Sunday 11 January: Epiphany – the Baptism of Christ The service will be led by Revd Carol Cooper with Revd Sue Irwin preaching The Feast of the Epiphany is the season when we recognise Jesus as the son of God. Last week, we celebrated the visit of the magi to the new-born Christ. Now, we remember the Baptism of Christ by John, when a voice from heaven declares Jesus to be God’s beloved Son. “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him” Matthew 3.16 If we want to know what God is like, we only need to look at Jesus. When we look at Him, we are confronted with the reality of his power, authority, compassion and love. Reading and Gospel This Sunday, we are launching a new sermon series called “Jesus changes everything”. We shall be exploring a number of encounters with Jesus from the Gospel of John – each showing us something about His character and how an encounter with Him changes everything. This week, both reading and Gospel highlight the need to be receptive to God’s call and open to divine guidance in our lives. Our reading this week is from 1 Samuel 3: 1-10. These verses start on page 264 in the Old Testament of our pew bibles. This is the start of Samuel’s calling and his first direct encounter with God. The Lord calls out to Samuel who is at first confused and does not realise who is calling him. It is Eli, the High Priest, who helps him to understand what is happening and advises him to say “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” The Gospel reading is from John 1: 35-51 and starts on page 99 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. Jesus walks close by John the Baptist and, realizing that he is now being followed himself, turns and calls the first disciples to “come and see”. They, in turn, invite their friends and family to “come and see” too. Notices Sunday 11 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 18 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 25 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 1 February 8.00am Early Morning Communion – Book of Common Prayer Sunday 1 February 9.30am Morning Communion Service Thursday 26 March 2026 – time tbc BBO Big Band at Marlow Rugby Club Thank you for reading this week’s Pew News. With love. Mark and Carol
Sunday 28 December: ChristmasFollowing Advent, the season of Christmas lasts for twelve days - culminating in the Feast of Epiphany on 6th January, when we recall how Jesus was first revealed to the wider world in the visit of the Magi (or Wise Men).We remind ourselves that celebrating the Christian season of Christmas extends beyond the start of the Boxing Day Sales.Keep the spirit of Christmas alive by reflecting upon the joy and generosity that Christmas brings and pray that we remain true to these values in our daily lives.Hear the words of the angel to Joseph:'You shall call his name Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins.'Therefore, let us seek the forgiveness of Godthrough Jesus the Saviour of the world.Reading and GospelOur reading this week is from Jeremiah 31:15-17. These verses are on page 762 in the Old Testament of our pew bibles.Ramah, a town located a few miles north of Jerusalem, was historically a staging area where captives were gathered before being deported and exiled. Rachel, one of the matriarchs of Israel, represents the mother of the nation. Her weeping symbolises the collective mourning of the nation, as they faced the loss of their land, their freedom, and even their identity as God's covenant people. Her refusal to be comforted shows the overwhelming nature of this grief. But, in the same verses, God also offers a promise of hope and renewal. The Gospel reading, from Matthew 2:13-18, is on page 2 of the New Testament in our pew bibles.Matthew draws a parallel between the sorrow of exile and the grief of Bethlehem's mothers. Just as Rachel mourned for the children of Israel during the exile, so too did the mothers in Bethlehem mourn for their children lost to Herod's cruelty.The ultimate fulfilment of Jeremiah's promise of restoration is found in Jesus Christ. While the exile and Herod's massacre brought sorrow, they also paved the way for the coming of the Saviour. In Christ, God brings ultimate restoration, turning mourning into joy. In both cases, the grief is profound, yet it is not the final word.NoticesSunday 28 December 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 4 January 8.00am Early Morning Communion – Book of Common Prayer Sunday 4 January 9.30am Morning Communion ServiceSunday 11 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 18 January 9.30am Morning Communion ServiceThank you for reading this week's Pew News.
