Pew Sheet 21st January 2018

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:
Charlie Fairall 07584 264573 crmfairall@yahoo.co.uk
Johanna Powell 01844 343996 johanna@powellathome.com

Welcome!

 
We hope you will appreciate worshipping here with us. Please take away our welcome leaflet on the table for all of our services and activities. The 10 o’clock club for babies, toddlers and children meet in the church hall. Coffee, squash, biscuits etc. will be served in the church today as we say farewell to Jane and Keith Gibbons.

Sunday 21st January

Third Sunday of Epiphany

God is waiting with blessings of abundance for those who are far off as well as those who are near. No one is to be denied this blessing in God’s kingdom.

10.00am Parish Communion

First Reading Genesis 14:17-20
This ancient text is one of hospitality and blessing on Abram, who is soon to become Abraham.

Second Reading Revelation 19:6-10
The blessing here is the marriage blessing, not just for the Lamb and the bride, but for all who worship God.

Gospel John 2:1-11
Another wedding and another blessing: this time it is water into wine, poverty into riches, exclusion into embrace.

Hymns 216, 367, 221
Psalm 128
Communion 374, 496, 66

3.00pm Service for the week of prayer for Christian Unity, Speen Baptist Chapel

3.00pm Communion service, Cherry Tree Nursing Home, Saunderton 

6.00pm Evensong

First Reading Jeremiah 3.21-4.2
Second Reading Titus 2.1-8, 11-14

Hymns 580, 625, 224
Psalm 33v1-8


Prayer of the Week
Your sovereign rule, O God, draws near to us in the person of Jesus your Son. Your word summons us to faith; your power transforms our lives. Free us to follow in Christ’s footsteps, so that neither human loyalty nor earthly attachment may hold us back from answering your call. We ask 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. Amen.

Your prayers are asked this week for:

• The work of the National Health Service with the increasing demands placed upon it at this time
• Co-operation and mutual understanding between different denominations highlighted in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• Those affected by the collapse of the construction giant Carillion
• The children and young adults held and abused by their parents in California
• Lacey Green and Speen Parish Council
• Peters Lane (MR) Forest Close and Gatensbury Place (PR)
• Those who are in need in our parish:
  • Joan Ballance, Pam Johnson, David Argue
• And also further afield for:
  • Alastair, Katy, Georgina Cole, Ginny Gibbs, Rob, Alex Chauhan, Cathy Owen, Gail, Moira Spence, Debbie Cadwallader
• The recently departed:
  • Stella Walford, John Randall and Diana Mullens
• Those whose anniversary of death falls at this time:
  • Dorothy Brock, Edward Ginno, Marion Reece, Oscar Tahmasebi

  
  

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 Bethany House Group
The Bethany House Group meets at 10.30am on alternate Wednesdays at 76 Westmead, Monks Risborough. It is looking at “Jesus’ childhood” on January 24th and February 7th. Each week during Lent, starting on February 21st it will be following the ‘York Course’ called ‘On the third day’ written by the former Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard that seeks to recapture the explosive power of the resurrection. If you would like to find out more please speak to Rose Williams (274225) or Jill Iredale (346488). All welcome.

‘Open House’ group at the Rectory
On Thursday January 25th at 7.30pm we’ll be looking at the Beatitudes as part of the Pilgrim Course. Recorded in Matthew’s Gospel at the start of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, ‘The Beatitudes’ are probably the most important, subversive and revolutionary text in the Bible. They sum up Jesus’ teaching about what it means to live as a child in God’s kingdom. Everyone welcome.

Saturday January 27th National Gallery Tour
Those who have already booked are meeting in the foyer of the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery at 11am for our hour's tour. If you are dropping out please tell Susanne Carr on 346827 susannecarr2168@aol.com  as there is a waiting list. 

