Parish Church of St Laurence Northfield Sunday 29 January 2017 Epiphany 4/Presentation of Christ in the Temple Welcome to worship today. At the 10am service we welcome the 2017 wedding couples. After the service we will gather in the chancel to plan the dates of the wedding preparation Opening Hymn 105 Hymns are sung only at the 10am service The Collect (prayer for the day) Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen First Reading Malachi 3.1-5 Thus says the Lord God: 1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears For he is like a refiner s fire and like fullers soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. Second Reading Hebrews 2.14-18 14 Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Hymn 945 (sing 3 times) Gospel Sentence Alleluia, alleluia. This child is the light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Alleluia. Gospel Reading Luke 2.22-40 22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord ), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. 33 And the child s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul too. 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. Repeat Hymn 945 as Sunday School departs Sermon Father David Pycock The Intercessions are led by 8.30am Ann Pycock 10am Mark Reynolds
Offertory Hymn 70 During this hymn the collection is taken. If you are a UK tax payer please Gift Aid your donation. Envelopes and pens are available at the Welcome Desk Hymns during the administration of Holy Communion 582, 157 (tune 206) Post-Communion Prayer Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen Recessional Hymn 187 NOTICES Refreshments are served at the back of church after the 10am service We are pleased to welcome new families who are thinking about applying to St Laurence s Infant School. To help us get to know one another, please will new and existing families provide us with a photo of you as a family (with your names on the back) leave it in the wallet in the Register. Thank you. Canon Janet Church Heating You have probably noticed that the church is very cold due to the outside temperature. When coming in please come in as quickly as you can and close the door. Thanks to Barbara Finch we now have some blankets available to borrow during the services. Don't be shy about asking for one. Concerns Book If you notice anything which isn't quite right or is a Safety matter please write it in the Concerns Book. This is checked regularly by the church wardens and by the Fabric Committee. "100" Club Renewals We will be collecting the subscriptions for "100" club in the next few weeks. If you would like to continue or join for the first time please see Sue or Roy Dutton phone no. 0121 624 9171 Gridiron Coffee Morning Tuesdays 10.00-11.30am. Everyone welcome. The Gridiron Diary of Events for 2017 is displayed in the Porch and has been printed in these notices Car Boot Sale Thank you to the wonderful team who make these happen yesterday s total will be announced! This afternoon the choir is taking part in the RSCM Come and Sing evensong at the Cathedral (3.30pm) The music includes Stanford in C - Magnificat and Nunc dimittis Howard Goodall - Psalm 23 (Vicar of Dibley) John Rutter - For the beauty of the earth How - Fairest Lord Jesus All welcome
Churches Sustainability Review The Government consultation on future funding of churches closes on Tuesday. Make your voice heard by completing the survey at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/engli sh-churches-and-cathedrals-sustainability-review Gridiron Walk Thurs Feb 2 meet at Pastoral Centre 9.30 for car shares. Two Birmingham parks Highbury and Canon Hill. 4 easy miles on pavements and made paths with stop for coffee at cafe. Back c1pm or stay on for lunch. Stuart and Chris 628 0425 / 07913 204 622. Bake sale for the homeless To support "the Birmingham Churches Winter Night Shelter" we will be holding a bake sale on Sunday 12 February. Please bake cakes and bring them along to sell on that day. Emelia : 07449327902 Keble College Corporate Communion This is hosted annually for all the churches of which Keble is patron. It is on Wednesday 15 February and is followed by