Pew Sheet 27th January 2013

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

Churchwardens: Rosemary Woodward-Court
01844 344417 & Sue Ingram 01844 275287

Welcome!
We hope you will enjoy worshipping here with us.

The Junior Church (10 o’clock Club) meet in the Church Hall before coming into Church for Communion

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

Sunday 27th January 2013

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany
In our worship today we discover Jesus preaching to the people of his home town, Nazareth.  May we hear his words as we come together to worship.

10.00 am Parish Eucharist         Mass Setting: Addington
Hymns: 225, 13, 752
Psalm:   19:1-6
Communion:  540, 610, 922

First Reading                Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6 & 8-10
When the Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, the walls of the city had to be rebuilt. Now Nehemiah turns to rebuilding the lives of the people.      

Second Reading           1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
In this passage, St Paul introduces us to the idea of each of us being a part of one body, the Church of Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading            Luke 4 14-21
Jesus had become well known in Samaria when he returned to Nazareth where he’d been brought up.  There he visited the local synagogue.    

3:00pm   Owlswick Choral Evensong
Readings: Numbers 9: 15-end, 1 Corinthians 7: 17-24
Hymns: 484, Psalm 33:1-8, 324, 431, 240

Prayer for the Week
Lord God, whose compassion embraces all peoples, whose law is wisdom, freedom, and joy for the poor, fulfil in our midst your promise of favour, that we may receive the gospel of salvation with faith and, anointed by the Spirit, freely proclaim it.  Grant 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 affected by the bad weather, whether snow, ice or flood. May God keep us safe and healthy, and may we help those around us who are affected by it.
• World peace, particular in North Africa, the Middle East and the Far East.
• Further progress in extending the churchyard now that planning permission has been received
• The Elderly and the Infirm: Age Concern, “Open Door”
• Those who mourn the victims of genocide and that all may resolve to put an end to racism and all forms of discrimination. 
• Residents of: Wellington Ave & Well Lane (MR), Little Orchard Close (L), Little Park (PR)
• Those in need who are known in our parish:
• and also further afield for:
  • Gordon Haynes, Joan Male, Bill Male, Richard Irvine, Alastair
• The recently departed:
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • Edward Ginno, Marion Reece, Oscar Tahmasebi, Win Cummings, Robert Millican, Ruth Rider, Tom Randall, Hugh Greig.

Please remember the charities that the parish 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

New Church Electoral Roll
Every six years the church electoral roll is completely revised. In anticipation of creating a new electoral roll, letters will be handed out after the morning service today with an application form to invite people to come on to the new roll. The electoral roll seeks to reflect church membership as closely as possible and provides a general barometer of the vibrancy of the worshipping community. Forms will need to be completed and returned by March 31st to the electoral roll officer Mr Roger Timms, Nags Head House, Aylesbury Road, Monks Risborough,  HP27 0JT. If you do not receive a letter please accept my apologies and complete and return a form that will be readily available in St. Dunstan’s and St. Peter’s. Thank you. James

Tonight ‘a history of St. Dunstan’s Church’
Rev. Arthur Taylor will give a talk on the history of St. Dunstan’s starting at 7.30 pm (in the church). Arthur knows a tremendous amount about the church and he is giving this talk as part of a monthly series of meetings organised by a group called ‘Askett Informals’

‘Later’ youth group meeting tonight
‘Later’ is a group for young people aged 11-15 in years 7-11 at Secondary School. The meeting is from 6-8pm @ 26 Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough for 'chat, catch up, food, hang out'. For more information please speak with James. The next meeting after this will be on February 17th, again from 6 -8 pm at 26 Summerleys Road.

The Real Easter Egg
Out of the 80 million Easter eggs sold in the UK every year this is the only one which tells the Easter story, gives money to charity and is Fairtrade. The egg is £3.99 with free delivery if ordered by February 11th.  In the box is the resurrection text from Mark, an activity poster and a sticker set. There are more details in the porch and a form to sign if you would like buy one. I will collect payment when they are delivered.  Rosemary.

Christmas Services and Charities:
Rather belatedly I thought you would like to know that over the Christmas period as a result of collections at services and carol singing the following amounts were raised: Crisis UK £71.75; Shelter £76.90; Christian Aid  £156.15; British Heart Foundation  £90.00; Great Ormond Street Hospital £150.00; Iain Rennie Hospice at Home £130.00. Thank you for your generosity, James 

The Bloxham Festival of Faith and Literature
This runs from February 15th -17th and is a literary festival with a theological slant (or as it was described recently, 'Hay with God'), organised by the Church Times, in partnership with Greenbelt. Talks include ‘The Philosopher and the Gospel’ What happens when a philosopher reads the Gospels? Keith Ward looks at the teachings of Jesus through the lens of contemporary philosophy.
Further details can be found on www.bloxhamfaithandliterature.co.uk. James

Lent Courses:
The Bethany House Group is offering the latest York Course for Lent:  ‘Glimpses of God – Hope for Today’s World’. The five weekly sessions start on 20th February, at 76 Westmead from 10.30 – noon. These are entitled:  The God who hears our cry – The Shepherd who guides and guards his people – The Son who is the Way, the Truth and the Life – The God who shares our pain - The God who calms our fears.  All are welcome and the cost of the accompanying booklet is just £3.40.  Please ring either Su Viney on 275461 or Jill Iredale on 346488 in good time, so that these may be ordered for you.
Church Together in Risborough is organising an evening course for anyone to come along to called ‘Serving the Community’. This takes place from 7.00 – 9.00pmon Tuesday evenings at Costa Coffee, Princes Risborough. Each evening will begin with an opportunity to buy drinks and food, (served by Costa staff) followed by the following speakers and time for questions and discussion
Tuesday 19 February – Gareth Lane & Mark Knight, Street Pastors
Tuesday 26 February – to be confirmed
Tuesday 5 March – Kate Vale, ‘One Can’
Tuesday 12 March – Fred Ireland, Prison Chaplain
Tuesday 19 March – Dave Rollins, Aylesbury Vale Youth for Christ

Sound System Problems and Church Hall Heating
I apologise for the recent difficulties with the sound system which has meant that the loop system is not working and the microphones used by priests can be intermittent. We have an engineer coming this week to look at the sound system. We also hope to have the heating in the hall fixed very soon. James

32nd Amersham Millennium Lecture
This takes place on Tuesday 19th March 2013, 8.00 pm at St Michael and All Angels, 70 Sycamore Road, Amersham on the Hill, HP6 5DR, 01494 726680: e‐mail office@stmichaelsamersham.org.uk. The talk is ‘‘On Not Being C S Lewis; The Imaginative Task of Apologetics’. Presented by Francis Spufford. Apologetics is the art of building a bridge in words between the experience of belief and the experience of unbelief. But what worked in the 1940s will work no longer. Writer Francis Spufford talks about the literary challenge of describing faith in early 21st century Britain. Tickets available from above address, or on the door: £10, or concessions £7, to include wine/juice during the interval.

The Next Few Weeks  

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

Sun 27th Jan	10.00am  Parish Eucharist 3.00pm  Owlswick Choral Evensong 6.00pm ‘Later’ youth group (see notices) 7.30pm History of St. Dunstan’s (see notices)
Thurs 31st Jan	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys
Fri 1st February	1.00pm Lunch Club
Sun 3rd Feb Presentation of Christ	8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am All Age Family Communion and Baptism 6.00pm Choral Evensong
Mon 4th Feb	8.00 pm Silent Prayer Meeting (church hall)
Thurs 7th Feb	9.30am  Healing and Holy Communion
Sun 10th Feb	10.00am  Parish Eucharist 11.30am  Owlswick Holy Communion 6.00pm   Choral Evensong
Wed 13th Feb Ash Wednesday	2.30pm Monks Risborough School Service 8.00pm  Parish Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes

Pew Sheet 20th January 2013

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) meet in the Church Hall before coming into Church for Communion

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

Sunday 20th January 2013

Third Sunday of Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” As we celebrate Christ’s light in the world, we come before our heavenly Father, worshipping him with receptive and thankful hearts.
.
10.00 am Parish Eucharist: Mass Setting (Addington)

Hymns: 314, 716, 352
Psalm 36:5-10
Communion:  81, 288, 516

First Reading                Isaiah: 62:1-5
Zion has suffered oppression and injustice; but the prophet brings good news.  He vows neither to rest nor be silent until Jerusalem in vindicated, and her salvation shines out “like a burning torch”. 

