The Parish of Great Berkhamsted

St Peter’s Church

The Third Sunday of Advent

16 December 2007

Welcome to St Peter’s Berkhamsted. If you are new to the parish or this service, please feel confident to introduce yourself to a “welcomer,” one of the Clergy or Sides people.

Communicant members of all Churches are invited to receive Holy Communion. If you are not receiving Communion, please come to the Altar rail for a blessing but carry a book so the minister knows.

The Sunday School and Crèche run in the Court House from 9:30am. Children are welcome to stay in the service. There are children’s games at the rear of the church.

Coffee and refreshments are served in the Court House after morning service.

You are most welcome to join us for this refreshment if you have time.

RED BUCKET COLLECTION 16^th & 23^rd December

Papua New Guinea Cyclone

You are invited to join Fr Michael in making a special Christmas donation via the Anglican Board of Missions – Australia appeal.

There will be RED BUCKET collections

after services today
and next week.

If you are a taxpayer please USE & COMPLETE the Gift Aid Envelope (thus giving an extra 28%).
Cheques payable to PCC of Great Berkhamsted.

Website: http://stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Notices

§ Muriel Norman’s funeral is 11:15am Tuesday 18^th December in St Peter’s

§ Ron Gregory’s funeral is 1:00pm Thursday 20^th December in St Peter’s

The Cowper Society presents: JS BACH CHRISTMAS ORATORIO
Sunday 23^rd December 7:30pm at St Peter’s

Chiltern Chamber Choir & Orchestra leader Stuart James with Kathryn Jenkin soprano, Jeanette Ager mezzo-soprano, Daniel Auchincloss tenor, John Bernays bass,
directed by Adrian Davis

Tickets£12/£10 under 18s free from The Way Inn or Cole Flatt locally or Perfect Pitch, Chesham

The Cowper Society St Peter’s Pipe Organ Appeal

You can donate online. Do look at the website: http://theberkhamstedorgan.org.uk

24^TH & 25^TH DECEMBER AT ST PETER’S
4pm Christmas Eve: Children’s Carols, Procession and Blessing of The Crib
11.30pm Christmas Eve: The Procession to the Crib and The Midnight Mass of Christmas
9:30am Christmas Day – The Sung Eucharist, Christmas Day

§ CHRISTMAS DAY GIFTS for Hope For Children Gifts of stationery will be collected at the 9.30am service as usual. Please pick up a brightly coloured PC size leaflet to discover more.

§ A WALK THROUGH THE OLD & NEW TESTAMENTS John Malcolm will be running a 5 week course about the Bible. Tuesday Evenings 8/15/22/29 January and 5^th February @ 8pm. Please contact John on 874993 or the Parish Office if you are interested

§ GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP MONTHLY LUNCH 12.30pm Wednesday 19 December at The White Horse, Bourne End. Whether bereaved recently or a few years ago you will be very welcome to join us. If you would like to attend, need help with transport or would like further details, please contact Sylvia Banks 871195

§ THE HOSPICE OF ST FRANCIS Christmas Bells are on sale in aid of the Hospice at the back of church each Sunday until Christmas.

§ STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES please collect from Miles & Diana Nicholas

§ RECYCLING Happy to give it away but not suitable for charity shop? The Berkhamsted Freecycle Network – a non-profit organization, is a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. Website: uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/berkofreecycle/ or freecycle.org for other towns and more information.

Future Dates

28^th January 7:30pm Cowper Society Talk: David Hilling ‘Barging all over Britain’, The Court House

9^th February 7:30pm Save The Children Anna Le Hair & Adrian Johnson Piano Duets, Lady Ch, St Peter’s

11^th February 7:30pm Cowper Soc. Talk: John Screen ‘A British prince in Northern Europe, 1802-03’, Crt Hse

23^rd February 7:30pm Gaudeamus Choral concert, St Peter’s

25^th February 7:30pm Cowper Soc. Talk: Alison Baverstock ‘Does the Book have a Future?’ The Court House

1^st March 7:30pm The Bridgewater Band: Rossini, Beethoven, Brahms, St Peter’s

10^th March 7:30pm Cowper Soc. Talk: Aymeric Jenkins ‘Romanesque Architecture’, The Court House

Prayer Diary

A daily reminder to pray for the Church, Country, parish & community in Berkhamsted.

