The Parish of Great Berkhamsted

St Peter’s Church

Registered Charity No. 1130108

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

20^th December 2009

Welcome to St Peter’s Berkhamsted. If you are new to the parish or this service please introduce yourself to a “welcomer” or to 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 and Pathfinders are in church today for the Sunday School Nativity. There is no Crèche.

Children are always welcome to stay in the service. There are activity bags available for children to take with them to the pews.

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.
Anthem: Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day arr A. Davis
Chorale-Prelude Komm Jesu Christ vom Himmel auf den Erden
(Schbler Chorales) JS Bach,

6:00pm service details Evening Prayer said Psalm: 123, NEH 3

For all pastoral matters please contact

Fr Michael Bowie Rector tel. 01442 864194 email Rector@greatberkhamsted.org.uk or

Fr John Pritchard Assistant Curate tel. 01442 870016 email johnapritchard@hotmail.co.uk

Notices

CHRISTMAS SERVICES
CHRISTMAS EVE THURSDAY 24^th DECEMBER
4:00pm Children’s Carols, Procession and Blessing of the Crib*

11:30pm The Procession to the Crib and Midnight Mass of Christmas
CHRISTMAS DAY FRIDAY 25^th DECEMBER 8:00am Eucharist
9:30am Sung Eucharist with procession of gifts to the Crib**
* The Crib Service collection is being given to The Children’s Society.
** On Christmas Day Gifts of Stationery for Hope for Children will be collected:
Empty pencil cases, pencils, biros, pencil-crayons, erasers, rulers, metal pencil sharpeners.
Do pick up a brightly coloured promotional leaflet in church. Please bring unwrapped.

The CHRISTMAS CARD BOARD is being assembled during Advent: Your card, together with a minimum £10 donation for *Petertide causes 2010 (Gift Aided if possible)
should be directed to Fr John Pritchard. Cheques payable to PCC of Great Berkhamsted.

§ *PETERTIDE FAIR BAGS ARE STILL FOR SALE from Judith Limbert 873626 who adds: They make an ideal Christmas gift or bag for transporting presents!

§ *PETERTIDE CAUSES 2010 ARE DESCRIBED ON PAGE 9 OF THE DECEMBER REVIEW

The Cowper Society presents at St Peter’s

NEXT WEDNESDAY 23^rd DECEMBER at 7:30pm
CHILTERN CHAMBER CHOIR with Bridgewater Sinfonia¸ leader Stuart James
JS BACH MASS IN B MINOR, Kathryn Jenkin soprano, Jeanette Ager alto,
Phillip Conway Brown tenor, Charles Gibbs bass. Directed by Adrian Davis
Tickets £12/£10, under 18s free from Cole Flatt or members of the choir

§ REVIEW FEBRUARYCOPYDATE is Friday 1^st January but earlier receipt of copy would be appreciated. Copy to Christopher Green, 17 Cowper Rd, HP4 3DE (863241), email: greenc@waitrose.com

§ STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES Please collect in church during Advent from Miles & Diana Nicholas 871958

§ THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT for the Carol Singing in the market last Saturday for Christian Aid. £200 was raised.

§ HOSPICE OF ST FRANCIS Christmas Bells will be on sale in St Peter's throughout Advent, in aid of the Hospice. Buy several & use them for decorations of all sorts - on parcels, the tree, napkin rings etc.

§ SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE in the Court House MORE HELPERS NEEDED please to help one Sunday a month. Please speak to Barbara Conway 865798

§ PEW LEAFLET NOTICES for 27^th by 5pm next Tuesday please and please!

CHRISTMAS THANKS

Thank you everyone who supports this church. There are many, many people who help in a great many ways: on committees, on rotas, maintaining the buildings, decorating, cleaning, stitching, polishing, singing or ringing and that is not to mention those whose quiet help is so successful that it is scarcely noticed.

And very particular thanks to our staff of Clergy and Readers and to the churchwardens for their tireless involvement in every aspect of church life.

