Thank you This week's flowers have been given by Geoff and Margaret Appleton in loving memory of their granddaughter Alice Margaret Woolley 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

17 February - Third before Lent 8.30am Holy Communion in the Chapel 9.30am Holy Communion Preacher - Mr Richard Ledger Leadership - Mr Mike Cooper Intercessions - Mrs Morag Stewart Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Cor 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26

24 February - Second before Lent

8.30am Holy Communion in the Chapel 9.30am Morning Worship Preacher - Reverend Canon Charles Royden Leadership - Mr Jim Williams Intercessions - Mrs Margaret Appleton Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-25 Revelation 4, Luke 8:22-25 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

Third Sunday before Lent

A Prayer for Sunday

Lord Jesus Christ, make us people of your Beatitudes. Teach us the truth and beauty of the vision that you proclaimed. May the light of your wisdom shine upon us, so that in word and deed, we may spread in the world the light and salt of the Gospel.

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) 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

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 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 Wednesday 20 February 8.00 pm 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 2.30pm - 4.30pm Putnoe Art Group (PHG) Contact Bob Wardale 406094 Mob:07914451198 5.15-6.45pm Weightwatchers Clare Church 07768481499 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 Thursday 28 February 'Downs Syndrome Support ' A talk by Helen Long 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/

Regular Weekly Activities - St Mark’s Church

Third Sunday before Lent Opening Sentence Psalm 1 Blessed are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the assembly of the scornful. Their delight is in the law of the Lord and they meditate on his law day and night. Like a tree planted by streams of water bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither, whatever they do, it shall prosper. Collect Prayer Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of his world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; 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 Jeremiah 17:5-10 Thus says the LORD: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse – who can understand it? I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Epistle Reading 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 Verses 12-20 If Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ – whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Gospel Reading Luke Chapter 6:17-26 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Post Communion Prayer Merciful Father, who gave Jesus Christ to be for us the bread of life, that those who come to him should never hunger: draw us to the Lord in faith and love, that we may eat and drink with him at his table in the kingdom, where he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Hymns 1. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Was lebet) HP 505 2. Give thanks with a grateful heart (as) MP 170 (with instruments) 3. We are called to be God's people (Festival) (Baptist Hymn Book?) 4. Lord, for the years (Lord of the years) MP 428 Commentary Paul is very clear in our reading from 1 Corinthians 15. He says “If Christ has not been raised then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (Verse 14) The Good News Bible puts it like this:- “If Christ has not been raised from death then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to believe.” In verse 17 we read “if Christ has not been raised your faith is futile.” These are decisive words as Paul attacks the central position of his opponents at Corinth. They said flatly “Dead men do not rise again.” Paul’s clear answer is “if you take that position it means that Jesus Christ has not risen again and if that is so the whole Christian faith is wrecked.” Paul regarded a belief in the resurrection of Jesus as absolutely essential and William Barclay says that Jesus’s resurrection proves four great facts that can make all the difference to how we view life. He says The resurrection proves that truth is stronger than falsehood. The resurrection proves that good is stronger than evil. The forces of darkness that seemed to win on Good Friday are defeated as Jesus is raised to life on Easter Day. The resurrection proves that love is stronger than hatred. We sing “Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine.” The resurrection is the triumph of love over all that hatred could do. God’s love is the strongest power in all creation. The resurrection, says William Barclay, proves that life is stronger than death. If Jesus had died, never to rise again, it would have proved the ultimate power of death, making it a dark full stop rather than the gateway to new life. Just imagine a world where the reverse of these four points was true – where falsehood, evil, hatred and death rule. It would be a truly dystopian prospect – ugly and utterly bleak. Paul insists that if the resurrection of Jesus was not a fact then the whole Christian message was built on a lie. Without the resurrection the foundation and fabric of the Christian faith will be destroyed. Indeed, if when the women had gone to the, tomb Jesus’s body had still been in it, we wouldn’t have 1 Corinthians 15 to read – or probably any of the New Testament. They would have anointed the body and gone back to the disciples who wouldn’t have been remotely surprised: they weren’t expecting Jesus to rise. The two friends might still have set out for Emmaus saying to each other “We had hoped He would be the One to set Israel free.” However, they and the other disciples would all have concluded that He wasn’t, and gone back to fishing or whatever, saying perhaps “It was good while it lasted.” Jesus would have been shown to be just another teacher. He’d have been talked about for a while for He had made a

