The First Sunday of Lent
Sunday 22February 2015
Services and Preachers in the Parish Today
St Nicholas Church
8.00am
Holy Communion
Revd Canon Dennis Stamps (Rector)
9.30am
Sung Eucharist
Revd Canon Dennis Stamps
11.30am
Morning Praise with Holy Communion
and Prayers for Healing
Revd Canon Dennis Stamps
4.00pm
Holy Baptism: Tobias Cameron Sheather
6.30pm
Choral Evensong
Jacqui Hibbert (Reader, St Nicholas)
All Saints Church Celebrating 50 years in the heart of the community
9.00am
10.30am
Communion Service
Worship Service
Revd Linda Williams (Associate Vicar, All Saints)
Revd Linda Williams
St Mary’s Church
9.15am
Sung Eucharist
11.00am
Morning Praise
4.30pm
Simply Worship
Revd Shaun Speller (Assistant Curate)
Revd Shaun Speller
Revd Becky Leach (Associate Vicar, St Mary’s)
All our churches are fitted with an induction loop. Those wearing a hearing
aid should switch to “T” in order to benefit from it.
A collection will be taken during the Offertory Hymn. If you are a UK tax
payer, please use the white Gift Aid envelope in the pew, remembering to
date it and print your details.
If you give by standing order or the like please put a token in the offering in
the offering bags as they go around as an act of worship and as a token of
what you give in thanks to God.
Children are welcome at every service. If your child becomes restless during
the service, please feel free to go in and out.
You are warmly invited to join us for coffee after our morning services.
To be a lively community connecting with God’s love in new and imaginative ways
Collects, Readings, Psalm, Gospel &
Post-Communion Prayer
COLLECT
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted
as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; 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.
Or ADDITIONAL COLLECT
Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in
the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to
your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord.
FIRST READING Genesis 9.8–17
God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with
you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the
birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of
the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the
waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This
is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is
with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of
the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is
seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every
living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all
flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant
between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah,
‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on
the earth.’
SECOND READING 1 Peter 3.18–22
Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring
you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he
went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former
times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of
the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism,
which this prefigured, now saves you – not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an
appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has
gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made
subject to him.
Please Remember in your Prayers
Parish Outreach: Living God’s Love: Going Deeper into God: Parish Prayer
Groups
The Sick: Kirstin Williamson, Emma Mitchell, Rosie Choueka, Andrew, Jenny,
Lin Millins, Trevor, Elaine, Myrtle Hughes, Marion Stubbins, Rosemary Allen,
Valerie , Michael Barrett and Annetta Harris
The Recently Departed: Frances Velody and Harry Sheldon
First Anniversary of Death: Andrew McIntosh
PSALM Psalm 25.1–10
UNTO thee O Lord will I lift up my soul, my God I have put my ‘ trust in ‘
thee : O let me not be confounded, neither let mine ‘ enemies ‘ triumph ‘ over me.
For all they that hope in thee shall ‘ not be a’shamed : but such as transgress without a
cause ‘ shall be ‘ put to con’fusion.
Shew me thy ‘ ways O ‘ Lord : and ‘ teach me ‘ thy ‘ paths.
Lead me forth in thy ‘ truth and ‘ learn me : for thou art the God of my
salvation, in thee hath been my ‘ hope ‘ all the day ‘ long.
Call to remembrance O Lord thy ‘ tender ‘ mercies : and thy lovingkindnesses, which ‘ have been ‘ ever of ‘ old.
O remember not the sins and offences ‘ of my ‘ youth : but according to thy
mercy, think thou upon me O ‘ Lord ‘ for thy ‘ goodness.
Gracious and righteous ‘ is the ‘ Lord : therefore will he teach ‘ sinners ‘ in
the ‘ way.
Them that are meek shall he ‘ guide in ‘ judgement : and such as are gentle
‘ them shall he ‘ learn his ‘ way.
All the paths of the Lord are ‘ mercy and ‘ truth : unto such as keep his ‘
covenant ‘ and his ‘ testimonies.
For thy Name’s ‘ sake O ‘ Lord : be merciful unto my ‘ sin for ‘ it is ‘ great. GLORIA
GOSPEL Mark 1.9–15
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the
Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the
Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the
wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the
wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to
Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
POST COMMUNION
Lord God, you have renewed us with the living bread from heaven; by it you nourish our
faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love: teach us always to hunger for him who is
the true and living bread, and enable us to live by every word that proceeds from out of
your mouth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PARISH OFFICE AND ST NICHOLAS CHURCH WEEKDAY OPENING HOURS :
Monday: closed
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 10.00am to 3.30pm
Thursday: 10.00am to 12.30pm (manned by volunteers)
Parish News for all three churches
CONFIRMATION Course for Young People begins this evening, 4.30 to 6pm at St Nicholas
Church Hall. Contact Shaun if anyone still wishes to attend.
CONFIRMATION Course for Adults begins on Wednesday 11 March, 8-10pm, meeting on
18 & 25 March, 8, 22 & 29 April, 6 & 13 May in Cornelia’s, St Nicholas Church Hall. Contact
Linda or Becky if you wish to attend. The confirmation service will be at 6.30pm on Sunday
17 May at St Mary’s, Redbourn.
ALL ARE WELCOME to attend the funeral service of Margaret Bradbury at St Mary’s this
Monday, 23 February at 2.30pm. Also the funeral of Ray Meldrum at St Nicholas this
Thursday, 26 February at 1.00pm.
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF ALL SAINTS JUBILEE YEAR members of the parish are invited to
make a donation: 50 for 50, such as 50 pennies or 50 £1 coins. or even 50 £50 notes. Please
put any donation in an envelope marked ‘All Saints Jubilee’. If you wish to gift aid please
request a form.
BRITISH HUMANITARIAN AID: Money donations can be made after each service today.
Donated goods will be collected by BHA during the morning. Thank you for your continued
support.
URGENT NEED: STORAGE IN THE HARPENDEN AREA. One of our partner organisations,
Christian youth work charity, the267project, is in urgent need of a large garage or similar to
store their children’s & youth work equipment. It would need to be externally accessible 7
days a week, dry and secure. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact Mike Palin
([email protected] 07789 815 516 ) or
Claire Banham ([email protected] 07930 676373)
HARPENDEN CHILD CONTACT CENTRE (hosted at All Saints) are delighted to have been
chosen as one of the local charities to be supported by Waitrose this month. If you are
shopping there, please consider putting a token in the box to maximise the benefit gained.
WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: You are warmly invited to attend the Women's World
Day of Prayer services, prepared by the women of the Bahamas, with the theme Jesus said to
them, "Do you know what I have done to you?" to be held on Friday 6 March,
10.30am at St Nicholas Church and 7.45pm at Southdown Methodist Church.
Postcards advertising the services are at the back of church.
SAS (PARISH YOUTH GROUP) meeting today 22 February from 5-7pm. Please contact
[email protected] to book a place or for more information.
CHURCH-WATCH AT ST NICHOLAS: Can you spare just one hour a month to keep watch so
that the Church doors may remain open? For more details, please contact Judith Etheridge,
460211. If existing volunteers have not received their February-July roster, please also
contact Judith.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ODD BUTTONS? Linda Sweeney’s mum has spent this winter knitting
children’s jumpers for British Humanitarian Aid but needs small buttons to finish the
garments. Contact Linda on 07969 968581 if you can help. Many thanks.
CRAFT @ CORNELIA’S on Monday 23 February, 8-10pm (a week later than normal
because of half term): Join our crafts group for anyone who enjoys being creative. Bring
along any portable, non-messy crafts to chat and share ideas over a glass of wine whilst
working on your own project. There may be a chance to try out new crafts. So just turn up!
There will be a small charge of £3 to cover refreshments. For more information contact Sarah
Cripps, 01582 762986 or Jane Todd , 07973 383607.
‘LIVE A DIFFERENCE’ - this year’s Lent Challenge addresses some of the issues that underlie
some of the debates in the General Election campaign. Faith invites us to think and live a little
differently. Sign up for a daily email or text at www.livethechallenge.co.uk Weekly leaflets will
be available in church for those without access to the internet and there will also be material
suitable for use with children on the website.
LENT GROUPS ARE UNDERWAY: A list of the Lent Groups is at the back of church. If you
have not heard which group you are in, please check or contact Clergy. The sessions in
All Saints Church Hall on Monday evenings 8-10pm, starting on 23 February, taking an
interactive look at ’The Things He Carried - Jesus’ Journey to the Cross’, are open to everyone,
so anyone who has not booked is welcome to join this group.
