Pew Sheet 23rd December 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.

 

Sunday 23rd December 2012

Fourth Sunday of Advent
The waiting is almost over.  We come together before God in this time of tinsel and fairy lights and ponder the deeper meaning of the Good News that we are about to celebrate.  Today we hear Mary’s story-the great news that she heard and the song that she was inspired to sing, and we venture to sing our own songs of faith, love and compassion.  

10.00 am          Parish Eucharist          (Merbecke Setting)
Baptism of Louise and Niamh Powell 

Hymns: 480, 182, 631
Canticle: The Magnificat (page 19 of the green prayer book)
During Communion:  634, 536 & 508

First Reading                Micah 5: 2-5a
The ancient worlds of the prophet Micah echo down the centuries and speak of a strange birth, and a ruler of the humblest origins, who will bring security and peace in the name of the Great God. 

Second Reading           Hebrews 10: 5-10
The writer to the Hebrews explains the destiny of the baby whose birth we prepare to celebrate: to open the way to God for all of us, for all time. 

Gospel Reading            Luke 1: 39–45
Mary has received her angelic visit and the astounding news of her pregnancy.  She sets off to visit her cousin Elizabeth, also an important part of the story and mother-to-be of a miraculous child.   

3:00pm             Owlswick Carol Service

Hymns: 31, 32, 29, 11, 7, 46, 5, 15


Prayer for the Week
Who are we, Lord God, that you should come to us? Yet you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your Word, and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works.  We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen

Monday 24th December 2012

Christmas Eve – Midnight Mass
 Unto us a child is born. Alleluia. Tonight the angels sing on earth. Glory to God in the highest! 

Hymns: 521, 523, 330, 479 (vs. 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7)
Communion:  In the Bleak midwinter (anthem) Communion hymns: 321, 860, 597, 729

First Reading                Isaiah: 52: 7-10
In poetry, Isaiah proclaims the coming of a messenger who will bring peace and salvation to all God’s people.       

Second Reading           Hebrews 1: 1-12
The writer to the Hebrews sings of God’s Son, whom he describes as “ an exact imprint of God’s very being,” worshipped by the angels.  

Gospel Reading            John 1: 1-14
John describes Jesus as God’s message to humanity; the Christ who has been with God from the beginning of time but lived on earth among human beings, bringing them truth and light.

Prayer for the Mass at Midnight
Good and gracious God, on this holy night you gave us your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Saviour of all, lying in a manger.  On this holy night draw us into the mystery of your love.  Join our voices with the heavenly host, that we may sing your glory on high.  Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the one for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Tuesday 25th December 2012

Christmas Day
 On this Christmas morning let us thank God for love and for gifts, and especially for God’s loving gift of himself to all humanity, through the person of Jesus. 

8.00 am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10.00 am All Age Family Eucharist
Hymns: 508, 645, 745, 266
During Communion:  47, 350, 861, 776

First Reading                Isaiah: 9: 2-7
Isaiah’s prophecy is a greeting that the birth of a child will bring a new kingdom of righteousness that will last for ever        


Gospel Reading            Luke 2: 1-14
Luke, the master storyteller, gives us a picture 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 Christmas Day
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 eternal God. Amen.

Your prayers are asked this week for:

• all those caught up in the Connecticut elementary school shootings, both those who died, and those who survived
• ‘peace on earth’ in places like Syria, Afghanistan and the Middle East
• those who are not looking forward to Christmas because they are cold, hungry, without a home, or are on their own
• Those who volunteer to care for the terminally ill and work in our local hospital and hospices.
• Police, Fire-fighters, Paramedics, Ambulance Crew and other emergency and support workers
• New adults helpers to support the Fiesta evenings at Lighthouse
• Residents of: Wycombe Rd (PR), Lee Road (Sa)
• Those in need who are known in our parish:
• and also further afield for:
  • Gordon Haynes, Joan and Bill Male, Richard Irvine, Alastair
• The recently departed:
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • Irene Edwards, Geoff Stevens, Philip Kelleway, Amy Wilkins, Geoffrey Copcutt, Elizabeth Spittles 

Please remember the charities that the parish supports, in particular this week: Iain Rennie Hospice at Home
Offering specialist and supportive care and advice for patients with cancer and other life threatening illnesses in their homes

Notices

 

December 30th, Coffee and mince pies at the Rectory
After the Parish Eucharist everyone is welcome to come along to the Rectory at the top of Mill Lane to have a drink and a mince pie or two. James and Ann

December 31st, Evening Prayer at 5.00 pm
To mark the end of the year I am again holding a service of ‘said’ evening prayer for anyone who wishes to come along. James

Unsung Heroes Award
This goes to everyone who contributed to the success of the Candlelit Concert on Wednesday - furniture movers, refreshment helpers, ticket sellers and advertisers. It was a very enjoyable evening, thanks to you and raised in the region of £700, Rosemary

Lighthouse Prayer Requests
These are the on main notice board for people to pray for as well as being listed as a separate item above

The Door – January edition
Please take a copy home with you. Articles include: ‘Women Bishops – why are we waiting?’ ‘the Good Shepherd’ - the story of some first century shepherds and a very special newborn baby; a Christmas message from Bishop John.

 

The Next Few Weeks  

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

Sun 23rd Dec	10.00am  Parish Eucharist and Baptisms of Louise and Niamh Powell 3.00pm  Owlswick Carol Service
Mon 24th Dec	Christmas Eve 3.00pm  Crib Service 6.00pm  Village Carol Service 11.30pm  Midnight Eucharist
Tue 25th Dec	Christmas Day 8.00am  Holy Communion 10.00am  All Age Family Eucharist
Thurs 27th Dec John the Apostle	9.30am  Holy Communion
Sun 30th Dec	10.00am  Parish Eucharist (followed by mince pies and coffee at The Rectory) 6.00pm  Choral Evensong
Mon 31st Dec	New Year’s Eve 5.00pm Evening Prayer
Thurs 3rd Jan	9.30 am Healing and Holy Communion
Sun 6th Jan Epiphany	8.00am  Holy Communion 10.00am  All Age Family Eucharist 6.00pm Choral Evensong
Thurs 10th Jan	9.30am  Holy Communion (Rev Serena Hutton)
Sun 13th Jan	10.00am  Parish Eucharist (Rev Kevan Royle) 11.30am  Owlswick Holy Communion (Rev Ivor Cornish) 6.00pm Choral Evensong (Margaret Pitman)