dinner. We are wondering about going as a group in a mini-bus. The cost will be 35 including transport and the dinner. We will be leaving Northfield c5pm and arriving back 11pm or a little later. The preacher is the Very Revd Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans. If you would like to go please sign the list in the porch by next Sunday (5 th Feb). Rummikub and Boardgames afternoon Thursday 23 February 1-3pm in the Pastoral Centre. Come along to play rummikub, either to compete, improve or learn how to play. There will be other games around to play too. All are welcome. We ask for a small donation for room hire and refreshments. Enquires Dianne: 07984581066 Annual Reports Please send to Anne Pycock, PCC Secretary via the Parish Office or church wardens. Re-ordering of the church This has not be forgotten! The PCC is discussing it and the next vital step is to get our everyday finances in good shape. There has not been a Planned Giving Review since 2010 so we will be looking at this during March. Christian Aid Volunteer required to coordinate this year s house to house collection. More information from Janice Wones. The Birmingham Churches Winter Night Shelter www.bhamchurchesnightshelter.org.uk St Anne s Church, West Heath is participating in the scheme on Fridays from 24 Feb 31 March. Please contact the Revd Stuart Dimes 0121 476 7776 revsdimes@live.com
Ash Wednesday is on 1 March this year. There will be services of Holy Communion including ashing at 8am 9.15am (Junior School) 10.30am using Book of Common Prayer (note later time) 7.30pm - A united service with other churches in Northfield Please could you return your Palm Crosses so we can make plenty of ash. Ecumenical Lent Groups 2017 This year we plan to use the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Lenten resources entitled Returning Home: Christian faith in encounter with other faiths. Two sessions per week will be held at different churches, with exactly the same content being at each. Sessions will last about 90 mins. They will probably involve breaking up into smaller groups for discussion. Each session will be complete in itself. Hopefully, the exact details of when and where will be available next week. No need to sign up in advance. The series will be launched on Tuesday 28 February at 7.30pm at the Northfield Quaker Meeting House. Scarves for Zimbabwe all sorts of scarves - winter or summer are being requested by Dorothea Matsveru. Elijah There is an opportunity for anyone who enjoys singing to rehearse (and at a later date, perform), Mendelssohn's well-loved, Elijah, with Cantando Voices' four-part choir on Tuesday afternoons at the Friends' Meeting House, Bournville Green from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm (with a refreshment break). Elijah will be performed in St Francis Church, Bournville, with the addition of their choir at the end of June or early July, 2017. All voices are very welcome - particularly tenors and basses. Please speak to Rita Gardner (10.00 a.m. service); ring 0121 475 2042, or email, ritagardner@blueyonder.co.uk for more information. Thank you Please pray for Richard Barber who had a stroke in the summer, for his wife Steph and their family. Baby Charlotte Hayes who also has had a stroke. She was baptized here last June. Please pray for her parents Andrew and Jaimee and her brothers. Prayer requests can be left in the book near the rood screen. We pray at Morning and Evening Prayer during the week but do not make names public unless requested to do so. Recently Died Ray Crook (funeral in church 10am Mon 30 Jan), Olive Deeley (Barry s aunt), Jean Price, Charles Edward Williams, Evelyn Canaway (former churchwarden)
GRIDIRON EVENTS 2017 Here is the full programme Walks on the first Thursday of the month. Stuart and Chris will do whenever possible but others are welcome to take the lead. Contact Stuart Andrew if you would like to do so (628 0425). FEBRUARY 2 nd Walk Saturday 25 th Beetle Drive in Pastoral Centre 5-6 pm MARCH 2 nd Walk Friday 10 th Symphony Hall Tour am APRIL 6 th Walk Sunday 23 rd Lunch. Venue to be decided MAY 4 th Walk Thursday 18 th Bowling and Meal JUNE 1 st Walk Saturday 10 th Picnic & games in the Pastoral Centre garden 3 pm Organisers Stuart & Chris Canon Janet Cost 2 adult, 1 child, 5 family Squash & biscuits included Roy and Sue Dutton Rowena Nicholls Ann Stock Canon Janet JUNE Thursday 22 nd Gaydon Motor Museum AUGUST 3 rd Walk Johnsons Coach Trip. Date to be advised. SEPTEMBER 7 th Walk Thursday 21 st Lichfield Cathedral Tour OCTOBER 5 th Walk Thursday 19 th Rummikub Challenge 2-4 Pastoral Centre NOVEMBER 2 nd Walk Thursday 9 th Wolverhampton by train and tram for lunch at the Great Western DECEMBER Tuesday 19th Christmas Coffee Club 10-11.30 Roger and Jennie King Christine Evans Miles Bainbridge John Orchard Diane Galkowska and Mark Reynolds Stuart and Chris The usual suspects!! Date of next diary meeting: WEDNESDAY JAN 10 TH 2018
Taize, Hidden Treasure Birmingham 28th April -1st May The Taize community is coming to Birmingham and with it several hundred young people aged 18-35 from across the UK and Europe. Northfield is acting as a host community for some of the young people coming so we need to find accommodation over the weekend. They will be following a programme so will be out most of the day and returning to you c9.30-10.30pm. Please can you give some thought as to whether you would be able to accommodate some of these people and fill in the form in the Porch asap. This is a great opportunity to meet young Christians from all over Europe, make them feel at home, and show them what Birmingham people are really like by giving them a flavour of our community and hospitality. The event is being organised with the support of all the main churches. There will be events taking place in the city centre and some locally in Northfield. What is required of you if you do help! Somewhere for someone to sleep in your home. This can range from a bed, a space on the floor, a settee. Somewhere for them to wash and use the toilet. This does not have to be en suite or anything luxurious. Breakfast. Again this can be as simple as a slice of toast or the full works! They will be arriving in the evening and leaving each day before 9am and will come equipped with sleeping bags and towels (this time may alter on Sunday). Canon Janet and Peter hosted two young people from Taize last year and really enjoyed having them to stay. If you have any questions please contact Angela Dyer on 07846433402 angeladyer@hotmail.co.uk
Next two weeks at a glance (Deadline for inclusion 9am Thursday) MP EP 8.30am Holy Communion (Said) Sunday School runs alongside both services Sun 29 10am Sung Holy Communion 11.30 Coffee with 2017 wedding couples 3.30pm RSCM Evensong at Birmingham Cathedral. Our choir will be taking part. All welcome. Mon 30 8am 5pm Funeral of Ray Crook 10am in church 11am Lodge Hill Crem Tues 31 8am 5pm St Laurence Juniors (Years 3 & 4) Assembly in church 10am Gridiron Coffee Pastoral Centre Wed 1 8am Holy Communion especially for school staff but all welcome 8am 5pm 10am Holy Communion (BCP) (HC) 6pm Parish Surgery Pastoral Centre Thur 2 x x 9.30am Gridiron walk (meet at Pastoral Centre) Fri 3 8am 5.45pm Sat 4 x x PCC Away-day at Black Horse 9.30am 2pm Sun 5 8.30am Holy Communion (Said) Sunday School runs alongside both services 10am Sung Holy Communion Mon 6 8am 5pm Tues 7 8am 5pm 10am Gridiron Coffee Pastoral Centre Wed 8 8am 5pm 10am Holy Communion (BCP) Thur 9 x x Fri 10 8am 5.45pm Sat 11 x x Dean of Birmingham becomes the Dean of Winchester. Please pray for Catherine. Sun 12 8.30am Holy Communion (Family Service) 10am Sung Holy Communion (Family Service) followed by Cake Stall in aid of Churches Winter Night Shelter Regular services Sunday services 8.30am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion (with music) Wednesday 10am Holy Communion (said) using the Book of Common Prayer Monday-Friday normally 8am Morning Prayer 5pm Evening Prayer but check the table above Baptism & Wedding Enquiries Please come to the Parish Surgery on 1 st & 3 rd Wed of month 6-7pm in the Pastoral Centre Contact Details Parish Office 0121 475 1518 Rectory 0121 477 3111 Parish Office stlaurence@btconnect.com Rector janet.rectory@gmail.com Website: www.stlaurencenorthfield.org Twitter: @stlaurenceb31