Author: Reuben

Easter 6—Rogation Weekend Sunday 6 May 2018 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
Risen Christ,
by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:
help your Church to obey your command
and draw the nations to the fire of your love,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen. FIRST READING Acts 10.44–48
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
Responsorial Psalm 98
R: The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things. His own right hand and his holy arm have won for him the victory. The Lord has made known his salvation; his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations. R He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness towards the house of Israel, and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; break into singing and make music. R Make music to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the voice of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sound praises before the Lord, the King. R Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, the world and all that dwell upon it. Let the rivers clap their hands and let the hills ring out together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. In righteousness shall he judge the world and the peoples with equity. R
SECOND READING 1 John 5.1-6
A reading from the first letter of John.
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
Gospel John 15.9–17
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. GLORY TO YOU O LORD
Jesus said to his disciples:
9 ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST POST COMMUNION
God our Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life:
may we thirst for you,
the spring of life and source of goodness,
through him 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 on this Rogation Sunday!

Worship in the Benefice today… 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 Monday-Rogation Day– Bank Holiday Tuesday—Rogation Day-Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417 Wednesday-Rogation Day 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 2nd Wed CW-High Altar 1100 Sharnbrook Funeral Service for Late Pam Raven Thursday—Principal Festival– ASCENSION DAY
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW f followed by drinks and nibbles to keep the feast 1400 Sharnbrook PCC meets the Archdeacon SPR 1930 Deanery Eucharist for Ascension Day at St Mary’s Keysoe
followed by refreshments to keep the feast Friday 1800 Felmersham EXAMEN Prayer 1900 Singing For Pleasure Concert in St Peters
Saturday—Commemoration-Gregory Dix, priest, monk,1952
0930-1330 Diocesan VISION DAY at Rothamsted Conf Centre 1800 Felmersham EXAMEN Prayer 2000 Sharnbrook EXAMEN Prayer
Next Sunday services—Easter 7 1030 Park Lane united Christian Aid Service—Churches Together no services in Souldrop or Felmersham 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Sung Communion 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!

Sign up for your seat on the Villager bus to St Albans for the celebration on Sat 19 May depart 2pm

EXAMEN Prayer 6pm & 8pm during THY KINGDOM COME

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 the farmers working in our villages Pray for St Peters PCC meeting with the Archdeacon this week Pray for the benefice musicians and singers

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

Spnsorship: in prayer for the financial future of St Peter’s 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.