The Parish of Great Berkhamsted

St Peter’s Church

The Third Sunday before Lent
and
Education Sunday

8^th February 2009

Welcome to St Peter’s Berkhamsted and a particular welcome to members of Thomas Coram School who are helping us to celebrate Education Sunday.

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 Anthems: In Christ alone Keith Getty & Stuart Townsend;
Now, the bread and wine are ready Rob Halls

Voluntary: Litanies Jehan Alain

6:00pm Choral Evensong service details: Responses: Smith Psalm: 5
Hymns: NEH 54; 372 Canticles: Walmisley in D minor Anthem: Blessed be the God and Father: Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Voluntary: Prelude in C major BWV 547 JS Bach

RED BUCKET COLLECTION for the VICTIMS OF THE GAZA CONFLICT DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal collections will be taken 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

EDUCATION SUNDAY is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone involved in the world of education. Since 1878 it is the day when churches join to offer to God the work of education, in schools of all kinds, in colleges and universities and in the church. It is the time to celebrate the achievements of education, to recognise the challenges, and support and pray for all who are involved in education.

COWPER SOCIETY WINTER TALK 8pm tomorrow Monday 9^th February
Venice by John Julius, Viscount Norwich in St Peter’s Church

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

§ PARISH REPORT now needed within the week please - 15^th February lastest!

§ 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
A Series of Talks under the general heading Pillars of the Church - What is Anglicanism? will 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. Also there will be
Lent Courses – 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.

§ 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.

§ ALL SAINTS' CHURCH ACCOUNTS - following their formal approval by the Church Council, these accounts can now be viewed on (and printed from) the All Saints' website www.allsaintsberkhamsted.org.uk

§ GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP MONTHLY LUNCH 12:30pm Wednesday 18 February 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

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

§ 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 NEXT Sunday 15^th February. £143.75p - 3 days full board

Prayer Diary

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

Sunday 8^th February Education Sunday Sick & Bereaved Memorial	Rowan Williams,, Christopher Bp of Hertford & Alan Bp designate. Maseno South - (Kenya) The Rt Revd Francis Mwayi Abiero 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, Lauren Sharpin Jack Thorne, Jim Lawrenson, Alice Carter
Monday 9th Mark 6:53-end Sick & Bereaved	Maseno West - (Kenya) The Rt Revd Joseph Otieno Wasonga School Governors and Head Teachers The Reverend Penny Nash Team Vicar designate Potten End Zoe Doyle, Christopher Morris, Lauren Sharpin
Tuesday 10th St Scholastica Mark 7:1-13 Sick & Bereaved	Masindi-Kitara - (Uganda) The Rt Revd Stanley Ntagali Great Ormond Street Hospital, Paediatric Units Diocesan Vision for Action initiative Harry Arnfield, Rosalyn Yates, Judith Hill, Pat Lawson, Alex Wright
Wednesday 11th Mark 7:14-23 Sick & Bereaved	Massachusetts - (Province I, USA) The Rt Revd M Thomas Shaw Pilgrims Readers, John Malcolm, Jenny Wells Chris Billington, Alex Wright, Arthur Williams, John Addy
Thursday 12th Mark 7:24-30 Sick & Bereaved	Masvingo - (Central Africa) The Rt Revd Godfrey Taonezvi Those who are bereaved and grieve Tring Team Ministry, Huw Bellis Angela Morris, Rene Dunford, Roma Haddock
Friday 13th Mark 7:31-end Sick & Bereaved	Matabeleland - (Central Africa) The Revd Wilson Sitshebo Theologians and teachers of the faith The Superstitious, those involved in the occult David Eller, Pam Glanville, Martin Hook
Saturday 14th SS Cyril & Methodius Mark 8:1-10 Sick & Bereaved	The Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi Archbishop of the Province of Burundi Orphans Those engaged to be married Geraldine Wright, Frances Pope
Sunday 2 before Lent	Readings: Proverbs 8:1, 22-31 Colossians 1:15-20 John 1:1-14

