Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

Diocese	✠✠Sarah, Archbishop of Canterbury, ✠ Andrew, Bishop of St Albans, ✠ Jane, Bishop of Hertford, and Charles, Archdeacon of St Albans
In our continuing prayers	Mary Beard, Christina Billington, Barbara Fisher, Stacy Giles, Yvonne Hart, Judith Hill, Barbara McKenna, Ghullam Mutaheri, Frozan Mutaheri, Ken Organ, Gwen Roberts, Neata Thomson, Clare Wallington, Liz Wright
In our immediate prayers	Doug Billington, Patricia Cody, Graeme Davis, Mark Few, Peter Kirk, Peter Rolfe, Charlotte Szypryt, Sienna Vallance
Weddings (next four weeks)	Philip Gameson & Suzy Harker
Wedding banns called this Sunday
Baptisms (next four weeks)
RIP	Barbara Baggaley
Memorial (year's mind)	Kevin Gregg, Kay Anderson, Mary Smith, Shirley Cooper

Sunday 13 September: Blessing of the Backpacks (and a picnic)

On Sunday 13th September as part of our regular 9.30am Sunday Service we'll be inviting the schoolchildren of the parish to come forward to have their school backpacks/satchels blessed to mark the start of the new school year. Together we will pray for God to be with our young people as they set out on a new school year in hope and confidence. Everyone is very welcome to join us - mums, dads, brothers, sisters, dogs...

After the service there will be a picnic at The Rectory (Rectory Lane, HP4 2DH) to which everyone is very welcome. The weather forecast looks good, but just in case it rains (!!), we'll have the picnic in the Court House.

www.elydiocese.org/blessing-of-the-backpacks.php

Sunday 13 September at 6:00 pm: Choral Evensong

Choral evensong offers a space to pattern our live with time and quietness, to readjust our internal clocks to tick along to a slower rhythm. Amid the beauty of choral music, everyone attending is invited to contemplate the glory of heaven in the presence of God. Whatever your faith, you are welcome here.

Responses: Smith
Psalm: 114 (Chant 186)
Canticles: Walmisley in D minor
Anthem: Call to Remembrance - Richard Farrant

Thursday 17 September at 6:30 pm: A Service of Thanksgiving for Volunteers

At St Peter's we would like to say thank you to all those who make this town a better place to live in through volunteering their time This service will celebrate their contribution and give thanks for the many ways our lives are enriched by the work of volunteers, not just at St Peter's, but across our community and across the country. This short service will be followed by a drinks reception. We look forward to including our many St Peter's volunteers and volunteers from community organisations all over the local area - all are warmly invited to come along to be part of that celebration. To help us with refreshments we'd invite you to complete this Google form to let us know if you'll be joining:

Fill in the Google form:

forms.gle/BtHv18ACdiG5DyMc8

Saturday 3 October at 7:00 pm: An Audience with Captain John Tye

The David Pearce Memorial Lecture was started last year in memory of our dear departed churchwarden and Berkhamsted schoolmaster. It's run by the Friends of St Peter's in partnership with Berkhamsted School, and this year's event is a fundraiser for the St Peter's Renovation Appeal, supporting our urgent ongoing roof repairs.

This year the Friends welcome BA Concorde pilot Captain John Tye as speaker. John will explain technical features of Concorde and take us on a virtual flight from Heathrow to New York. There will be a Q&A session and an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of his best-selling book, Life of a Concorde Pilot - From the Orphanage to the Edge of Space.

Tickets are £15 and include a complimentary drink on arrival (£5 for under-18s and students). All ticket holders will also be entitled to a year's membership of the Friends of St Peter's. Centenary Theatre, Kings Road, drinks from 7pm. Don't miss this - and invite your friends and neighbours, and support this vital appeal! Book online, or contact Cathy Imber to secure a ticket.

Cathy Imber     cathy.imber@btopenworld.com     07909 868 928