Author: Reuben

14th Sunday after Trinity Sunday 17 September 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT Almighty God, whose only Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence: give us pure hearts and steadfast wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
FIRST READING Exodus 14.19–31
A reading from the book of Exodus.
19 The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. 20 It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22 The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. 24 At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. 25 He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.’ 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.’ 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. 29 But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
PSALM Psalm 103:8-13
R The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. R He will not always accuse us, neither will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. R For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his mercy upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he set our sins from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him. R SECOND READING Romans 14.1–12
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
1 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling

over opinions. 2 Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3 Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4 Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. 5 Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6 Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. 11 For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ 12 So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Matthew 18.21–35
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew GLORY TO YOU O LORD Peter came and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ 22 Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.”27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29 Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.”30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
Lord God, the source of truth and love, keep us faithful to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, united in prayer and the breaking of bread, and one in joy and simplicity of heart, in 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 today—please pray for the work of this church

Worship in the Benefice today-14th Sun after Trinity 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & RnS—Rev Lionel 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion—Rev Lionel 1500 Souldrop Parish Communion—FrMac (yes Holy Communion) 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong- LLW Rosemary Monday—feria 1145 Messy Church 2000 Christian Meditation in SPR Tuesday—-Commemoration-Theodore of Tarsus, 690 Wednesday—Lesser Festival-John Coleridge Patteson, 18710930 Holy Communion BCP 3rd Wed at Sharnbrook Thursday—RED LETTER DAY—St Matthews Day 0930 Holy Communion (CW) at Felmersham followed by drinks and nibbles to keep the feast Friday-feria Saturday—COFFEE MORNING at Kate’s 18 Loring Road 1030-12noon Next Sunday—15th Sun after Trinity 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & RnS 1100 Felmersham Choral Matins—LLW Rosemary 1300 Sharnbrook Baptism of baby Harry Loi 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong- LLW JaneT . Morning Prayer is Mon to Sat 8am in Lady Chapel of St Peter’s 20 mins of prayer to start the day Fairtrade Communion Wine is used at Sharnbrook—see the notice board for full details. Gluten free hosts are available.

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

HARVEST Supper Wed 20 Sept at the Methodists this year—tickets £5 from Marion—St Peter’s year to provide puddings

rEFORMATIONs - study day Saturday 28 October 9:30am-4pm—pick up a leaflet in church today

One Jesus? A day with Matthew
A day studying and dwelling with St Matthew’s gospel Date 21st October 2017 0930-1700 Cost £15 bookings book your place with Josh on 07811 657294 or email jpollard.live@hotmail.co.uk

This pewsheet has been printed the week before the service so please checkout the online version for the latest updates to notices.
WOOF woof—Thank you for kind cards and wishes when George was ill in Vet Hospital

Intercessions The sick and in need: Marjorie, Connie, Doreen, Bryan, Betty, Elizabeth, Audrey, Pam, Molly, Hanne, James, Barbara & Martin The Departed: Roy Durston Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector Pray for the preparations for the LYCIG conference in September Pray for the gift of mission zeal in the parish Pray for those affected by the storms around the world Pray for Harry Loi and his parents and godparents they prepare for his baptism

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.

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

Spnsorship: in thanksgiving for George’s full recovery to health 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)

3 Sunday morning Readers at St Peter’s needed for the Rota—please see Roland if you would like to give this a go!

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.

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.