Author: Reuben

Advent 4 Sunday 24 December 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son:
grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him
when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
FIRST READING 2 Samual 7.1-11,16
A reading from the second book of Samuel.
1 Now when David, the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.’ 3 Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you.’ 4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ 8 Now therefore you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you, David, that the Lord will make you a house. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Responsorial Psalm 89:1-4
Response: Truly the Lord is our shield.
My song shall be always of the lovingkindness of the Lord: with my mouth will I proclaim your faithfulness throughout all generations. I will declare that your love is established for ever; you have set your faithfulness as firm as the heavens. R
For you said: “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: “‘Your seed will I establish for ever and build up your throne for all generations.”’ R

SECOND READING Romans 16.25–27
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
25 To God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Luke 1.26–38
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke GLORY TO YOU O LORD
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ 34 Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ 35 The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.’ 38 Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
Heavenly Father,
who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary
to be the mother of the promised saviour:
fill us your servants with your grace,
that in all things we may embrace your holy will
and with her rejoice in your salvation;
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 on this last Sunday of Advent

Worship in the Benefice today—Advent 4 1030 Souldrop Benefice Litany & Parish Communion
Worship in the Benefice later today
Christmas Eve 1500 Sharnbrook Crib Service with the Gospel choir 1600 Felmersham Christingels at the Crib Service 1800 Sharnbrook 9 Lessons & Carols
2330 Sharnbrook Midnight Mass 2330 Felmersham Midnight Mass
Monday—Christmas Day 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP
1000 Sharnbrook Christmas Day Communion with carols
1200 Felmersham Christmas Day Communion with carols
Tuesday—-Red Letter Day– St Stephen’s Day 12noon Sharnbrook Festival Holy Communion —followed by drinks ‘n nibbles to keep the feast
Wednesday—Red Letter Day– St John the Evangelist; 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 4th Wed CW —followed by drinks ‘n nibbles to keep the feast 1100 Marriage Prep at the Rectory 1500-2000 Sharnbrook Electoral Roll Party at the Rectory
Thursday—Red Letter Day– Holy Innocents 0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW —followed by drinks ‘n nibbles to keep the feast 1200 Felmersham Funeral and Burial of Late Mary Freeman
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

ALL FULL

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

Next Sunday morning—Christmas 1 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion with RnS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion
1800 Sharnbrook Taize
Epiphany Celebration Sunday 7 Jan Benefice Communion 1030 Sharnbrook followed by Bring n Share buffet

Intercessions The sick and in need: Barbara, Sally, Martin, Mary, Linda, Judy, Marjorie, Doreen, David & James, The Departed: Mary Freeman, George Hogg, 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. Pray for those facing financial difficulties at this time in their lives

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 Mary Freeman— “she welcomed people” 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.