The Parish of Great Berkhamsted

St Peter’s Church

Candlemas

1^st February 2009

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: Eccard When to the Temple Mary went

Voluntary: Augustin Barié Trois pièces. (i) Marche

6:00pm service details: Evening Prayer said Psalms 122 & 132

Website: http://stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk
Notices

§ CONFIRMATION CLASSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: 3-4pm Sundays in the Lady Chapel beginning 22^nd February for six weeks with Jimmy Young and Fr John plus a Saturday away. Please email Fr John: johnapritchard@hotmail.co.uk for further information

§ Fr Michael announces the appointment of a new Team Vicar in the Berkhamsted Team who will have pastoral care of Holy Trinity Potten End and oversight of youth ministry in Berkhamsted. The Revd Penny Nash comes to us from a curacy at Downend, Bristol.
Please pray for Penny, her husband Jez and her children Sophie and Daniel. Penny’s Installation will take place at Holy Trinity Potten End on Sunday 6^th September at 3:00pm

DURING LENT
Lent Courses/Talks – 2009 Town-wide Lent Courses start in the week commencing 1^st March. Details of the interesting and varied courses on offer this year will be found on the notice board at the back of the church. Of particular interest to St Peter's will be the York Course, which will run in St Peter’s Lady Chapel at 8pm from Tuesday 3rd March. If you are interested in any of the Courses, please complete one of the forms on the notice board or talk to the Rector or John Malcolm. Also there will be
A Series of Talks under the general heading Pillars of the Church - What is Anglicanism? to be given in the Lady Chapel by the Rector at 8pm Wednesdays 4^th,11^th, 18^th March & 1^st April. Each talk will be preceded by 7:30pm Eucharist..

§ ELECTORAL ROLL Annual Revision If you are not already included, are over 16 (or about to be), baptised and a regular worshipper here, you are eligible. Where possible those on the Roll should be in Stewardship. Stewardship forms, Electoral Roll forms and the 2008 Roll (to check if you are already included) are in church.

§ FAIRTRADE STALLS at St Peter’s & at All Saints’ today Sunday 1st February. The catalogue may be borrowed at either church. All Fairtrade enquiries to Angela 866992

§ REVIEW MARCH COPYDATE is next Friday 6^th February but earlier receipt of copy would be appreciated. Copy to Christopher Green, 17 Cowper Rd, HP4 3DE (863241), email: greenc@waitrose.com

§ VICTORIA SCHOOL is collecting Books for Schools vouchers from The Times and Sunday Times and would be most grateful for any vouchers you can spare – please post them in the box at the back of the church.

§ ST PETER'S LENDING LIBRARY: If anyone would like to take over the running of the lending library please contact Penny Abbott, 873205

§ CONCERT by THE LITTLE SINGERS in aid of THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY 7:30pm Saturday 21^st February at All Saints' Church. Tickets £10 from Kathie Lally 863526. 

§ LEPROSY MISSION: Please continue to support the Mission in prayer, and by putting used stamps in the box at the back of church. Thank you all who support the LM with a box. Boxes raised £217.49 this year. More LM boxes available from Judy Ewart 864860

§ WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE  Fri 15^th (for supper)-Mon 18^th May (after lunch). Fr Michael is leading the Pilgrimage to The Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham. Pat Hunt 822607 has information & forms, to be completed & returned to her with £20 deposit (payable to PCC of Great Berkhamsted) by Sunday 15^th February. £143.75p - 3 days full board

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 1st February Candlemas Sick & Bereaved	Rowan Williams, Suffragan Bps Christopher & Richard and Alan Bp designate of St Albans. Manicaland - (Central Africa) Vacant Rene Dunford, Alex Wright, Judith Hill, Frances Pope, Arthur Williams, Harry Arnfield, Chris Billington, Angela Morris, Geraldine Wright, Rosalyn Yates, Roma Haddock, Zoe Doyle, Pat Lawson, John Addy, Christopher Morris, Pam Glanville, Martin Hook, David Eller, Laura Sarpin.
Monday 2^nd Mk 5: 1-20 Sick & Bereaved	Mara - (Tanzania) The Rt Revd Hilkiah Omindo Deya Local doctors and chemists Preparations for Petertide Fair, Foundation Juconi, Reach Out Project Zoe Doyle, Christopher Morris
Tuesday 3^rd Mk 5: 21-end Sick & Bereaved	Marathwada - (North India) Vacant Those who live and work on the canal Those who suffer discrimination due to gender or sexual orientation Harry Arnfield, Rosalyn Yates, Judith Hill, Pat Lawson, Alex Wright
Wednesday 4th Mk 6: 1-6 Sick & Bereaved	Maridi - (Sudan) The Rt Revd Justin Badi Arama Local centres of entertainment The unemployed and recently redundant Chris Billington, Alex Wright, Arthur Williams, John Addy
Thursday 5th S Agatha Mk 6: 7-13 Sick & Bereaved	Maryland - (Province III, USA) The Rt Revd Eugene Taylor Sutton Family Support Services in Berkhamsted Farmers and local agriculture Angela Morris, Rene Dunford, Roma Haddock
Friday 6th Ss Paul Miki & Comp Mk 6: 14-29 Sick & Bereaved	Masasi - (Tanzania) The Rt Revd Patrick Mwachiko Berkhamsted Baptist Church and Methodist Church Relate David Eller, Pam Glanville, Martin Hook
Saturday 7^th Mk 6: 30-34 Sick & Bereaved	Maseno North - (Kenya) The Rt Revd Simon Mutingole Oketch Berkhamsted Arts Trust Explorers Geraldine Wright, Frances Pope
Sunday 3 before Lent	Readings: Isaiah 40:21-end 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39

