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Thursday 30 July 2015

Pew Sheet - 2nd August 2015

Prayer
     Gracious Father, revive your Church in our day, and make her holy, strong and faithful, for your glory's sake, in Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Amen

A letter of thanks from John, who has asked that it be included in the Pew Sheet for several weeks to ensure that as many people as possible receive his message:
“For Anna and me, Sunday 19th July was the perfect finale.   The sun shone, the church was full, the flowers looked lovely, the choir sang magnificently, Chris played the organ gloriously, the worship was lively and enthusiastic, the service went at a seamless pace, the congregation sang with great spirit, the drink was bubbling and bountiful, the food was delicious, the service outside excellent, the whole ambience was one of warmth and kindliness.   What a day for us to remember!   Thanks to everyone who contributed to make it happen.
However, my other purpose in writing is to express our heartfelt thanks for the cheque which was unbelievably generous.   Anna and I were overwhelmed by the kindness of your gift.   I also love the cartoon picture which Alicia painted together with the book of messages.   There really are times when words seem quite inadequate to express our appreciation and gratitude but be assured, we are profoundly grateful for your generosity.
John and Anna”
For the full pew sheet please follow this link

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Saturday 25 July 2015

Farewell John & Anna


Goodbye John…

Sunday 19th July was The Reverend Canon John Wynburne’s last service in the United Benfeice of Long Crendon Chearsley and Nether Winchendon before his retirement and move to Brill at the end of August. 

It was a beautiful and at times, very emotional Holy Communion Service, held at St Mary’s in Long Crendon, with members of the congregation from all three parishes in attendance. John’s farewell sermon was typically charged with touching anecdotes, quotations from the Bible, classical literature and pop culture, plus a smattering of his popular witty repartee! He included a warm tribute to his family, in particular to Anna, his lovely wife who has supported him throughout many years of his lifelong ministry in The Church of England.

Chearsley will miss him, though he will be found on occasion enjoying a sneaky pint in The Bell.  We wish him some wonderful times ahead, enjoying his new career as a grandfather, with two grandsons already and another well on the way. 


“Goodbye", which John reminded us on Sunday, originally meant, “ God be with you”.

Monday 20 July 2015

Pew Sheet - 19th July 2015

Prayer

Generous God, you give us gifts and make them grow: though our faith is small as mustard seed, make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen 


Services next week - 26th July
8.00am   Holy Communion (BCP) LC (Andy Bell)
10.00am Family Service CH (John Scholefield)
10.30am Holy Communion LC (Andy Bell)
6.00pm   Evensong NW (Robert Hutton)

Collect for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; 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.  Amen


Sunday was the last service to be taken in our Benefice by our Vicar, John Wynburne.   We have been so lucky to have known him these last six years, and we wish John and Anna a very happy retirement in their new home.   They will not be moving house until around the end of August so you may see them in Long Crendon in the meantime.

Many people from the three villages have expressed their thanks for what John has done.   Here is a selection:

In Long Crendon we give thanks for John's experienced leadership, guidance, wisdom, literary knowledge and most of all, his ability to relate to, and deal kindly with all people.   We would like to thank John for having the vision of bringing St. Mary's architecturally into the 21st century in such a beautifully tasteful way!   Also for supporting the Friends and PCC to carry out that vision.

From Chearsley – enjoy a well-earned retirement with your family.   Thank you for making a real connection with our village community.   You have touched the lives of so many people with your love and care, your tireless energy, and your great sense of fun!

John’s contribution to the small community of Nether Winchendon has been significant.   He will be remembered, not only for his wisdom, intellect and knowledge, but particularly for his humanity, tolerance and approachability and his ability to relate to and engage with villagers of all ages.   John and Anna have been friends to so many of us and whilst we are sad to be saying goodbye they are not going far so we look forward to keeping in touch.

The last word is from the Vicar:
‘In the end is my beginning’.   TS Eliot always touches the spot for me. Endings are also new beginnings.   Even when we throw off our mortal coil, the Christian heart boldly and confidently proclaims that death itself is the gateway to new life with God in that mystery of what lies beyond our sight.   ‘I go there’, said Jesus,’ to prepare a place for you’.
Both myself and the Benefice stand at the threshold of a new beginning.   I wonder what the next stage of life will be like.   You wonder what a new Vicar will bring.   Uncertainty brings challenge and opportunity.   Look forward with joy.
At such times, it is difficult to put into words the mixed emotions that are in my heart and mind.   TS Eliot again spoke of a ‘raid on the articulate’ and of ‘wrestling with words’.   The word ‘gratitude’ comes from the depths repeatedly.   I am deeply grateful for all the blessings that God has given me in abundance over the years here and elsewhere.   I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve these churches and for the amazing help and support that I have been given.   Will you now please give your full support to the Churchwardens in their task of maintaining the worship and the activities of the Benefice churches?   A burden shared is a burden halved and there are a great many jobs to do!
‘Are you looking forward to your retirement?’ people ask.   Well yes and no.   There is a huge sense of loss but also the excitement of a new beginning.   Perhaps TS Eliot should have the last word.

‘Old men ought to be explorers

Here or there does not matter
We must be still and still moving
Into another intensity
For a further union, a deeper communion
Through the dark cold and the empty desolation,
The wave cry, the wind cry, the vast waters
Of the petrel and the porpoise.   
In my end is my beginning.’


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.         John 

For the full pew sheet please follow this link

Sunday 12 July 2015

Pew Sheet - 12th July 2015

Prayer
Creator God, you made us all in your image:  may we discern you in all that we see, and serve you in all that we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Amen  


There will be only one service in the Benefice next week, on 19th July, a United Benefice Service, at 10:00 am (note time) in St. Mary’s, Long Crendon.   This will be the last service to be taken by our Vicar, John Wynburne, before his retirement.   All are welcome

Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; 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.   Amen

For the full pew sheet, please follow this link

Friday 3 July 2015

Pew Sheet - 5th July 2015

So our eyes wait upon the Lord our God,
until he have mercy upon us.
Psalm 123

Pray

Remember, Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve, and as you have called us to your service make us worthy of our calling through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen


Mike Hill, the Chairman of Lighthouse, Thame, has appealed to all the local Vicars to see if there would be any volunteers to help with this year’s Lighthouse, Monday 27th to Friday 31st July at Thame Showground.   Volunteers must be aged 17 or over, must be part of their church
congregation and recommended by their Vicar.

910 children have registered this year, which is wonderful, but without more volunteers, either for the full week, or even for a couple of days, a significant number of children will have to be disappointed.

Please look at the website at http://www.lighthousethame.org.uk/ to see if you could help, and if so, contact Linda Newton who is in charge of helpers on 01844 260065 or helpers@lighthousethame.org.uk

           Services 5th July 2015
           8.00   Holy Communion      Long Crendon  JW
           9.00   Holy Communion      Nether Winch.  JW
          10.00  Cafe Sunday             Long Crendon  RC
          10.00  Family Communion   Chearsley        JW
          12.00  Baptism                     Long Crendon JW

The funeral for Fred Andrews will be held on 
Wednesday 8th July at 11.15 am at St Mary’s Long Crendon.

           For the full pew sheet please follow this link