Pew Sheet 24th/25th 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.

   

Saturday 24th December 2011

Christmas Eve

11.30pm Midnight Eucharist       (Addington setting)

 

The journey of Christmas is the story of new life.  It is also the story of all creation, as the first words of Genesis are echoed in the Gospel of St John – “in the beginning” was the Word. 

Hymns

Introit: 521

Gradual: 148  

Offertory: 330

Communion: 634, 597, 326, 321

Recessional: 479

First Reading               Isaiah 52: 7-10

The proclamation of peace, good news and salvation is beautiful to behold and to hear.

Second Reading           Hebrews 1: 1-4

God spoke to our ancestors, through the prophets, but now he has spoken through his son, the heir of all things, and the exact imprint of God’s very being.

Gospel Reading            John 1: 1-14

The Word of God has existed since the beginning and before.  Jesus, the Word made flesh, the light of God, came into the world to enlighten humankind.  John was sent by God as the precursor of Jesus.  Though the light was not accepted, the darkness cannot extinguish it, and those who accept it become children of God.

  

Sunday 25th December 2011

Christmas Day

8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)

10.00am Christmas Day Family Eucharist

Hymns

Introit: 508

Gradual: 93  

Offertory: 745

Communion: 350, 321, 776

Recessional: 266

First Reading                Isaiah 62: 6-end

The prophet proclaims that the news of God’s deliverance will reach every corner of the world, to call all his people back to himself. He will redeem them, and make them his holy ones

 Gospel Reading            Luke 2 : 8-20

Luke, the master storyteller, gives us pictures we shall never forget, of the humble birth at Bethlehem of the Saviour of the world, and the shining glory which brought shepherds to worship the Lamb of God    

Prayer for the week

Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth; accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. 

Your prayers are asked this week for:

• The people of Iraq and Syria; that democracy may flourish and violence be set aside in favour of tolerance, trust and truth.
• The Whitechapel Mission helping to serve the homeless and the hungry 365 days a year
• Other charities that bring gifts to those in need, especially Crisis and their Christmas shelters
• All who have to work over the holiday to provide essential services or who give up their own time to bring joy to others
• The mission, ministry and congregational life of The Chilterns Christian Fellowship.
• Local MPs and those who support their work.
•  Residents of Windmill Hill (PR) Saunderton Vale and Saunderton Lodge, Wellington Ave (PR) and Little Lane  (Sa)
• Those in need who are known in our parish:
• and also further afield for:
• Gordon Haynes; Christine; Joan Male; Richard Irvine; Emma, Matt and Olivia; Sarah and Matt; Sally Maddox, Dewis Smith, Sylvia Jackson
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time particularly:  
•  Irene Edwards, Geoff Stevens, Philip Kelleway, Amy Wilkins, Geoff Copcutt

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

Tearfund, working in partnership with Christian agencies and churches worldwide to tackle the causes and effects of poverty.   

Notices

 

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the Advent and Christmas season such a special time. Many people have helped out with the additional services, decorating both the inside and the outside of the church, providing refreshments and being involved in various other ways. By the end of this period we will have raised several hundred pounds for a number of charities following collections at our special services and by carol singing. May I wish you all a very happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year. James

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 from January 11th 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 (free) 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.


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.

Fellowship Group Jan 12th  Coffee Morning

There will be no evening meeting but Janet is hosting a coffee morning from 10.30 – noon at 6 Dovecote Close.

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

Sat 24th Dec	Christmas Eve 3.00pm   Crib service 6.00pm   Village carol service 11.30pm  Midnight Eucharist
Sun 25th Dec	Christmas Day 8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am  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	8.00am  Holy Communion 10.00am  All Age Family Eucharist and Adult Baptisms 6.00pm Choral Evensong
Wed 4th Jan	No morning prayer
Thurs 5th Jan	9.30am  Healing and Holy Communion (Rev Jennifer Locke) 2.00pm Monks Monkeys restarts
Sun 8th Jan Epiphany	10.00am Parish Eucharist (Rev. David Wallace) 11.30am  Owlswick Holy Communion (Rev Donald Rydings) 6.00pm  Choral Evensong (Margaret Pitman)
Thurs 12th Jan	9.30am  Holy Communion 10.30am Fellowship Group Coffee Morning (see notices) 2.00pm  Monks Monkeys 8.00pm ‘The Apprentice’ house group at the Rectory
Sun 15th Jan	10.00am  Parish Eucharist 6.00pm  Choral Evensong