Author: Reuben

3rd Sunday of Epiphany Sunday 21 January 2018 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
God of all mercy,
your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,
release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed:
anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free
to praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Genesis 14.17–20
A reading from the book of Genesis.
17 After Abram’s return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
Responsorial Psalm 139:1-5. 12-18
Response: How abundant is your goodness, O Lord.
Blessed are all those who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the toil of your hands; it shall go well with you, and happy shall you be. R Your wife within your house shall be like a fruitful vine; your children round your table, like fresh olive branches. Thus shall the one be blest who fears the Lord. R The Lord from out of Zion bless you, that you may see Jerusalem in prosperity all the days of your life. May you see your children’s children, and may there be peace upon Israel. R
SECOND READING Revelation 19.6–10
A reading from the book of Revelation
I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder-peals, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; 8 to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure’ – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’
10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow-servant with you and your comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD

GOSPEL John 2.1-11
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. GLORY TO YOU O LORD
There was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ 4 And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ 5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ 6 Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.7 Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him,10 ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
Almighty Father,
whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world:
may your people,
illumined by your word and sacraments,
shine with the radiance of his glory,
that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth;
for he 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 this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity!

Worship in the Benefice today… 3rd Sunday 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
Monday—commemoration-Vincent of Saragossa, 304
Tuesday—-feria
Wednesday—Lesser Festival- Francis de Sales, 1622 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 4th Wed CW 1930 LyCiG leabers meeting at the Rectory Thursday—Red Letter Day-The Conversion of Paul
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW
1930 Sharnbrook Wedding Rehearsal
Friday—Lesser Festival-Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul Saturday—feria Next Sunday morning—Epiphany 4 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP
0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion with RnS
1100 Felmersham Choral Matins
1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong—LLW JaneT
We pray for Unity between our churches and Fr Reuben, Colin, Andrea, Hazel & Judy are visiting our Benefice link in Urbino diocese to join in the WOPCU services.

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!

“I will retire as the co-ordinator for the Children's Society House Box Holders with effect from this year; after more than twenty five years. In this time I have been pleased with the support both within St Peter's and our village. Essentially it involves house collection boxes distributed, collected once a year, totalled up and banked. Please will you include this item in our Pew Notices, inviting prospective co-ordinators to speak with me. Thank you. Lynda Newman”

"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: 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 and good fellowship Pray for the start of the LyCiG Local Study Programme –for the leaders meeting to plan this week on Wednesday 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: in memory of the Late Connie Simeons who died on 23 Dec—May she rest in peace, and rise in glory 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.