THE FUTURE OF FAIRTRADE is up for discussion with the Chief Executive of the Fairtrade
Foundation, Mike Gidney at a UNA Harpenden Public Meeting at the St Nicholas Parish Halls
this Saturday, 28 February. Sue Bentley, chair of the National Campaigner Committee for
Fairtrade will also offer thoughts about how supporters can and do make a difference. The
poignant and evocative short film "Fairtrade Matters" about two tea farmers in Malawi will be
shown and there will be tastings of Fairtrade foods with coffee at 10:30am for an 11:00am
start. All very welcome.
EASTER EXPERIENCE AT ST NICHOLAS: Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide this
event this year. However, we plan to do this next year. If you would like to volunteer help
now, please contact Zoe Pulver ([email protected]) who will be leading the team of
volunteers. This is a great opportunity for us to reach out into the schools and community.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
6 March, Women’s World Day of Prayer Service 10.30am at St Nicholas,
7.30pm at Southdown Methodist Church
15 March Mothering Sunday
22 March Songs of Praise Service, 6.30pm at St Nicholas,
23 March Stations of the Cross, 8pm at St Nicholas
25 March Stations of the Cross, 11.30am at St Nicholas
20 April Hustings Meeting for the General Election at High Street Methodist Church
Please follow & interact with our Parish:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ParishHarpenden
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParishofHarpenden
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/parishharpenden
Blog: http://parishofharpenden.blogspot.co.uk
You can also access them all through the church website: www.parishofharpenden.org
If you have anything to go on our sites please email Rachel at:
[email protected]
Church Notices
St Nicholas Church
MUSIC TODAY
9.30am
6.30pm
Sung Eucharist
Setting:
New English Plainchant
Voluntary:
Prelude in C minor (Bach)
Choral Evensong Canticles:
Stanford in Bb
Responses: Ferial
Magnificat: Holman
Nunc Dimittis:Chant : Tanus Peregrinus
Anthem:
Turn Thy face from my sins (Thomas Attwood)
Voluntary:
O mensch bewein (Bach)
FAIRTRADE GROCERIES STALL TODAY in St Nicholas Church Hall between the
9.30am and 11.30am services.
A FRIENDLY TEA GROUP FOR THE BEREAVED next Sunday at 3pm in
St Nicholas Church Hall. All welcome.
CAN YOU HELP WITH A LIFT? We have occasional requests for persons who
would like to come to church but need a lift. If you are able to offer an
occasional lift and go on a rota (we are not asking for regular commitments),
please contact the Parish Office or Jean McIntosh or the Rector.
FAITH AND LIGHT TEA at St John’s on Sunday 1 March. Food is required for
families attending the ecumenical worship group for adults with learning
disabilities. A sign-up list is in the church porch with items to be provided for
the 30-45 people attending. Any queries please contact Ruth Speller via the
Parish Office
A SANDISK MICRO SD MEMORY CARD was found by those counting the
collection for Morning Praise last Sunday (8 February). Please contact Eddy de
Jong via the Parish Office if it belongs to you.
ST NICHOLAS BAKING DADS BAKE OFF we will be holding the third annual
Fairtrade Bake Off on Sunday 8 March in the church halls. Categories are Under
12, Best Bake and Most Divine Cake, and in recognition of International
Women's Day we are encouraging the men of the parish to bake for the
women in their lives with a new category BAKING DADS. All cakes to be
delivered between 9 and 9.30am to the halls and after judging and prizes(!)
cakes will be shared at the post 9.30am service coffee. Details on leaflets at
back of church.
CORNELIA'S 13 MARCH: Sue Hobley has kindly agreed to come to Cornelia's
Coffee Shop on Friday 13 March to give a flower arranging demonstration &
offer tips on the number and types of flowers and foliage needed to create a
similar one of your own. Come along about 9.30am to enjoy coffee and a chat
St Mary’s Church
FAIRTRADE BREAKFAST: Sunday 1 March, 8.45am-9.45am in the Church Hall.
Please sign up on the sheet in the hall.
Church Notices Continued
All Saints Church Celebrating 50 years in the heart of the community
BIBLE READING NOTES: Please order from Rosemary (761322).
