The Parish of Great Berkhamsted

St Peter’s Church

The Third Sunday of Advent

14^th December 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: This is the Record of John Orlando Gibbons

Voluntary: Magnificat Primi Toni [BuxWV 203] Dietrich Buxtehude

6:00pm Choral Evensong service details:

Responses: Plainsong Hymns: NEH 18, 8 Psalm: 68:1-20,

Canticles: Tone VII, ii Anthem: Lord, we beseech Thee Adrian Batten

Voluntary: Chorale Prelude Komm Jesu Christ Von Himmel Auf Erden Herunter JS Bach

Website: http://stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Notices

§ EASTER WEEK IN VENICE WITH ST PETER’S. The choir will be there 16-19 April - singing at St George’s Anglican Church and at some of the most famous churches in Venice: The Redentore, Santa Maria dei Miracoli and St Mark’s.
Let’s make it a parish outing to celebrate Easter. Speak to Fr Michael or Adrian Davis.

§ HOSPICE OF ST FRANCIS Christmas Bells are on sale 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.

§ GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP MONTHLY LUNCH 12:30pm Wednesday 17^th 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 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 today 14^th. Come armed with any questions.

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

§ CHRISTMAS CARD BOARD: Your card, together with £10 for the charities (gift aided if possible) should be directed to Fr John Prichard. Cheques payable to PCC of Great Berkhamsted. All details are on the blue leaflets to be found in church.

§ 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
Chiltern Chamber Choir Tuesday 23^rd December at 7:30pm MONTEVERDI VESPERS Kathryn Jenkin soprano, Jeanette Ager mezzo soprano, Phillip Conway Brown tenor, Simon Davies tenor, Harry Bagnall tenor, John Bernays bass,, Christopher Foster bass with The Bridgewater Sinfonietta Stuart James leader. Directed by Adrian Davis.
Tickets: £12/£10, under 18s free from Cole Flatt & members of the choir

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 14^th Advent 3 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved Memorial	Rowan Williams, Christopher Bp of St Albans & Staff Thomas Irigei Bp of Kumi, Uganda 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, John Addy David Bird, Rhoda Janes, Patrick Hawkins, Peter Payne, Joan Morris
Monday 15^th Matthew 16: 13-end Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Kumara Illangasinghe, Bp of Kurunagala, Ceylon Ecumenical Partnerships David Abbot, Sunnyside Parish Church Rhiannon McCarthy, Alex Wright, Thomas Kraft, Zoe Doyle
Tuesday 16^th Matthew 21: 28-32 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Paul Sarkar, Bp of Kushtia, Bangladesh The Salvation Army and Church Army Social Workers and Home Visitors in Berkhamsted Harry Arnfield, Rosalyn Yates, Judith Hill, Pat Lawson
Wednesday 17^th Matthew 1: 1-17 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Segun Adeyemi, Bp of Kwara, Nigeria All Members of Parliament, David Gauke MP Old friends whom we don’t see very often Christina Billington, Alex Wright, Arthur Williams, John Addy
Thursday 18^th Matthew 1: 18-24 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Stephen Kochi, Bp of Kyoto, Japan Those living with osteoporosis Shopkeepers and workers in Berkhamsted Angela Morris, Rene Dunford, Nigel Franklin, Roma Haddock
Friday 19^th Luke 1 : 5-25	Gabriel Igarashi, Bp of Kyushu, Japan Libraries and librarians Children on school holidays, teachers Those of our family & friends departed this life
Saturday 20^th Luke 1: 26-38 Sick, Anxious & Bereaved	Miller Maza, Bp of Lafia, Nigeria All Bishops & clergy under threat from hostile atheistic governments or rulers Town preparations for celebrating Christmas Rhiannon McCarthy, Geraldine Wright, Frances Pope, Peter Lawson
Sunday 21^st December	Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Romans 16: 25-end Luke 1:26-38

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 14^th December	Next week Sunday 21^st December
SIDESMEN	8:00am Elizabeth Prosser 9:30am Kate & Tim Hennessey Sheila Hartley, Christopher Green 6:00pm Choral Christopher Green	8:00am Frank Allum 9:30am Kathie & Stephen Lally John Cook, Liz Bellamy 6:00pm Philippa Seldon
INTERCESSOR	9:30am Elizabeth Jackson	9:30am Christopher Hunt
CHALICE	9:30am Paul Jullien, Jane Morgan, Frank N.	9:30am Nicky Evans, Tony Byrne, Philippa S.
SERVERS	8:00am Chris Clegg 9:30am Libby Grundy (MC), Alex Evans (Cr) Ron Fisher, Simon Good	8:00am Alan Conway 9:30am David Northcott (MC), Will Morgan (Cr) Mike Hart, Sam Limbert
READINGS	8:00am John Thompson 9:30am Don Whatmore, Chris Clegg	8:00am Geoff Dell 9:30am Elizabeth Bellamy, John Cook
CRÈCHE	9:30am Karen Walker, Rachel Dell	9:30am No crèche- Nativity in church
CHURCH CLEANING 15-20 Dec Priscilla Watt, Simon Good, Mary Swallow, Rachel & Michael Below, Penny Abbott

