Author: Reuben

ADVENT 2 Sunday 4 December when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church this week

COLLECT Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God. Amen.
FIRST READING Isaiah 11.1–10
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
1 A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3 His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. 6 The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 9 They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. 10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
PSALM 72.1–7, 18–19
Response: The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice. Give the king your judgements, O God, and your righteousness to the son of a king. Then shall he judge your people righteously and your poor with justice. Response
May the mountains bring forth peace, and the little hills righteousness for the people. May he defend the poor among the people, deliver the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. Response
May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another. May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like the showers that water the earth. In his time shall righteousness flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more. Response
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever. May all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. Amen. Response

SECOND READING Romans 15.4–13
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
4 Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name’; 10 and again he says, ‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; 11 and again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him’; 12 and again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is the word of the Lord THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Matthew 3:1-12
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. GLORY BE TO YOU O LORD
1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”’ 4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
This is the gospel of the Lord PRAISE BE TO YOU O CHRIST POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again, we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; 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! Please TAKE THIS SHEET HOME with you - take one for your neighbours too!
Sunday 27 November 2016—ADVENT SUNDAY

Worship in the Benefice today—ADVENT 2 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion and Rise ‘n Shine 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1500 Ouse Valley Singers Concert at Sharnbrook no service at All Saints because of the above 1800 Benefice Evensong at Sharnbrook Monday—feria 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1145 Messy Church at Sharnbrook 2000 Compline by candlelight at Sharnbrook Tuesday—Nicholas, Bishop of Myra 326AD 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion (CW) at Felmersham 2000 Compline by candlelight at Felmersham Wednesday– Ambrose, Bishop of Milan 397AD & Ember Day 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion BCP 1845 prompt Advent Study Course in St Peters Room 2000 Compline by candlelight at Sharnbrook Thursday– Conception of the BVM 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1430 Mothers Union Carol Party in SPR 2000 Compline by candlelight at Felmersham Friday—Ember Day 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1030 Souldrop Funeral of Late Emily Carroll 1300 Sharnbrook Funeral of Late Janet Humphrey 2000 Compline by candlelight at Sharnbrook Saturday—Ember Day 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook Worship Next Sunday— 11 Dec Advent 3 0830 Souldrop BCP Holy Communion 0930 Sharnbrook All Age Communion 1100 Felmersham All Age Communion 1800 Benefice Evensong at Sharnbrook
Items for inclusion in this sheet should be sent to sharnbrookbenefice@gmail.com by 0900 on Wednesdays.
In this Advent Season to make your confession, or talk about what you can gain from making your confession, please contact the Rector for a chat and discussion.

TODAY Ouse Valley Singers Concert 3pm Sunday 4 Dec at St Peter’s proceeds to Chrildrens Society

Christmas Tree Festival in St Peter’s open Friday 2 Dec 3:30pm—9pm Sat 3 Dec 10am - 4pm & Sun 4 Dec 11:30am - 1pm entrance £2
St Peters Christmas Raffle Tickets on Sale now and The Advent Calendar Tickets

Compline by candlelight for Advent continues throughout Advent
Thank you to everyone involved in making the Christingles at St Peters and helping the service and refreshments flow well. A great time was had by all. Well done—your efforts are much appreciated.

Volunteer post—we need someone to put this sheet together each week using Publisher. It takes about 2 hours on a Wednesday. Please talk to the rector if you are able to do this for the Benefice and for the mission of Christ.

Advent Study Course—Sharnbrook Churches Together. The Advent course is ‘Living in the Light’ and is an easy to access course for churches. Prompt start at 6:45pm in St Peter’s Room each Wednesday in Advent to end with Compline in church.

Intercessions The Sick and in need: Don Gough, Daphne Smith The Departed: Janet Humphrey, Emily Carroll Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector
Pray for Andrea’s work in establishing the Pastoral Group across the Benefice. Pray for the desire to see our parishes grow and address the needs of contemporary people in our Benefice. Pray for Christians who are persecuted in the Middle East.
On our Ember Days this week we pray for those training for ministry in the Church of England

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

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

This Pew Sheet was sponsored this week…. in thanks giving for the life of the late Janet Humphrey RIP in Sharnbrook 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)