Pew Sheet 14th December 2014

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:
Susanne Dodds 01844 342746 susanne@sunfire-uk.com
Charlie Fairall 07584 264573 crmfairall@yahoo.co.uk

 

Welcome!
We hope you will enjoy worshipping here with us.
Coffee is served in the hall after the 10am service
Please see our welcome leaflet on the table for all of our services and activities.

Sunday 14th December 2014
Third Sunday of Advent

We wait in the days of darkness for the dawning of the one true light. Let us heed the message of the one who came to bear witness to the light, and prepare ourselves to meet our Saviour.

10.00 am    Parish Eucharist
Hymns: 428, 67, 715, 405
Communion: 381, 263, 949

First Reading:  Isaiah 61:1-4 & 8-end
The God of Israel sends a messenger to proclaim to his people the good news of coming salvation.

Second Reading:  1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
God’s messengers are to be welcomed, but their messages carefully weighed.

Gospel:  John 1:6-8. 19-28
The forerunner proclaims the imminent coming of the long-expected anointed one.

11.30 am   Holy Communion (Owlswick)
Readings: Isaiah 61: 1-4 & 8-end; John 1:6-8. 19-28

6.00 pm   Nine Lessons and Carols  
 
Prayer for the Week

O God, most high and most near, you send glad tidings to the lowly, you hide not your face from the poor; those who dwell in darkness you call into the light.  Take away our blindness, remove the hardness of our hearts, and form us into a humble people, that, at the advent of you Son, we may recognise him in our midst and find joy in his saving presence.  We ask this through 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 week for:

• The millions of homeless refugees in the war-torn areas of this world.
• The government, members of parliament and MEPs
• Those without adequate food, shelter, education or security in this country
• Medecins sans frontiers and the often dangerous role of caring in war
• The Women’s Institutes in Risborough, Bledlow and other organisations for women
• Westmead (PR) Manor Place (B)
• Those who are in need in our parish:
• And also further afield for:
  • Joan Male, Bill Male, Alastair, Matt Elworthy, Uncle Frank, Katy, Albert and Georgina Cole, Susan Parkin,
• The recently departed:
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • Rowland Hill, Lilian Thomas, Audrey Astley-Cooper and Peter Hoar

Please remember the charities that the parish supports:
The Princes Centre, assisting those in the locality who have mental health, learning or physical disabilities or who are elderly.

Notices

 

Christingle – Thank you
Thank you to everyone who made this special service possible. Over £700 has been raised which will help bring hope and happiness to children and families in need.

The Friendship Group
We meet in the church hall on the third Wednesday of the month at 2.30 pm. The next meeting is Wednesday 17th December. All welcome!

Christmas Concert by Candlelight – last few tickets available
December 17th 8.00 pm. Tickets £8.00. Complimentary glass of wine/soft drink and a mince pie will be served. Tickets available from Pat Kimber (01844) 273942 or The Elephant’s Trunk (formerly David Shuttle), Duke Street, Princes Risborough.

Community Carol Singing, December 22nd 6.30-8.00
Meeting at St. Dunstan’s everyone is invited to come carol singing around the village with the church choir to help raise money for charity. Afterwards refreshments will be served in the church hall. If you enjoy singing please come along – singers of all standards are welcome!

Coffee and Mince Pies at the Rectory
After the Parish Eucharist on Sunday December 28th everyone is welcome back to the Rectory for some mince pies and coffee. James and Ann

New Year’s Eve, December 31st at 5.00 pm
A simple service of Evening Prayer will be said to provide an opportunity to reflect upon 2014 and to seek God’s blessing in the year ahead.

Film Nights at St. Dunstan’s Church!
Saturday January 24th at 5 pm ‘Frozen’ (PG): Disney’s smash hit comedy-adventure. Saturday January 31st at 7 pm: ‘The Book Thief’ (12): The extraordinary and courageous story of a young girl in World War II Germany. Bring your own snacks/drinks. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets (adult - £3, children £1) available from Johanna Powell 01844 343996.

New Church Treasurer Required
After what will be 11 years in the role, Pat Kimber will be stepping down as treasurer at the end of next year. Pat has diligently kept the books for the church and those who have attended PCC and APCM meetings will have been very grateful for her clear explanation and presentation of the figures. With Pat giving a long period of notice this will enable adequate time for a handover period. Pat has not only done all of the bookkeeping but she has also counted and banked the cash for our services. It may therefore be that the role Pat currently performs could be taken on by more than one person. Pat also performs a number of other roles in the church such as preparing the sidesperson rota and selling tickets for events but these are separate from her duties as treasurer. If you wish to have an informal chat with Pat (273942) or myself about being involved in the treasurer-ship of the church we would be delighted to hear from you. James

Organist/choir director at St. Dunstan’s
Sadly after 2½ years Rowena Gibbons has stepped down from playing the organ at St. Dunstan’s owing to numerous other musical commitments and the distance she travels to us from Milton Keynes which is no fun in the winter. During this time Rowena and Sarah have done a tremendous job in raising the overall standard of singing and the musicality of our services. We therefore owe Rowena a big THANK YOU and we are delighted that Sarah will continue to play for Sunday morning and special services, and take choir practices. James

The Next Few Weeks 

Morning Prayer will take place on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursday at 8.45 (except on Bank Holidays)

Wed 17th Dec	2.30pm Friendship Group 8.00pm Chinnor Silver Band concert (see notices)
Thurs 18th Dec	9.30am Holy Communion 10.30am Monks Risborough School Service 2.00pm Monks Monkeys
Fri 19th Dec	9.30am Monks Risborough School Service
Sun 21st Dec	10.00am Parish Eucharist and Baptisms 3.00pm Owlswick Carol Service
Mon 22nd Dec	6.30pm Carol singing (see notices)
Wed 24th Dec Christmas Eve	3pm Crib Service 6pm Village Carol Service 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist
Thurs 25th Dec Christmas Day	8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am All Age Family Eucharist
Sun 28th Dec	10.00am Parish Eucharist (Coffee at The Rectory afterwards) 3.00pm Owlswick Choral Evensong
Wed 31st Dec New Year’s Eve	5.00 Evening Prayer (see notices)
Thurs 1st Jan 2015	9.30am Holy Communion with prayers for healing
Sat 3rd Jan	12.30pm Wedding
Sun 4th Jan	8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am All age Family Communion and Baptism 6.00pm Evensong