Sunday 11 December Third Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 Please take this home with you Sunday 11 December Third Sunday of Advent 8.00am HOLY COMMUNION Celebrant and Preacher: The Revd James Reveley 10.00am PARISH EUCHARIST Celebrant and Preacher: The Revd James Reveley Readings: Isaiah read by Alun Jones James read by Jo Newton Gospel: Matthew Hymns: Advent Candle song (see page 4), NEH 12, NEH 499, NEH 490, SASP 187, SASP 168, NEH 500 Anthem: Intercessor: Jesus, Hope of every nation - Barry Rose Wendy Carter Everyone is invited to the Main Hall for refreshments Officiant: 8.00pm COMPLINE Dr Diana Stretton Please ask a sidesperson if you would like a large print version

2 COLLECT Prayers and Readings Common Worship Year A O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. FIRST READING - Isaiah A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 1The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, 2 and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God s people; no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 2

3 SECOND READING - James A reading from the letter of James. 7Be patient, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL - Matthew We say or sing Alleluia Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. 2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Jesus, Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? 4Jesus answered them, Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me. 7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. 3

4 POST-COMMUNION 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. Advent Candle Song Come and light the candles on the Advent Ring Scattering the darkness till the world shall sing. John the Baptist telling us God wants to forgive Calling us to change the way we work and live Those who are ill: Felicity Saunders This week we pray in particular for: Prayers for our December Outreach Partners Angel Tree Project Run by Prison Fellowship volunteers, the Angel Tree project helps those in prison keep in touch with their children. At Bedford Prison, the volunteers arrange for appropriate Christmas presents, with a tag from their parent in prison, to be bought, wrapped and sent to the child, so that they have something from Dad on Christmas Day. Eucharist Readings for 18 December Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A Isaiah Romans Matthew

5 MONDAY am Morning Prayer Quiet Room 9.30am Noah s Ark - end of term Main Hall 10.30am Relaxation Session Quiet Room 2.30pm Pilgrim House Group 6.45pm Organ Preview Church 8.00pm Peace Light arrives Church then Decoration of the Christmas Tree TUESDAY am Morning Prayer Quiet Room 7.45pm Standing Committee Holt Room WEDNESDAY am Morning Prayer Quiet Room 10.30am Holy Communion Holt Room Celebrant: The Revd James Reveley 5.00pm St Andrew s School Carol Service Church THURSDAY am Morning Prayer Quiet Room 10.00am Money Advice at St Andrew s 10.30am House Group 7.45pm Tower Bell Practice Church FRIDAY am Morning Prayer Quiet Room 10.30am Parish Nurse Drop-in Consulting Room 7.00pm Orchestra Rehearsal for Nine Lessons and Carols Church 7.30pm Choir and Orchestra Rehearsal for Nine Lessons and Carols Church SATURDAY am Morning Prayer Quiet Room 9.00am Decoration of the church for Christmas SUNDAY am Holy Communion Church 10.00am Parish Eucharist Church Including children s Nativity play 4.00pm Choir and Orchestra rehearsal Church 6.00pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Church followed by Mulled Wine and Mince Pies Main Hall Notice Sheet Deadline Please send all notices to Karen Parrott, Church Centre Office, office@standrewsbedford.org by 12noon on Wednesday. This notice sheet is printed on Wednesday afternoon. 5

6 ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS ST ANDREW S CHRISTMAS CARD: There are still some bundles of cards for delivery around the parish. Please do take a bundle (or more!) to deliver if you are able to assist this week. These need to be delivered before the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols next Sunday. If you live outside the parish boundary, please do take a card from the shelf at the back of Church. THE TRAVELLING CRIB is now well into its journey from home to home around the congregation. There are still a few places on the list, if you would like to sign up to host the crib for a night this year. Please do join in with this lovely St Andrew s tradition. NATIVITY PRESENTATION REHEARSAL: The first rehearsal for this year s Nativity presentation by the children of St Andrew s is today during the 10.00am service (in place of the usual Sunday groups). There will be a second rehearsal next Sunday, 18 December, immediately before the presentation at the 10.00am service. DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE: Would you like to help decorate the Christmas Tree in church tomorrow evening (Monday 12 December) after the Peace Light is received at 8.00pm? Please let the Church Centre Office know if you are able to help out. CHRISTMAS FLOWERS: Please would flower arrangers note that decoration of the church for Christmas will take place on Saturday 17 December, but not Friday 16 December as indicated in the current Fisherman. CAROL SINGING: Please join us on Tuesday 20 December at 11.00am at Kimbolton Lodge to sing carols for the residents or at 6.00pm at church, when we shall walk over to Dorothea Court to sing there before moving onto Hepworth House. To help us know how many hymn sheets to take, please sign up to come along, the more the merrier. SIDEPERSONS FOR CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT SERVICES: If you are able to offer assistance as a sidesperson at the 4.30pm or 6.30pm service on Christmas Eve, please add your name to the sign-up list in the Foyer. Thank you. LUNCH ON CHRISTMAS DAY: If you would like to attend the lunch on Christmas Day for individuals or couples who would otherwise be on their own, please ensure that you let the Churchwardens or the Church Office know as soon as possible. If you are willing to help with this lunch, please would you add your name to the sign-up sheet by tomorrow, 12 December. Thank you. GIFTS FOR BUTTERFLY HOUSE: Please see the article in the December/January Fisherman if you would like to make a donation this Christmas. 6

