www.felmersham.net

Christian Meditation Group meets on Mondays 2000 in SPR—all welcome!

TODAY Supporting the Flower Guild—there will be a bucket retiring collection today at St Peters to raise funds towards the work of the creating a St Peters display at the St Paul’s Candlemas Festival.

rEFORMATIONs—this is the last week to add your comments and throughts to the church doors of St Peters. On Christ the King they will be taken down and turned into a booklet to mark our remembering of the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s words. Add your comments and thoughts to get the conversation going

SCRUB n PUB—thank you to the 20-odd villagers who came to help clean All Saints and the churchyard on Sat 11 Nov—thank you for your hard work and joining in looking after All Saints

Launde Abbey 2018 Retreat Programmes now in church to take LENT retreat: Be Radiant Mon 5-8 Mar—book your place and add your name to the list if you want to go. Looking at Ps34

An Advent Quiet Day with John’s Gospel Sat 9 Dec 9am-4pm in St Peters: a day of reflection for Advent £15 book with Andrea—including breakfast, lunch, tea with teaching input from Dean Richard Burridge and times of quiet and reflection and liturgical prayer

Church Contacts
The Rector: Reuben Preston, The Rectory, 81 High Street, Sharnbrook MK44 1PE 01234 782000 07971 895897 rectorofsharnbrook@rjpmedia.co.uk
Lay Leaders of Worship: Rosemary Drewery 07792926004, Jane Templeman, Andrea Maffie 07881 046255 Churchwardens:- St Peter’s Church: Roland Carpenter 01234 781551 St Mary’s Church: Jane Wells 01234 782462 &
Sue Whitehouse 01234 781300 All Saints Church: Nick Wells 07841 759497 Safeguarding Co-Ord: Rosemary Drewery 07792 926004 Items for inclusion should be sent to sharnbrookbenefice@gmail.com by 0900 on Wednesdays.

Intercessions The sick and in need: David, Barbara, Martin, Mary, Linda, Judy, Marjorie, Connie, Doreen, Hanne, & James, The Departed: James York, Denis Scott & Arthur Ward Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector Pray for people struggling with depression Thanksgiving for the peace and freedoms we enjoy Pray for our rota organizers and PCC Secretaries

To make arrangements for Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms/Christenings, Confessions, House Blessings etc. please contact the Rector

Spnsorship: in memory of the late Janet Humphrey If you would like to sponsor this sheet please send you £5 donation to The Rectory along with details of the sponsorship (even if anonymous)

3 Sunday morning Readers at St Peter’s needed for the Rota—please see Roland if you would like to give this a go!

Sharnbrook extra-ordinary Annual Parochial Meeting on Wed 31 May 2017 at 7:30pm for the election of churchwardens

LAUNDE Abbey retreat programmes available—let’s go to the ADVENT Retreat Tues 21 Nov—Fri 24 Nov 2017 £245 plus travel—Pick up a leaflet in Church for details.
Book your own place & Please Add you name to the list in church so we know who has decided to sign up.

STOP PRESS– Grenfell Tower collection after each service today. If you would like to contribute to the relief help which has been offered to the Grenfell Tower survivors please put your contribution in the box/plate after the services today

Benefice Warden’s meeting Thursday 22 June 7:30pm in Souldrop

The OT Apocrapha books can be found online at http://bible.oremus.org
There are 14 books in the OT Apocrapha which the Church o England uses in the lectionary and they are used to edify the people but not derive doctrine.

THANK YOU to the flower team who have decorated church for Eastertide
And thank you to everyone who has helped make our Holy Week and Easter services take place this year—your hard work is appreciated.

Leading Your Church Into Growth We pray for those attending this conference as part of our Mission Action Plan: Stephen, JaneT, Colin, Josh & Gary along with Fr Reuben. May they be richly blessed in their time to discover new ways of reaching out to our villages.