| Volume 16 No. 33 | Friday 10 July 2026 |
Church news & notices Sunday 12 July at 6:00 pm
Choral EvensongOur choir promises a truly glorious 12th at St Peter's with a sung evensong. Music will include the Responses by William Smith of Durham, the evening canticles by Thomas Attwood Walmisley in D minor, and Henry Purcell's famous anthem, O God, thou art my God, ending with its wonderful Hallelujah chorus. All is to the glory of God, and everyone is welcome. | Sunday 19 July at 11:00 am
Sunday School PicnicThere will be a picnic for children of the Sunday School at the Rectory. Come along after the morning service - full details from Fr Stuart. | Parish Office closed in JulyPlease note that the Parish Office is closed for the first two weeks of July. Please try not to email the office as there will inevitably be an email backlog which will take time to deal with. Parish notices and pew sheets have been prepared in advance and any notices will be dealt with after 15 July. For all pastoral matters and bereavements, please contact the Rector, Fr Stuart. For church and Court House matters, please contact the churchwardens. Contact details can be found on the church website. Contact:Fr Stuart Owen  01442 879 739 |
 Diocesan news
Bishop of St Albans Open GardenVisit the lovely gardens at Abbey Gate House, the episcopal residence in St Albans, over four Sunday afternoons 2pm-4pm. It's only £5 entry, and all proceeds go to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. So far, these events have raised nearly £25,000 for the trust! Abbey Gate House is on Abbey Mill Lane, just opposite the Cathedral west end. - Sunday 12 July
- Sunday 19 July
| Olivia’s ordinationOlivia Davies, who served in this parish as Graduate Assistant Chaplain (with Berkhamsted School) just a few years ago, was ordained to the Anglican priesthood last Saturday. The service was live-streamed on YouTube, and you can watch at home. We pray for Olivia and all this year's ordinands as take this significant step in their Christian ministry, and we pray too for the people of Flitton, Silso and Pulloxhill in Bedfordshire, where Olivia is serving as curate. Through your Spirit, heavenly Father,
give these your servants grace and power
to proclaim the gospel of your salvation
and minister the sacraments of the new covenant.
Renew them in holiness,
and give them wisdom and discipline
to work faithfully with those committed to their charge.
Amen
Video: | Bishop Richard to retire The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford, has announced that he will retire at the end of this year. Bishop Richard has been serving as our Acting Bishop of St Albans after the retirement of Bishop Alan. In October last year, we were delighted to welcome Richard to St Peter's Berkhamsted to confirm new members of our congregation. Bishop Richard has faithfully served the Diocese of St Albans for 14 years, and he will continue in his role in the Diocese until his retirement in December. We continue to pray for him and give thanks for his ministry.
|  | The Parish of Great Berkhamsted is in the Church of England's Diocese of St Albans |
 www.stalbansdiocese.org
St Albans Cathedral:
www.stalbanscathedral.org
 Church noticeboard
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Berkhamsted community news & events Friday 10 July - Saturday 11 July
Berko Beer Festivalat Kitcheners Field, behind Berkhamsted Castle over the weekend of 11 & 12 July, featuring stand-up comedy, live music, food stalls, and a huge range of cask and craft beers and ciders. This year, BerkoBeerFest is supporting four wonderful charities: Electric Umbrella (as seen on Britain's Got Talent), the Swan youth Project, Toy Hub and Save Castle Fields. Advance tickets are now on sale - they always sell out! | Saturday 11 July
Northchurch Summer FêteOur friends at St Mary's Northchurch are holding their annual Summer Fête 12 noon - 3:30pm. BBQ, a fully licensed bar, stalls, entertainment, fun and games. New this year is a dog show, all entries welcome! | Saturday 11 July at 7:30 pm
Chiltern Chamber Choir 50th anniversary concertIt's a very special concert for a very special occasion - the Chiltern Chamber Choir marks its 50th anniversary with a concert in St Peter's. The CCC was founded in 1976 by Adrian Davis, and is still thriving! Join Calum Zuckert and the CCC in a celebration, with music by Vaughan Williams, Schumann and Bob Chilcott. Then enjoy a glass of celebratory fizz and a slice of cake after the concert! Tickets: £20 in advance, £22 on the door, under 18s and full-time students free - gettickets from choir members, Brown & Merry Estate Agents (next to church) or online: | Sunday 12 July
Berkhamsted Artisan Market JulyThe next Artisan Market is on the High Street, offering handmade jewellery, gifts, crafts, wooden homewares, ceramics, sculpture and more. Cand have a browse - all stall fees go towards the Friends of St Peter's. | Wednesday 15 July
RHS Britain in Bloom competitionOn 15 July, three judges from the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom competition will be visiting Berkhamsted. This map shows the beautiful gardens and projects that the judges will look at. Among the planted areas is the glorious garden along the High Street side of St Peter's, tended by our devoted team of gardening volunteers. Naturally, we're biased, but there are some lovely other floral spots around town, including Rectory Lane Cemetery, Lower Kings Road and the railway station. If you would like to support our wonderful volunteer gardeners in applying for this prestigious award, please follow the Berkhamsted in Bloom Facebook page: | Saturday 18 July at 2:30 pm
