Author: Reuben

Easter 2—Low Sunday Sunday 8 April 2018 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
Risen Christ,
for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred:
open the doors of our hearts,
that we may seek the good of others
and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace,
to the praise of God the Father. Amen. FIRST READING Acts 4.32-35
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
Responsorial Psalm 118:1-2. 14-24
R: Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Behold how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, Even on Aaron’s beard, running down upon the collar of his clothing. R It is like the dew of Hermon running down upon the hills of Zion. For there the Lord has promised his blessing: even life for evermore. R
SECOND READING 1 John 1.1-2.2
A reading from the first letter of John.
1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – 2 this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us – 3 we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive

us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Gospel John 20.19–31
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.. GLORY TO YOU O LORD
It was evening on the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’ 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST POST COMMUNION
Lord God our Father, through our Saviour Jesus Christ
you have assured your children of eternal life
and in baptism have made us one with him:
deliver us from the death of sin and raise us to new life in your love, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
LyCiG Prayer God of Mission, who alone brings growth to your Church, send your Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning, wisdom to our actions, and power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, in spiritual commitment to you, and in service to our local community, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Week begins please see the reverse for the services during Holy Week in 2018

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! Our Easter celebrations continue to Pentecost

Worship in the Benefice today… Easter 2 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion with Rise n Shine (not AA HC) 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion (not AA HC) 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong - LLW JaneT Monday– Red Letter Day—The Annunciation of our Lord to the BVM please note the house mass has been cancelled as the Rector is on leave Tuesday—Lesser Festival-William Law, Priest, Spiritual Writer, 1761
Wednesday-Commemoration- George Selwyn 1st Bp of New Zealand1878 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 2nd Wed CW-High Altar Thursday—feria 0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW Friday—feria Saturday—feria 1300 Sharnbrook Wedding of Toby & Gemma 16oo Felmersham APCM & AGM in Committee Room Next Sunday morning—Easter 3 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & RnS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1500 Souldrop Parish Communion 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong – LLW Rosemary

Two appeals for Help with Maintenance at St Peter’s.
1. The Churchyard—On Fridays 10am=noon, we will be working to tidy up the churchyard, and tackle the damaging infestation of ivy. If you can spare a couple of hours - on any Friday morning, we would be very pleased to see you.
2. The Church—We are looking for a volunteer to attend a free Church Maintenance Workshop taking place from 09:30 to 16:15 on April 14th at St. Andrew’s Church, Bedford,
and report back to our Churchwarden & PCC.
If you think you may be able to help with either of these activities, please have a word with Roland.

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

Saltmine’s performance of ‘Darkness Falls’ on Sunday 18th March has provoked quite a bit of discussion. If you would like the opportunity to discuss with others issues raised by the play, then there are two opportunities to do that – on Sunday 8th April, a Cream Tea at Harrold United Reform Church, High Street, Harrold MK43 7BJ, OR on Wednesday 18th April 7.30pm at Church House, 3 The Moor, Carlton MK43 7JR. If you would like to come to one of these, please contact the Chellington Team church office at teamofficectm@gmail.com (tel:720262)
UNLOCK WALK - SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2018
Each year the Unlock walk explores a different part of London and helps to raise money for deprived urban churches. A group from the Sharnbrook churches has taken part in the walk for many years, discovering areas of the capital we might not otherwise have visited. If you are interested in walking or sponsoring our walkers, or for more information, please contact: Paul Hayward on 01234 782677 or email paul@chardonnay.co.uk

2018 Annual Meetings Souldrop 7.30pm Tues 17 April Sharnbrook 7.30pm Wed 18 April Felmersham 4pm Sat 14 April come along and support the officers elected and have your say about the mission and witness of our churches in the Benefice.

Funerals coming up soon:
Bill Hosey Tues 17 April 12noon & Roger Harper 18 April 1230 both in St Peters (Pam Raven details to be announced)

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: 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.

Intercessions The sick and in need: Keri, James, Stuart, Peter, Barbara, Sally, Pam, Martin, Marjorie, Doreen, Conrad, Roger & Cynthia The Departed: Alan Price, Pam Raven, Nick Gibbons, Bill Hosey, Roger Harpe, Alan Morrowr—May they rest in peace
Prayer requests for the week: Pray Fr Reuben speaking and preaching at the Thomas Merton Society 2018 Conference this weekend Pray for those who are bereaved at this time Pray for those preparing for their weddings this year

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

Spnsorship: in thanks giving for the life of the Late Pam Raven 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’

Please bring food to share for our Epiphany Pot Luck Bring ‘n Share lunch—no lists just bring something to add to the table

Sanctuary Cleaning Rota Can you spare an hour on a regular basis and become a member of the Sanctuary Cleaning Rota? Several folk have retired, in particular I would like to thank Marion and John Tyler for many years of service. If you can help, speak to Kate Ritchie (ph 781155)

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.

Launde Abbey 2018 Retreat Programmes now in church to take the LENT retreat: Be Radiant is NOW FULL

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.