Author: Reuben

Advent 3– Gaudete Sunday Sunday 17 December 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
God for whom we watch and wait,
you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:
give us courage to speak the truth,
to hunger for justice,
and to suffer for the cause of right,
with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Isaiah 64.1-4, 8-end
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
The servant of the LORD said: 1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion – to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8 For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Responsorial Psalm 126
Response: The Lord has done great things for us.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with songs of joy. R Then said they among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has indeed done great things for us, and therefore we rejoiced. R Restore again our fortunes, O Lord, as the river beds of the desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed, will come back with shouts of joy, bearing their sheaves with them. R

SECOND READING 1 Thessalonians 5.16–24
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.
My brothers and sisters, 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything;
21 hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this day.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL John 1.6–8, 19–28
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John GLORY TO YOU O LORD
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ 21 And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22 Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ 23 He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said. 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ 26 John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts;
kindle in us the fire of your Spirit
that when your Christ comes again
we may shine as lights before his face;
who 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 on this Gaudete Sunday—Rejoice in the Lord always!

Worship in the Benefice today—Advent 3 O Wisdom coming forth from the mouth of the Most High 0930 Sharnbrook Litany & Parish Communion 1100 Felmersham Litany & Parish Communion 1600 Felmersham 9 Lessons & Carols—Rector & LLWs 1800 Souldrop 9 Lessons & Carols-Rector & LLWs
Monday—O Adonai and leader of the House of Israel, 1145 Sharnbrook Messy Church 1800 Advent Compline in St Mary’s—praying for those travelling—Rector 2000 Christian Meditation in SPR 2000 Advent Compline in St Peter’s– LLW Andrea Tuesday—-O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples 1000-1300 Safeguarding training S3 at Barton-le-Clay 1800 Advent Compline in St Mary’s—praying for world leaders– LLW Rosemary 1900 Wedding Prep—Rector
Wednesday—O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel; 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 3rd Wed BCP 1300 Burial of Late Mary Claxton at Woodland Burial Ground 1800 Advent Compline in St Mary’s—praying for families– LLW JaneT 2000 Advent Compline at St Peter’s-FrMac Thursday—O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW 1400 Sharnbrook Interment of Ashes of Late Mary Hardgrave 1800 Advent Compline in St Mary’s—praying for refugees– Rector Friday-O King of the nations, and their desire, 1230 Worship Leader Festive Thank you lunch at Rectory 1800 Advent Compline in St Mary’s—praying for peace and faith– LLW Rosemary 1800 Sharnbrook Confessions & Spiritual Counsel 1900 Sharnbrook HOLY HOUR (with incense as normal)
2000 Advent Compline in St Peter’s-Rector Saturday—O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver Next Sunday morning—Advent 4 1030 Souldrop Benefice Litany & Parish Communion The Benefice Diary is online at www.sharnbrookcofechurches.org

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

Take your LiCiG prayer postcard to use at home. The LyCiG prayer will be used at all church happenings—services and groups as we pray for our way forward. Take a LyCiG leaflet too.

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

Last Sunday’s Christingle raised over £700 for the Children’s Society and The Salvation Army say thank you for the gifts. Thank you for your support.

COMPLINE ithis week is on Mon, Wed and Fri at 8pm in St Peter’s Mon,Tues,Wed,Thurs,Fri at St Marys 6pm

Christmas Eve 3pm Sharnbrook Crib Service 4pm Felmersham Christingles at the Crib 1130pm Sharnbrook Midnight Mass 1130pm Felmersham Midnight Mass
Christmas Day 830am Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 10am Sharnbrook Christmas Day Communion 12noon Felmersham Christmas Day Communion

Intercessions The sick and in need: Barbara, Sally, Martin, Mary, Linda, Judy, Marjorie, Doreen, David & James, The Departed: Mary Freeman, George Hogg, Georgie Hayles, Mary Claxton Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector Pray for those looking after the homeless over the Christmas season Pray for the LyCiG initiative across the Benefice as we share in prayer. Pray for good Christmas worship together.

Church Contacts
The Rector: Fr 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.

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

Spnsorship: In memory of late Don Gough & in thanksgiving for Hanne’s good health 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)

This Weekend and next…… Starting on Friday 1 Dec—CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL all weekend ending with Christmas Tree Festival Concert at 1500hrs in St Peters with music for Advent & Christmas by Ouse Valley Singers & Sunday 10 Dec CHRISTINGLE service at 4pm at St Peters in aid of Children’s Society & bring Christmas Gifts for ‘The Salvation Army Christmas Gift Appeal’

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.