Pew Sheet 29th November 2015

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.
Please see our welcome leaflet on the table for all of our services and activities. Coffee, squash and biscuits are served in the Church Hall after the service

Sunday 29th November 2015
First Sunday of Advent

   Hear the cry of acclamation: he is coming on the clouds!

10.00am Parish Communion (Addington Mass Setting)

Hymns: 128, 642, 405
Psalm: 25v1-9
Communion: 472, 362, 263

First Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16
These words come at the end of Israel’s kingdom. Even though under David and Solomon it had moments of true glory, it was also marked by greed, brutality and bloodshed throughout. God doesn’t promise a restored kingdom, but a righteous branch – one who will be very different from all that has gone before.

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-end
The coming of Jesus could happen at any time – and for some has already happened. This beautiful blessing is a prayer for faithfulness and readiness as we live constantly in Jesus’ presence.

Gospel Luke 21:25-36
These words of Jesus stand alongside Old Testament prophecies of Jerusalem’s destruction which took place in Jeremiah’s time, and again in AD 70. Both could be seen as manifestations of the “day of the Lord”. This doesn’t necessarily mean that God engineered events, but through these overturning calamities God’s righteous presence is revealed.

6.00pm   Churches Together in Risborough Advent Service at St John's Church, Lacey Green

Prayer of the week
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Your prayers are asked this week for:

• The people of France and Belgium, as they continue to pick up the pieces of their lives after recent terrorist attacks and threats
• All victims of terrorism, throughout the world, that governments and those in authority or influence may work together to bring a lasting peace.
• Members of Parliament as they debate and make a decision regarding air-strikes in Syria
• Archdeacon Karen Gorham as she takes up new post next year as Bishop of Sherborne
• Westmead (MR) Lacemakers Court (PR), Longwick Road (PR & L)
• Those who are in need in our parish:
• And also further afield for:
  • Joan Male, Bill Male, Alastair, Uncle Frank, Anne Clark, Katy, Georgina Cole, Robert, baby Molly
• The recently departed: Betty Tomkins
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • Bill Avery, Grace Freed, Barry Mortimer, Joan Pitcher

Please remember the charities that the parish supports:
Christian Aid is an international development charity. We work with people, of all faiths and none, in around 50 countries, to eradicate poverty. www.christianaid.org.uk.

Notices

The First Sunday of Advent – TODAY
In connection with the start of Advent there are also free copies of ‘Love Life, Live Advent’ on the table by the south door. This suggests a simple action for each day of Advent that will help us pause, reflect, prepare and make room in our lives to receive God’s greatest gift of Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas. James

‘Open House’, Thursday December 3rd, 8pm, the Rectory
Under the umbrella of “The Jesus lifestyle” we shall continue to look at a DVD about the radical teaching found in the Sermon on the Mount and apply it to the 21st century. The DVD lasts approximately 35 minutes and leaves plenty of time for discussion at the end. Everyone is welcome. James

Singers Required for Switching on of the Christmas Lights
As in the past for those who wish to sing some carols as part of Churches Together in Risborough are welcome to gather in the Market Square, Princes Risborough from 6.30 pm with a view to singing for about 20 minutes from 6.50 pm.

Churchyard leaf sweep and maintenance
At 9.30 am on Saturday December 5th we are looking to clear the last of the fallen leaves from the churchyard and to carry out some general tasks such as pruning trees and maintaining paths. We can provide some tools but if you can bring any yourself that would be extremely helpful. James

Christingle Factory December 5th 9.30am Church Hall
We are looking for some lovely volunteers to work on the production line helping to make Christingles. No experience required, just enthusiasm. Payment is in the form of tea/coffee, mince pies and biscuits. More info from Rosemary 344417

Monks Risborough School Infant Nativity
Everyone is invited to the local school’s nativity production called ‘A little bird told me’ on Tuesday December 8th at 10.30am. If you would like to go please let the school know on 01844 345590 or office@mrisborough.bucks.sch.uk

Fellowship Group
There will be no walk or Knit-ins in December. These will resume on January 26th and 28th respectively. The Christmas Party is being held at 8 pm on Thursday December 10th. All are welcome to the Fellowship’s activities

Jinglers Grand Seasonal Concert
On both Friday December 11th (St. Mary’s Church, Princes Risborough 10.30-11.30) and Thursday December 17th (The Princes Centre, Clifford Road beginning at c. 12.30) the Jinglers will be singing festive songs and including some poetry as part of their Grand Seasonal Concert. Both concerts are free but donations are welcome.

Nine lessons and Carols – December 13th at 6 pm
As in previous years it’s nice to have a range of readers at this service. If you would like to offer to read then please let me know. Last time I was over-subscribed so it may be that I hold on to your offer until the following year. James

Congregational Carol Singing, December 14th 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!

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 16th December. All welcome!

Christmas Concert by Candlelight with the Chinnor Silver Band
This will take place on December 16th 8.00 pm. Tickets (£8) available from Pat Kimber (01844) 273942 or The Elephant’s Trunk (formerly David Shuttle), Duke Street, Princes Risborough. Raffle, complimentary glass of mulled wine/soft drink and a mince pie.

Newsletter – early copy date!
Copy date for contributions is 5th January.  Please send entries to john@jamckay.demon.co.uk or morna.hinch@btinternet.com

The Next Few Weeks 

Morning Prayer takes place on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursday at 8.45am (except Bank Holidays).

Mon Nov 30th	8.00pm PCC Meeting
Thurs Dec 3rd	9.30am Holy Communion with prayers for healing 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall) 8.00pm ‘Open House’ at The Rectory
Sat Dec 5th	9.30am Christingle Factory (see notices) 9.30am Leaf Sweep in the churchyard (see notices)
Sun Dec 6th	8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.00am Christingle Service (without Communion) 6.00pm Evensong
Tues 8th Dec	10.30am Monks Risborough School Infant Nativity (see notices)
Thurs 10th Dec	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall) 8.00pm Fellowship Group Party (see notices)
Fri Dec 11th	11.00am 1st World War Act of Commemoration at the war memorial
Sun 13th Dec	10.00am Parish Communion 11.30am Owlswick Holy Communion 6.00pm Nine Lessons and Carols
Mon 14th Dec	6.30pm Church Carol Singing (all welcome – see notices)
Wed 16th Dec	2.30pm Friendship Group (see notices) 8.00pm Chinnor Silver Band
Thurs 17th Dec	9.30am Holy Communion 10.30am Monks Risborough School Service 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall)
Fri 18th Dec	9.30am Monks Risborough School Service
Sun 20th Dec	10.00pm Parish Communion 3.00pm Owlswick Carol Service