The Parish of Great Berkhamsted

St Peter’s Church

The Third Sunday before Advent

9^th November 2008

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

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, Pathfinders 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 back of the church.

Coffee and biscuits are served in the Court House after the 9:30am service. All are invited. Please do come if you have time.

9:30am service details: Hymns, Psalm, Collect, Readings, Anthem, Post Communion Prayer & Voluntary will be found on the Insert.

3:00pm Remembrance Service

6:00pm service details: Evening Prayer said Psalm 82

The Cowper Society presents Bridgewater Sinfonia
NEXT SATURDAY 15^th NOVEMBER 7:30pm at St Peter’s
leader Stuart James, director Adrian Davis
Sibelius Karelia Suite, Op 11, Brahms Double concerto for Violin and ’Cello
(Stuart James violin & Philippa Schofield ’cello), James Robins Sinfonietta Millennia.
Tickets £12/10 [under 18s free] from 873205 or www.bridgewater-sinfonia.org.uk

Website: http://stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Notices

CHORAL EVENSONG IN CELEBRATION OF ST CECILIA
6:00pm SUNDAY 23^rd NOVEMBER and no Choral Evensong today

§ EASTER WEEK IN VENICE WITH ST PETER’S. The choir will be there - singing at St George’s Anglican Church on 16^th April and at other venues before 19^th April.
Let’s make it a parish outing to celebrate Easter. Speak to Fr Michael or Adrian Davis.

§ TRANSITION TOWN BERKHAMSTED Big Eco Event TODAY Sunday 9^th 12-5pm in the Town Hall. Our town is trying to help make a difference to the way we use energy and if we get it right central government can help. Read about it on p.11 of the November Review. See notice board. Pop in directly after church, learn something, share an idea.

§ TRAVELLING CRIBS will begin their journeys round the parish on Advent Sunday 30^th November. If you would like to offer a crib one night’s hospitality please sign up at St Peter’s on Sundays 9^th [today!] or 16^th November or 14^th November at Little Fishes. Anne Stead 876176 is the St Peter’s contact. Sign early to avoid disappointment.

§ All Saints’ DECEMBER/JANUARY NEWSLETTER copydate tomorrow Monday 10^th November. A reduced version is being produced. Please contact Audrey Hope 864537 or Ruth Treves Brown 863268 (ruth@trevesbrown.me.uk) about copy for inclusion.

§ FAIRTRADE COFFEE MORNING AND SALE – Tuesday 11^th November – 9am to 12noon in The Court House. Home-made cakes, coffee and a variety of stalls.

§ GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP MONTHLY LUNCH 12:30pm Wednesday 19^th November 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.

§ VICTORIA SCHOOL ASSOCIATION BENEFIT PERFORMANCE SATURDAY 29^th NOVEMBER 8:00pm AT VICTORIA SCHOOL A Child’s Christmas in Wales and other Dylan Thomas. Enchanting one-man show featuring Guy Masterson, nephew of the late Richard Burton. Bar opens 7:00pm. Tickets £10: box office 07946 323360; Fiona Powell 07971 564532; Karen Walker 07876 731539

§ ADVENT CANDLES AND CALENDARS will be on sale at St Peter’s on Sunday mornings TODAY 9^th, 16^th and 23^rd November. Price £1.99 each item.

§ HOT FOOT IT FOR ST FRANCIS 6pm Thursday 13^th November Sponsored Firewalk at the Watermill Hotel, Bourne End. Details call 869555, email firewalk@stfrancis.org.uk or visit www.stfrancis.org.uk.

§ HOSPICE CHRISTMAS CARDS are available. Designs are displayed on the notice board in the Court House. Please help yourself to an order form if you would like to order some.

§ COURT HOUSE SATURDAY COFFEE BAR More volunteers are needed for 2009 to join the teams serving coffee on Saturday mornings. The session is approx 3 hours once a month. We also need additional cake bakers. The coffee bar is growing in popularity so please volunteer NOW to Kathie Lally 863526

§ LIVE NATIVITY TABLEAU at Christmas Lights Switch-On 5-8pm Sunday 23^rd November in community stall space outside Tesco. Volunteers needed for this ecumenical celebration: angels, shepherds, singers, readers. Please contact Lexie Thompson 875672

§ THE WAY INN Vacancy for part time Catering Assistant in the coffee shop. Please call Rod 864751 or Kate 870768 or pick up an application form from the shop.