big impact locally. His sayings might have been written down – perhaps even incorporated into some Jewish scriptures – but probably not a lot would survive today. There would be a few scrolls or fragments rather than four full Gospels up to the end of Good Friday. Certainly BC would not have become AD. Jesus would have been in the same league as Theudas or Judas from Galilee – other would be messiahs who met similar fates (Acts 5 vv36 – 37). These are hardly names that come readily to mind today! However, the present reality is two billion Christians all over the world. Are they all deluded with faith based on a lie? No! Paul says in verse 20 “the truth is that Christ has been raised from death,” All the authorities had to do in response to what the disciples were saying was produce the body. They didn’t. They couldn’t – because they didn’t have it. It was no longer in the tomb. Why? It has been suggested that Jesus was not quite dead when he was put in the tomb. He revived in the cold tomb, pushed the large stone away and emerged as a revived corpse to convince his friends that he was alive. That seems incredible. The Romans were good at making sure people on crosses really were dead. Had the disciples stolen the body – with the tomb guarded by Roman soldiers? This is most unlikely – after all, why would they? Would they then have been willing to die for proclaiming that Jesus was risen even though they knew that to be a lie? That makes no sense at all. The most likely explanation has to be that the tomb was empty because Christ had risen. He was alive and the result was an amazing change in the disciples as God’s love was released into their lives. The power that raised Jesus from the dead still does that today so we can experience the reality and power of the resurrection. The resurrection declares that Jesus is right. The kingdom of God is truly for the poor, the hungry, those who weep and those who are excluded. They are truly blessed and should rejoice. Our Gospel reading then makes sense for it is vindicated by the resurrection. Everything is turned upside down – or perhaps, as Tom Wright suggests, God’s kingdom turns the world the right way up. Now there’s a thought! Richard Ledger. Meditation and Prayers We pray for the breaking in of God’s kingdom in our world today. Lord God, because Jesus has taught us to trust you in all things, we hold to his word and share his plea, • Where nations budget for war; Christ says “Put up your sword”, • Where nations waste food and covet fashion; Christ says “I was hungry . . .I was thirsty . . .” • Where powerful governments claim their policies are heaven blessed; Scripture proclaims that

God has no favourites. • Where Christians seek the kingdom in the shape of their own church; Christ has come to break

barriers not build them. • Where women who speak up for

their dignity; Are treated with scorn or contempt.

• Where men try hard to be tough; Because they are afraid to be tender.

• Where we, obsessed with being adult; Forget to become like children.

Your kingdom come, your will be done. Lord God, you have declared that Your kingdom is among us Open our eyes to see it, our ears to hear it, our hearts to hold it, our hands to serve it. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen From A Wee Worship Book

St Mark’s Church Council. Please note the date set for our next Church Council Monday 5 March Woodland Burial Trust Open Day 8 June 2019 Messy Church Next Messy Church 20 February. Volunteer required for Open House. Wednesdays 9.45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fun & games supporting people with learning difficulties. Free DBS for applicant. Please contact Narinda on 07515859087 Ravensden Parish Church is desperately seeking someone who would be willing to act as the Independent Examiner of the Annual Accounts as is required by the Charity Commission and the Diocese of St. Albans. The accounts would be presented in completed form for examination, inspection and signing off prior to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting each year. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who could help, Contact Alison Baggott Churchwarden for further information.alisonbaggott@btinternet.com St Mark’s Church Membership Forms Blank membership forms for St Mark’s Church are available after the service this morning, from the Church Office and also downloadable from our church website www.stmarkschurch.com If you haven't already done so, could you please complete a Church Membership form as soon as possible in order that we have up to date membership details available in time for the Annual Congregational Meeting. Please note the form does not ask and we do not want to know any denominational background information, all are welcome ! Please speak to Avril Williams or one of the Ministers if you require any further information. Thank You Singer Electric Sewing Machine available for a donation to Church Funds. Call Rosemary McNeilage on 405594.

Sam appointed Chaplain It was announced this week that Sam has been appointed Chaplain to the Bishop of Bedford. This is good news for the wider church as we know Sam has many gifts which are already used to contribute to the Diocese. This role will recognise his unique contribution and I am delighted that he will be able to continue with his ministry here at St Mark's. Sam will be licensed at our Ash Wednesday Service at 7.30pm on March 6. Please do make a note of the date in your diary and come and join in the special Ash Wednesday Service at which we are delighted that Bishop Richard will preach for us. The service will be followed by Cheese and Wine refreshments. In the meantime we give thanks to God for Sam and hold him in our prayers for this new stage of his ministry.

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

St Marks Church Garden of Remembrance Following the initial ground work, path laying and installation of new columbaria, we are now moving forward to complete the new Garden development in time for Spring - but we will need your support. We will fitting new pergolas, planting and installing the new water feature as shown below. If you would like to contribute please speak to Jim Williams or Ian Farthing and we will have more news next week.

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words Jan Brueghel the Elder - The Sermon on the Mount, (Flemish, 1568 - 1625)

The Dutch artist Jan Brueghel painted this picture on a thin sheet of copper at the time of the Reformation. A friend of Rubens these were the leading Flemish painters in the first three decades of the 17th century. This is a small painting (26.7 × 36.8 cm for such a big scene, the Sermon on the Mount, which Luke records in the reading this morning as the Sermon on the Plain. The setting is a glade in the wood on a mountain, in the distance you can see the city and the sea. This was a time when scripture was significant and sermons, like this one delivered by Jesus were important. So of course was the reaction to what was preached and Brueghel is inviting us to think about the different responses to the Word of God which like in the parable of the Sower can fall on good soil of end up on rocky ground. Look at the different people in the story who have been gathered together. The whole of society is represented, soldiers with swords, a man on a horse, young and old, rich and poor, the educated and the jester. Jesus is in the middle of the picture, identified with a halo on a makeshift stage with branches. If you look behind Jesus you will see only eleven disciples, perhaps to indicate the absence of Judas, the disciples hang on the words of their teacher. Those closer to Jesus are in stronger light and generally seem to be more interested and listening to what he says. However in the darker areas of the picture many folks do other things. Some are talking among themselves, one man sells pretzels from a basket to the woman in the yellow dress. She is patting her dog and attracting her own attention, no doubt partly due to her ample bosom a worldly distraction from the teaching of Jesus! The words of wisdom from Jesus are also falling on the deaf ears of one gentleman who has his palm read by an old gypsy just to the right of the two dogs. Are you listening to Jesus, is your attention elsewhere or are you seeking guidance in darker places?

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.

Alice Margaret Woolley Owen Parker

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

and rise in glory . Amen.

Forthcoming Funerals

Many of our congregation will remember fondly Mrs Joan Hughes who once attended regularly at St Mark’s. This week we received the sad news of her death. We will give thanks for her life and commend her to God at the funeral service which will be held at Bedford Crematorium. The funeral of Joan Hughes will take place at Bedford Crematorium on Friday 22 February at 3.15pm

The funeral of Olive Weeden will take place at Bedford Crematorium on Thursday 21 February at 12.15pm The funeral of John Harvey McCreath will take place at Bedford Crematorium on Friday 1 March at 11.30am The funeral of Peter John Bull will take place at Bedford Crematorium at 1.45 on Thursday 28 February The funeral of Dorothy Eileen Young will take place at Bedford Crematorium at 1.45pm on Wednesday 27 February

Raise funds for St Mark’s while you shop Please visit our church website www.stmarkschurch.com where you will see these two banners. When you want to buy something online please click on the links and the retailers will make a small donation to St Mark’s. It won’t cost you a penny but all those pennies can add up and help us! Amazon please always make a point of going to Amazon through the link on www.stmarkschurch.com and we get a small commission. If you look at an item through Amazon direct they put a cookie on your machine and we don’t get any commission if you later go on and buy it! So please make it a habit to always go through the church website.

www.easyfundraising.com. This works exactly the same when you shop with over 2,500 shops including John Lewis, M&S and a whole host of other main shops. This has an added benefit that you will also get some special offers - you can’t lose ! Please click the link on the church website go online and sign up now. Remember both of these cost you nothing and we can receive commission so please sign up.

Please always go shopping online via stmarkschurch.com

Marriage We publish the banns and pray for the marriage of

Aaron Lee Salisbury and Bonnie Marie Armstrong-Jones of the Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Goldington to be married at St Mark’s Church (3rd)