Pew Sheet 28th February 2016

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 afterwards, where the 10 O’clock club for children meet during the morning service.

 Sunday 28th February 2016

The Third Sunday of Lent

 

 As we continue to journey with our Lord through the season of Lent, let us leave behind all distractions to focus fully on his presence and his word in our worship.

10.00am Parish Communion
Hymns: 169, 649, 252
Psalm: 63 v1-9
Communion: 29, 156, 949
 
First Reading Isaiah 55:1-9
The prophet proclaims the Lord’s promise of mercy, renewal and abundant provision for all who seek God in repentance and willingness to follow God’s direction. Such grace and generosity far surpass the ways of humankind.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Paul warns Christians against turning from God as the people did in the Sinai wilderness. Believers are to be alert to the dangers of immorality, idolatry and testing God’s patience, but confident that they will never be tempted beyond their capacity to endure.

Gospel Luke 13:1-9
Jesus teaches that, while disaster is not necessarily a punishment for sin, all need to repent of behaviour that leads to destructive outcomes. God’s grace may bring opportunities to turn away from our sins, and it is wise to use them.

3.00pm Owlswick Evensong
Hymns: 67, Psalm 12, 456, 64, 376
Readings: Genesis 28 v 10-19a, John 1 v 35-end

Prayer of the week
God of salvation, we stand before you on holy ground, for your name is glorified and your mercy revealed wherever your mighty deeds are remembered. Since you are holy and forbearing, turn us from every rash and shallow judgement to seek the ways of repentance. We ask this through Christ, our deliverance and hope, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever. Amen

Your prayers are asked this week for:

• The holding of the ceasefire in Syria and for those who have been forced to live as refugees
• Honesty and integrity in debates over Britain’s membership of the European Union that an informed decision can be made by those who will vote.
• All vocational colleges, especially  those training to offer medical care, giving thanks for the healing work they offer to all of us
• The Bledlow Belles and Bledlow Village Fete Committee
• Westfields (MR) Long Hide (PR), Lower Icknield Way (L)
• Those who are in need in our parish:
• And also further afield for:
  • Alastair, Uncle Frank, Katy, Georgina Cole, Robert, baby Molly, Dave Skinner,
• The recently departed: Barbara Dudley, Jean Taylor
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • Muriel Birrell, Doreen Roberts, Leslie Morecraft, Chris Broadmeadow

  
  

Please remember the charities that the parish supports:
Rennie Grove House Hospice Care is a charity providing care and support for patients in Herts and Bucks diagnosed with life-limiting illness. www.renniegrove.org.

Notices

 

Newsletter
Copy date for the next newsletter is 10th March. Please send contributions to: john@jamckay.demon.co.uk  or morna.hinch@btinternet.com. Many thanks.

Women's World Day of Prayer March 4th 11.00am
This year we are hosting the service which is prepared by women from Cuba. If you would like to take part, by reading or helping with refreshments please get in touch. Thanks, Rosemary 344417

Fellowship Group
On March 10th there will be a service of Holy Communion at 7.30pm, a short AGM at 8.00pm followed by… 8.15pm a talk by Ann Tomkins on the work of PACE, a local, ground-breaking children's charity which helps children with sensory motor disorders such as cerebral palsy. You do not need to be a member of the Fellowship Group to attend this talk.

Pilgrim Course starts – Thursday March 17th
Meeting at The Rectory, Pilgrim is a major new teaching and discipleship resource from the Church of England. It aims to help create a place where people can explore the Christian faith together and see how it can be lived out each day. Pilgrim takes a different approach to other Christian programmes. It approaches the great issues of faith not through persuasion, but participation in a pattern of contemplation and discussion with a group of fellow travellers. Please come along at 8.00pm with your Bible for the first session which reflects on the attraction of Jesus Christ and what happens when people meet him?

Soup-makers needed!
Yes, it's time for the Christian Aid Super Soup Challenge! It's all happening on March 18th from 12.15-1.45pm. Soup, crusty roll and a hot drink for £4.50 in the hall. If you can make some soup please let me know. Thanks, Rosemary 344417.

Celebrate St. George’s Day
‘Sway’ a 6 piece jazz band will be playing in St. Dunstan’s on Saturday April 23rd at 7.30 pm. Sway is a mix of Swing, Latin, Popular Show tunes and a sprinkling of Ballads, Beatles and Boogie that will have your toes tapping and who knows?  You may even fancy a turn on the dance floor! Tickets cost £8. There is a complimentary glass of wine/soft drink with tickets available from Johanna Powell 01844 343996 or Rachel Ungi 01844 761535.

Electoral Roll
This notice applies to persons not already on the roll and wishing to enrol and to those on the roll but wanting their name removed from it. The annual revision will take place from 8th February 2016. If you wish to have your name included please complete an application form, available in the Church porch or from the table, and return to me by 14th March 2016. Keith Barnes, 5, Windsor Lodge, Wellington Avenue, Princes Risborough, HP27 9EE

More linen ladies/men required
If you would like to join a friendly group who take it in turns to wash and iron church linen please contact Susanne Carr. The linen comprises 4 to 6 handkerchief-sized cloths a week for 2 months. Altar cloths or the vicar's robes are not included! All will be explained and full training given!

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 March. All welcome!

Easter Lilies in Memory of a Loved One
If you would like to donate the cost of an Easter lily as part of an arrangement in memory of a loved one please write your name and the person(s) whom you wish to remember IN BLOCK CAPITALS on the list in the Church or contact Jenny Masterton-Smith on 01844 273538 or Gwen Miles on 01844 345230. To make your donation, please put your contribution into a blue gift aid envelope and write “Easter Lily” on it (with your name & address on it if you are a taxpayer). Please put the envelope into the wooden chest on the pillar or hand it to James.

Stewardship Letter
Last year the parish accounts showed a deficit of about £30,000 and this year’s deficit is projected to be about £26,000. This is partly owing to a huge amount of expenditure on our church buildings which is unlikely to be repeated in the short term and a significant increase in the parish share which enables the Oxford Diocese to pay the cost of a full time priest in the parish. A letter will be going to members of the congregation in the next month or so explaining all of this in further detail so that people can make an informed decision about their financial giving to St. Dunstan’s/St. Peter’s. James.

The Next Few Weeks 

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

Mon 29th Feb	2.30pm Lent Course (see notices)
Thurs 3rd Mar	9.30am Healing and Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall)
Fri 4th Mar	11.00am Women’s World Day of Prayer (see notices)
Sun 6th Mar Mothering Sunday	8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Mothing Sunday Service without Communion 6.00pm Evensong
Mon 7th Mar	2.30pm Lent Course (see notices) 8.00pm PCC meeting (church hall)
Thurs 10th Mar	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall) 7.30pm, Fellowship Holy Communion, AGM and talk (see notices)
Fri 11th Mar	11.00am First World War One Commemoration at the war memorial
Sun 13th Mar	10.00am Parish Communion and Baptisms 11.30pm Owlswick Holy Communion 6.00pm Evensong
Wed 16th Mar	2.30pm Friendship Group (church hall) 5.30pm Pilgrimage to St. Albans Abbey, leaving from the lay-by (trip now full)
Thurs 17th Mar	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall) 8.00pm ‘Open House Group’ at The Rectory (see notices)
Fri 19th Mar	12.15pm Super soup lunch in the church hall (see notices)
Sun 20th Mar Palm Sunday	10.00am Parish Communion starting in the A4010 lay-by with the procession of palms followed by the Passion Narrative in church. 6.00pm Evensong