Pew Sheet 5th February 2012

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

Today

Sunday 5th February 2012

3rd Sunday before Lent

8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP)

10.00 am Family Eucharist

and Baptism of Freddie Stallwood with choir and musicians from Monks Risborough School

Let us lift up our hearts and be joyful, for no matter what our circumstances, we can be sure that God loves and cares for each one of us.   

Hymns

Introit: 305
Gradual: 162 
Offertory: 817
Communion: 47, 590, 67, 202
Recessional: 332

First Reading               Isaiah 40: 21-31

God, the mighty creator, knows the ways not just of the heavens and the earth, but also of both rulers and ordinary people.  Nothing is hidden from God.  

Gospel Reading            Mark 1: 29-39

Jesus healing ministry starts to draw crowds, as he travels through Galilee, preaching.


6.00pm   Evensong

Readings: Numbers 13:1-2 & 27-33, Philippians 2:12-28

Hymns: 413, Psalm 5:1-7, 420, 606


Prayer for the week

Eternal God, whose Son went among the crowds and brought healing with his touch: help us to show his love, in your Church as we gather together,

and by our lives as they are transformed into the image of Christ our Lord.

Your prayers are asked this week for:

• Those who have been left bereaved or injured as a result of the football violence in Egypt
• The welfare and warmth of older and vulnerable people during the wintry weather
• The mission, ministry and congregational life of St Mary’s, Princes Risborough and St Nicholas Church, Saunderton.
• OFSTED, for all Inspectors and for wisdom and care in conducting inspections and publishing their reports.
• Residents of Meadow Drive (L), Pink Road and Pinkwoods (LG)
• 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, Sylvia Jackson, Marjorie Palmer
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time particularly:  
• Philip Balantyne, Chris Pearson.

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

ROPE – Relief for Oppressed People Everywhere, combating oppressive poverty across the world and striving to change the lives of the poor.       

Notices

Double Edition of the Pewsheet 10th/17th Feb

Please note that space for notices may be limited.

New PCC Members required

Each year a number of vacancies exist for people to be elected on to the Parochial Church Council (PCC). The PCC’s role is to co-operate with the vicar: in looking after the financial affairs of the church, ensuring the church building and their contents are cared for and maintained, commenting on aspects of worship and other general matters relating to the running of the church.  There are nine meetings each year, usually starting at 8pm on Monday evening. If you are interested in volunteering or finding out more, please let James know. He will be very happy to hear from you!

Church Services – Your feedback is appreciated

The words that we use, the hymns/songs that we sing and the music that we listen to are all aids to help us draw closer to God.  As we look to enhance our worship in the current year, I would greatly value your feedback both positive and negative.  I am keen that our worship is both accessible and enriching as part of the Church of England. I look forward to hearing from you. James

Could you represent St Dunstan’s on the Lighthouse Committee?

The committee meets once a month from 8-10pm.  It comprises members of each of the churches in Risborough as well as representatives from the sub groups that make Lighthouse tick; craft, main stage, finance, fund raising etc.  Your role would be to ensure that St Dunstan’s has a voice in the running of Lighthouse and to drum up support in our own church community for volunteers and fund raising initiatives.  You don’t necessarily have to help during the actual Lighthouse week or even have young children yourself, but be enthusiastic for the concept!  If you would like to know more please contact Cathy Farquhar 343226 or James.

Electoral Roll

The annual revision will take place from 17th February 2012.  If you wish to have your name added, please complete an application form, available from me or in the Church porch, and return to me no later than 28th February 2012. If you wish your name to be removed please contact me.  Roger Timms (01844 344966)

Fellowship Meeting 9th February, 8.00pm Church Hall

Jill Carey – Red Kites. Husbands and friends are welcome to the meetings. 

Bible Study Group – ‘The Apprentice’, February 9th

‘The Apprentice’ is a course that covers the following themes: journeying; longing; believing; questioning and belonging. The next session will be held on Thursday February 9th from 8.00 to 9.30 at The Willows, Mill Lane. All are welcome. James

Flower Arranging Workshop February 18th

This is being run on Saturday from 10-12.30 in the church. No experience required and minimal cost.  Please telephone Gwen Miles 01844 345230 if you are interested.

Small group, BIG QUESTIONS, February 24th, 10 am

Starting on Friday February 24th and running weekly up to March 23rd, everyone is welcome to come along to The Rectory at the top of Mill Lane, Monks Risborough from 10.00 to 11.30 to explore questions of faith and other aspects of Christianity. Come with your doubts, your hopes and your questions. As part of an informal group we aim to answer those questions that we all struggle with from time to time. Each week will start with some refreshments followed by a DVD to stimulate discussion and a time for people to listen, ask questions and share their thoughts. Topics will include ‘Who is Jesus’ and ‘how can I be sure of my Faith’. To book a place please contact either James
or Alan Barnes (01844) 273390 alanazzsoul@aol.com

Cross of Christ, February 25th at 4 pm at St. Mary’s, Princes Risborough

Local church choirs will be coming together to perform this work. Everyone is most welcome to attend this service, which will include Bible readings, prayers, congregational singing and anthems by a combined choir.

A ‘Pilgrim Tour’ of Westminster Abbey, Wednesday March 21st

I have managed to make special arrangements for a prayer pilgrimage at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday March 21st. We will meet in the ‘lay-by’ in Monks Risborough at 3.45 pm to travel up to London by coach to arrive at the Abbey after it has closed to the general public. We will join a Canon Steward for a ‘pilgrim tour’ which will take us around the Abbey hearing about its history and praying in its sacred places. The tour will begin at 6.15pm ending with Compline at 7.15pm. We hope to return to Monks Risborough at about 9 pm. The cost will be £12 for adults, £6 for your first child under 18 (subsequent children free). You may want to bring a ‘snack’ with you. To book a place please contact James with a cheque made payable to ‘PCC Monks Risborough’ or cash.

‘Youth’ group starting up, February 26th

We are looking to create a space called ‘later’; for young people to come together to have fun, to ‘chill out’ with their friends and to make new ones. The initial meeting will be at 26 Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9DT on Sunday February 26th at 6.00 pm, finishing at 8.00 pm. At this first meeting we will serve Pizza and Hot Chocolate and ask the young people what sort of things they would like to do in the future. Anyone in years 6 to 10 are very welcome. Please let James know if your son(s)/daughter (s) is interested in coming along.

Confirmation Classes

A confirmation course will be held later this year with a view to a confirmation service being held around May/June time. This service is likely to be in the Wendover/Amersham/Chesham area and led by the Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson. Confirmation is the next stage of the Christian journey after Baptism and is traditionally seen as the entry point to Holy Communion. If you and/or your child (9 years and older) is interested in exploring confirmation please let me know. James

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

Sunday 5th Feb Today	8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am All Age Family Eucharist and Baptism with choir and musicians from Monks Risborough School 6.00pm  Choral Evensong
Thurs 9th Feb	9.30am  Holy Communion 2.00pm  Monks Monkeys 8.00 pm Fellowship Meeting (church hall) 8.00 Bible Study Group (see notices)
Sun 12th Feb	10.00am Parish Eucharist 11.30am Owlswick Holy Communion 6.00pm  Evensong
Thurs 16th Feb	9.30am  Holy Communion with Rev. Nancy Wallace
Friday 17th Feb	Electoral Roll Revision Opens
Sat 18th Feb	10.00am Flower Arranging Workshop (see notices)
Sun 19th Feb	10.00am  Parish Eucharist with Rev. Kevan Royle 6.00pm  Choral Evensong