7 CHURCH PARISH NURSE DROP-IN SESSION: The next date for this session is Friday 16 December at 10.30am in the Consulting Room. DO YOU HAVE A TRIPOD which we could use with a video camera in church to relay services? If you are able to offer this, it would be most welcome. Please contact the Church Centre Office with your offer. Many thanks to Alex Hunt for the gift of a video camera. ME, YOU, THE WORLD AND GOD : If you would like to sign up to the St Albans Diocese Advent 2016 Live the Challenge, you can do so at When signed up, you will receive an each day, including a verse from the Bible with a Reflection on that verse and a suggested Prayer. CHRISTINGLE: Thank you very much to everyone who supported and helped at the service. Together we were able to raise 345 for the important work of The Children's Society. Special thanks to the Johnstone family who raised 310 on their Crafty Mrs Noah stall making a splendid grand total of 655. Please keep Rhiannon Sawyer and her colleagues in your prayers as they continue their work in often challenging and sometimes dangerous situations. Liz Lacey. PARISH CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2017: Copies are now available to collect from the back of the church, if you would like one. BELIEF: INTRODUCTION TO CHURCH HISTORY: A ten week course, to be held here at St Andrew s, with the Revd Dr Kenneth Padley, Vicar of St Michael with St Mary, St Albans. This course is an introduction to the study of ecclesiastical history, covering the church s history in a broadly chronological manner. The course will focus on the Western tradition, but include material relating to the Orthodox churches and to Christianity in Africa, Asia and South America, as well as Europe and North America. It may be taken as a module of the St Albans Certificate in Theology. Tuesdays 10 January - 28 March 2017 (excl. 14 February and 21 March), 7.45pm. Cost: 110. Book online at or by calling BOOK CIRCLE: The next meeting will be on Monday 6 February 2017, 7.45pm, when we will be discussing "The Captain's Daughter" by Leah Fleming. This is a novel with links to the sinking of RMS Titanic and is a very good read. Please do join us. COMMUNITY CANTAMUS AT CHRISTMAS: Choral Music for the Christmas Season at Christ Church, Denmark Street, on Tuesday 13 December, 8.00pm. Tickets 8.00 ( 5 concessions) with proceeds to Christ Church funds. 7

8 FIND THE SHEEP: A Children s Christmas Competition, sponsored by St Paul s Mothers Union, to emphasise the real Christmas story. From 26 November to 20 December a number of knitted sheep will be hiding in windows of some town centre independent shops. Can you find them? You can collect an entry form from the Church Centre Office. For full details, please see ww.stpaulschurchbedford.org.uk. STUCK FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER? WHAT ABOUT GIVING A SPONSORED ORGAN PIPE? Pipes range in price from 5 and sponsorship forms are available from the back of church, the Church Centre Foyer and from the St Andrew s website. Please invest in the future worship of our church in this way. Gift cards are available for you to give to the recipient of your present. ORGAN CONCERTS AND EVENTS 2017: You could purchase a season ticket for all five full price concerts to be held next year. Prices are 40/ 32/ 16 and are available from the Church Centre Office. CONCERTS AT ST ANDREW S: Why not treat them to a Gift Voucher for Concerts at St Andrew s. Valid for any of the 2017 Season the vouchers are available in denominations of 8, 10, 16 or 20. Contact the Church Centre Office on to purchase. OUR NEW ORGAN: The building of the organ is complete and work continues on the voicing and tuning of each of the vast number of pipes. During the work on the new organ, the Quiet Room will be available for private prayer, as the church will be closed. The main services will still be held in the church during this time. Whilst the church is closed, sign-up sheets will be in the Church Centre Foyer, together with magazines and other correspondence waiting for individuals to collect. ORGAN PREVIEW - A SECOND CHANCE: There will be another opportunity to hear Andrew Scott, Head Voicer for Harrison and Harrison, speak about the organ project and just what voicing is at 6.45pm tomorrow, Monday 12 December, in the Church. Do come along and enjoy this preview. ST ANDREW S CHURCH, KIMBOLTON ROAD, BEDFORD MK40 2PF VICAR: THE REVD JAMES REVELEY (Day off - Friday or Saturday) vicar@standrewsbedford.org CURATE: THE REVD ATALIE GAINES (Day off - Friday) curate@standrewsbedford.org CHURCH CENTRE OFFICE: (Open Monday - Friday 9.00am-1.00pm & pm) centremanager@standrewsbedford.org WEBSITE: Charity Registration number