Prayer Diary

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

Sunday 9^th 3^rd before Advent Remembrance Sunday Sick, Anxious & Bereaved Memorial RIP	Rowan Williams, Christopher Bp of St Albans & Staff The Anglican Church in Bermuda Rhiannon McCarthy, Rene Dunford, Alex Wright, Judith Hill, Arthur Williams, Harry Arnfield, Christina Billington, Angela Morris, Geraldine Wright, Nigel Franklin, Rosalyn Yates, Roma Haddock, Frances Pope, Thomas Kraft Mavis Haile, Frank Maggs Tom Montague RIP, Ruth Pope RIP, John Pheby RIP
Monday 10^th St Leo the Great Luke 17: 1-6 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Muno Kasima, Bishop of Katanga, Congo Those who face pain and struggle in their lives Ministry of Defence & Ambassadors Arthur Williams, Judith Hill
Tuesday 11^th St Martin of Tours Luke 17: 7-10 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	James Kwasu, Bp of Katsina, Nigeria The work of the Royal British Legion Men and women serving in our military in present conflict Harry Arnfield, Rosalyn Yates, Thomas Kraft
Wednesday 12^th Luke 17: 11-19 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Edmund Akanya, Bp of Kebbi, Nigeria Those oppressed and marginalized in our society Citizens Advice Bureau in Berkhamsted Christina Billington, Alex Wright, Frances Pope
Thursday 13^th Luke 17: 20-25 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	David Ashdown, Bp of Keewatin, Canada Those with whom we find it difficult to live Hospice of St Francis, Revd Liz Hughes, Ian Rennie Hospice at Home Angela Morris, Rene Dunford, Nigel Franklin, Roma Haddock
Friday 14^th Luke 17: 26-end	Edwin Gulick, Bp of Kentucky, USA People living with dementia, and Alzheimer’s Newcomers to St Peter’s Those of our family & friends departed this life
Saturday 15^th Luke 18: 1-8 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Ezekiel Kondo, Bp of Khartoum, Sudan Those preparing to be married in St Peter’s Those who receive communion at home Rhiannon McCarthy, Geraldine Wright
Sunday 2 before Advent	Readings: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-end 1 Thess. 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30

For all pastoral matters please contact Fr Michael Bowie 01442 864194

or Fr John Pritchard 01442 870016. Fr Michael takes Thursday off and Fr John takes Tuesday off.

ST PETER’S	Today Sunday 9^th November	Next week Sunday 16^th November
SIDESMEN	8:00am Stephen Wade 9:30am Rosemary & Tony Byrne Helen Pope, Barbara Conway 6:00pm Christopher Green	8:00am Elizabeth Prosser 9:30am Jane Bartholomew & Eric Brown Pamela Pennock, Liz Pearce 6:00pm John Cook
INTERCESSOR	9:30am Elizabeth Jackson	9:30am Chrichton Limbert
CHALICE	9:30am Frank Norman, Paul J, Rachael A.	9:30am Philippa Seldon, Graham T, Jane M.
SERVERS	8:00am Libby Grundy 9:30am Alan Conway (MC), Ron Fisher (Cr) Francesca Gurdon, Will Morgan	8:00am Rachael Hill 9:30am David Northcott (MC), Simon Good (Cr) James Ruffell, Claire Below
READINGS	8:00am Anthea Lepper 9:30am Adrian Davis, Fr Basil	8:00am Mike Eller 9:30am Jean & Christopher Green
CRÈCHE	9:30am Hayley Gerry, Jenny Jenkins	9:30am Karen Walker, Rachel Dell
CHURCH CLEANING 10-15Nov Marjorie Bowden, Clare Nelson, Philippa Seldon, Ruth Kemp, Hayley Gerry, Fiona P

PEW LEAFLET notices, 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.

