Author: Reuben

16th Sunday after Trinity Sunday 1 October 2017 when you have finished with this sheet pass it on to someone unable to get to church today

COLLECT Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING Exodus 17.1-7
A reading from the book of Exodus.
1 From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 The people quarrelled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?’ 3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ 4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ 5 The LORD said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’ Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the LORD, saying, ‘Is the LORD among us or not?’
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD PSALM Psalm 25.1-8 R: Remember, Lord, your compassion and love.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies triumph over me. Let none who look to you be put to shame, but let the treacherous be shamed and frustrated. R Make me to know your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you have I hoped all the day long. R Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions, but think on me in your goodness, O Lord, according to your steadfast love. R Gracious and upright is the Lord; therefore shall he teach sinners in the way. He will guide the humble in doing right and teach his way to the lowly. R SECOND READING Philippians 2:1-13
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians.
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD
GOSPEL Matthew 21:23-32
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew GLORY TO YOU O LORD When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ 24 Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” 26 But if we say, “Of human origin,” we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ 27 So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” 29 He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.’
This is the gospel of the Lord. PRAISE TO YOU O CHRIST
POST COMMUNION
Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law: grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbours as ourselves; 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!—may you meet God in a new way today

Worship in the Benefice today-16th Sun after Trinity 0930 Sharnbrook Parish Communion & RnS 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1500 Souldrop Parish Communion and Interment of Ashes 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong–Rector Monday—feria 1145 Messy Church 2000 Christian Meditation in SPR Tuesday—-Comm-George Bell, Peacemaker 1958 1930 Pastoral Meeting in SPR—LLW Andrea 1930 Souldrop PCC planning meeting Wednesday—Lesser Festival-Francis of Assisi, 1226 0930 Sharnbrk Holy Comm of the Pre-sancitifed—LLW Andrea Thursday—feria 0930 Felmersham Holy Communion—Rev Lionel NO Service at Sharnbrook House whilst the Rector is on Jury duty Friday-Lesser Festival–William Tyndale, 1536 Saturday—feria Next Sunday—17th Sun after Trinity 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook AA Holy Communion 1100 Felmersham Parish Communion 1300 Sharnbrook Holy Baptism of baby Frederick Noel Fisher 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong- LLW Andrea
Funeral notice - many of you will have known the late Jeff Grounds the first head of the Upper school in the 1970s. His funeral is at All Saints, Risely 2pm on Wed 4 October if you would like to attend and pay your respects. .

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

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

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

ADVENT calendar orders are being taken—add your name and numbers to the lists in St Mary’s or St Peter’s Room

GOOD News—LED lighting in being installed in St Peters on Tues 10 October to replace all current fittings. The Friends of St Peters are helping towards the costs involved.

Intercessions The sick and in need: Marjorie, Connie, Doreen, Bryan, Betty, Elizabeth, Audrey, Pam, Molly, Hanne, James, Barbara & Martin The Departed: Roy Durston, Jeff Grounds Send the names of people who have asked to be remembered in our parish intercessions to the Rector Pray for Anglican brothers and sisters devastated by the storms Pray for the gift of the desire to grow as churches in our Benefice Pray for our Messy Church groups in the Benefice—esp for new leaders to be nurtured

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 prayer for our Anglican brothers and sisters in the Caribbean 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!

Ouse Valley Singers & Four in a bar Saxaphone Quartet Concert 7:30pm Sat 30 Sept in Village Hall tickets £7 incl wine from Colin Scott 01234 781559 0r Alan Brown 01234 823344 all proceeds to St Peter’s Church funds

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.

Leading Your Church Into Growth We pray for those attending this conference as part of our Mission Action Plan: Stephen, JaneT, Colin, Josh & Gary along with Fr Reuben. May they be richly blessed in their time to discover new ways of reaching out to our villages.