Sunday 21 December – 4th Sunday of AdventAs we prepare for the coming of Christ, the fourth Sunday of Advent focuses upon The Virgin Mary who bears Jesus in her womb. We read at the start of Matthew’s Gospel how the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream to offer comfort and support:“ …. do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”These words serve as a reminder to us how God works in mysterious ways beyond our understanding. Like Joseph and Mary, at times of uncertainty, we need to have faith and trust in God’s judgement and redemptive plans.God our Father, though Mary was afraid, she responded to your call with joy. Help us, whom you call to serve you, to share like her in your great work of bringing to our world your love and healing. Amen.Reading and GospelOur reading this week is from Isaiah 7: verses 10-16. The full verses can be found in the Old Testament on page 663 of our pew bibles.The Gospel reading, from Matthew 1: verses 18-25, begins on page 1 of the New Testament in our pew bibles.In Isaiah, we hear the original prophecy about the birth of Jesus, the fulfilment of which is then described in Matthew’s gospel:“Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel.”The name Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us”, suggests that God’s presence will always be with us, even at times of trouble. Isaiah’s words are a sign of both hope and immediate reassurance, at a time when the kingdom of Judah was threatened by enemies. But, for Christians, the words are also seen as a foundational prophecy – a cornerstone of Christian belief - through the promise of a future messiah and confirmation of the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth.NoticesSunday 21 December 9.30am: Sunday Morning Communion ServiceSunday 21 December 4.00pm: Community Carol Service with the JAM Choir at All Saints' Bisham ChurchWednesday 24 December 3.00pm: Crib Service at All Saints' Bisham ChurchThursday 25 December 9.30am: Christmas Day Service at All Saints' Bisham ChurchSunday 28 December 9.30am: Communion Service at All Saints' Bisham ChurchSunday 4 January 8.00am: Early Morning Communion – Book of Common Prayer Sunday 4 January 9.30am: Sunday Morning Communion ServiceSunday 11 January 9.30am: Sunday Morning Communion ServiceThank you for reading this week’s, Pew News.
Each of the four Advent Sundays reminds us of those who prepared for the coming of Christ. Advent 3 focuses upon John the Baptist.We read in Luke’s Gospel how the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and tells him his wife Elizabeth will bear them a son and they will name him John.“With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17Our Advent theme, preparing for the coming of the Lord, appears again in this week’s Gospel reading (Matthew 11:10) where Jesus speaks about John:This is the one about whom it is written.“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”The Third Sunday of Advent is also a call to find joy in the midst of darkness, reminding us that Jesus’ arrival brings hope and light. The rose-pink candle symbolises this glad anticipation for the Lord’s coming.Lord Jesus, you were proclaimed by John the Baptist: help us also to prepare your way.Christ, have mercy.Reading and GospelOur reading this week, from Isiah 35: verses 1 – 10, is a passage of hope and restoration. Isiah urges us to be strong and do not fear for your God will come.The coming of the Lord will be a time when those redeemed by God:“… shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”.The full verses can be found in the Old Testament on page 689 of our pew bibles.Our Gospel reading, from Matthew 11: verses 2-11, begins on page 11 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. Jesus reminds us that even when times are difficult, we can hear and see the signs of God’s kingdom that are all around us.Jesus praises John the Baptist as more than a prophet. At the same time, he challenges our perceptions of greatness and our understanding of what we need to do to enter the kingdom of heaven.NoticesSunday 14 December 9.30am Sunday Morning Communion ServiceSunday 14 December 4.00pm Traditional Christmas Service – nine lessons and carols at All Saints Bisham ChurchFriday 19 December 8.30am – 9.30am End of Term – school drop off and coffee at All Saints Bisham ChurchSunday 21 December 9.30am Sunday Morning Communion ServiceSunday 21 December 4.00pm Community Carol Service with the JAM Choir at All Saints Bisham ChurchWednesday 24 December 3.00pm Crib Service at All Saints Bisham ChurchThursday 25 December 9.30am Christmas Day Service at All Saints Bisham ChurchSunday 28 December 9.30am Communion Service at All Saints Bisham ChurchSunday 4 January 8.00am Early Morning Communion – Book of Common Prayer Sunday 4 January 9.30am Sunday Morning Communion ServiceThank you for reading this week’s Pew News.
