Pew Sheet 18th December 2011

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

Welcome!

We hope you will enjoy worshipping here with us.

The Junior Church (10 o’clock Club) are staying in the Church Hall for their party.

Please join us for refreshments in the Church Hall immediately after the 10.00am service.  All are welcome.

 

Today

Sunday 18th December 2011

4th Sunday of Advent

When the Angel Gabriel told Mary she was favoured by God, he gave her the most difficult task in the world, but Mary instantly pledged her obedience.  In our worship today, let us listen for the song of the angels and the voice of God, and let us too pledge our obedience, whatever God should ask of us. 

10.00am Parish Eucharist (Merbecke Setting)

Hymns

Introit: 631    

Psalm: 89:1-9  

Offertory: 406

Communion: 381, 182, 536

Recessional: 405

First Reading                2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

David wants to build a magnificent house for God, but God has other ideas. God has not asked for a permanent house. Instead, God promises to establish the royal house and heritage of David for all future generations.  

Second Reading           Romans 16:25 - 27

In a final climax to his book, St Paul proclaims Jesus Christ as God, the revelation of a mystery which was kept secret from human beings for aeons, but is now revealed to the whole world. 

Gospel Reading            Luke 1: 26-38

The angel Gabriel visits Mary to inform her that she has been chosen by God to bear God’s Son, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary promises obedience to God. 

3.00pm             Owlswick Carol Service

6.00pm             Nine Lessons and Carols 



Prayer for the week


Here in our midst, O God of mystery, you disclose the secret hidden for countless ages.  For you we wait; for you we listen.  Upon hearing your voice may we, like Mary embrace your will and become a dwelling fit for your Word.  Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ 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:

• The people of Iraq, that following the withdrawal of American troops, democracy may flourish and violence be set aside in favour of tolerance, trust and truth.
• All who are suffering as a result of financial crisis
• The work of Christian Aid and Cafod, for their commitment to the world poor and establishing fair trade
• Longwick CE Combined School, its pupils, staff, head and governors.
• Residents of Windsor Hill (Princes Risborough) Crownfield and Wycombe Road (Speen)
• Those in need who are known in our parish:
• and also further afield for:
• Gordon Haynes; Christine; Deborah Ryley; Joan Male; Richard Irvine; Emma, Matt and Olivia; Sarah and Matt; Sally Maddox, Dewis Smith, Sylvia Jackson
• For the recently departed:   
•  Rowland Hill
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time particularly:  
•  Nancy Rutland, Peter Hoar, Lilian Green

Please remember the charities that St Dunstan's supports, in particular this week:

Parents and Children Together (PACT), working to build and strengthen families in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and across the UK and internationally. 

Notices

Carol Singing around the village, December 19th

Meeting at 6.30 pm at St. Dunstan’s everyone is invited to come carol singing around the village to help raise money for charity. Afterwards refreshments will be served. If you enjoy singing please come along – singers of all standards are welcome!

Volunteer Needed

Bob Reece has decided to retire from handling the advertising for the Newsletter after over 30 years!  We are looking for someone to take his place.  The work is to send out invoices annually to about 40 advertisers – and gently chase them up – sometimes! 

Adverts are usually prepared by the advertisers but suggestions are often welcomed. Further details can be got from Bob Reece (01844 346297) or David Kemp (01844 344097)

New choir director

I am delighted to announce that starting in the New Year we will be welcoming Diogo Cerdeira to the parish as choir director. We look forward to working with him as we build on the long standing musical tradition within the parish.

The 'Stable DOOR'

The January edition of The Door newspaper is now available to take home. Articles include: ‘The Carol service mystery’; why singing carols is good for us and ‘The proof of the Christmas pudding’, by the Bishop of Oxford.

Advent reflection

A last chance to look at the 2011 Advent Calendar. For each day there is a reading, meditation and prayers based around Mary's journey to Bethlehem, from her meeting with the Angel to the first Christmas in Bethlehem. Please use the link below to subscribe to this site and to help you prepare yourself spiritually for Christmas. James

https://sites.google.com/site/adventsite2011/

Applying for a Grant from Hody’s Charity

This was founded by a rector of St Dunstan’s Church, Monks Risborough in 1706, and added to by his successor

Dr Quarles. It provides grants for students in further or higher education or for apprentices who live in the parish or who are on the electoral roll. Applicant must be <21 at the time of their first application and <25 years old on receipt of the last grant.  You can apply three times.  This is the time of year for applications. Please call Rosemary if you would like to apply.  344417

End of year service

There will be a service of Evening Prayer on December 31st at 5pm to provide an opportunity to give thanks for the year that is about to pass and to ask for God’s blessing as we journey through 2012. James

Double edition of the Pew sheet (January 1st/8th)

Please ensure that all notices for this edition are submitted by December 28th. Space may be limited

The Next Couple of Weeks

Morning Prayer takes place on Monday (apart from Bank Holidays), Wednesday and Thursday at 8.45 at St. Dunstan’s

Sun 18th Dec	10.00 am Parish Eucharist and Sunday School Christmas Party! 3.00 pm Carol service, Owlswick 6.00pm  Nine lessons and Carols
Mon Dec 19th	6.30 pm Carol singing (see notices)
Wed Dec 21st	2.30 pm Friendship Group (hall)
Thurs 22nd Dec	9.30 am  Holy Communion
Sat 24th Dec	Christmas Eve 3.00 pm  Crib Service 6.00 pm   Village Carol Service 11.30 pm  Midnight Eucharist
Sun 25th Dec	Christmas Day 8.00 am  Holy Communion 10.00 am  All Age Family Eucharist
Thurs 29th Dec	9.30 am Holy Communion
Sat 31st Dec	5.00 pm Evening Prayer (see notices)
Sun 1st Jan	8.00 am  Holy Communion 10.00 am  All Age Family Eucharist and adult Baptisms 6.00 pm Choral Evensong
Wed 4th Jan	No morning prayer
Thurs 5th Jan	9.30 am Healing and Holy Communion (Rev Jennifer Locke) 2.00 pm Monks Monkeys restarts
Sun 8th Jan	10.00am Parish Eucharist (Revs. David and Nancy Wallace) 11.30 am Owlswick Holy Communion (Rev Donald Rydings) 6.00 pm Choral Evensong (Margaret Pitman)