Author: Reuben

4th Sunday before Lent Sunday 5 February 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church this week

COLLECT Lord of the hosts of heaven, our salvation and our strength, without you we are lost: guard us from all that harms or hurts and raise us when we fall; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Isaiah 58.1–9a
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Thus says the LORD: 1 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgements, they delight to draw near to God. 3 ‘Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’ Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day, and oppress all your workers. 4 Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? 6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rearguard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD PSALM Psalm 112:1-9
Response: The righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance. Alleluia. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and have great delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land, a generation of the faithful that will be blest. Response Wealth and riches will be in their house, and their righteousness endures for ever. Light shines in the darkness for the upright; gracious and full of compassion are the righteous. Response It goes well with those who are generous in lending and order their affairs with justice, For they will never be shaken; the righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance. They will not be afraid of any evil tidings; their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Response Their heart is sustained and will not fear, until they see the downfall of their foes. They have given freely to the poor; their righteousness stands fast for ever; their head will be exalted with honour. Response

SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 2.1–12
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.
1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. 6 Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. 7 But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’ – 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. This is the word of the Lord THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Matthew 5:13-20
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew GLORY TO YOU O LORD
Jesus went up the mountain and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to teach them: 13 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’ This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
Go before us, Lord, in all we do with your most gracious favour, and guide us with your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally by your mercy receive everlasting life; through 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! Why not sit somewhere different …?
Sunday 27 November 2016—ADVENT SUNDAY

Worship in the Benefice today-4th Sunday before Lent 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & R’nS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1500 Souldrop Parish Communion 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong Preacher Andrea Maffie
Monday—Commemoration—The Martyrs of Japan, 1597 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1145 Messy Church at Sharnbrook 1400 St Peter’s Guild in SPR 2000 Christian Meditation Group in SPR Tuesday—feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion (CW) at Felmersham 1930 PCC Souldrop in village hall Wednesday—feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion CW 2nd Wed at Sharnbrook 1930 Extra-Ordinary PCC at Sharnbrook Thursday—feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook Friday— Commemoration—Scholastica, sister of Benedict, c.543 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook Saturday—feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook Next Sunday—3rd Sunday before Lent 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook All-Age Communion 1100 Felmersham All Age Communion 1800 Felmersham Benefice Choral Evensong
Items for inclusion should be sent to sharnbrookbenefice@gmail.com by 0900 on Wednesdays. Please look at our parishes websites for the ONLINE Diary —>>

Intercessions The Sick and in need: Catherine, Jean, Ann, Marjorie, Ron, Connie, Mary, Paul, Pat, Rex, Emma The Departed: Steve Stephens 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 St Peters PCC meeting this week to look at the budget for 2017 Pray for the lesbian & gay people trying to find a home in the Church of England for a sense of welcome as our Bishops are calling us to Pray for the out working of our Mission Action Plans in the Benefice

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

Female images of God in the Bible—pick up a sheet to take home and read with your Bible—people have asked for this as a resource in prayer...

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

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 posters in church

Sat 4 March “One Jesus ? A day with Mark’s Gospel”—See posters in churches A day with the text of Mark, with prayer together and individually and renewal

Mary and Paul Freeman have asked if people would pop in and visit them in the afternoons—they are feeling quite isolated being housebound. A 10 min chat would be much appreciated: Meadowbank, Pavenham Road

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 thanksgiving for everyone who came to Candlemas and for those who brought food and drink to share 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)