Author: Reuben

16th Sunday after Trinity 16 September 2018 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 Proverbs 1.20-33
A reading from the book of Proverbs
Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. 21 At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 22 ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23 Give heed to my reproof; will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hand and no one heeded, 25 and because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, 27 when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, 31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. 32 For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them; 33 but those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.’
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Responsorial Psalm 116.1-8
R: Gracious is the Lord and righteous.
I love the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication;
because he inclined his ear to me on the day I called to him.
The snares of death encompassed me; the pains of hell took hold of me; by grief and sorrow was I held. R Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I beg you, deliver my soul.” Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is full of compassion. R The Lord watches over the simple; I was brought very low and he saved me. Turn again to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has been gracious to you. R For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. R
SECOND READING James 3.1-12
A reading from the letter of James
3Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,* for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes

no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,* and is itself set on fire by hell.* 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,* this ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters,* yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
This is the word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD Gospel Mark 8.27-end
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark GLORY TO YOU O LORD
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ 28And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ 29He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’* 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel,* will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words* in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
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
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—it is lovely to have Bp Richard with us today

Worship in the Benefice today… 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 followed by Souldrop goodbye to Reuben, Stephen & George 1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong – LLW Rosemary Monday-Lesser Fest- Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, 1179 Tuesday--feria 1930 Felmersham PCC at JaneW’s Wednesday —Comm-Theodore of Tarsus, Archbp of Cant, 690 0930 Sharnbrook Holy Communion 2nd Wed BCP 12noon Deanery Chapter Prayers in Lady Chapel 1900 SCT Harvest Supper at Park Lane Thursday –Lesser Festival-John Coleridge Patteson, 1st Bp of Melanesia, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871
0930 Felmersham Holy Communion CW Friday—Red Letter Day-St Matthew’s Day 1145 Sharnbrook Messy Church 1400 Sharnbrook Funeral of late David Witherick
1900 Sharnbrook Holy Communion for St Matthew’s Day followed by drinks and nibbles Saturday—feria Next Sunday services— Harvest Celebrations 0830 Souldrop Holy Communion BCP 0930 Sharnbrook Harvest Communion & RnS 1100 Felmersham Harvest Community Celebration followed by Ploughman’s Lunch in aid of Bp Alan’s Harvest Appeal
1800 Sharnbrook Benefice Evensong – LLW JaneT

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

Goodbye events —for Reuben, Stephen & George on:- St Peters—Wed 26 Sept 6pm venue Sports and Social Club -Bring and Share finger buffet for church folk until 730pm then wider village from 7.30pm onwards St Mary’s—Sat 6 Oct 3-5pm at JaneW’s All Saints—Sun 16 after 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 finishes on Sun 7 Oct. He’ll become Rector of St John’s, Johnstone & St Margaret’s, Renfrew. Reuben & Stephen are planning their wedding next September. Reuben’s Licensing is on Thurs 1 Nov at 7pm at St Margaret’s, Renfrew. You are invited to attend— please let Reuben know if you can come for seating numbers. The local congregations are offering accommodation 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: Maureen Millar, David Witherick
Prayer requests for the week: Pray those preparing for funerals at this time Pray for the Messy Church at the start of this new term Pray for Evie & Ellis Williams baptised today 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 that India's Supreme Court has now abolished section 377 of its penal code. This means the court has decriminalised homosexuality and it affects 18% of the worlds LGBTs—Alleluia! 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.