Author: Reuben

3rd Sunday before Lent Sunday 12 February 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church this week

COLLECT Eternal God, whose Son went among the crowds and brought healing with his touch: help us to show his love, in your Church as we gather together, and by our lives as they are transformed into the image of Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Ecclesiasticus 15.15–20
A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus.
If you choose, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice. 16 He has placed before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you choose. 17 Before each person are life and death, and whichever one chooses will be given. 18 For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything; 19 his eyes are on those who fear him, and he knows every human action. 20 He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD PSALM Psalm 119:1-8
Response: Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes. Blessed are those whose way is pure, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his testimonies and seek him with their whole heart. Response Those who do no wickedness, but walk in his ways. You, O Lord, have charged that we should diligently keep your commandments. Response O that my ways were made so direct that I might keep your statutes. Then should I not be put to shame, because I have regard for all your commandments. Response I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, when I have learned your righteous judgements. I will keep your statutes; O forsake me not utterly. Response
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 3.1–9
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.
1 Brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? 4 For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ and another, ‘I belong to Apollos,’ are you not merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. 9 For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.
This is the word of the Lord THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Matthew 5:21-37
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew GLORY TO YOU O LORD
On the mountain, Jesus gathered his disciples around him and taught them, saying: 21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.”
22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool,” you will be liable to the hell of fire.
23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
27 You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.”
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
Merciful Father, who gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life, that those who come to him should never hunger: draw us to the Lord in faith and love, that we may eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom, where he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. 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! Say hello to someone new …?
Sunday 27 November 2016—ADVENT SUNDAY

Worship in the Benefice today-3rd Sunday before Lent 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook All-Age Communion 1100 Felmersham All Age Communion 1800 Felmersham Benefice Choral Evensong
Monday—feris 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1030 Sharnbrook House Holy Communion 1145 Messy Church at Sharnbrook 1400 St Peter’s Guild in SPR 2000 Christian Meditation Group in SPR Tuesday—Lesser festival -Cyril and Methodius, 869 and 885 & Commemoration–Valentine, Martyr at Rome, c.269 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion (CW) at Felmersham Wednesday—Commemoration-Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden & Thomas Bray, Priest 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion BCP 3rd Wed at Sharnbrook 1500-1800 SPR Celebration of Don’s 80th Birthday 1930 Sharnbrook PCC Meeting Thursday—feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1030 Souldrop Coffee Morning Village Hall Friday— Lesser Festival—Janani Luwum, Martyr, 1977 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook Saturday—feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1400 Felmersham Wedding of Bruce & Aili Next Sunday—2nd Sunday before Lent 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & R’nS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1500 Souldrop Parish Communion 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong Items for inclusion should be sent to sharnbrookbenefice@gmail.com by 0900 on Wednesdays. Benefice ONLINE diary on the church websites take a look.

Intercessions The Sick and in need: Neil, Jean, Ann, Marjorie, Ron, Connie, Mary, Paul, Pat, Rex, Emma The Departed: Steve Stephens, Kathleen Archer Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector Pray for Emma Richard’s preparing for baptism on 19 Feb Pray for the out working of our Mission Action Plans in the Benefice Pray for two people to stand as Churchwardens at St Peters at the AGM Pray for those who are suffering with rounds of coughs and colds at the moment, and those who are looking after them.

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

CONFIRMATION 2017 if you are interested in being confirmed this year please let Fr Reuben or a Churchwarden know.

Fairtrade—St Peter’s is now using Fairtrade Communion Wine

Sat 4 March “One Jesus ? A day with Mark’s Gospel”—See posters in churches A day with the text of Mark’s Gospel, with prayer together, individually and renewal of our spirits as we dwell in the scriptures. 9:30-5pm £15 including breakfast, lunch and tea with cake

LENT begins on Wednesday 1 March Ash Wednesday Benefice Sung Communion with Litany and Ashing 7:30pm at St Peters hosted by St Peters this year

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: 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

Spnsorship: In memory of Maisie 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)