Second Reading           1 Corinthians 12:1-11
No one can say “Jesus is Lord” other than by the Holy Spirit.  Paul explains to his readers the ways in which the one Spirit works in believers to bring forth a variety of different gifts.

Gospel Reading            John 2:1-11
Jesus turns the water into wine at a wedding at Cana in Galilee.  He thus performed the first of his “signs” and his disciples believed in him (2:11).   
6:00pm   Choral Evensong
Readings: 1 Samuel 3:1-20, Ephesians 4:1-16
Hymns: 656, Psalm 96:1-8, 649, 188

Prayer for the Week
God of wonders, at Cana in Galilee you revealed your glory in Jesus Christ and summoned all humanity to life in Him. Show to your people gathered on this day your transforming power and give us a foretaste of the wine you keep for the age to come. We make our prayer 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 those caught up in the hostage crisis in Algeria
• all affected by or vulnerable to the wintry weather
• churches of other denominations (e.g. Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and Pentecostal) in the week of prayer for Christian Unity
• Primary Care Trusts, Nurses, Midwives and other health professionals working in the community.
• our future in the European Union
• New factories and industrial estates to provide better, safer and cleaner working environments.
• Residents of: Owlswick & Owlswick Lane (MR), Fairway & Firs Court (PR)
• Those in need who are known in our parish:
• and also further afield for:
  • Gordon Haynes, Joan Male, Bill Male, Richard Irvine, Alastair
• The recently departed:
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  Bill Ballance.

Please remember the charities that the parish 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

Saturday 26th Jan 2013, Community Open Afternoon
This is open for all residents of Risborough and the surrounding area. The event is to be held in the Community Centre Main Hall (off Stratton Road, opposite Mount Car Park exit) commencing at 2pm, doors open from 1.30pm. Information regarding the tickets and the outline programme can be found on the church notice board.

The Bloxham Festival of Faith and Literature
This runs from February 15th -17th and is a literary festival with a theological slant (or as it was described recently, 'Hay with God'), organised by the Church Times, in partnership with Greenbelt. Further details can be found on www.bloxhamfaithandliterature.co.uk. James

New Church Electoral Roll
Every six years the church electoral roll is completely revised. In anticipation of creating a new electoral roll, letters will be handed out after the service on January 27th  with an application form to invite people to come on to the new roll. The electoral roll seeks to reflect church membership as closely as possible and provides a general barometer of the vibrancy of the worshipping community. Forms will need to be completed and returned by March 31st to the electoral roll officer Mr Roger Timms, Nags Head House, Aylesbury Road,  Monks Risborough,  HP27 0JT. If you do not receive a letter please accept my apologies and complete and return a form that will be readily available in St. Dunstan’s and St. Peter’s. Thank you. James

New Flower Rota – volunteers required
Discover your creative side and uncover your hidden talents at flower arranging. If you are interested in joining the St. Dunstan’s Flower Team please contact either Jenny Masterton-Smith (273538) or Gwen Miles (345230).

Being Anglican (the Church of England is part of this)
As there was plenty of space in the notice sheet I thought I’d put some information in about the nature of the Anglican Church. This stems from the last PCC meeting when a discussion about women bishops was held. Below is one interpretation of what it means to be part of the Anglican Communion. It may raise more questions than answers but hopefully it will provide some background to why there are varying views held by people and churches as each will place a difference emphasis on each of the three strands mentioned. James
Anglicanism is the catholic faith as expressed through the Church of England. An Anglican is a member of the Anglican Church, or more properly the Anglican Communion.  The word “Anglican” derives from the word “Anglo” as in "Anglo-Saxon" and means "English." The Anglican Church originally was the Church of England and indeed the Anglican Church began in England.  Today, many centuries later, The Anglican Communion is made up of 38 Provinces that include 77 million members in 164 countries.  It is the third largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. “Anglicanism" is the beliefs and practices of the Anglican Communion.
Although considered Protestant by many, the Anglican Communion identifies itself with the catholic faiths.  In fact, many refer to the Anglican faith as being reformed Catholicism, while others call it Biblical Catholicism.  But, whatever the definition, Anglicanism is a hybrid between the Catholic and Protestant faiths.
In the summer of 2006 the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams identified three things that, when held together, make Anglicanism distinct from other Christian denominations and contribute to the essential character of the Anglican Church.   Other denominations share one or two of these qualities.  What makes Anglicanism unique is the balanced presence of all three. They are:
1. A reformed commitment to the priority of the Bible for deciding doctrine. 
2. A catholic loyalty to the sacraments and the threefold ministry of bishops, priests and deacons.
3. A habit of cultural sensitivity and intellectual flexibility that does not seek to close down unexpected questions too quickly.
In conjunction with this definition is the principle set down by one of the church's theologians, explaining that Anglicanism is a "three-legged stool."  One leg is Scripture; the second is Tradition; the third is Reason.  Scripture has priority, trumping the other two when stating dogma.  But, the Traditions of the unified Church, when Scripture is silent, is also very important.  Finally, Reason must be applied to discern what is meant by Scripture and Tradition and to apply these two to new or different situations. 
Clearly Archbishop Williams's explanation and the image of the three-legged stool links our reformed heritage, our catholic heritage, and our intellectual heritage nicely, capturing the core strength of the Anglican way of living out our Christian Faith.

 

The Next Few Weeks  

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

Sun 20th Jan	10.00am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm CANCELLED Service to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 6.00pm Choral Evensong
Mon 21st Jan	8.00pm PCC Meeting
Tue 22nd Jan	9.15am  Fellowship group walk (meet in layby)
Thurs 24th Jan	9.30am  Holy Communion 2.00pm  Monks Monkeys (in church)
Sat 26th Jan	2.00pm Community Open Afternoon (see notices)
Sun 27th Jan	10.00am  Parish Eucharist 3.00pm  Owlswick Choral Evensong
Thurs 31st Jan	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys
Sun 3rd Feb	8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am All Age Family Communion and Baptism 6.00pm Choral Evensong

Pew Sheet 6th January and 13th January 2013

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.

On 13th Jan the Junior Church (10 o’clock Club) meet in the Church Hall before coming into Church for Communion

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

 

Sunday 6th January 2013

Epiphany

 As we come to worship God on this Epiphany Sunday, let us turn our hearts and minds to our guiding star, who is Jesus Christ.  

8.00 am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10.00 am   All Age Family Eucharist
Hymns: 724, 443, 641, 49
Communion:  971, 411, 859, 350

First Reading                Isaiah: 60:1-6
Isaiah speaks of God’s glory arising among his people and the peoples of the earth coming to praise him.   

Gospel Reading            Matthew: 2:1-12
The wise men follow a star which leads them to Jesus.    
   

6:00pm   Choral Evensong
Readings: Isaiah: 60:1-9, John 2:1-11
Hymns: 536, Psalm 98, 552, 84

Prayer for the Week
 
Lord God of the nation, we have seen the star of your glory rising in splendour.  The radiance of your incarnate Word pierces the darkness that covers the earth and signals the dawn of peace and justice.  Make radiant the lives of your people with that same brightness and beckon all the nations to walk as one in your light.  We ask this through 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.

 

 

Sunday 13th January 2013

Second Sunday of Epiphany
Baptism of Christ 

 Today, as we celebrate the Baptism of Christ, let up prepare to become less as he becomes more.

10.00 am   Parish Eucharist      Addington Setting
(Rev. Kevan Royle)

Hymns: 57, 609, 281
Psalm: 28
During Communion:  374, 615, 84

First Reading                Isaiah: 43: 1-7
God’s people are precious in his eyes: he has formed us, redeemed us and promises his presence with us.    
   

Second Reading           Acts 8: 14-17
Those who had been baptised in the name of Jesus receive the gift of his Holy Spirit.      


Gospel Reading            Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
Someone mightier than John the Baptist is coming; The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus at his baptism and a heavenly voice declares, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”    
 
11.30am   Owlswick Holy Communion
(Rev Ivor Cornish)
Readings: Isaiah: 43: 1-7, Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

6.00pm Choral Evensong
(Margaret Pitman)
Readings: Isaiah: 55:1-11, Romans 6: 1-11
Hymns: 114, Psalm 46, 70, 420


Prayer for the Week
 
Open the heavens, Almighty Father, and pour out your Spirit upon your people gathered in prayer.  Renew the power of our baptismal cleansing and fill us with zeal for good deeds.  Let us hear your voice once again, that we may recognise in your beloved Son our hope of inheriting eternal life.  Grant this through 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.

 

Your prayers are asked this week for:

• Divided and oppressed nations, especially the people of Syria.
• Justin Welby as he prepares to take on the role of Archbishop of Canterbury
• The Church of England as it continues to work through the desire to consecrate women as bishops
• Credit companies – that they may be discerning in lending money.
• Carers in the community – paid and unpaid
• All who will begin a new relationship, for those to be married and for all who will help them build a new life.
• Cross Keys Surgery, Doctors, nurses, other staff and their patients. 
• Residents of: (6/1) Canterbury Close (MR) Bell Close (PR) Bell Crescent (PR); (13/1) The Holloway & Longdown Hill (MR) Chairmakers Close & Chestnut Rd (PR)
• Those in need who are known in our parish:
• and also further afield for:
  • Gordon Haynes, Joan Male, Bill Male, Richard Irvine, Alastair
• The recently departed:
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • (6/1/) Rotraut Campbell (13/1) Doris Hill, Neil Campbell

Please remember the charities that the parish supports, in particular this week:

Risborough Cares Charity

Assisting those in the locality who have mental health, learning or physical disabilities or who are elderly

Notices

Newsletter Copy Date, January 10th
The closing date for the Feb/March issue is 10th Jan.  Contributions please to John McKay john@jamckay.demon.co.uk and/or David Kemp david@windleshaw.demon.co.uk . Thank you and a Happy New Year to all or readers.  David 

Week of prayer for Christian Unity, 18th – 25th January

On Sunday 20th January 2013 there will be a Churches Together service at 3pm in the Oasis Centre, followed by refreshments to mark this occasion. The theme will be: "What does God require of us?"

Saturday 26th Jan 2013, Community Open Afternoon
This is open for all residents of Risborough and the surrounding area. The event is to be held in the Community Centre Main Hall (off Stratton Road, opposite Mount Car Park exit) commencing at 2pm, doors open from 1.30pm. Information regarding the tickets and the outline programme can be found on the church notice board.

New Church Electoral Roll
Every six years the church electoral roll is completely revised. In anticipation of creating a new electoral roll, letters will be handed out after the service on January 27th  with an application form to invite people to come on to the new roll. The electoral roll seeks to reflect church membership as closely as possible and provides a general barometer of the vibrancy of the worshipping community. Forms will need to be completed and returned by March 31st to the electoral roll officer Mr Roger Timms, Nags Head House, Aylesbury Road,  Monks Risborough,  HP27 0JT. If you do not receive a letter please accept my apologies and complete and return a form that will be readily available in St. Dunstan’s and St. Peter’s. Thank you. James

New Flower Rota – volunteers required
Discover your creative side and uncover your hidden talents at flower arranging. If you are interested in joining the St.  Dunstan’s Flower Team please contact either Jenny Masterton-Smith (273538) or Gwen Miles (345230).

The Next Few Weeks  

Morning Prayer takes place on Mondays (except Bank Holidays), Wednesday and Thursday at 8.45 at St. Dunstan’s. There will however be no morning prayer between January 7th and 16th inclusive.

Sun 6th Jan Epiphany	8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am  All Age Family Eucharist 6.00pm Choral Evensong
Thurs 10th Jan	9.30am  Holy Communion (Rev Serena Hutton) 10.30 am Fellowship Coffee Morning, 6 Dovecote Close, Monks Risborough (no evening meeting) 2.00pm Monks Monkeys
Sun 13th	10.00am  Parish Eucharist (Rev Kevan Royle) 11.30am  Owlswick Holy Communion (Rev Ivor Cornish) 6.00pm Choral Evensong (Margaret Pitman)
Thurs 17th Jan	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys
Sun 20th Jan	10.00am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Service to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Oasis Centre, Bell Street, Princes Risborough (see notices) 6.00pm Choral Evensong
Thurs 24th Jan	9.30am  Holy Communion 2.00pm  Monks Monkeys (in church)
Sat 26th Jan	2.00pm Community Open Afternoon (see notices)
Sun 27th Jan	10.00am  Parish Eucharist 3.00pm  Owlswick Choral Evensong 7.30pm Askett Informals
Thurs 31st Jan	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys
Sun 3rd Feb	8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am All Age Family Communion and Baptism 6.00pm Choral Evensong