Pewsheet for 15th August 2010

St Dunstan’s Church, Monks Risborough
& St. Peter’s Chapel, Owlswick
Part of the Risborough Team Ministry
www.stdunstanschurch.com

Vicar – The Revd James Tomkins
01844 275944 (day off Tuesday)
jamestomkins@btinternet.com
The Rectory, Mill Lane, Monks Risborough, HP27 9JE

Sunday 15th August 2010
The Blessed Virgin Mary

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Worship is always a time for rejoicing. But today there’s an especially good reason.
Welcome to St Dunstan’s Church

If you are new to Monks Risborough or just visiting please introduce yourself to the Welcomers at the door who will be happy to tell you more about the church and its events.
During August, in place of Junior Church in the hall, there will be activity and colouring sheets as well as toys and books available for children in the church.
Coffee and tea are served in the Church Hall immediately after the 10.00am service - all are welcome.

Today

10.00 am Parish Eucharist (Lane setting)
Hymns
Introit 605
Psalm 45, vs.11-end
Offertory 182
Communion 77, 701, 922
Recessional 631

Readings
First Reading Isaiah 61:10-11
The prophet’s essential message is that the Lord plans to bring about a glorious restoration for his people. He promises a new covenant.

Second Reading Galatians 4:4-7
St Paul tells us that when the promised time comes the people will no longer be slaves but heirs.

Gospel Luke 1:46-55
Mary declares her delight at what is to come: the birth of Jesus.


6.00 pm Choral Evensong
Hymns: 572, 132:1-7, 649, 188
Readings: Song of Songs 2 v 1-7, Acts 1 v 6-14


Prayer for the week
Faithful to your promise, O God, you have lifted up the lowly, clothing with heavenly splendour the woman who bore Christ, our life and resurrection.
Grant that the Church, prefigured in Mary, may bear Christ to the world and come to share his triumph.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

Your prayers are asked this week for:
 All churches dedicated to St. Mary
 The people of Pakistan, who continue to struggle amid threats of further flooding
 B&B businesses, small family-run guest houses, and those who work and live in them.
 The Risborough Team – our PCCs, Churchwardens and Church Officers.
 Those living in Orchard Close (Longwick), Cherry tree Close and Moses Plat Lane (Speen).
 Those in need who are known in our parish:
◦ Joan Ballance, Trevor Calvert, Joan Pitcher, Enid Menzies, Molly Whyte, Marjorie Browne, Jean Taylor, Shelagh Bartlett,
 and also further afield for:
◦ Gordon Haynes, Christine
 Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time particularly Ethel Higgins, Hilda Rainbow, Brian Pechey and Stanley Baldwin.

Please remember the charities that St Dunstan's supports, in particular this week:
Anglicans in World Mission (USPG), working in direct partnership with Anglican Churches in over 50 countries, helping to support vital church work, including healthcare, education, leadership training and action for social justice.

Notices

Inspired by Creation
During September the Diocese of Oxford will be hosting Inspired by Creation, an opportunity to share with others a photograph and/or a poem/prayer that captures the place where people encounter God through creation. The idea is to mark creation-tide and promote an awareness of environmental issues and how we can respond. The competition will run from 1st-30th September. We plan to make the winning photos and words available through packs of postcards and other resources. The competition is open to anyone and linked to the Earthing Faith website www.earthingfaith.org. Register now and then use the summer to take a photograph or write a poem/prayer that is inspired by the place where you encounter God through creation. In September you will get a reminder to come back to the Earthing Faith website, when you will be able to enter your photograph and/or words into the competition.
New selection of cards for sale
There is a new selection of cards for sale on the table towards the back of the church. These include various photographs of the floral displays at the Flower Festival together with the existing picture of the church at a reduced price. Please put the money in the small wooden chest attached to the wall.

Can you spare an hour a week?
I have been approached to see if anyone would be available to spare about an hour a week to read for a person who is having difficulty with their eyesight. If you might be able to help out please let James know.

‘Believing – in good faith’
A one day conference is being held on Saturday 30th October 2010. This includes two lectures, “Good and Bad Religion" by Dr Peter Vardy and "Can Liberals be Biblical Christians?" by Canon Professor Keith Ward. The conference is being held at Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire, from 10 am to 4 pm. Further details are on the notice board. A number of people are already going from St. Dunstan’s. If you would like to join them please let James know.

‘God beyond Church’
This is the latest in the Amersham Millenium Lecture series. The speaker is Sheila Cassidy who is the author of ‘Audacity to believe’, and ‘Confessions of a lapsed Catholic’ is the title of the latest book she is writing. The lecture takes place on Thursday September 16th at 8 pm at St. Michael and all Angels, Amersham. A leaflet can be found on the table towards the back of the church.

Silent Prayer Meeting – Monday August 23rd at 8 pm
This will take place in the church hall and will last for about 45 minutes. Those who gather meet to share in a time of silence becoming more aware of the presence of God. James
‘Be still, and know that I am God’ Psalm 46.10

The Magnificat
1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
2 For he has looked with favour on his lowly servant; from this day all generations will call me blessed;
3 The Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his name.
4 He has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
5 He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
6 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
7 He has filled the hungry with good things
and the rich he has sent away empty.
8 He has come to the help of his servant, Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
9 The promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Luke 1.46-55

The next couple of weeks

Morning Prayer takes place on Monday (except Bank Holidays), Wednesday and Thursdays at St. Dunstan’s at 8.45 am

Today 10.00 am Parish Eucharist
6.00 pm Choral Evensong
Thurs Aug 19th 9.30 am Holy Communion
Fri Aug 20th 1.00 pm Wedding
Sun Aug 22nd 10.00 am Parish Eucharist
6.00 pm Choral Evensong (Owlswick)
Mon Aug 23rd 8.00 pm Silent Prayer Meeting (Church hall – see notices)
Thurs Aug 26th 9.30 am Holy Communion
Sat Aug 28th 11.30 am Wedding
1.30 pm Wedding
Sun Aug 29th 10.00 am Parish Eucharist
2.30 pm Wedding
6.00 pm Choral Evensong