Prayer Diary

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

Sunday 20th Advent IV O Clavis Nativity Service Sick & Bereaved RIP / Memorial	+Rowan Cantuar, +Alan, Bishop of St Albans, +Stephen Than Myint Oo Archbishop of Myanmar and Bishop of Yangon Chris Billington, Judith Hill, Marjorie Bowden, Ron Peggs, Keith Dawson, John MacPherson Tony Roberts Alan Dickman, Donna Woodworth, Peter Lawson
Monday 21st O Oriens Luke 1: 39-45 Sick & Bereaved	Bishop of Yei - (Sudan) The Rt Revd Hilary Luate Adeba The Church of England Bishop Christopher Foster, Bp of Hertford Ron Peggs
Tuesday 22nd O Rex Luke 1: 46-56 Sick & Bereaved	Yewa - (Province of Lagos, Nigeria) The Rt Revd Simeon Adebola Christian monarchs and princes People for whom preparations for Christmas are stressful Judith Hill
Wednesday 23rd O Emmanuel Luke 1: 57-66 Sick & Bereaved	Yirol - (Sudan) The Rt Revd Benjamin Mangar Mamur Archdeacon Jonathan Smith Those who find prayer and belief in God difficult Chris Billington, John MacPherson
Thursday 24th Christmas Eve Matthew 1: 18-end Sick & Bereaved	Yokohama - (Japan) The Rt Revd Lawrence Minabe The Church of England Children’s Society The vulnerable of our world Keith Dawson
Friday 25th The Nativity of our Lord John 1: 1-18	Yola - (Province of Jos, Nigeria) The Rt Revd Markus A Ibrahim Peace throughout the world The Holy Land Those who suffer in any way
Saturday 26th St Stephen Deacon & Martyr Sick & Bereaved	York - (England) The Most Revd John Sentamu St Alban’s Abbey, Dean Jeffery John and the Chapter The Ministry of Deacons Marjorie Bowden
Sunday27th Dec	St John Ap. & Ev. Readings: Exodus 33:7-11a 1 John 1:1-10 John 21:19b-25

	Sunday 20^th December	Christmas Eve 11:30pm + *4pm	Christmas Day	Sunday 27^th December
SIDESMEN	8:00am Liz Prosser 9:30am Kate & Tim H’sey Rob Halls, Michael McK* 6:00pm Philippa Seldon	As arranged by the churchwardens	8:00am Patrick Lepper 9:30am Chris & Pat H. Ian Imber, Sheila Hartley	8:00am Stephen Wade 9:30am Paul & Beverley J. Judith Limbert, John Cook 6:00pm Christopher M.
INTERCESS	Chris Hunt	Chrichton L.	Judith Limbert	Michael Below
CHALICE	Tony Byrne, Barbara Conway, Carole Dell	Nicky E, June H. Carolina B	Carole Dell, Christopher Green, Ron Fisher	Graham Tolley, Beverley & Paul Jullien
SERVERS	8:00am Chris Clegg 9:30am Alan Conway MC David N’cott Cr Claire Below Francesca Gurdon	D. Northcott MC Chris Clegg Th Alex Evans Cr Alan Conway James Ruffell	8:00am Mike Hart 9:30am P.Matthews MC Simon Good Cr Ron Fisher, Sam Limbert	8:00am Chris Clegg 9:30am David N’cott MC Ron Fisher, Cr Simon Good Ted Lewis
		*4pm Sam L. Cr, Claire Below, Katya K.
READINGS	8:00am Liz Jackson 9:30am Sheila Miller, Stephen Jullien	Francis & Sue Beuttler	8:00am Anthea Lepper 9:30am Katya & Max K	8:00am Mike Eller 9:30am Penny & John A

Church cleaning:21-26 Dec: Alan & Barbara Conway, Marion Allum, Patrick Lepper, Janet & Michael Eller, Liz Young

PEW LEAFLET notices, in writing: The Parish Office, The Court House, Berkhamsted HP4 2AX
email ChurchOffice@greatberkhamsted.org.uk tel.878227 & rota swaps by 5pm Tue this week please
PARISH OFFICE hours this week: Tue 22^nd 9:30am-5:00pm & Wed 23^rd 9:30am-11:00am.