Silent Prayer – Monday January 29th at 8 pm
We need silence to help us to get a proper perspective on our lives; to hear the still, small voice of God, and to refresh our inner being. Each meeting lasts about 45 minutes. James

Annual updating of Church membership (Electoral Roll)
We will be updating the membership list (electoral roll) of St. Dunstan’s and St. Peter’s between 21st January and 2nd March. If you are not yet a member and would like to come on to the electoral roll applications forms can be found at the back of the church/chapel during this time. A list of the current roll is in the porch. If you would like a form sent in the post or by email, or if you would like to be taken off the electoral roll, please contact Susanne (01844 342746 / susanned@onetel.com)

Lent starts on February 14th
As usual we’ll be marking Lent in a variety of ways. There will be a Parish Communion service on the first day of Lent (Ash Wednesday) at 8 pm and two types of booklets ‘Love life, live Lent’ (for both adults and children) and ‘Live Lent’ from Christian Aid are available on the table by the south door. The Bethany House Group (see above) is also running a course called ‘On the third day’. As and when I become aware of other opportunities to mark Lent, I will update this note. James

St Dunstan’s Flower Festival Spring Lectures
“Green & Pleasant Lands” – A History of British Gardens from the Romans to the present day by Joanne Kidd on Wednesday 28th February 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at Monks Risborough Church of England Primary School Cost £8
“The Tradescants” – Plant Collectors and Gardeners of the early 17th century by Joanne Kidd on Wednesday 21st March 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at Monks Risborough Church of England Primary School. Cost £8.
Tickets from Sally’s Sewing Box, Duke Street, Princes Risborough, Jenny (01844 273838) or www.ticketsource.co.uk/st-dunstans-church
 
The South Door is feeling its age
The south door of the church (the internal door to the church) is 600 years old in parts and is beginning to feel its age. We have put some protective pads to help prevent damage to its hinges as it tends to swing open too freely and then bounce back off the wall. Please open the door carefully and try not to let it swing open unchecked. Thank you, James

‘Thank you’ from Pat and David
Pat wanted to pass on her thanks to everyone who has sent cards and messages of support after David was knocked over on the crossing on the A4010 outside Monks Risborough School. After a few recent setbacks David is making progress in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Limited visiting is now possible but please check with Pat first. James

Volunteer required for safeguarding co-ordinator
The PCC has a responsibility to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are well cared for during church activities. The safeguarding co-ordinator ensures that adults involved in these activities have had the appropriate checks carried out. It is primarily an administrative role that takes on average about two hours each month. If you are intersted in finding out more please speak to Anne White (346536) or James (275944).

PCC and Deanery Synod vacancies
If you would like to become a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) that meets 8/9 times a year on a Monday evening, please have a chat with James. The PCC is the forum through which key decisions are taken regarding future vision, the undertaking of repairs and improvements to church buildings, church finances etc. There is also a vacancy for the Deanery Synod which acts as a link between the local church and Diocese.  Again if you’re interested, please speak with James.

The Next Few Weeks 

The Church is open daily to visit from 9.30am–4.00pm
Morning Prayer takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8.45am to 9.05am (except Bank Holidays). Everyone welcome

Mon 22nd Jan	1.00pm Service of Cremation for Stella Walford at Amersham 8.00pm PCC meeting
Tues 23rd Jan	9.15am Fellowship Walk (meet in the A4010 lay-by)
Wed 24th Jan	2.00pm Thanksgiving Service for John Randall
Thurs 25th Jan	9.30am Parish Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (in church) 2.00pm Knitting group (church hall) 7.30pm ‘Open House’ at The Rectory
Sun 28th Jan	10.00am Parish Communion 3.00pm Owlswick Evensong
Mon 29th Jan	8.00am Silent Prayer Meeting (church hall)
Thurs 1st Feb	9.30am Holy Communion and Prayers for Healing  2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall)
Sun 4th Feb	8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am All Age Family Communion and Baptism  6.00pm Evensong
Thurs 8th Feb	9.30am Holy Communion 2.00pm Monks Monkeys (church hall) 2.30pm Thanksgiving Service for Diana Mullens 7.30pm Fellowship Meeting (church hall)
Sun 11th Feb	10.00am Parish Communion 11.15am WW1 Commemoration at the war memorial 11.30am Owlswick Holy Communion 6.00pm Evensong
Weds 14th Feb Ash Wednesday	8.00pm Parish Communion and Imposition of Ashes