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 1^st February	Next week Sunday 8^th February
WELCOME	9:30am Francesca Gurdon
SIDESMEN	8:00am Stephen Wade 9:30am Simon Lawson, Pearl Wiggins Rosemary & Tony Byrne 6:00pm EP	8:00am Patrick Lepper 9:30am Helen Pope, Barbara Conway, Carole & Geoff Dell 6:00pm Choral Christopher Green
INTERCESSOR	9:30am Francesca Booth	9:30am Margaret Burbidge
CHALICE	9:30am Kate Hennessey, C. Green, June Haile	9:30am Liz Jackson, Beverley & Paul Jullien
ELEMENTS	9:30am J Groet, J Malcolm, T Chaussalet
COLLECTION	9:30am C Limbert, C Booth, K & M Khazaneh
SERVERS	8:00am Mike Hart 9:30am Will Morgan (MC) Sam Limbert (Cr) Francesca Gurdon, James Ruffell	8:00am David Northcott 9:30am Chris Clegg (MC) Alex Evans (Cr) Ted Lewis, Claire Below
READINGS	8:00am Patrick Lepper 9:30am Charlotte Booth, Gospel K Khazaneh	8:00am John Thompson 9:30am Elizabeth Bellamy, Adrian Davis
CRÈCHE	9:30am Karen Walker, Luisa & Matthew Size	9:30am Nicola Beadle, Hilary O, Kate Rennie
CHURCH CLEANING 2-7 Feb Marjorie Bowden, Clare Nelson, Philippa Seldon, Ruth Kemp, Hayley Gerry, Fiona P

This Week’s Diary

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

SUNDAY 1^st February CANDLEMAS	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Pritchard) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O(Fr Michael Bowie) Pr Jimmy Young Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 6:00pm EVENINGPRAYER – said O (Fr Michael Bowie)
Monday 2^nd	7:30am Morning Prayer	5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:00pm EUCHARIST
Tuesday 3^rd	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am EUCHARIST, All Saints’, Shrublands Rd.	5:00pm Evening Prayer 5:15pm Choir Practice (6:15pm)
Wednesday 4^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST	5:00pm Evening Prayer
Thursday 5^th St Agatha	7:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am EUCHARIST O	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:45pm Bellringing (9:15pm) south door
Friday 6^th SS Paul Miki & Companions	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:15am EUCHARIST 10:00am Little Fishes SERVICE	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:00pm Choir Practice (8:30pm)
Saturday 7^th	9:30am Morning Prayer 10:00am EUCHARIST 3:00pm Organ/piano: Jon Lee (5:00pm)	5:00pm Evening Prayer
SUNDAY 8^th February THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr Michael Bowie) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Fr Michael Bowie) Pr The Revd Luke Geoghegan Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 4:30pm St Peter’s Choir Rehearsal for 6:00pm CHORAL EVENSONG & Sermon O (Fr Michael Bowie) Pr The Revd Luke Geoghegan

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 A Very Big Picnic. Jenny Wells 870981 Tuesday Club 7:45pm Court House Period Costumes with Eve Davis. Val Atkinson 866792
Wednesday	Pathfinder Games Club (yrs 5-8) 7–8:30pm The Court House. Jimmy Young 384929
Friday	Little Fishes Toddlers 9:30-11:30am Court House with Service 10:00am St Peter’s. Carrie Wegener 865015

Future Dates at St Peter’s unless otherwise stated

COWPER SOCIETY WINTER TALKS starting at 8:00pm
Monday 9^th February Venice by John Julius, Viscount Norwich in St Peter’s
Monday 23^rd February Where do we come from.. by Dr Bruce Winney in the Court House

M.9 Feb 8:00pm	Cowper Society WINTER TALK Venice by John Julius, Viscount Norwich, St Peter’s
T.17 Feb 8:00pm	Parochial Church Council, Court House
St 21 Feb 7:30pm	Concert by The Little Singers in aid of The Children’s Society, All Saints’
Sn 22 Feb 3:00pm	Confirmation classes for young people in the Lady Chapel (Fr John Prichard, Jimmy Young)
M.23 Feb 8:00pm	Cowper Society WINTER TALK Where do we come from.. by Dr Bruce Winney, Crt Hse
St. 7 Mar 7:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: The Bridgewater Sinfonia
Sn 15 Mar 6.30pm	St Peter’s Choir concert Music for Venice in Berkhamsted School Chapel
F. 20 Mar 11:00am	Victoria School Mothering Service
F. 20 Mar 1:00pm	Cowper Society presents: Lunchtime Recital Grove Ensemble, Margaret Richards ’cello
St. 21 Mar 7:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: The Gaudeamus Singers
W. 25 Mar 8:00pm	Solemn Eucharist of the Annunciation
Sn.29 Mar 11:15am	Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Court House
Thu 2 Apr 9:30am	Victoria School Palm Sunday Service
Fri 3 Apr 12noon	Thomas Coram School End of Term Service

Insert for 8:00am service

SUNDAY Candlemas 1^st February 2009

Collect

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

A reading A reading from the book of the prophet Malachi.

Thus says the LORD God:

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. 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; 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. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

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.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Second Reading Hebrews 2:14–18

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.

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, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 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. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Gospel Luke 2:22–40

The Lord be with you

(Reply And also with you)

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

(Reply Glory to you, O Lord)

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. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 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.’

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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 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 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

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, 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. 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.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him

This is the Gospel of the Lord

(Reply Praise to you, O Christ)

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