The Parish of Great Berkhamsted

St Peter’s Church

Advent Sunday

30^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,
Post Communion Prayer will be found on the Insert.
Choir Anthem: Rejoice in the Lord alway (anon); Voluntary: Chorale Prelude:
‘Kommst du nun, Jesu von Himmel herunter auf Erden’ J S Bach, BWV 650

6:00pm Advent Carol service details: will be found in the service sheet

RED BUCKET COLLECTION for the CONGO EMERGENCY TODAY

There will be a RED BUCKET collection after services today 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

§ 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.

§ VICTORIA SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAIR next Saturday 6^th December 10:30am-1pm Tombolas, Lucky Dip, Christmas raffle, Christmas trees, home-baked cakes, carol singing, children’s craft activities, visit Santa in his grotto, mulled wine or hot chocolate . . & more!

§ HOSPICE CHRISTMAS CARDS available. Designs are displayed on the notice board in the Court House. Please take an order form if you would like to order – last chance next week.

§ HOSPICE OF ST FRANCIS Christmas Bells will be on sale today & on each Sunday in Advent. Please help the Hospice by buying one or more.  Wear them, or use them to decorate the tree, parcels, napkin rings, etc.  Suggested donation £1.

§ THE ORGAN Why is it not working yet? Why is it taking so long? Is anybody doing anything about it? When will it be finished? If you wish to learn the answers to these questions and more about what is happening, Jon, supported by the organ committee, will be giving an update after the 9.30 service on 14^th December. Come armed with any questions.

§ STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES Please collect in church during Advent. Miles & Diana Nicholas (871958).

§ DAY OF PRAYER AT ALL SAINTS’ Monday 1^st December 9am-7pm for World AIDS Day. Please take time to join us to pray for a few minutes or for longer

§ BOOK SIGNING: local author Sue Hampton Just for one Day, her 4^th children’s book. 9an-4pm 6 Dec at Waterstones

§ FAIRTRADE STALLS at St Peter’s & at All Saints’ – next Sunday 7^th December
The catalogue may be borrowed from Julie at All Saints and Christopher at St Peter's.
All Fairtrade enquiries to Angela, tel. 866992

§ COURT HOUSE SATURDAY COFFEE BAR More volunteers needed to join the Saturday Morning Coffee teams for approx 3 hours once a month. Additional cake bakers are also needed. The coffee bar grows in popularity. Please call Kathie Lally 863526 NOW!

§ CHESHAM BOIS CATHOLIC PLAYERS The Sorcerer’s Apprentice 17^th, 18^th, 23^rd & 24^th January at The Elgiva, Chesham. See poster & handbills. Box Office 01494 582900

The Cowper Society presents at St Peter’s
CHROMA 8:00pm TOMORROW Monday 1^st December, in the Lady Chapel, by candlelight
Peter Hill piano, Marcus Barcham-Stevens piano, Clare O’Connell ’cello, Stuart King clarinet
Quatuor pour la fin du Temps to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Messiaen.
Free Admission & retiring collection for the Cowper Society’s Cultural Programme

ORGAN RECITAL NEXT FRIDAY 5^th DECEMBER Adrian Davis organ
Free Admission & retiring collection for the Cowper Society’s Cultural Programme

BERKHAMSTED CHORAL SOCIETY 7:30pm NEXT Sunday 7^th December
Carols from around the world Tickets £12/£10 concessions, from Cole Flatt, under 16s free

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.

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.

Prayer Diary

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

Sunday 30^th Advent Sunday Sick, Anxious & Bereaved Memorial	Rowan Williams, Christopher Bp of St Albans & Staff Falkland Islands – extra provincial to Canterbury Hannah Rose Smith and Iona Martha Catherine Murray being baptised at St Peter’s today, their parents and godparents Rhiannon McCarthy, Rene Dunford, Alex Wright, Judith Hill, Frances Pope, Arthur Williams, Harry Arnfield, Christina Billington, Angela Morris, Geraldine Wright, Nigel Franklin, Rosalyn Yates, Roma Haddock, Thomas Kraft, Zoe Doyle, Peter Lawson, Pat Lawson Douglas Hartley, Edith Morgan, Hal Owen, Alison Brading
Monday 1^st St Andrew World Aids Day Matthew 8: 5-11 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Richard Chartres, Bp of London, England For the dignity and rights of people living with HIV & AIDS Medical research into HIV & AIDS Those from amongst our families and friends departed this life
Tuesday 2^nd Luke 10: 21-24 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Stephen Kewasis Nyorsok, Bp of Kitale, Kenya Parish preparations for Christmas The families and God-parents of those baptised at St Peter’s Harry Arnfield, Rosalyn Yates, Judith Hill
Wednesday 3^rd Francis Xavier Matthew 15: 29-37 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Benjamin Ojwang, Bp of Kitgum, Uganda Jesuit Missionaries Stall holders in Berkhamsted Market Christina Billington, Alex Wright, Arthur Williams
Thursday 4^th St John of Damascus Matthew 7: 21 & 24-27 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Josephat Vundi Mule, Bp of Kitui, Kenya Arab Christians living under Muslim rule Interfaith relations and conversations Angela Morris, Rene Dunford, Nigel Franklin, Roma Haddock
Friday 5^th St Birinus Matthew 9: 27-31	Andrew Yutaka Nakamura, Bp of Kobe, Japan Those who clean and maintain our streets in Berkhamsted The Dean and Chapter of St Albans Abbey Those of our family & friends departed this life
Saturday 6^th St Nicholas Matthew 9:35 – 10: 1, 6-8 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Francis Quashie, Bp of Koforidua, West Africa Charity Card Sales in the Court House Families of murdered children Rhiannon McCarthy, Geraldine Wright, Frances Pope
Sunday 7^th Advent 2	Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8

ST PETER’S	Today Sunday 30^th November	Next week Sunday 7^th December
WELCOME	9:30am	9:30am Young people
SIDESMEN	8:00am Geoff Dell 9:30am Janet & Michael Eller Sheila Miller, Judith Limbert 6:00pm Barbara Conway (Advent Carol)	8:00am Elizabeth Jackson 9:30am Bernard & June Haile Ian Imber, Patricia Hunt 6:00pm EP Said
INTERCESSOR	9:30am (Baptism)	9:30am Young People
CHALICE	9:30am Mike Eller, Rachel A., Liz Jackson	9:30am Kate Hennessey, Chris H, June H
ELEMENTS	9:30am	9:30am Young people
COLLECTION	9:30am	9:30am Young people
SERVERS	8:00am Mike Hart 9:30am David Crawley (MC), Ron Fisher(Cr) Simon Good, Libby Grundy 6:00pm Ron Fisher (Cr) Rachel Hill, Simon Good	8:00am Rachel Hill 9:30am Will Morgan (MC) Sam Limbert (Cr) James Ruffell, Francesca Gurdon
READINGS	8:00am Ann Braddick 9:30am Sam Limbert (Old Testament reading)	8:00am Patrick Lepper 9:30am Young People TBA
	6pm 30^th Nov. Alan Conway, Patrick Lepper, Libby Grundy
	Advent Carol Anthea Lepper, Miranda Seldon, Michael Chouler
CRÈCHE	9:30am Lizzie Geldart, Rebekah Powell	9:30am Hayley Gerry, Jenny Jenkins
CHURCH CLEANING 1-6 Dec Marion Crawley, Ted Lewis, Elizabeth Jackson, Liz Bellamy, Sue Ruggles, Rowena P.

This Week’s Diary

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

SUNDAY 30^th NOVEMBER ADVENT SUNDAY	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Pritchard) Pr Richard Hackworth 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST & HOLY BAPTISM O (Fr Michael Bowie) Pr Richard Hackworth. Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 1:00pm HOLY BAPTISM 4:30pm Choir rehearsal for 6:00pm ADVENT CAROL SERVICEO (Fr Michael Bowie) 7:45pm Orchestral rehearsal (Adrian Davis)
Monday 1^st December St Andrew	7:30am Morning Prayer 5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:00pm EUCHARIST	6:45pm Access for 8:00pm Chroma: Messiaen by candlelight
Tuesday 2nd	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am EUCHARIST, All Saints’, Shrublands Rd.	5:00pm Evening Prayer 5:15pm Choir Practice (6:15pm)
Wednesday 3^rd St Francis Xavier	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST	5:00pm Evening Prayer
Thursday 4^th St John of Damascus	7:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am EUCHARIST O	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:45pm Bellringing (9:15pm) south door
Friday 5^th St Birinus	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:15am EUCHARIST 10:00am Little Fishes SERVICE	1:00pm Recital: Adrian Davis Organ 5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:00pm Choir Practice (8:30pm)
Saturday 6^th St Nicholas	9:30am Morning Prayer 10:00am EUCHARIST 3:00pm Organ/piano: Jon Lee (5:00pm)	5:00pm Evening Prayer
SUNDAY 7^th DECEMBER THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT	8:00am EUCHARIST O(The Revd Luke Geoghegan) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST OYouth Service (Fr John Pritchard) Pr Jimmy Young Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 6:00pm EVENING PRAYER – said O (Fr Michael Bowie) 6:45pm Access for 7:30pm Concert: Berkhamsted Choral Society

Other Church Activities Today No Sunday@5

Sunday 30^th	Cowper Society 11:00am in the Court House. David Pearce 878809
Monday 1^st December	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 Songs Jenny Wells 870981 Tuesday Club 7 for 7.30, in the Court House: Christmas Celebration Supper. Val Atkinson 866792
Wednesday	Pathfinder Games Club (yrs 5-8) 7–8:30pm All Saints’ Hall. Jimmy Young 384929
Friday	Little Fishes Toddlers 9:30-11:30am Court House, with Service 10:00am St Peter’s. Carrie Wegener 8650154

Future Dates

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
St. 6 Dec 10:30am	Victoria School Association Christmas Fair (until 1:00pm)
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
Th.25 Dec	CHRISTMAS DAY

SUNDAY The First Sunday of Advent 30^th November 2008

Insert for 8:00am

Collect

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

First Reading Isaiah 64:1–9

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence – as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil – to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like

a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity for ever. Now consider, we are all your people.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3–9

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

My brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind – just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you – so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Gospel Mark 13:24-end

The Lord be with you

(Reply And also with you)

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

(Reply Glory to you, O Lord)

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord

(Reply Praise to you, O Christ)

Post Communion Prayer

O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN