Author: Reuben

ADVENT 4 Sunday 18 December when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church this week

COLLECT Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Isaiah 7.10–16
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
10 The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 ‘Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.’ 12 But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.’ 13 Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.’
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
PSALM 80.1–7, 16–18
Response: Turn us again O God, show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that led Joseph like a flock;
Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your mighty strength
and come to our salvation. Response
O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry at your people’s prayer? You feed them with the bread of tears; you give them abundance of tears to drink. You have made us the derision of our neighbours and our enemies laugh us to scorn. Response
Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, the son of man you made so strong for yourself. And so will we not go back from you; give us life, and we shall call upon your name. Response
SECOND READING Romans 1.1–7
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son,

who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
5 Through Christ we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the word of the Lord THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Matthew 1:18-25
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. GLORY TO YOU O LORD
18 The birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’
22 All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
This is the gospel of the Lord PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
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 today…. Please TAKE THIS SHEET HOME with you!
Sunday 27 November 2016—ADVENT SUNDAY

Worship in the Benefice today—Advent 4 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion and Rise n Shine 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion & Baptism 1600 Felmersham 9 Lessons & Carols 1800 Souldrop 9 Lessons & Carols Monday—O Root of Jesse 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1145 Messy Church at Sharnbrook in SPR 1400 Assembly at Pinchmill School Felmersham 2000 Meditation Group in SPR followed by Sherry & Mince Pies 2000 Compline by candlelight at Sharnbrook Tuesday-O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion (CW) at Felmersham 1600-1900 Confessions in Lady Chapel St Peters 2000 Compline by candlelight at Felmersham Wednesday-O Morning Star 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 0930 Holy Communion CW 1230 Souldrop Funeral of late Robert Frost 1430 Bedford Crem—Cremation of late Robert Frost 1845 prompt Advent Study Course in St Peters Room 2000 Compline by candlelight at Sharnbrook Thursday-O King of the nations 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1600-1900 Confessions in Lady Chapel St Marys 2000 Compline by candlelight at Felmersham Friday—O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 2000 Compline by candlelight at Sharnbrook Saturday—CHRISTMAS EVE 0800 Morning Prayer at Sharnbrook 1500 Sharnbrook Crib Service 1600 Felmersham Christingles at the Crib 1800 Sharnbrook 9 Lessions & Carols 2330 Sharnbrook Midnight Mass 2330 Felmersham Midnight Mass Sunday—CHRISTMAS DAY 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 1000 Sharnbrook Christmas Day Communion for young & old 1200 Felmersham Christmas Day Communion for young & old Items for inclusion should be sent to sharnbrookbenefice@gmail.com by 0900 on Wednesdays. In this Advent Season to make your confession or talk about things on your heart the Rector will be in the Lady Chapel of St Peters on Tues afternoon and Thurs at St Marys—see above. Please look at our parishes websites for the new ONLINE Diary of everything that is happening in the Benefice.

Helping our friends in Calpino—A Christmas Appeal Don Fabio sends greetings to the Benefice and thanks us for our prayers and support for their work amongst the little ones who have lost everything including family all crowded into makeshift shelters and neighbouring community buildings. They are very grateful for Colin's super contribution so far with another £309 to send over. “ Let’s see if we can make it £500 for their Christmas work with the children—can we raise £191 futher? There will be retiring collections at the end of services until Christmas—tell others and let us help in a very direct way our brothers and sisters in Italy. Let’s aim for a total of £500 from across our benefice to offer something of goodwill and Christ’s generosity and hope in such difficult times. Thank you. Christian Meditation Group meets on Monday 19/12 then again on 9/1 & 16/1 next year!

Compline by candlelight for Advent continues throughout Advent

Thankyou to the people who sent thanks for the Gaudate AA service. Fr Reuben

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.

Benefice Pastoral Meeting—good advance notice of the Benefice Pastoral Consultation meeting on Wed 11 Jan from 7:30pm-9pm in SPR. This meeting is for all involved in or who would like to be involved in the Pastoral Care work of the Benefice. A chance to discover what is happening and what will be happening.

Alleluia and thanks to all who have coped with the heating crisis at St Peter’s. The heating is now working. It has been a hard few weeks with emergency heating, gas blowers and borrowing electric heaters from Souldrop. Thanks to all who have made it happen: Roland, Roger, Andrea, Colin and others……..

Intercessions The Sick and in need: Don Gough, Neil, Martin, Catherine The Departed: Robert Frost, Daphne Smith, Mary Gould 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 our parishes’ treasurers, Ed, Roland & Stephen, in their work of bringing the churches accounts for the year to an end ready for auditing.

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 thanksgiving for all who have helped with lunch for Messy Church in 2016 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)