Author: Reuben

Easter 5 Sunday 29 April 2018 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
Risen Christ,
your wounds declare your love for the world
and the wonder of your risen life:
give us compassion and courage
to risk ourselves for those we serve,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen. FIRST READING Acts 8.26–40
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. An angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: ‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.’ The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
Responsorial Psalm 22:25-end
R: Be not far from me, O Lord.
From you comes my praise in the great congregation; I will perform my vows in the presence of those that fear you. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall live for ever. R All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow before him. For the kingdom is the Lord’s and he rules over the nations. R How can those who sleep in the earth bow down in worship, or those who go down to the dust kneel before him? He has saved my life for himself; my descendants shall serve him; this shall be told of the Lord for generations to come. They shall come and make known his salvation, to a people yet unborn, declaring that he, the Lord, has done it. R

SECOND READING 1 John 4.7–21
A reading from the first letter of John.
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Gospel John 15.1–8
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. GLORY TO YOU O LORD
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST POST COMMUNION
Eternal God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life:
grant us to walk in his way,
to rejoice in his truth, and to share his risen life;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. 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.

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 in the middle of Eastertide—Welcome!

Worship in the Benefice today… Easter 5 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion RnS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion
1300 Sharnbrook Baptism of Teddy John Mossop 1800 Sharnbrook Taize Monday-Commemoration- Pandita Mary Ramabai 1922 1145 Messy Church Tuesday—Red Letter Day– Ss Philip & James
1930 Rectory Holy Communion CW followed by drinks and nibbles to keep the feast
Wednesday-Lesser Festival– Athanasius, Teacher of the Faith, 373 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 1st Wed BCP-High AltarThursday—feria
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW 1030 Sharnbrook House Holy Communion Friday—Lesser Festival- English Saints & Martyrs of Reformation Era 1600 Souldrop Ashes Interment
Saturday—feria
Next Sunday services—Easter 6 Rogation Sunday 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & RnS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1600 Rogation Walk starting at Felmersham to Sharnbrook 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Rogation Evensong including a presentation by Andrea of her placement at the Salvation Army
Benefice Ordination Gift for Andrea: a collection is started to buy the traditional ordination gifts of an Ordination stole & Preaching Scarf, in your generosity give your donations to the Rector in cash, or cheques payable to “R. Preston” or Paypal to rjp@reubenjamespreston.co.uk or BACS 20-07-82 10181048 Ref ’Andrea’ Gifts will be acknowledged.

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..
Leadership at St Peter’s through 2018 into 2019
The current situation at St Peter’s is inadequate to help the church to grow. We need people to take on leadership roles at St Peter’s. The most urgent need is one, preferably two people to join the PCC and be willing to assist and train for the duties of Church Warden. We have past wardens and people who would gladly help and give advice to achieve this. Please give this some serious thought as you might be somebody who could fulfil this role and relieve Roland who has been covering the roles of Treasurer and a single Church Warden in this past year, this ought not continue into the new year ahead.’ Pray for people to come forward and offer to take up the roles of Church Wardens and PCC members—we have very capable women and men at St Peter’s who have the skills and aptitude to take hold of these responsibilities.

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

Church Contacts
The Rector: Reuben Preston, The Rectory, 81 High Street, Sharnbrook MK44 1PE 01234 782000 07971 895897 rectorofsharnbrook@rjpmedia.co.uk Reader: Garry Johnson 07855 762922 Lay Leaders of Worship: Rosemary Drewery 07792926004, Jane Templeman, Andrea Maffie 07881 046255 Churchwardens:- St Peter’s Church: Roland Carpenter 01234 781551 Janet Norman St Mary’s Church: 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, Hazel, Stuart, Peter, Matthew, Barbara, Sally, Pam, Marjorie, Doreen, Conrad & Cynthia The Departed: Pam Raven —May she rest in peace
Prayer requests for the week: Pray for Teddy John Mossop baptised today Pray for Andrea as she gets ready for her ordination Pray for church cleaners and flower arrangers

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

Spnsorship: in memory of Rosalind Pelle 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.

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

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.