Thank you The flowers in Church this week have been given by Margaret Standley in loving memory of John. We are always pleased when people make donations towards flowers perhaps to celebrate a special occasion such as an anniversary or in memory of a loved one. Please contact Miss Marion Prior 303254 or add your name to the rota in the Foyer.

The Reverend Dr. Sam Cappleman Assistant Rural Dean of Bedford

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

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

309175 Mobile 07973 113861 vicar@thisischurch.com

Reader: Mrs Wendy Waters

Pastoral Support Team Co-Ordinator 342613 office@Thisischurch.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 Leadership Team: Mr Edward Parry Treasurer: Mr Ian Farthing 210892 treasurer@stmarkschurch.com Gift Aid Administrator: Mr Jim Williams 360605 Churchyard Administrator: Mrs Avril Williams 342613 Music Copyright CCL1501 Charity No 1164416

St Mark’s Contact Information

Church Services

20 January - Epiphany 3 8.30am Holy Communion in the Chapel 9.30am Holy Communion Preacher - Mrs Wendy Waters (Reader) Leadership - Mrs Laura Farthing Intercessions - Mr Richard Ledger Organist - Mr Cliff Barton Lectionary Readings Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Cor 12:1-11, John 2 :1-11

27 January - Epiphany 4 8.30am Holy Communion in the Chapel 9.30am Morning Worship Preacher - Rev Dr Sam Cappleman Leadership - Mrs Wendy Waters Intercessions - Mr Ian Farthing Organist - Mr Cliff Barton Lectionary Readings Nehemiah 8.1-3,5-6,8-10, 1 Cor 12:12-31 Luke 4:14-21 Midweek Service Wednesday Holy Communion 10.00am in the Chapel Holy Communion at 10.00am at Sir William Harpur House first Monday of every month.

St Mark’s Church

Parish News

Epiphany 3

Prayer for Today

O God of steadfast love, at the wedding in Cana your Son Jesus turned water into wine, delighting all who were there. Transform our hearts by your Spirit, that we may use our varied gifts to show forth the light of your love as one body in Christ. Amen.

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 to receive each edition by email

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 7.30pm Sugarcraft Guild (1st week in month) Mary Daly 217127 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

Tuesday

9.15am-11.15. Chat & Make A term time group for Mums 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 Meetings 20/11, 4/12, 18/12 Wool and knitting needles provided. Mrs Maureen Watling 262225 2.00-3.30pm Tuesday Afternoon Housegroup. A social and Bible Study group. 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 (3rd week in the month) for children of primary school age and their carers. Bible based story, crafts, singing and a meal. Next meeting 16 January. 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. £1 including refreshments. Next meeting January 30 8.00pm Bedford Wine and Social Club

(1st week in the month) Jill Cooper 357960

Thursday 9.45am Chat and Play. A term time group for Mums & toddlers 0-5. Church office or Janine 297481 12pm Storybox. Welcomes the under 5’s and their carers to join them between 12 noon and 1pm for a sandwich lunch followed by 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 5.15-6.45pm Weightwatchers Jodi Henderson 07449890830 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 more details. Next meeting 24 January ‘would you Adam and Eve it’ a talk by Colin Hill 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 –8.30pm 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 at St Mark’s with crèche for under 3’s 10 - 5.30pm Bedford Stamp Fayre at St. Mark’s. P Harris 01623 621143 1st week Dec/Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct.

Regular Weekly Activities - St Mark’s Church

Epiphany 3 Opening Sentence Psalm 36 You save humans and animals alike, O LORD. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Collect Prayer Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; 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. CW Old Testament Reading Isaiah Chapter 62 Verses 1-5 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Epistle Reading 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 Verses 1-11 Concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Gospel Reading John Chapter 2 Verses 1-11 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Post Communion Prayer Almighty Father, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world: may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. CW Hymns 1. Songs of thankfulness and praise (St George’s Windsor) AHB 131 (tune HP 781) 2. Spirit of holiness (Blow the Wind Southerly) MP 611 3. Jesus calls us here to meet him (Jesus calls us) SF 28 4. Lord of the church, we pray for our renewing (Londonderry Air) MP 442 Commentary Two of today’s readings, Isaiah 62: 1 – 5 and John 2: 1- 11, speak of how our relationship with God is changed using the analogy of relationships within a marriage ceremony. In Isaiah we read it as part of a poem where Zion will no longer be thought of as ‘Forsaken’ and ‘Desolate’, but be God’s ‘Delight’ as a bride is to her husband, and as the bridegroom rejoices over his bride God will rejoice over Jerusalem. The change of large quantities of water into wine in the familiar event of the ‘Wedding at Cana’ is equally dramatic. It not only changes the water into wine, so changing what could have been an embarrassing ending to a wedding celebration, but also dramatically changed the perception of who Jesus was and what he was capable of. These events also apply to how God wanted the people of Israel and wants us to change, not only from how we acted outwardly, but from how we are deep inside. In other words to change our very nature, our spiritual lives. Paul’s first letter to the Church in Corinth, which he founded in about 50AD, appears to be written in response to requests from the church members who were struggling with some aspects of their need to change. Paul was with them for about eighteen months, before he left, during which time it had been easier for him to influence the various factions who came together as the body of Christ in that city. His work was continued by Apollos (1Cor. 3:6). The city lies forty four miles west of Athens, and by the time Paul arrived there it had been a Roman colony for over a century. A colony where many wealthy people of Greece had settled in a desirable residential suburb. There is evidence that many were well born, wise and powerful. It was a city of rich culture where people worshipped many Gods. So Paul would have had quite a task to change their ways of thinking and being, which would have been much easier to influence while he was present not absent. From the earlier part of this letter (1Cor.1: 11-12) there seems to have probably been four groups, each spreading their own ideas and emphasis on the faith brought to them by Paul. These diverse interpretations of Paul’s teaching had spread into their church meetings, which were in disarray. The good thing is that they sought Paul’s help to resolve their differences. Such differences of emphasis still exist today, hence the many and varied Christian denominations, which during this week we are called to pray will be united. Paul must have been saddened that one of the largest churches he had founded was thrown into confusion by the differing directions they were being pulled towards. One of these directions was the belief that some ‘spiritual gifts’ were greater than others, possibly because they couldn’t detach themselves from the social hierarchy that existed in their society. The disagreements appear to relate primarily to priority over gifts of ‘prophecy’ and ‘tongues’. This danger can still exist in our churches today, so we need to be on our guard not to be drawn to this way of viewing spiritual ‘gifts’, which can also be translated as ‘spiritual things’. Paul stresses that each ‘gift’, although different, comes from the same source, the same Spirit, the same Lord and the same God. And each is to be used for the ‘common good’, not for self edification. In verses 12 and 13 Paul moves on to his analogy of the Church as one body with many parts all of equal merit. The distribution of these gifts is the decision of the Spirit, by the same Spirit all were baptized into one body, where racial origins and secular status make no difference. In verses 2 – 3, before addressing the concerns about ‘Spiritual Gifts’, Paul challenges those reading, or listening, to the letter being read that a certain pagan worship practise of cursing ones opponents, was just not acceptable in Christian worship and must stop. In addition, by pointing out that ‘no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit’, his unspoken word was that ‘Caesar isn’t Lord’. So as we begin this new year Paul’s teaching might be used to help us explore our own ‘spiritual things’, how we do or do not use our ‘spiritual gifts’, and what parts of our lives might not be in line with being a member of the body of Christ. Wendy Waters Meditation - The wedding at Cana Three days later there was a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and his disciples were guests also. Imagine yourself coming to the wedding – you might be guest,

perhaps one of the neighbours, or perhaps one of the servants. What does the home look like? Are you inside or outside? Who are the other guests? What kind of family is this? How are things laid out? Can you smell food – what is it? Are you eating or drinking? Does it taste good? Are you touching the table, the food? Can you see the couple? Can you see Jesus ….. Mary? When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.” Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.” Have you tasted the wine? What was it like? Can you hear Mary? How does she look, what is her tone of voice? Can you hear Jesus reply? How does he look? She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.” Can you see the servants? How do they look? How does Mary speak to them? What do you think about this? Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, “Fill the pots with water.” And they filled them to the brim. Where are the water pots? What shape are they? What colour? Do you touch them? Where is Jesus? Can I see what is going on? How do they fill up the jars? How long does it take? Can you hear the water going into the jars or is it too far away? “Now fill your pitchers from the water pots and take them to the host,” So they did. What is Jesus doing and saying – how do the servants respond? Can you see what is happening? When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!” Do you hear the host? Or does someone tell you the story later? Have you got some of the wine? Can you taste it? What does the comment make you think? How are the guests and servants responding? What is Jesus doing? Where is Mary? What is my response to this passage? Was there anything new you noticed in imagining the piece? How does it make you feel about Jesus? Is there anything you would want to say to Jesus? From on line material by ‘Grace’ an alternative worshipping community at St Mary’s Church Ealing. Prayers for Sunday and week ahead Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what thou dost love and do what thou wouldst do. Breathe on me Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until with thee I have one will to do and to endure. From hymn by Edwin Hatch Lord of the Church, you have given your servants differing gifts, that they may share them with others in the household of faith and use them responsibly in your service and in the service of the world; grant us to be generous in giving and humble in receiving, that we may grow into maturity of faith in you. God of all humanity your Son was born into a line of men and women, ordinary and extraordinary. Some of them were remembered for their great deeds, others more for their sins. Give us an open heart to share your unbounded love, and to embrace all who experience discrimination. Help us to grow in love beyond prejudice and injustice. Grant us the grace to respect the uniqueness of each person, so that in our diversity we may experience unity. This prayer we make in your holy name. Amen Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources “In this time of turmoil... We pray for the Prime Minister and Party Leaders as they negotiate the political future of our nation: Father, give them your wisdom and vision. We pray for all in Parliament as they represent their communities: Jesus, give them your humility and strength. We pray for the media as they interpret events for the nation: Holy Spirit, give them your truth and compassion. We pray for ourselves, your Church, as we show your love to our neighbours: Would we speak hope, embody courage and model unity in diversity. Almighty God, we place our trust in you: For yours is the kingdom the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen.” Premier Radio December 2018 Lord, your love knows no bounds, no limits, no distinctions. We pray for those from whom we differ in religion, in race, in politics. Help us to respect their point of view and to love them as they are loved by you, recognising that everywhere, every person is our neighbour. Amen

Over 6,500 people received help from Bedford Foodbank last year.

The Foodbank is currently experiencing the following shortages • UHT Fruit Juice • UHT Milk • Squash • Tinned Sponge Pudding • Tinned Meat (chicken) • Chocolate Selection Boxes • Deodorant • Shampoo • Washing Powder Tablets • Washing Up Liquid Items can be left in the box in the foyer at St Mark’s Thank you for your continued support. Mrs Chris Hubbard Admin Support Orange Recycling Bags - Stocks have been replenished and are available from the church office For Sale: An exclusive apartment offering independent living with care run by the Methodist Homes Association. One bedroom, shower wet room, with fats track waiting list to MHA Anjulita care home £215,000. Call 327455 GrazehIll Development. Plans for the development of 2oo homes on Grazehill with access from a roundabout at the top of Cleat Hill. Plans available in church for those who wish to know more. Next Footprints Walk. Sunday 3 February starting at 2.00 pm in Moggerhanger Park for a circular walk through the snowdrop woods. Details from Alan and Jo Wooding.

Lent 2019

Please put the following dates in your diary for our 2019 Lent Course. The evenings will be bible study based and each evening we will have coffee available from 7.30pm, study beginning at 8.00pm and we have wine, cheese and fellowship from 9.00pm. Ash Wednesday Service of Holy Communion 6 March in the Chapel at 7.30pm Lent Course 1 Thursday March 14 Lent Course 2 Thursday March 21 Lent Course 3 Thursday March 28 Lent Course 4 Thursday April 4 Maundy Thursday Service of Holy Communion 18 April at 7.30pm

Dates for your Diary St Mark’s Parochial Church Council - St Mark’s Leadership Team - February 12 St Mark’s Church AGM - 28 April 2019 Deanery meeting - Woodland Burial Trustees – 20 January St Mark’s Messy Church - 16 January 2019, 20 February, 20 March

THE Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called on churches to pray for politicians as they attempt to find a way ahead for Brexit. The prayer was published on Thursday, after the Prime Minister announced that a new plan on withdrawal from the European Union would be published on Monday. It is due to be voted on by MPs on 29 January. In a joint statement, the Archbishops said: “We echo the call of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to Christians and all those of faith and goodwill to give time for prayer beginning this Sunday in their local churches or as they choose: praying for wisdom, courage, integrity and compassion for our political leaders and all MPs; for reconciliation; and for fresh and uniting vision for all in our country.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr Sentamu, has written a special prayer which he is encouraging everyone to pray three times a day [at] 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm God of eternal love and power, save our Parliamentary Democracy; protect the High Court of Parliament and all its members from partiality and prejudice; that they may walk humbly the path of kindness, justice and mercy. Give them wisdom, insight and a concern for the common good. The weight of their calling is too much to bear in their own strength, therefore we pray earnestly, Father, send them help from your Holy Place, and be their tower of strength. Lord, graciously hear us. Amen.

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Jacopo Tintoretto: Marriage at Cana (1561) Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice This painting by the great Venetian master painter Tintoretto shows the wedding feast at Cana. This is a huge canvass oil painting 4.35m x 5.45 m which dominates a wall where it was commissioned and is still in situ in the Sacristy of the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice. The painting shows the first miracle at Cana at a wedding at the start of the ministry of Jesus. Tintoretto transposes the scene to 16th-century Venice and shows interesting details of everyday life, customs, and fashion. In his ministry Jesus will be seen at many parties eating and drinking wine, resulting in many calling him a ‘glutton and a drunkard’ (Matt 11:19). This prefigures the teachings of Jesus that beyond this earthly life his followers will enjoy a heavenly banquet and it is seen as a precursor of the Eucharist. On the table you can see empty glasses and decanters, the guests have clearly been enjoying themselves and there is more food needing to be washed down with wine. The perspective of the table draws the eye towards the end of the table where Jesus is seated and his head is surrounded by light. Next to Jesus there is a woman to his left, this is clearly Mary his mother who has encouraged Jesus to intercede and do something to help out and provide more wine for the guests enjoyment. The women on the right side of the picture are seen pouring water into the large jars. This moment is just before this first miracle in John’s Gospel takes place. The other guests are oblivious to what is going on as they wait for more wine to be brought. When the jars are subsequently poured they will still remain clueless about what has happened and simply remark that the host has reversed expectation serving the best wine second, instead of first. Usually the poorer quality wine was served when the guests had drunk too much to notice. Miracles can be like this, only seen by those with eyes of faith.

Over the next few weeks we will include a painting into

Parish News with a short commentary reflecting theologically on the thoughts of the painter.

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.

Supporting St Mark’s Church How can you show your support for the work and mission of St Mark’s Church 1. Set up a regular donation (with Gift Aid) 2. Make a one-off donation or gift of the church 3. Leave a gift in your will 4. Offer some time as a volunteer

Forthcoming Funerals

All funerals at Bedford Crematorium

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

Telecare

It is really important that we keep in touch with our church friends and one important way we do this is by Telecare. There are dozens of people on Telecare and we would especially like to keep in touch with the elderly and people who live alone. If you join Telecare we will give

you a phone call about once a fortnight just to make sure everything is alright. Nobody will call at your home but you may ask if you would like a minister to visit or anything else that we can help you with. Please call St Mark’s Church Office if you would like to join on 342613 or email office@stmarkschurch.com

Church Mission 14 & 15 September - Please get the date in your diary. Last year we all appreciated the mission with Adrian and Bridget Plass and for 2019 we are planning for an equally inspiring mission with our guest speakers Phil and Di Stone, who are the leaders of the Scargill Community. The weekend will follow the same successful format with a Saturday afternoon family barbeque followed by a talk then cheese and wine. On Sunday after church we will have another presentation and then a church family lunch. We are booking this up early to help make sure you can secure the dates in your diaries and free tickets will be available. Enable this church to do your will Make it vulnerable that it may speak with calm humility; Make it outward looking that it may care deeply Make it a community of peacemakers and bridge builders In the midst of turbulence let the church make space for the hearing of your still small voice.

Marriage

We publish the banns and pray for the marriage Morné Hoffman and Jane Elizabeth Barton of the parish of Holy Trinity Church, Bushey, with a qualifying connection to St Mark’s Church (2nd) Robert Elliott MacInnes and Julia Anne Hearl of the parish of St Mark, Bedford to be married at All Saints Church, Great Barford. (1st)

Please remember to pray for God’s blessing on our mission