Historic Churches meeting
The Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust (BHHCT) are holding their annual meeting at St. Mary's Church in the village of Pirton, North Hertfordshire, near Hitchin (SG5 3QE). There will be an opportunity to look around the church, with tea served at 3:30pm. This will be followed by a service of sung evensong at 4:30pm, with Archdeacon Charles Hudson preaching. If you would like to attend, please email the BHHCT secretary so they can cater for tea. Contact:Revd Canon Lynda Klimas 01234 745 407 | Saturday 25 July
Hans Zimmer concertHans Zimmer is one of Hollywood's most celebrated composers - he wrote the scores for Gladiator, Kung Fu Panda, Interstellar, The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean and many other films. Enjoy a candlelit performance of his music here in St Peter's - tickets are on sale now. We've secured a limited number of discounted tickets giving 15% off gold tickets. To take advantage of this offer, simply book online at the link below and use the discount code WELCOME15 at the online checkout. These are strictly limited, so be quick! Book one of two performances: 7-8pm or 9-10pm. |
Cartoon Church This week's cartoon courtesy of CartoonChurch
Copyright © 2026 Dave Walker
  | Worship with usThis Sunday: 12 July 2026
6th Sunday after Trinity |
9:30am Sung Eucharist
You are invited to join us at our main Sunday service
Next Sunday: 19 July 2026
7th Sunday after TrinityMusic this weekHymns: | Anthem: | Hear my prayer - Mendelssohn | | Voluntary: | | | At Evensong: | | Responses: | Smith | | Psalms: | 65 (vv.8-13) | | Canticles: | Walmisley in D minor | | Hymns: | 432,342 | | Anthem: | O God, thou art my God - Henry Purcell |
ReadingsIsaiah 55.10-13For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Psalm 119 (vv.1-8)1 Blessed are those whose way is pure, who walk in the law of the Lord.2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies and seek him with their whole heart,3 Those who do no wickedness, but walk in his ways.4 You, O Lord, have charged that we should diligently keep your commandments.5 O that my ways were made so direct that I might keep your statutes.6 Then should I not be put to shame, because I have regard for all your commandments.7 I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, when I have learned your righteous judgements.8 I will keep your statutes; O forsake me not utterly. Gospel: Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’ ‘Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.’
 In our prayers this weekAnglican Cycle of Prayer:Province of the Episcopal Church of South SudanIntercessions | Diocese | ✚✚Sarah, Archbishop of Canterbury, ✚Andrew, Bishop Designate of St Albans, ✚ Jane, Bishop of Hertford, and Charles, Archdeacon of St Albans | In our
continuing prayers | Mary Beard, Christina Billington, Stacy Giles, Yvonne Hart, Judith Hill, Ghullam Mutaheri, Frozan Mutaheri, Ken Organ, Fr Chris Rogers, Neata Thomson, Clare Wallington, Liz Wright | In our
immediate prayers | Patricia Cody, Graeme Davis, Mark Few, Barbara Fisher, Nola Frost, Peter Kirk, David Labbett, Gwen Roberts, Peter Rolfe, Charlotte Szypryt, Barbara McKenna, Sienna Vallance | Weddings
(next four weeks) | | Wedding banns
called this Sunday | Bridie Hook & David Stephenson
Philip Gameson & Suzy Harker
| Baptisms
(next four weeks) | | | RIP | David Labbett, John Malcolm | | Memorial (year's mind) | Patricia Hunt |
 RotasWe are ever thankful for our team of dedicated clergy and volunteers who support our collective worship every week. If you are new to St Peter's, we encourage you to get involved in our parish life. Listed below are rotas for this coming Sunday and the week after. You can check future rota dates on the parish website at www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/rotas Sunday 12 July 2026 - Trinity 6| 8am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr Stuart | | Preacher | Fr Stuart | | Reader | Sarah H. | | 9:30am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr David (Margaret) ((Fr Stuart)) | | Preacher | Fr Stuart | | Sidesperson | Kate H. | | Sidesperson | Barbara J. | | MC | Libby G. | | Acolyte | Will G. | | Acolyte | Chris C. | | Thurifer | Richard C. | | Cruficer | . | | Reader | Chris B. | | Intercessions | Bev J. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Paul J. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Hilary E. | | Sunday School | . | | Sound | Michael A. | | Friday Thought | Margaret |
Sunday 19 July 2026 - Trinity 7| 8am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr Stuart | | Preacher | Fr Stuart | | Reader | Liz P. | | 9:30am Eucharist |
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| President | Fr Stuart (Helen) | | Preacher | Fr Stuart | | Sidesperson | Cathy I. | | Sidesperson | Carole D. | | MC | Peter M. | | Acolyte | Stephen L. | | Acolyte | Hayley K. | | Thurifer | Mark G. | | Cruficer | . | | Reader | Sarah D. | | Intercessions | Will G. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Helen N. | | Eucharistic Minister (Chalice) | Bev J. | | Sunday School | . | | Sound | Jeremy G. | | Friday Thought | |
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Email Fr Stuart Owen