This Week’s Diary

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

SUNDAY 14^th DECEMBER THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Russell) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Fr Michael Bowie) Preacher: Fr John Russell Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 4:30pm Choir rehearsal before ….. 6:00pm CHORAL EVENSONG & Sermon O (Fr Michael Bowie)
Monday 15^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am Thomas Coram rehearsal (12:30) 1pm/2pm Access /Swing Gate Sch’l Service 5:00pm Evening Prayer	6:00pm EUCHARIST 7:30pm Adult choir practice for Midnight Mass (9:00pm) 8:00pm Quarter Peal
Tuesday 16^th	7:30am Morning Prayer (9:30am EUCHARIST, All Saints’, Shrublands Rd.) 9:30am Thomas Coram rehearsal (11:30)	5:00pm Evening Prayer 5:15pm Choir Practice (6:15pm) 6:30pm Access for 7:15pm Thomas Coram Carol Service
Wednesday 17^th O Sapientia	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST 3:00pm Funeral: George Osborn	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:30pm Rotary Carol Service
Thursday 18^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am Victoria School Carol Service 11:00am EUCHARIST O	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:45pm Bellringing (9:15pm) south door
Friday 19^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:15am EUCHARIST 11:20am Access for 12noon Thomas Coram Carol Service (1:15pm)	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:00pm Choir Practice (8pm for trebles) 8:00pm Adult practice for Midnight Mass (9:00pm)
Saturday 20^th	8:00am Morning Prayer 8:30am EUCHARIST 9:00am Staging for the Nativity	9:30am Sunday School Nativity rehearsal 3:00pm Organ/piano: Jon Lee (5:00pm) 5:00pm Evening Prayer
SUNDAY 21^st DECEMBER THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Pritchard) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Fr Michael Bowie) Sunday School in church: Nativity No crèche 11:00am Take Nativity staging down 6:00pm EVENSONG & Sermon O (Richard Hackworth)

Other Church Activities No Sunday@5

Tuesday	Chuckles Toddlers 10-11:30am All Saints’ with Christmas Party. Jenny Wells 870981 Mothers’ Union. An Evening for Advent with meditation led by Jenny Wells. 7:30pm at 17 Hall Park. All welcome. Margaret Burbidge tel 862139
Wednesday	Julian Meeting 11:30am 1 Montague Rd. Half hour of quiet prayer. Ruth T-B 863268. Grief and Loss Support Group Monthly Lunch 12:30pm at The White Horse, Bourne End. Contact Sylvia Banks 871195 Pathfinder Games Club (yrs 5-8) 7–8:30pm All Saints’ Hall. Jimmy Young 384929
Thursday	Berkhamsted Carers Support Group 1:30-3pm Douglas Gardens.
Friday	No Little Fishes Toddlers (end of term) Carrie Wegener 865015
Saturday	Association of Berkhamsted Churches Prayer Breakfast 8:00am at Sunnyside

Future Dates at St Peter’s unless otherwise stated

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
W.31 Dec 11:50pm	Bellringing – Bells ring out the old and ring in the New Year
T.6 Jan 09 8:00pm	Eucharist for the Epiphany of our Lord
M.12 Jan 8:00pm	Cowper Society WINTER TALK Abraham Lincoln by Andrew Houseman, Court House
M.26 Jan 8:00pm	Cowper Society WINTER TALK The History of Temple Bar by John Ansell, Court House
Sn.1 Feb 9:30am	Eucharist for Candlemas
M.9 Feb 8:00pm	Cowper Society WINTER TALK Venice by John Julius, Viscount Norwich, St Peter’s

SUNDAY The Third Sunday of Advent 14^th December 2008

Hymns NEH

Introit 55

Gradual Ps 126

Offertory 9

Recessional 466

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 61:1–4, 8–end

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The servant of the LORD said:

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion – to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the LORD love

justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Psalm 126 ¯

R The Lord has done great things for us and we rejoiced.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter
and our tongue with songs of joy. R

Then said they among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.

The Lord has indeed done great things for us, and therefore we rejoiced.

Restore again our fortunes, O Lord,
as the river beds of the desert. R

Those who sow in tears
shall reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed, will come back with shouts of joy,
bearing their sheaves with them. R

Psalm 126 ¯

14^th December 2008

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

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

My brothers and sisters, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Gospel John 1:6–8, 19–28

The Lord be with you

(Reply And also with you)

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

(Reply Glory to you, O Lord)

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

This is the Gospel of the Lord

(Reply Praise to you, O Christ)

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:

RESPONSE 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