Website: http://stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

This Week’s Diary

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

SUNDAY 20^th December The Fourth of Advent	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Pritchard) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST and Sunday School NativityO (Fr John Russell) Pr Fr John Pritchard No Crèche. Sunday School & Pathfinders in church 6:00pm EVENING PRAYER - said (Fr John Pritchard)
Monday 21^st	9:00am Morning Prayer 5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:00pm EUCHARIST	7:30pm Midnight Mass practice (choir adults + extras – until 9.30pm) 7:55pm Quarter Peal
Tuesday 22^nd	7:30am Morning Prayer 9:30am EUCHARIST, All Saints’, Shrublands Road.	5:00pm Evening Prayer 5:15pm Choir Practice (6:15pm)
Wednesday 23^rd	7:30am Morning Prayer 8:00am EUCHARIST 1:30pm Rehearsal CCC & Orchestra	5:00pm Evening Prayer 6:45pm Front of House for 7:30pm Chiltern Chamber Choir concert: Bach’s Mass in B Minor
Thursday 24^th	7:30am Morning Prayer No 11:00am Eucharist 5:00pm Evening Prayer	11:00pm The choir sings carols before ….. 11:30pm Procession to the Crib and MIDNIGHT MASS OF CHRISTMAS O (Fr Michael Bowie) Pr Fr John Pritchard
Friday 25^th CHRISTMAS DAY	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr Michael Bowie) 9:15am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Pritchard) Pr Fr Michael Bowie. No Crèche, Sunday School or Pathfinders
Saturday 26^thST STEPHEN, first Martyr NO SERVICES
SUNDAY 27^th St John Apostle & Evangelist	8:00am EUCHARIST O(Fr John Pritchard) 9:30am SUNG EUCHARIST O (Canon Anthony Lathe) Pr Fr John Pritchard No Crèche, Sunday School or Pathfinders 6:00pm EVENING PRAYER - said (Fr Michael Bowie)

Other Church Activities Today Sunday No Sunday@5

Sunday	Donutz after the 9:30 service in the Court House
Monday	No Fourth Berkhamsted Brownies Carolina Bowie 864194
Tuesday	No Chuckles Toddlers Jenny Wells 870981 No Mothers’ Union Prayers
Wednesday	No Pathfinder Games Club The Revd Penny Nash 865217
Friday	No Little Fishes Toddlers. Tracy Robinson 863559

Future Dates at St Peter’s unless otherwise stated

2010
Sn 3 Jan 9:30am	Sung Eucharist for the Epiphany
Sn 10 Jan 6:00pm	Choral Evensong
M. 25 Jan 8:00pm	The Cowper Society presents: Forty Years of Photographing Antiques JP Gates- Court Hse
St 30 Jan 10:30am	Bellringing – Full Peal (2:00pm)
Sun 31 Jan 9:30pm	Sung Eucharist for the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
M. 1^st Feb 8:00pm	The Cowper Society presents: Michael Soole QC - 2^nd of 5 Talks, Court House
T. 9 Feb 8:00pm	The Cowper Society presents: John Henry Newman Monsignor Roderick Strange-St Peter’s
St 13 Feb 7:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: Berkhamsted Music Society London Concertante Octet
Sn 14 Feb 6:00pm	Choral Evensong
W. 17 Feb 8:00pm	Solemn Eucharist for Ash Wednesday
M. 22 Feb 8:00pm	The Cowper Society presents: Geographical Globes Bill Willett, Court House
Sat 27 Feb 7:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: Berkhamsted Choral Society Fauré Favourites
St 6 Mar 7:30pm	The Cowper Society presents: Bridgewater Sinfonia
M. 8 Mar 8:00pm	The Cowper Society presents: Stonehenge-Its Archaeology & Geology CP Green, Court Hse
St 13 Mar 3:00pm	District Bellringing (8:00pm)
Sn 28 Mar 6:30pm	Palm Sunday: The Cowper Society presents: Chiltern C. Choir Mozart Mass in C minor
M 29 Mar 7:30/8pm	Monday in Holy Week: 7:30pm Eucharist & 8:00pm Liturgy of Penitence & Healing

SUNDAY The Fourth of Advent 20^th December 2009

Hymns NEH

Introit 494

Gradual Canticle: Magnificat see below

Offertory 295

Recessional 9

Collect

God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so may we be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN

First Reading Micah 5:2–5a

A reading from the book of the prophet Micah.

The LORD says to his people: But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labour has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Canticle: Magnificat

¯

R The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; he has looked with favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; R

The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name. He has mercy on those who fear him, from generation to generation. R

He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. R

He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy. The promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children for ever. R

Canticle: Magnificat ¯

Second Reading Hebrews 10:5–10

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.

When Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God” (in the scroll of the book, it is written of me).’

When Christ said, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

This is the word of the Lord

(Reply Thanks be to God)

Gospel Luke 1:39–45

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)

Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord

(Reply Praise to you, O Christ)

Post Communion Prayer

Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN