Pew Sheet 8th December 2013

St Dunstan’s Church, Monks Risborough
& St. Peter’s Chapel, Owlswick
Registered Charity Number: 1153869.

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:
Sue Ingram 01844 275287 suemingram@hotmail.com 
Susanne Dodds 01844 342746 susanne@sunfire-uk.com

 

Welcome!

We hope you will enjoy worshipping here with us.

Coffee is served in the church hall after the 10am service.

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

 Sunday 8 December 2013

Second Sunday of Advent

We are a people who believe that Christ will return again, that he will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. So as we worship, may we open our hearts to God in readiness for that day.

10.00 am    Parish Eucharist
Hymns: 263, 221, 282
Psalm: 72 v1-7
Communion: 447, 418, 938

First Reading   Isaiah 11 v 1-10
The Jews had suffered greatly at the hands of foreign powers and ungodly leadership, but now God declares that better things will come out of these most unpromising of circumstances.

Second Reading     Romans 15 v 4-13
Paul has been encouraging the Roman Christians to think not only about themselves, but the needs of other believers. He goes on to encourage this further by reminding them of the example of Christ who served others.

Gospel     Matthew 3 v 1-12
Jesus’ ministry is about to start and John the Baptist is determined to make sure that people are ready for it!

11.30am      Owlswick Holy Communion
Readings: Isaiah 11 v 1-10, Matthew 3 v 1-12

6.00pm     Choral Evensong
Readings: 1 Kings 18 v 17-39, John 1 v 19-28
Hymns: 265, 527, 656
Psalm: 11

Prayer for the Week
God of our salvation, you straighten the winding ways of our hearts and smooth the paths made rough by sin. Make our conduct blameless, keep our hearts watchful in holiness, and bring to perfection the good you have begun in us. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: 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

Your prayers are asked in the coming weeks for:

• The people of South Africa and the family of Nelson Mandela as the world mourns his death, that his legacy of forgiveness, reconciliation and equality may always be remembered and upheld.
• Those who are suffering as a result of the severe weather, especially those who have had to leave their homes: that they may receive the help they need to rebuild and repair.
• The Bishop of Buckingham, the Archdeacon of Buckingham, and the Parish Development Adviser.
• For those who live in Town Farm Barns (PR) Shootacre Lane (B)
• Those in need who are known in our parish:
• And also further afield for:
  • Joan Male, Bill Male, Richard Irvine, Alastair, David Holding, Matt Elworthy, Uncle Frank
• The recently departed: Nev Holding
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • Francis Lambell, Elizabeth Bragger, Alan Gibson, Rowland Hill

Please remember the charities that the parish supports:
Tearfund, working in partnership with Christian agencies and churches worldwide to tackle the causes and effects of poverty.

Notices

Safeguarding (children and vulnerable adults) officer required 
We are looking to find a person to be our Safeguarding Officer.  This involves making sure that any activities we carry out with children or vulnerable adults are done safely and in accordance with guidelines, for example, ensuring that everyone on the rota for Sunday School has been through the Disclosure and Barring procedure. It would also be helpful to find someone who could support the Safeguarding offer, taking on some of the basic administration and paperwork, keeping lists up to date and so on.  Susanne Dodds (342746) would be happy to discuss this with anyone who might be interested.

Christingle Service - Thank you
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this service such a tremendous success. The Children’s Society will benefit by over £575 as a result of the money given.

‘Serving’ at St. Dunstan’s
We need to recruit one or two more adults or children to help assist the priest at the altar, holding the red Gospel book and carrying the cross as part of the procession. Without obligation, if you think you might be interested please speak with James or Sheila.

New Chalice and Paten
Following the theft last month we have received an anonymous donation to enable us to buy a new paten (small plate) and two new chalices. If you wish to make a contribution to the replacement of one of the chalices please can you let James know.

Help required for Christmas refreshments
In the weeks running up to Christmas we aim to provide drinks and refreshments for a variety of services and events. These all centre on mulled wine, mince pies and soft drinks. The details and approximate timing when the refreshments need to be served are below:
After the school carol singing on December 9th (7.30 in the hall); After the Nine and Lessons and Carols service on December 15th (7.15 in the church); After the choir, church and community carol singing on December 16th (8.00 in the hall); During the interval of the Chinnor Silver Band concert on December 18th (8.45 in the church).
Please can you write your name on the sheet in the porch if you can help on any or all of these occasions. Many thanks, James.

Monks Risborough School Infant Nativity Play
This takes place in the school hall at 10.30am on Tuesday December 10th. This is always a most enjoyable occasion and anyone from the parish is welcome to come to it.

Fellowship Group
Our Christmas Party is on Thursday 12th December in the church hall at 8 pm. Everyone welcome!

The 10 O'clock Club Christmas Party Sunday 15th December. 
Please note the earlier start time of 9.50am in the Church Hall for a fun packed session of games, crafts and the story of the nativity.  The children will not join us for communion but can be collected from the hall after the service.

Nine Lessons and Carols – December 15th at 6 pm and Village Carol Service – Christmas Eve 6 pm: Readers required.
If you would like to read one of the lessons at one of these services please let James know.

Carol Singing around the village
On Monday December 16th meeting at 6.30 pm at St. Dunstan’s everyone is invited to come carol singing around the village with the church choir to help raise money for charity. At about 8.00pm refreshments will be served. If you enjoy singing please come along – singers of all standards are welcome!

Candlelight Concert – December 18th at 8pm
Last year this was a sell-out and the Chinnor Silver Band have been invited back again to perform their wonderful festive music and to enable others to sing some carols. Tickets are £7.50 available from Pat Kimber (273942) or David Shuttle in the High Street in Princes Risborough. Complimentary glass of wine/soft drink and a mince pie

Coffee and Mince Pies at the Rectory
After the Parish Eucharist on Sunday December 29th everyone is welcome back to the Rectory for some mince pies and coffee. James and Ann

Alan and Michaela (Barnes)
Alan and Michaela are moving to 1 Kensington Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HY Tel: 01502 512104 mobile: 07981505829. We wish them every blessing in their new home.

The Next Few Weeks 

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

Tues 10th Dec	10.30am Infant Nativity Play (Monks Risborough School Hall)
Thurs 12th Dec	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys 8.00pm Fellowship Christmas party (see notices)
Sat 14th Dec	9.30am Churchyard Leaf Clearance
Sun 15th Dec	10.00am Parish Eucharist and Baptism of Thea Shah (10 o’clock club Christmas Party starts at 9.50am) 6.00pm Nine Lessons and Carols
Mon 16th Dec	6.30pm Carol singing (see notices)
Wed 18th Dec	2.30pm Friendship Group (church hall) 8.00pm Chinnor Silver Band concert (see notices)
Thurs 19th Dec	9.30am Holy Communion 10.30am Monks Risborough School Service 2.00pm Monks Monkeys
Fri 20th Dec	9.30am Monks Risborough School Service
Sun 22nd Dec	10.00am Parish Eucharist 3.00pm Owlswick Carol Service
Mon 23rd Dec	2.30pm Wedding of Katie Wade and Adam Boyden – all invited!
Tues 24th Dec Christmas Eve	3.00pm Crib Service 6.00pm Village Carol Service 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist
Wed 25th Dec Christmas Day	8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am All Age Family Eucharist
Thurs 26th Dec St. Stephen	9.30am Holy Communion