Author: Reuben

2nd Sunday of Epiphany Sunday 15 January 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church this week

COLLECT Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
FIRST READING Isaiah 49.1–7
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
1 Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’ 4 But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the LORD, and my reward with my God.’ 5 And now the LORD says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the LORD, and my God has become my strength. 6 The LORD says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ 7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, ‘Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
PSALM 40:1-12
Response: Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me out of the roaring pit, out of the mire and clay; he set my feet upon a rock and made my footing sure. Response He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie. Response Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God. How great your designs for us! There is none that can be compared with you. If I were to proclaim them and tell of them they would be more than I am able to express. Response Sacrifice and offering you do not desire but my ears you have opened; Burnt offering and sacrifice for sin you have not required, then said I: “Lo, I come” Response “In the scroll of the book it is written of me that I should do your will, O my God; I delight to do it: your law is within my heart.” I have declared your righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O Lord, you know. Response Your righteousness I have not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your loving-kindness and truth from the great congregation. Do not withhold your compassion from me, O Lord; let your love and your faithfulness always preserve me. Response

SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 1.1–9
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.
1 From Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind –
6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you – 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
This is the word of the Lord THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL John 1.29–42
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John GLORY TO YOU O LORD
29 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ 32 And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’ 35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ 39 He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter) This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 today …. Please TAKE THIS SHEET HOME with you!
Sunday 27 November 2016—ADVENT SUNDAY

Worship in the Benefice today-2nd Sunday of Epiphany 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & Rise ‘n Shine 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1500 Souldrop Parish Communion 1800 Benefice Evensong at Sharnbrook Monday— feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1145 Messy Church at Sharnbrook 1400 St Peter’s Guild in SPR 2000 Christian Meditation Group in SPR Tuesday—Lesser Festival—Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot AD356 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion (CW) at Felmersham Wednesday—Commemoration—Amy Carmichael AD1951 Beginning of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion BCP 3rd Wed at Sharnbrook 1930 St Peter’s PCC meeting in SPR Thursday—Lesser Festival—Wulfstan, Bp of Worcester AD1059 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook Friday—Commemoration—Richard Rolle of Hampole AD1349 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1400 Review Magazine meeting in SPR Saturday—Lesser Festival-Agnes, Child-Martyr at Rome, 304 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook Next Sunday—3rd Sunday of Epiphany 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 1030 Sharnbrook Church Together Service at Park Lane for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 1100 Felmersham Choral Matins 1800 Benefice Sung Holy Communion at Sharnbrook
Items for inclusion should be sent to sharnbrookbenefice@gmail.com by 0900 on Wednesdays. Please look at our parishes websites for the ONLINE Diary —>>

Pick up your Epiphany chalk and home blessing leaflet if you missed last Sunday

Intercessions The Sick and in need: Neil, Martin, Catherine, Jean, Ann, Marjorie, Ron, Connie, Mary The Departed: Frances Simms Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector Pray for St Peter’s that we may lookout for and choose good people to be our churchwardens at the AGM Pray for our Treasurers as they bring the accounts to a close for 2016 and the auditors as they consider our book keeping Pray for our musicians this week, our keyboard players and our singers and choirs. Pray for our PCCs as they get ready for the AGMs & APCMs

Christian Meditation Group meets on Mondays at at 8pm in St Peter’s Room—all welcome!

Candlemas Benefice Celebration Sunday 29 Jan 1030am hosted by St Peter’s followed by buffet lunch together to mark the end of the Christmas and Epiphany Season—A service for Old and Young alike—invite a friend or Neighbour as we celebrate together.

The Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John is coming to BELIEF to speak on: “All generations shall call her blessed” Mary in the New Testament and in the church. Sat 18th Feb 10am-1pm see the posters in church for details
St Andrews Church Kimbolton Road Bedford. MK40 2PF
£10 per person, payable on the day
We do not want anyone to be deterred from attending any BELIEF events for financial reasons. If you find the fees prohibitive , please contact us."

To everyone at Felmersham for the Epiphany party on Friday 6 Jan—the food was very imaginative for the feast.

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 01234 783598, Jane Templeman, Andrea Maffie 07881 046255 Churchwardens:- St Peter’s Church: Roger Gaunt 01234 782183 &
Andrea Maffei 07881 046255 St Mary’s Church: Jane Wells 01234 782462 &
Sue Whitehouse 01234 781300 All Saints Church: Nick Wells 07841 759497
Safeguarding Co-Ordinator: Rosemary Drewery 01234 783598

Electoral Roll revisions are now taking place—to be added or deleted please see the churches’ electoral roll officer— at St Peter’s Enid Salter

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

This Pew Sheet was sponsored this week…. In prayer for people to stand and offer to be our Churchwardens at St Peter’s 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)