Sunday 16th December 3^rd Sunday of Advent Matthew 11: 2-11 For the Sick Memorial and RIP	+ Rowan Williams ,+ Peter Selby, Bp of Worcester, UK + Christopher Bp St Albans & Staff. For all the schools in the parish; their staff, pupils and governors; and our special responsibilities towards Victoria First School and Thomas Coram Middle School. Judith Hill, Harry Arnfield, Christina Billington, Angela Morris, Betty Thorne, Tom Hible, Nigel Franklin, Mattie Franklin, Tom Montague, Arthur Williams, Joan Morris, Rene Dunford. Patrick Hawkins, Peter Payne, Sydney Conway; Muriel Norman RIP, Ron Gregory RIP.
Monday 17^th Matthew 1: 1- 17 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	+ Ali Lamido, Bp of Wusasa, Nigeria Terrence Higgins Trust. T.E’s, The Swan Youth Centre, Youth Ministers in Berkhamsted Rene Dunford, Arthur Williams, Joan Morris
Tuesday 18^th Matthew 1: 18-24 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	+ Bruce Caldwell, Bp of Wyoming, USA The Salvation Army, The Church Army The Lions Club of Berkhamsted, Rotary Berkhamsted and Bulborne. Mattie Franklin, Tom Montague, Arthur Williams
Wednesday 19^th Luke 1: 5 – 25 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	+ Peter Yacoub, Bp of Yambio, Sudan Marie Curie Cancer Care, Leukaemia Research Fund. Berkhamsted Councillors, The Mayor Cllr Carol Green. Betty Thorne, Tom Hible, Nigel Franklin
Thursday 20^th Luke 1: 26-38 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	+ Samuel Htay, Bp of Yangon, Mayanmar British Institute of Learning Disabilities, Royal National Institute for the Blind Berkhamsted Booksellers, Local Authors and Researchers Harry Arnfield, Christina Billington, Angela Morris
Friday 21^st Luke 1: 39 - 45	+ Hilary Adeba, Bp of Yei, Sudan Shelter, Centre point. Families travelling too and from Berkhamsted for Christmas. Those of our family & friends departed this life
Saturday 22^nd Luke 1: 26-46 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	+ Simon Adebola, Bp of Yewa, Nigeria Amnesty International John Rawles & Claire Simmons who are getting married at St Peter’s today. Judith Hill
The Fourth Sunday of Advent	Readings: Isaiah 7: 10-16 Romans 1: 1- 7 Matthew 1: 18-25

ST PETER’S	Today Sunday 16 December	next week Sunday 23 December
SIDESMEN	8:00am Frank Allum 9:30am Kate & Tim Henessey Kathie & Stephen Lally 6:00pm Barbara Conway	8:00am Stephen Wade 9:30am Paul & Beverley Jullien Helen Pope, Sheila Miller 6:00pm Philippa Seldon
INTERCESSOR	9:30am none appointed (Baptism)	9:30am Margaret Burbidge
CHALICE	9:30am Chris Hunt, Jane Morgan, Paul J.	9:30am Elizabeth Jackson, Frank N, Philippa S
CRÈCHE	9:30am No crèche (Nativity play)	9:30am Karen Walker, Rachel Dell
SERVERS	8:00am Libby Grundy 9:30am Mark Coleman (MC) Alex Evans (Cr) Rachel Hill, Will Morgan	8:00am David Northcott 9:30am Mike Hart (MC) Alan Conway (Cr) Ron Fisher, Ted Lewis
READINGS	8:00am Elizabeth Prosser 9:30am Elizabeth Bellamy, Ron Fisher	8:00am Janet Eller 9:30am John Abbott, Penny Abbott

Church Cleaning: 17-22 Dec Catherine Imber, Helen Pope, Christopher Green, Pearl Wiggins, Richard Davies

