Author: Reuben

2nd Sunday of Epiphany Sunday 14 January 2018 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
Eternal Lord,
our beginning and our end:
bring us with the whole creation
to your glory, hidden through past ages
and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING 1 Samuel 3.1–10
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
A reading from the first book of Samuel.
1 The boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ 5 and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. 6 The LORD called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
Responsorial Psalm 139:1-5. 12-18
Response: Search me out, O God, and know my heart.
O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You mark out my journeys and my resting place and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but you, O Lord, know it altogether. R You encompass me behind and before and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, so high that I cannot attain it. For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. R I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are your works, my soul knows well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. R Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished; already in your book were all my members written, As day by day they were fashioned when as yet there was none of them. R How deep are your counsels to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I count them, they are more in number than the sand, and at the end, I am still in your presence. R
SECOND READING Revelation 5.1–10
1 I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals; 2 and I

‘saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ 6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. 8 When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 They sing a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; 10 you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and they will reign on earth.’ This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD GOSPEL John 1.43–51
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. GLORY TO YOU O LORD
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ 46 Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ 48 Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ 49 Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ 50 Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ 51 And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
God of glory, you nourish us with your Word
who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 2nd Sunday of Epiphany!

Worship in the Benefice today… Epiphany 2 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP
0930 Sharnbrook All Age Communion
1100 Felmersham Parish Communion
1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong—LLW Andrea
Monday—feria 1145 Sharnbrook Messy Church
Tuesday—-feria
1440 Assembly at Sharnbrook Lower School
Wednesday—Lesser Festival- Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 3rd Wed BCP 1930 Sharnbrook PCC meeting Thursday—Commemoration-Amy Carmichael, 1951
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WOPCU) begins..
Friday—Lesser Festival-Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095 Saturday—Commemoration– Richard Rolle of Hampole, 1349 1930 Sharnbrook Village Hall film night “The Martian” Next Sunday morning—3rd Sun of Epiphany 1030 Sharnbrook Churches Together WOPCU Service led by the Sharnbrook Methodist Minister Rev Gill Baalham
No services in Souldrop or Felmersham
1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Sung Communion—FrMac
The Benefice Diary is online at www.sharnbrookcofechurches.org

Leading Your Church Into Growth 2018
Doing LyCiG Local Study Course
Leaders Session 1: Wednesday 24 January 7:30pm The Rectory Main Session 1: Saturday 3 February 2pm\
hosted at Felmersham Main Session 2: Tuesday 13 February 7:30pm hosted at Souldrop Main Session 3: Saturday 24 February 2pm-3:30pm hosted in St Peter’s Room Leaders Session 2: Tuesday 27 February 7:30pm The Rectory LyCiG Diocesan Day 3 March 9:30am-3pm at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick MK45 1AH – 10 places booked for the Benefice – cost free Main Session 4: Friday 9 March 7:30pm hosted at Felmersham Main Session 5: Tuesday 20 March 7:30pm hosted at Souldrop Main Session 6: Saturday 21 April 2pm-3:30pm hosted in St Peter’s Room
This study course is for all who come to church to help us work together in growing our churches.

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

We pray for Unity between our churches and Fr Reuben, Colin, Andrea, Hazel & Judy are travelling to our Benefice link in Urbino diocese to join in the WOPCU services.

"HOLLYWOOD COMES TO SHARNBROOK 'The Martian' starring Matt Damon Sat 20 Jan at Sharnbrook Village Hall Doors open 7.00 film starts at 7.30pm Tickets £5 from Ian 781721 All proceeds to Friends of St Peter's Church"

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: Barbara, Sally, Mary, Linda, Marjorie, Doreen, David, James, Angela & Rose The Departed: Janice Woodfield, Pauline Mullen Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector Pray for our Benefice trip to Calpino—for a safe journey Pray for the start of the LyCiG Local Study Programme Pray for people looking for meaningful work to earn a living Give thanks for the chance to grow in faith in a land of peace and prosperity

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

Spnsorship: none this week :( 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

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.