Thank you

The flowers this week have given by Mike and Janet Warren in memory of Mike's parents Frederick and Margaret

The Reverend Dr. Sam Cappleman Assistant Rural Dean of Bedford

107 Dover Crescent, Bedford MK41 Tel: 266952 nsm@stmarkschurch.com

The Reverend Canon Charles Royden The Vicarage, Calder Rise. MK41 7UY

309175 Mobile 07973 113861 vicar@stmarkschurch.com

Reader: Mrs Wendy Waters Pastoral Support Team Co-Ordinator 342613 reader@stmarkschurch.com

St. Mark’s Church Centre www.stmarkschurch.com

Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5.00pm Tel/fax: 342613 office@stmarkschurch.com Centre Manager: Miss Wendy Rider 342613 Church Wardens Mr Mike Cooper & Mr Jim Williams Treasurer: Mr Ian Farthing 210892 treasurer@stmarkschurch.com Gift Aid Administrator: Mr Jim Williams 360605 Churchyard Administrator: Mrs Avril Williams 342613 garden@stmarkschurch.com Music Copyright CCL1501 Charity No 1164416

St Mark’s Contact Information

Church Services

1 December Advent 1 - Christingle 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Family Worship Preacher - Visit from Justus Leadership - Mrs Laura Farthing Intercessions - Young People Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44

8 December Advent 2 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Family Worship Preacher - Mr Richard Ledger Leadership - Mr Jim Williams Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 Midweek Services Wednesday Communion 10.00am in the Chapel Please join us for a service followed by coffee First Monday of every month. Holy Communion at 10.00am at Sir William Harpur House

St Mark’s Parish News

First Sunday of Advent Christingle / Gift Service

1 December 2019

Church Leadership Team Mr Mike Cooper, Mr Jim Williams, Mrs Laura Farthing,

Mrs Liz Jackson, Mrs Janet Warren, The Reverend Alan Kirk

Please inform us if you know of anyone who is ill, bereaved, housebound, requires a visit, home communion or counselling services. Please also ask us if you would like a home visit for any reason.

Parish News is available online at www.stmarkschurch.com You can also sign up online to receive each edition by email

Prayer for Sunday and the Week Ahead

God of all hope and joy, open our hearts in welcome that your Son Jesus Christ at his coming may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself; Amen. (New Zealand Prayer Book)

Monday 7.30am-6.00pm Pre-school Mon-Fri St Mark’s Manager Mrs. Helen Harpin 312634 (See website) for more details www.thisispreschool.com) 10.00am Bakers Barn Art Group. Mrs M. Berry 211955 10.00am U3A Play reading Rod Fewings 07718390188 9.45am - 10.45am &11.00am-12noon Pilates Liz Mason 07816522200 2-4pm U3A Meditation & Wellbeing Rod Fewings 07718390188 2-3.15pm U3A Recorder Group Rod Fewings 07718390188 6.00pm Brownies Mrs C Mathew 826190 7.00 to 10.00 p.m. Whist Drive third Monday each month or fifth if there are five. Judith Stanton 01234 823313. 7.30pm Sugarcraft Guild (1st week in month) Heather Buckley 824503 7.00-8.00pm Laughter Club on 2nd week each month Cheryl Green 07729187399 7-9pm Rangers. Nikki Lake 07584028653 Indoor Games. Rod Fewings 07718390188 7-8.5pm Happy Body Project Julie Holl 0780873965 7.30pm Whist Drive Third Monday in the month and fifth if there are five Contact Judith Stanton 823313

Tuesday 9.30am-11.15. Chat & Make A term time group for Parents, Carers and toddlers 0– 5. For more details ring Church Office 342613 or Janine 01234 297481 9.30am -12.30 & 4-9pm Slimming World 9.30, 11.30, 3.30, 5.30, 7.30. Lorrie Pearson 340473 1.15pm U3A Cinema Group. Rod Fewings 07718390188 1.30pm U3A Choir. Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.00pm U3A Book Group 1 (3rd Week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.00pm U3A Book Group 2 (2nd Week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 077183901882 2.00pm U3A Photography Group 3 (1st Week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.30pm Knit & Natter Group (Fortnightly) Wool and knitting needles provided. Mrs Maureen Watling 262225 2.00-3.30pm Tuesday Afternoon Housegroup. Fortnightly Social and Bible Study Mrs Jean Bank 355698 6-7pm Supple Strength Yoga Amanda Alcock 07769747393 7.30-9pm Faith Community Church Audua Ogilvie 01234 308644 8.00pm Hearts in Beds Committee (4th week in month) Mrs N Aspey 309816 8.20-9.20pm Restoration Pilates Johanna Debnam 07753418170

Wednesday

10.00-2pm Open House For those with learning disabilities, friends, family, carers etc 342613 10.00am U3A Gardening Group 3 Rod Fewings 07718390188 10.00am Holy Communion. St.Mark’s Chapel. 10am U3A Card Making. Rod Fewings 07718390188 10-4pm Sewing Group 4th week of the month Contact Sue Sewell 07979797747 1.15 Social Bridge Club. Mr Barnes 261811 2 4pm. U3A Craft 1st week in the month Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 3.45– 5.30pm Messy Church Bible stories, crafts, singing and a meal. For children primary school age and their carers. Meeting dates 20 Nov, 11 Dec, 15 Jan, 19 Feb, 18 March Wendy Waters 401834

6.00pm Brownies Mrs. C Warden 219731 7.00pm Bunyan Bridge Peter Cullum 07545508185 8.00pm Tudor Reeds Folk Dance Club (1st,3rd and 5th Wednesday of the month. Except August). Everyone welcome. All dances called. Call Rosemary 405594 or Graham 406359 for more details. £2 including refreshments. Next meeting Wednesday 4 December 8.00pm Bedford Wine and Social Club (1st week in the month) Jill Cooper 357960

Thursday

9.30-11.25am Chat & Play. A term time group for Parents, Carers & toddlers 0-5. Church office or Janine 297481 12pm Storybox. For the under 5’s and their carers between 12 noon and 1pm. Sandwich lunch and a Bible based story and singing. Contact Jaana Swaaby 3422613. 2-4pm. U3A Indoor Games. Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.30 - 4.30pm Bedford Art Society Jean Patterson 307210 2.30pm - 4.30pm Putnoe Art Group (PAG) Contact Bob Wardale 406094 Mob:07914451198 6-7pm Supple Strength Yoga Amanda Alcock 07769747393 7-9pm Bedford Community Gospel Choir Weekly meeting . Contact 07554148540 7.00pm U3A Singing for Fun (1st & 3rd week in month) Rod Fewings 07718390188 7.00pm Bedford Embroiderers’ Guild (3rd week in month). Carol Plant 01832710504 7.30pm Magpies. Meet on 2nd & 4 Thursday Call Rosemary 405594 for details. Next meeting of the year is on Thursday December 12 - our Christmas Party Tickets still available. The first meeting of 2020 is on January 9 - 'All about Alpacas' 8.00pm Bedford Writers Circle. (1st week in month). John Broadhouse 01525 404014

Friday 10am -12.00 U3A Photography (4th week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 10.45am - 12 U3A Poetry & Literature Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 2.00-4.00 pm U3A Whist (2nd week in month) Contact Rod Fewings 07718390188 7.45 - 10.45pm Bedford Astrology Club. (2nd week in month )Carol Brown 01438 233385 6.30 –7.30pm Pakua Martial Arts John Waugh 07802755914 7-9pm Mindfulness Meditation Bhante Samitha 07983466105

Saturday

9.00am Faith Community Church (1st week in month) Audua Ogilvie 01234 308644 10.00am-1pm Theatretrain Dancing acting, singing. Kate Howard 01234 782414 10am-1pm Sugarcraft Guild Cygnets (2nd week in month) Margaret Baldry 07919404906

Sunday

9.30 - 10.30 Church and Sunday School with crèche for under 3’s 10 - 11am Hatha Yoga Contact Tracy Langford 07473033750 10 - 5.30pm Bedford Stamp Fayre at St. Mark’s. P Harris 01623 621143 1st wk Dec/Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct.

Regular Weekly Activities - St Mark’s Church

First Sunday of Advent Opening Sentence Ps 122 v 1, 2 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”. Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. Collect Prayer for the Day Before we read we pray Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ First Reading Isaiah Chapter 2:1-5 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Second Reading Romans Chapter 13:11-14 Brothers and sisters, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Gospel Reading Matthew Chapter 24:36-44 Jesus spoke to his disciples: ‘About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’ (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Post Communion Prayer O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Hymns 1. O come, O come, Emmanuel (Veni Immanuel) 2. Round orange (Lourdes) 3. We have a gospel to proclaim (Fulda) 4. God’s spirit is in my heart (Go tell everyone) 5. Lo, he comes with clouds descending (Helmsley) Commentary At this time of year with the colder temperatures, longer, darker nights and shorter days, life can seem quite lonely and desolate at times. Advent is a time to reflect on our life and look forward to the coming of Christ, both as infant Messiah and as the returning Lord and King. We’re encouraged to ensure Christ is at the centre of our lives, helping us focus on the God who became incarnate so that our lives don’t become a desolate wilderness, or a dark and hopeless place where we are trapped by our own humanity. As we open ourselves to Jesus, the light of the world, He releases us into new life and restores those places in our lives that have been marred, or even devastated by the effects of the darkness of the world. As Advent passes into Christmas we look to the light of Christ, who will return in a great blaze of glory to complete that work of restoration, but who first came as a small pinprick of light in a stable in Bethlehem. For some, all they ever see is that pinprick of light at Christmas and for the rest of the year the Christian faith means little to them. For others, the light in the stable at Christmas is the dawning of the realisation of Christ in their lives, lives which continue to be changed, transformed and restored by His incarnation. We are called to point to that light and to reflect its transforming power and glory in our lives. In a world that predominantly only sees the pinprick of light at Christmas rather than the dazzling light of His glory, it’s not surprising that many people are largely indifferent to God and the true meaning of Advent. God’s incarnation in Christ at Christmas is purely a matter for Christmas cards and nativity scenes, and His second coming in glory, barely understood. From this perspective it would appear many have no need or understanding of God, at best being indifferent to His invitation of life in its fullness, and certainly don’t want to be inconvenienced by Him in their busy and self-contained lives. And in this misplaced self-confidence, God becomes ever more remote and absent for them. It’s a situation similar to that which Isaiah found himself in, Israel had become indifferent to God and stagnant in their ways and worship. Isaiah’s calling was to prepare the people, through a call to repentance, so that God could break through their indifference and self-confidence and become real and relevant to them once again. The gospel readings for the new church year which starts today are taken from Matthew and the Advent Sunday readings give us a clue of what is to come through the year. Indeed, all of the readings today speak about our discipleship, our attentiveness to God and attentiveness to the way we live, the very foundation of our Christian lives. The steady pattern of our everyday lives attuned to God and to the world in which we live. But as we prepare in Advent for Christmas and Christ’s coming again, it is not just about the ordinary. It’s about the cosmic and the supernatural. Jesus speaks of cataclysmic events, both in the time of Noah, but particularly when the end of time comes and the need to be prepared. But He does so at the same time as talking about ordinary events. Grinding corn, being at home with the children, labouring in the fields, being at work, just getting the ordinary things of our lives done. In each of our readings today, the cosmic and the extra-ordinary and linked with the mundane and the everyday. In each of our lives too, whether we are aware or not, the cosmic and the extra-ordinary is linked with the mundane and the everyday as the seemingly physical and the supernatural worlds come crashing together. And in this collision of redemptive proportions, God is working the big picture, judging nations, sorting out and ordering the cosmos, defining time and loving and caring for each one of us just as we are. So much so that at just the right time, He is sending back His Son in a way that when He returns, life as we know it will change forever as the mundane and the everyday give way to the cosmic and supernatural. We are part of God’s cosmic story. We are all part of God’s purpose. We are caught up in both the everyday and the supernatural. As we await His coming, we are all called to live our lives in a manner which is described in the Old and New Testaments. To live in peace with each other and turn our weapons of war into tools of peace. To reflect God’s glory through Christ in the world in which we live. And importantly as we enter the Advent season, living out our lives being ready and prepared, not just for Christmas, but for Christ’s return in great glory. Be prepared by living out the way of Christ in our daily lives. A mix of the ordinary and the extra-ordinary. God’s first intervention within our history came not in the form of some instant or earth-shattering event, but instead the seemingly routine, as God came into the world as we all do, born as a baby in the midst of a

chaotic and divided creation. By our own impatient standards this seems such a slow way to bring salvation to the world. But God may not always choose the easy answer or the quick fix. But by His earthly incarnation He demonstrates a total commitment to the very core of humanity. A commitment to its day by day routines and challenges, a commitment to humanity from the cradle to the grave and beyond. And in that same incarnational way, God comes to us day by day, through the working of the Spirit, through His Word and Sacrament, making the ordinary extraordinary; making the broken whole; and redeeming and restoring the past, present and future, whatever they hold. Sam Cappleman Meditation The first coming of Christ the Lord, God’s Son and our God, was in obscurity; the second will be in the sight of the whole world. When He came in obscurity no one recognised Him but his own servants; when He comes openly He will be known by both good people and bad. When he came in obscurity, it was to be judged; when he come openly it will be to judge. Augustine (AD 354 – 430) In Advent, history, myth, belief and imagery come together to create a vision, the strength of which is not in trying to understand the detail of Christ’s second coming, but in catching a glimpse of the message of salvation and healing which is being completed. We should not spend our time worrying about the timing of God’s arrival or about the distraction of what might happen in the meantime. God’s reign has already broken into our world through the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ. His Kingdom is near, and it is coming, even as it is already arrived but is not yet fully realised. In the meantime, we are to remain watchful, and aware, and to be prepared for the final coming, which is likely to arrive any time that God’s love is shared with uncommon grace in a world so desperately in need of that love. It is through us, and through the very imperfect Church that bears His name, that His love and grace continue to come and spread, at Advent and through the Christian year ahead as we look to His coming in glory. Sam Cappleman

First Advent Candle Lighting First Candle - The Candle of Hope (Purple Candle) The Patriachs, Abraham, the Old Testament Ancestors of Jesus Leader: May your hearts be filled with hope as you hear the promises God made to bless all the peoples on earth through Abraham, the father of our faith. All: Thanks be to God Today is the First Sunday of Advent, we will light a candle to remember the patriachs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the ancestors of our faith. Genesis Chapter 12 Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (NRSV) Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, God of our ancestors: to you be praise and glory for ever. You called the patriarchs to live by the light of faith and to journey in the hope of your promised fulfilment. May we be obedient to your call and be ready and watchful to receive your Christ, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for you are our light and our salvation. Blessed be God for ever. (A person lights the first candle here) Leader: Let us pray:

Lord Jesus we give thanks for our Father Abraham who by faith obeyed your call and became the father of many nations. Give us faith to listen to your voice that our hearts may be filled with the hope of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Do you ever feel pessimistic, like the world falling apart? The turn of the 15th-16th centuries in Europe was characterised by a weary pessimism and an apocalyptic mood. The man who painted our picture today was Bosch and he shared this pessimism and the view that only a handful of people would be saved, whilst everybody else went to eternal torment. The painting is full of torture and mutilation inflicted by grotesque demons on naked men and women, he was somebody with surreal imagination. At the top in blue sky sits Jesus in judgement surrounded by the Virgin Mary and the Apostles. Angels with long golden trumpets are announcing the end of time. Below in dark brown judgement is taking place and we know that this is at the edges of hell because the red glow from the fire is reflected all around. In this space are images of the seven deadly sins which cause eternal punishment. For example on the roof on the left a naked woman is being bitten by a snake like creature and led by a hideous dragon. It is like a brothel in hell accompanied by a lute playing demon. Bosch likes to use music as a sign of sinfulness, of indulgence in pleasure. Below a fat man represents gluttony as he has liquid forced into his mouth from a barrel as he is restrained by devils. Above the barrel there is a siphon that's receiving the excrement of a devil whose bottom can just be seen through the gated window. Below that, you see one large demonic fish devouring another, a reference that we take advantage of those who are smaller and weaker and less powerful than we are. To the right of that we can just see hanging figures, and below that, a large cauldron with a series of figures that seem to be boiling. They're boiling in molten metal, the money gained in the sin of avarice or greed. There are endless representations of pain and suffering. Men are roasted or fried by demonic frogs, in one case a frying pan contains body pieces and the fog in red has two eggs to crack those into the pan to make a special omelette. When things seem bleak, perhaps reflect on this picture, it could get a lot worse.

Bedford Foodbank

During Advent instead of just opening your advent calendar for ourselves, Bedfood Foodbank are asking folks to do things the other way round and consider giving something to Foodbank every day through Advent. The calendar above gives you some ideas, just bring things along through Advent, put them in the box in the foyer and let’s see if we can help hungry local families this Christmas with some extra supplies!

Prayers for Sunday and The Week Ahead O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we wait for the coming of your Son; then when He appears, He will not find us sleeping in sin, but active in His service and joyful in His praise, for the glory of your Holy name. Amen Living God, you have given us a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: grant that we, being risen with Him, may fix our hearts on heavenly things and share eternal life. Amen Come, O Lord, in much mercy down into my soul and take possession and dwell there. A poor dwelling, I confess, for so glorious a Person as You. Yet, I am preparing for a fitting reception of you, by holy and fervent desires of your own inspiring. Enter then, and adorn my soul, and make it a worthy place for you to inhabit, since it is the work of your own hands. Give me yourself, without which, even if you should give me all that you ever have made, yet this would not satisfy my desires. Let my soul ever seek you, and let me persist in seeking, until I have found, and am in full possession of you. Amen St. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430) The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen

The Last Judgement Hieronymous Bosch (1450-1516)

Painted between 1482-1516. Locate in the Academy of fine arts Vienna

Bishop Richard to Deliver Advent Course ! We are delighted to announce that Bishop Richard has agreed to come and deliver our Advent Course evening on Thursday 19 December. We will start at 7.00pm for coffee, then at 7.30pm for an hour. At 8.30pm we hope you will stay for some festive enjoy Wine and Mince pies ! If you would like transport for this evening please let us know as there is sure to be somebody who can offer a lift. Brickhill Christmas Lights Come to Waveney Green (near the bus shelter) for the switch on of Brickhill's Christmas Lights at 6pm on Wednesday 4 December. Santa will be visiting with the Bedford Lions and children from Scott Primary singing a Christmas song. Building Development 165 new homes are planned for the land off Cleat Hill. Plans for the proposals can be viewed at St Mark’s which show the new entrance, country park and layout of the site. Lee Abbey proposed St Mark’s group stay

Monday 23 to Friday 27 March 2020. Lee Abbey in North Devon has rooms available for the week Monday 23 to Friday 27 March 2020. During this week there is a choice of two themes: ‘Walk and Talk’ and ‘Faith, Hope, Love’. The cost for full board is from £279 to £351, depending on the type of room.

If you are interested, or would like to know more, please speak to Wendy Waters by Wednesday 18th December. More details can be found at https://leeabbeydevon.org.uk

Future dates:3.45 to 5.30pm

Wednesday 11 December

Wednesday 15 January

Wednesday 19 February

Christmas Fayre Once again I would like to thank everyone for last week's help at Craft Fayre. It is a wonderful result and thought you would like to know how the Church Stalls did.:- Entrance £135.15, Marion and Janet's Card stall £167.60, Refreshments £253.00, Cakes £185.40 Books £112.40, Father Christmas £ 50.00 Tombola £115.00, Plants £115.30 (still rising) Hamper Raffle £120.10, Church Stall £265.00 (still rising), Ploughmans £232.00 Stallholders Table Rent £469.00, Sub total 2219.95 Total so far £2923.49

Today we launch our Christmas Gift Appeal. We are focussing on helping homeless people in Bedford. We have a fantastic local charity we want to support called Justus. They are doing amazing work in Bedford by finding people long term real homes. Every penny you give will go towards finding real homes. If you are concerned about helping making a real difference to genuinely homeless people then please support our Christmas Appeal this year.

Forthcoming Funerals

There are no funerals this week

May the souls of the faithful

departed through the mercy of God rest in peace and rise in glory.

Alll funerals at Bedford Crematorium

can be found @ www.bedford.gov.uk/obituaries

Rest In Peace

On the Sunday following a funeral service we remember in church those who have died.

We light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ which eternally shines and

brings hope. If you would like a person remembered in our service when the candle is

lit, perhaps on an anniversary or birthday, please inform the ministers, or telephone the

church office.

May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace

and rise in glory . Amen.

Please support St Mark’s Church by using www.easyfundraising every time you shop online. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and in the middle where it says ‘Search for a Cause’ type St Marks Church, Bedford. Enter your details and register. The best way is to download the app and it will re-mind you to donate. Always go to Easyfundraising before you go to Amazon or John Lewis etc, that way we can receive a donation of up to 5% and it costs you nothing !