This Week’s Diary

In Church O= services where the PA Loop system is in use

SUNDAY 16^th The Third Sunday of Advent	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr Michael Bowie) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST & HOLY BAPTISM O (Fr Michael Bowie) No Crèche, Sunday School or Pathfinders: Nativity Play in Church 4:30pm Rehearsal - St Peter’s Choir 6:00pm CHORAL EVENSONG O (The Revd John Pritchard)
Monday 17	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST 9:45am Thomas Coram Sch. Reh (12.45pm) 1:00pm Swing Gate School Rehearsal	2:00pm Swing Gate School Service 5:00pm Evening Prayer 6.30pm Access for 7:15pm Thomas Coram School Service
Tuesday 18	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am EUCHARIST, All Saints’, Shrublands Rd. 9:45am Organ: Bill Thom (10:45am) 11:15am Funeral – Muriel Norman	5:00pm Evening Prayer 5:15pm Choir Practice: (6:15pm) 7:30pm Adult Choir Practice for Midnight Mass (9:00pm)
Wednesday 19	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST 9:15am Victoria Sch Practice (11.15am) 11:30am Access for 12noon Thomas Coram End of Term Service	1:45pm Victoria School Access for 2:15pm Nine Lessons & Carols 5:00pm Evening Prayer
Thursday 20	7:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am EUCHARIST O	1:00pm Funeral – Ron Gregory 5:00pm Evening Prayer 8:00pm Bellringing (9:15pm) south door
Friday 21	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:15am EUCHARIST	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:00pm Full Choir Practice (8:00pm) 8:00pm Adult Midnight Mass Practice
Saturday 22	9:30am Morning Prayer 10:00am EUCHARIST 1:00pm Wedding: John David Rawles & Claire Simmons	3:00pm Organ: Jon Lee (5:00pm) 5:00pm Evening Prayer
SUNDAY 23rd The Fourth Sunday of Advent	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr Michael Bowie) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Fr Michael Bowie) Crèche, but no Sunday School or Pathfinders 6:00pm EVENING PRAYER - said (Fr Michael Bowie) 6:45pm Access – 7:30pm Bach ‘Christmas Oratorio’ (Chiltern Ch. Choir & Orch.)

Other Church Activities

Monday House Group 8-9.30pm at 36 Trevelyan Way. Tracy Robinson 863559
There is no Grief & Loss Support Group meeting this month. Angela Morris 866992

Tuesday Chuckles Toddlers 10-11:30am Christmas Party at All Saints’. Jenny Wells 870981
Mothers’ Union 7.30pm Christmas Evening with meditation led by Jenny Wells, 17 Hall Park. Margaret Burbidge 862139 There are no Mothers’ Union Prayers this month

Wednesday Grief & Loss Support Grp Lunch 12.30pm, The White Horse, Bourne End. Sylvia B. 871195
Julian Meeting 11.30am half an hour of quiet prayer, 1 Montague Road. Ruth Treves B. 863268
Pathfinder Games Club (yrs 5-8) 7 – 8:30pm All Saints’ Hall. Jimmy Young 384929

Thursday T.E.s (youth club for yr 9+) 7 – 9pm Court House. Jimmy Young 384929

Friday No Little Fishes Toddlers. Nicole Addy-Varndell 864094

PEW LEAFLET notices for the next TWO WEEKS PLEASE in writing:
The Parish Office, The Court House, Berkhamsted HP4 2AX
email ChurchOffice@greatberkhamsted.org.uk tel.878227 & rota swaps by 2pm Wednesday please
PARISH OFFICE hours this week: 9:30am-5:00pm Tue & Wed; 9:30am-12noon Thu & Fri.

For all pastoral matters please contact Fr Michael Bowie 01442 864194 or The Revd John Pritchard 01442 870016. Fr Michael is taking Friday off this week and John is taking Thursday.

SUNDAY The Third Sunday of Advent 16 December 2007

Hymns NEH

Processional 7

Offertory 9

Post-Communion 5

Collect

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 35:1–10

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, 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.

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 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.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 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; 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.

A 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. 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. 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

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Magnificat

Psalm Magnificat ¯

R The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

he has looked with favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; R

The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him, from generation to generation. R

He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. R

He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy.

The promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children for ever. R

Second Reading James 5:7–10

A reading from the letter of James.

Be 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. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 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

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Gospel Matthew 11:2–11

The Lord be with you

(Reply And also with you)

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

(Reply Glory to you, O Lord)

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to Jesus, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’

Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 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. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

As 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? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 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.”

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

(Reply Praise to you, O Christ)

Choir Anthem:

This is the record of John Orlando Gibbons

Post Communion Prayer

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when our Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever. AMEN

Lighting The Advent Ring

First reader We have this Advent Ring to remind us of those who prepared the way for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World.

Second reader The third candle reminds us of John the Baptist who proclaimed Jesus as Saviour.

The candle is lit

First reader God our Father, you gave to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age a son called John. He grew up strong in spirit, prepared the people for the coming of the Lord, and baptised them in the Jordan to wash away their sins.

Second reader Help us who have been baptized into Christ, to be ready to welcome him into our hearts, and to grow in faith by the power of the Spirit. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Light who is coming into the world.

Both readers Please join in saying this prayer:

All Lord Jesus, Light of the world, John told the people to prepare, for you were very near. As Christmas grows closer day by day, help us be ready to welcome you now. AMEN

Voluntary

Nun Komm’. Der Heiden Heiland BWV 660 JS Bach