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 8^th February	Next week Sunday 15^th February
SIDESMEN	8:00am Patrick Lepper 9:30am Helen Pope, Barbara Conway, Carole & Geoff Dell 6:00pm Choral Christopher Green	8:00am Geoff Dell 9:30am Pamela Pennock, Liz Pearce Janet & Mike Eller 6:00pm Philippa Seldon
INTERCESSOR	9:30am Claire Below	9:30am Christopher Hunt
CHALICE	9:30am Liz Jackson, Beverley & Paul Jullien	9:30am Mike Eller, Michael A, Jane M
SERVERS	8:00am David Northcott 9:30am Chris Clegg (MC), Alex Evans (Cr) Ted Lewis, Claire Below	8:00am Alan Conway 9:30am Mike Hart (MC), Simon Good (Cr) Will Morgan, Sam Limbert
READINGS	8:00am John Thompson 9:30am Elizabeth Bellamy, Bethany Sanderson	8:00am Geoff Dell 9:30am Barbara Conway, Alan Conway
CRÈCHE	9:30am Nicola Beadle, Hilary O, Kate Rennie	9:30am No crèche (half term)
CHURCH CLEANING 9-14Feb Carole Dell, Wendy Thompson, Graham Bashford, Edmund Clarke, Miles N, Paul J

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 8^th February THE THIRD BEFORE LENT and EDUCATION SUNDAY	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr Michael Bowie) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Fr Michael Bowie) Crèche, Sunday School & Pathfinders 4:30pm St Peter’s Choir Rehearsal for 6:00pm CHORAL EVENSONG & Sermon O (Fr Michael Bowie) Preacher: The Revd Luke Geoghegan
Monday 9^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:00pm EUCHARIST	7:15pm Access for.... 8:00pm Cowper Society Talk: Venice by John Julius, Viscount Norwich
Tuesday 10^th St Scholastica	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am EUCHARIST, All Saints’, Shrublands Rd.	5:00pm Evening Prayer 5:15pm Choir Practice (6:15pm)
Wednesday 11^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST	5:00pm Evening Prayer 8:00pm Berkhamsted Team Council meeting (Lady Chapel)
Thursday 12^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 11:00am EUCHARIST O	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:45pm Bellringing (9:15pm) south door
Friday 13^th	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:15am EUCHARIST	5:00pm Evening Prayer 7:00pm Choir Practice (8:30pm)
Saturday 14^th SS Cyril & Methodius	9:30am Morning Prayer 10:00am EUCHARIST 10:30am Visiting Bellringers full peal (2pm)	3:00pm Organ/piano: Jon Lee (5:00pm) 5:00pm Evening Prayer
SUNDAY 15^th February THE SECOND BEFORE LENT	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Canon Anthony Lathe) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Fr Michael Bowie) Preacher: Canon Anthony Lathe No Crèche, Sunday School or Pathfinders (Half term) 6:00pm EVENSONG & Sermon O (Fr Michael Bowie)

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

Tuesday	Chuckles Toddlers 10-11:30am All Saints’ with 10:15am Songs 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 The Court House. Jimmy Young 384929
Thursday	Home Group 8:00pm. Linda Bisset 862115
Friday	Little Fishes Toddlers 9:30-11:30am Court House. Carrie Wegener 865015
Sn 15^th	Donutz after the 9:30 service in the Court House

Future Dates at St Peter’s unless otherwise stated

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
Sun 5 Apr 6:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: Chiltern Chamber Choir St John Passion JS Bach
6/7/8Apr 7.30&8pm	Eucharist & Services for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday in Holy Week
Th 9 Apr 8:00pm	Maundy Thursday Eucharist of the Last Supper
F. 10 Apr 12nn-3pm	Three hours Liturgy of Good Friday
St. 11 Apr 9:00pm	Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil with Holy Baptism
Sn. 12 Apr 9:30pm	Easter Day – Sung Eucharist 6:00pm Choral Evensong
Th 16 - Sn 19 April	Parish Outing for St Peter’s Choir Easter Week in Venice.

SUNDAY The Third Sunday before Lent 8^th February 2009

Hymns NEH

Introit 364

Gradual Psalm 147:1-7 see below

Offertory 239

Recessional 486

Collect

Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ your Son 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 Isaiah 40.21–31

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Psalm 147:1-7

¯

R Sing praise to the Lord, O Jerusalem.

How good it is to make music for our God,
how joyful to honour him with praise. The Lord builds up Jerusalem and gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up all their wounds. R

He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; and his wisdom is beyond all telling. R

The Lord lifts up the poor, but casts down the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; and make music to our God upon the lyre. R

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 9.16–23

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

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them.

To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Gospel Mark 1.29–39

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)

As soon as Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

This is the Gospel of the Lord

(Reply Praise to you, O Christ)

Post Communion Prayer

Merciful Father, who gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life, that those who come to him should never hunger: draw us to the Lord in faith and love, that we may eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom, where he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. AMEN