Author: Reuben

15th Sunday after Trinity 9 September 2018 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT
Lord God,
defend your Church from all false teaching
and give to your people knowledge of your truth,
that we may enjoy eternal life
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FIRST READING Proverbs 22.1-2, 8, 9, 22, 23
A reading from the book of Proverbs
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. 8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail. 9 Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. 22 Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; 23 for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Responsorial Psalm 146
R: The Lord shall reign for ever.
Alleluia. Praise the Lord, O my soul: while I live will I praise the Lord; as long as I have any being, I will sing praises to my God.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in any human power, for there is no help in them. When their breath goes forth, they return to the earth; on that day all their thoughts perish. R
Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help,
whose hope is in the Lord their God; Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those that suffer wrong and bread to those who hunger. R The Lord looses those that are bound;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous; R
The Lord watches over the stranger in the land; he upholds the orphan and widow; but the way of the wicked he turns upside
down. The Lord shall reign for ever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Alleluia. R
SECOND READING James 2.1-10, 14-17
A reading from the letter of James
My brothers and sisters,* do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?* 2For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat

here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’,* 4have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.* Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8 You do well if you really fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 9But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters,* if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Gospel Mark 7.24-end
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark GLORY TO YOU O LORD
Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre.* He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, 25but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ 28But she answered him, ‘Sir,* even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ 29Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ 30So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. 31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ 35And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36Then Jesus* ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST POST COMMUNION
Keep, O Lord, your Church, with your perpetual mercy;
and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall,
keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through 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—what have you come to give thanks for today?

Worship in the Benefice today… 15th after Trinity 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP
0930 Sharnbrook All Age Communion
1100 Felmersham Parish Communion (not AAHC)
1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong – Reader Garry
Monday-feria Tuesday--feria 1930 Souldrop PCC at Nick’s Wednesday —feria 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 2nd Wed CW Thursday –Lesser Festival-John Chrysostom, Bp of Constantinople, Teacher of the Faith, 407
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW Friday—Festival-Holy Cross Day 1145 Sharnbrook Messy Church
1900 Sharnbrook HOLY HOUR—silent prayer, music & incense Saturday—Lesser festival-Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, 258 Next Sunday services— 16th after Trinity 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & RnS—Bp Richard 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion—Bp Richard 1300 Sharnbrook Baptisms—Rector 1500 Souldrop Harvestide Praise—Lay Reader Garry 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong – LLW Rosemary

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

Harvest Barn Dance Sat 29 Sept in the village hall 7.30pm tickets available from Colin & Roland £12

Churches Together Harvest Supper hosted by St Peters in the Methodist building on Wedn 19 Sept 7.00pm
Tickets £5 from Marion

HOLLYWOOD IN SHARNBROOK Smash Hit Oscar Winning WEST SIDE STORY
Sharnbrook Village Hall, Sat 15 Sept 2018 Doors open 7pm (film starts 7.30pm) Proceeds to Friends of St Peter's Church Tickets £5 from Ian 781721

Goodbye events—we are saying goodbye to Reuben, Stephen & George on:- St Peters—Wed 26 Sept 6pm venue Sports and Social Club -Bring and Share finger buffet for church folk until 73pm then wider village from 7.30pm onwards St Mary’s—Sat 6 Oct 3-5pm at JaneW’s All Saints—Sun 16 after the 3pm Harvest Praise Reuben’s final Sunday will be Sun 7 October 1030 Benefice Communion at St Peters & 1800 Benefice Evensong at St Peters

The Rector is leaving the Church of England ministry to join the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Fr Reuben finshes on Sun 7 October. He will become Rector of St John’s Church, Johnstone & St Margaret’s Church, Renfrew. Reuben and Stephen are planning their wedding next September. Reuben’s Licensing is on Thurs 1 Nov at 7pm at St Margaret’s Church Renfrew. You are invited to attend— please let Reuben know if you can come for seating numbers. The local congregations are offering accom to any staying visitors—please ask.

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 Churchwardens:- St Peter’s Church: Roland Carpenter 01234 781551 Janet Norman 01234 781997 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: Ruth, Marjorie, Jo, Doreen, Isabela, Pam, David, Keri, Maureen, Matthew, Sally, Conrad & Cynthia
The Departed: David Witherick
Prayer requests for the week: Pray our Ivan and Veronica, married on Saturday in Rimini Pray for the Messy Church at the start of this new term Pray for Holy Spirit to stir the hearts of prospective new priests Pray for eyes to discern new LLWs in our Benefice

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

Spnsorship: in thanksgiving for the 60th Diamond Wedding Anniversary of Mac & Hanne 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’

0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion RnS 1100 Felmersham Choral Matins 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong – LLW JaneT

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)

Please bring food to share for our Epiphany Pot Luck Bring ‘n Share lunch—no lists just bring something to add to the table

New App lets drivers report modern slavery at hand car washes
Drivers are being urged to report signs of modern slavery at cheap hand car washes using a new smartphone app. Safe Car Wash asks motorists about a series of indicators of forced labour including the use of children, fearful behaviour, a lack of protective clothing and prices lower than £6.70. It sends the anonymised data and a GPS position to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and directs users to the Modern Slavery Helpline. The app, which is available for download from 4 June, has been launched by The Clewer Initiative, the Church of England’s campaign against modern slavery, and the Santa Marta Group, the Catholic Church’s anti-slavery project.

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.

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.