This Week’s Diary

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

SUNDAY 9^th NOVEMBER The 3^rd Sunday before Advent REMEMBRANCE	8:00am EUCHARIST O(The Revd Luke Geoghegan) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (The Revd Luke Geoghegan) Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 3:00pm British Royal Legion Remembrance Service O (Fr Michael Bowie) Preacher: Fr John Pritchard 6:00pm EVENING PRAYER – said (Fr Michael Bowie) 7:30pm Rehearsal: Bridgewater Sinfonia (9:00pm)
Monday 10^th St Leo	7:30am Morning Prayer	5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:00pm EUCHARIST
Tuesday 11^th St Martin	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am EUCHARIST, All Saints’, Shrublands Rd.	5:00pm Evening Prayer 5:15pm Choir Practice (6:15pm)
Wednesday 12^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST	5:00pm Evening Prayer
Thursday 13^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am EUCHARIST O	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:45pm Bellringing (9:15pm) south door
Friday 14^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:15am EUCHARIST	5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:00pm Choir Practice (7:00pm) 7:30pm Rehearsal: Bridgewater Sinfonia
Saturday 15^th	9:30am Morning Prayer 10:00am EUCHARIST 1:30pm Rehearsal: Bridgewater Sinfonia	5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:45pm Access Front of House for 7:30pm Concert: Bridgewater Sinfonia
SUNDAY 16^th NOVEMBER The Second Sunday before Advent	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Russell) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Fr Michael Bowie) Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 6:00pm EVENSONG & Sermon O (John Malcolm) 7:00pm Rehearsal: Chiltern Chamber Choir (9:00pm)

Other Church Activities Today Sunday Sunday@5 5:00pm Sunnyside Church

Monday	Prayers for our Schools 9:00am –10:00am in The Breukelman Room, Sunnyside Church. Please let us know of any prayer requests. Marjorie Davies 01494 783034
Tuesday	Chuckles Toddlers 10-11:30am All Saints’ with 10:15am Service Daniel and the Lions Jenny Wells 870981
Wednesday	Julian Meeting 11:30am 57 Meadow Rd. Half hour of quiet prayer. Jenny Wells 870981 Pathfinder Games Club (yrs 5-8) 7–8:30pm All Saints’ Hall. Jimmy Young 384929
Thursday	Home Group 8:00pm at 8 Plover Close. Linda Bisset 862115
Friday	Little Fishes Toddlers 9:30-11:30am Court House. Carrie Wegener 877404
Saturday	Association of Berkhamsted Churches Prayer Breakfast 8:00am at Northchurch Baptist Ch.

Future Dates

23 Nov 6:00pm	Change of plan: St Peter’s Choir, St Cecilia Choral Evensong
29 Nov 3:00pm	Bellringing Quarter Peal/s as part of Quarter Peal Day for Western District Ringers
29 Nov 8:00pm	A Child’s Christmas in Wales & other Dylan Thomas, Victoria Sch. Tkts £10 07946 323360
30 Nov 6:00pm	Advent Carol Service
M.1 Dec 8:00pm	The Cowper Society presents: Chroma Messiaen by candlelight
F.5 Dec 1:00pm	The Cowper Society presents Lunchtime Recital: Adrian Davis Organ
Sn.7 Dec 7:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: Berkhamsted Choral Society
T.9 Dec 8:00pm	Parochial Church Council, Court House
F.12 Dec 9:15am	Thomas Bourne Eucharist (with Victoria School attendance)
T.16 Dec 7:15pm	Thomas Coram School Christmas Service
W.17 Dec 7:30pm	Rotary Carol Service
Th.18 Dec 9:30am	Victoria School Carol Service
F.19 Dec 12noon	Thomas Coram School End of Term Service
Sn.21 Dec 9:30am	Sung Eucharist with Sunday School Nativity
T.23 Dec 7:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: Chiltern Chamber Choir, Monteverdi Vespers
W.24 Dec 4:00pm	Crib Service 11:30pm Midnight Mass for Christmas

SUNDAY The Third before Advent, Remembrance 9^th November 2008

Hymns NEH

Introit 417

Gradual Canticle see below

Offertory 339

Recessional see page 2

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

Wisdom of Solomon 6:12–16

A reading from the book of Wisdom.

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate. To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding, and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Canticle Wisdom.17-20 ¯

R The love of wisdom brings us nearer to God.

The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, R

and love of her is the keeping of her laws,
and giving heed to her laws is
assurance of immortality, R

and immortality brings one near to God;
so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom. R

Canticle Wisdom.17-20 ¯

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:13–end

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

The Third before Advent, Remembrance

Gospel Matthew 25:1-13

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)

Jesus spoke this parable to the disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord

(Reply Praise to you, O Christ)

Choir Anthem

Greater Love John Ireland

Post Communion Prayer

God of peace, whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom and restored the broken to wholeness of life: look with compassion on the anguish of the world, and by your healing power make whole both people and nations; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. AMEN

Hymn NEP 636

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with thee;

Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not,

As thou hast been thou for ever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness!

Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed thy hand hath provided –

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and spring-time and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessing all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Voluntary

Festival Toccata Percy E Fletcher