ALL SAINTS EMERGENCY PRAYER CHAIN: Please call 622862.
50 FOR 50: Launched on 11 January to raise funds for our Golden Jubilee events
and projects. We suggested donations in multiples of 50 – from 1p pieces to £50
notes! Whatever you are able to give will help the fund. Envelopes to fill are
available at the back of the church – or a Smarties tube for school age people.
(We recommend eating the Smarties before trying to get the money in.)
Thank you from the Jubilee Committee.
BUSY BUNNIES-under new management-follow us on Facebook-needs a little
help. Could you offer an hour every now and again on a Thursday morning 1011am or up to 11.30am. Let Linda know if interested or just turn up in the hall at
All Saints.
GOLDEN JUBILEE EVENTS-the first of the year’s special events is a walk (kinda
'Beating the Bounds') around the District boundary on 2 May starting at 10am
and ending with a ‘bring your own’ picnic lunch at All Saints church. All are very
welcome to join all or part of the walk. The aim is to pass as many homes of
members of our fellowship as possible. To help with planning, please can you let
Linda or the Wardens know if the walk may stop at your home for prayer/
possible comfort break please.
GOLDEN JUBILEE EVENTS-8PM THURSDAY 14 MAY ASCENSION DAY DEANERY
EUCHARIST SERVICE All are welcome to attend, please pop the date in your
diary. President Rev'd Ian Hill, Rector of Buntingford, Preacher Rev'd Paul
Manuel, Vicar of St Mark's Leamington Spa, Coventry Diocese. Followed by
refreshments.
SUNDAY 19 JULY 10AM SERVICE OF CELEBRATION AND THANKSGIVING
please note this is an invitation only event.
ROUND EACH HABITATION HOOVERING...In the past few weeks, a trio of our
trusty vacuum cleaners has been condemned - and the newest cylinder cleaner
has gone AWOL. If you have sighted this on its wanderings please return it to the
cleaning cupboard, where its 3 little packets of dustbags await, or contact Mandy
Gaines. Thank you.
Please tell the Parish Office about next week’s meetings, events and notices by
12 noon on Wednesday on 01582 765524 or [email protected]
More information can be found at www.parishofharpenden.org
This pew leaflet is available in large print form at the back of church and
can be downloaded from the website: www.parishofharpenden.org
What’s on This Week
Monday:
2.30pm
8.00pm
Wednesday
:
10.30am
Funeral of Margaret Bradbury at St Mary’s
Open Lent Group in All Saints Church Hall - see Notice
Holy Communion at St Nicholas
Thursday:
9.30am
Holy Communion at All Saints
9.30am
Toddler Time in St Nicholas Church Hall
9.30am
Busy Bunnies in All Saints Church Hall
10.15am
Bible Reading Fellowship ‘Guidelines’
1.00pm
2.15pm
Friday:
8.00am
2.00pm
Saturday:
Funeral of Ray Meldrum at St Nicholas
Mothers’ Union in St Nicholas Church Hall, June Wall Room: Lent Meditation led
by Jean McIntosh
Holy Communion at St Nicholas
Final meeting of the St Nicholas Wednesday Group (Large Hall):
Speaker - the Rector, followed by Afternoon Tea.
10.30am
Holy Communion at St Nicholas
11.00am
Harpenden United Nations Association Public Meeting in St Nicholas Church Hall
The Future of Fairtrade: Mike Gidney and Sue Bentley, Fairtrade Foundation see Notice
Sunday:
The Second Sunday of Lent- Services and Preachers in the Parish
St Nicholas Church
8.00am
9.30am
11.30am
Holy Communion
4.30pm
Sung Eucharist
Morning Praise
Topic: Psalm 20
Simply Worship
6.30pm
Choral Evensong
Revd Canon Dennis Stamps (Rector)
Gill White (Reader, St Nicholas)
Richard Sewell
Revd Canon Dennis Stamps
Heather Richards (Reader, St Nicholas)
All Saints Church
9.00am
10.30am
Communion Service
Revd Shaun Speller (Assistant Curate)
Worship Service with Communion
Revd Shaun Speller
St Mary’s Church
10.00am
Readings:
Family Communion
Genesis 17: 1-7,15-16
Revd Becky Leach (Associate Vicar, St Mary’s)
Romans 4 : 13-25
Mark 8: 31-38