Thank you The flowers in Church this week have been given by Margaret and Elias Jaworsky to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary 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

Sunday Services

13 January - Baptism of Christ 8.30am Holy Communion in the Chapel 9.30am Morning Worship Preacher - Rev Canon Charles Royden Leadership - Mr Jim Williams Intercessions - Mrs Helen Wright Organist - Mr Clive Simmonds Lectionary Readings Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

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

Baptism of Jesus

Prayer for Today God of all grace, good beyond all that is good, fair beyond all that is fair and loving beyond all that is loving; grant us to be of one mind in our faith, of one hope in our calling, and of one heart in our loving; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Dionysius of Alexandria (c.200-c.265)

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. Meetings: 27/11,11/12. 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 16 January Lynne Wapples 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

Baptism of Jesus In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1 v 4 – 5 Old Testament Reading Isaiah Chapter 43:1-7 Thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’, and to the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’ (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Epistle Reading Acts 8:14-17 When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Gospel Reading Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Collect Heavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognize him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Common Worship

Post Communion Prayer Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Hymns 1. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Tune Spean 2. The wise may bring their learning, Tune Tyrolese 3. On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry Tune Winchester New 4. Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown, Tune Margaret 5. Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding; Tune Stuttgart Commentary The Sunday after Epiphany is always the occasion to look at the Baptism of Jesus and I suspect that we just take the story for granted because we have heard it so often. John the Baptist is the cousin of Mary who took to living a strange ascetic religious life of considerable hardship in the desert. He was a radical man, a prophetic figure. His father Zechariah had been a Temple priest in Jerusalem but John had left all of that behind and gone into the desert, rejecting the life of the city or any distinction and wearing animals skins and eating insects. People were angry with John some said that he had a demon (Luke7:33) but his message was a clear call for the people to turn to God, he called people to repent of their sins, start leading good lives. The basic message was easy folks should ‘care, share and be fair.’ The people went out to listen to him speak and he became famous and also an enemy of the most powerful people in the land. He condemned the fact that King Herod was living with his dead brother’s wife Herodias and so much angered them that eventually he was arrested and had his head chopped off. Herod and his wife were not the only ones he gave specific instructions to, for example he told soldiers to be content with their pay, tax collectors not to

cheat and people with an extra cloak should give one away. John also knew that some folks thought that they could live in a way which was ethically bad but still receive approval from God just because they were Jewish. John told them that they were delusional and God would in no way ignore their bad behaviour just because of their race. He was uncompromising and ordinary poor folks took the message to heart and went into the water a sign of their commitment to God and promised to live better lives. Jesus understood what John was doing and we know that he was moved. He understood that John was putting his life on the line. Jesus clearly aligns himself with the message of John that those who think they are better than everybody else just because they were born Jewish are wrong. Jesus liked what he heard his cousin John say about the need for repentance, turning away from bad things in our lives and listening to God’s call to live differently. That is the story which we are all so familiar with and what John says makes sense to us. However the baptism of Jesus was something entirely different. What did Jesus have to be sorry about, what crimes had he committed which merited his baptism at the hands of John. What was amazing was not that Jesus approved

of the message which he heard but rather that Jesus felt in 3rd C fresco from the catacombs of

Peter and Marcellinus, Rome

some way that he had to join the other folks in the river and allow himself to be baptised. It is something really shocking but in it Jesus makes a bold and clear statement about himself and what his ministry was going to be like. He too will reject the old religion which condemned and made people feel miserable and exploited them. Like John, Jesus too had left the pathway which his family had expected of him, we know that his mother and his brothers and sisters thought that he was a crackpot, 'gone out of his mind' and at one stage tried to have him put away. The good news is that when he did this, Jesus saw the heavens opened and it was like he heard the voice of God saying 'well done!.' Not only did the heavens open, but we read that in some amazing way Jesus felt that the Holy Spirit was given to him by God to help him follow this course which he had set out upon. God was pleased with the choice which Jesus had made and God was going to resource him so that he could accomplish all that was ahead of him. We know that early on in his ministry Jesus was on a collision course with the authorities which he understood would lead to death in Jerusalem. It must have seemed impossible to the poor carpenter from Nazareth, but Jesus trusted that God was going to give the resources which he needed. Charles Royden Meditation New Year Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Living together is never easy. Families have all sorts of arguments. At this time of year especially, we get together, enjoy company, but sometimes get on each other's nerves. Here at Lambeth Palace, where Archbishops have lived and worked for centuries, we’ve been trying an experiment. Since 2015 we’ve been bringing together young Christians from around the world to live as a community for ten months. They have an extraordinary range of backgrounds, cultures and opinions. They live together, cook together, volunteer with charities together, pray together, and – because they’re human– they clash together. That can be over something as small as the washing up, or as big as their politics. They are united by one thing: their faith in Jesus Christ. But their own faith is not what holds them together. In John’s Gospel, Jesus says to his disciples: “I have called you friends […] I chose you.” He didn’t always get on with them – in fact, sometimes they drove him up the wall. But they were united by something greater than their differences, his friendship. In this community, I find it so powerful that these remarkably different people decide to choose each other. There's a parallel with our country today. We’re wonderfully much more diverse than we used to be. Yet we disagree on many things. And we are struggling with how to disagree well. Turn on the television, read the news, and you see a lot that could tempt you to despair. Hope lies in our capacity to approach this new year in a spirit of openness towards each other. Committed to discovering more of what it means to be citizens together, even amid great challenges and changes. That will involve choosing to see ourselves as neighbours, as fellow citizens, as communities each with something to contribute. It will mean gathering around our common values, a common vision, and a commitment to one another. With the struggles and divisions of recent years, that will not be easy. But that difficult work is part of the joy and blessing of being a community. Whether it’s the twenty people here - or millions of us. So: will we choose each other again? Because in that choosing lies our hope. I wish all of us a happy and – more importantly – hope-filled New Year. Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead Sisters and brothers, our baptismal vows call us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world. God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice of flame to be your people, faithful and courageous. As your beloved Son embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the fire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work. We ask this in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. Lord God, you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to all people. Sanctify us by the same Spirit, that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel by acts of love in your name. 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 Starting Back at St Mark’s Junior Church at restarts on 13 January 2019 Orange Recycling Bags - Stocks should be replenished and available from the church office e from Monday. We can take reservations ! GrazehIll Development. Brickhill Parish Council this week received a presentation on the plans for the development of homes to be built on Grazehill. The Local Plan has the proposal for 100 homes however the developer advised is that they are requesting up to 200 homes. Access would be from a roundabout at the top of Cleat Hill. Freemans Common was not included in the Local Plan and remains as a green field. Plans will be made available in church for those who wish to know more.

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

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words The Baptism of Christ by Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci 1472-1475

The painting this week depicts St. John the Baptist during the baptism of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels of Luke, Mark and Matthew. Two angels on the left side of the painting complete the four figures in the artwork one of whom is holding Jesus’ clothes.. The scene illustrated by the painting includes God’s extended arms painted with golden rays and a dove with its wings widely spread, a halo with cruciform is painted on top of Jesus’ head and another halo on top of St. John the Baptist. The two angels are holding Jesus’ clothes. The angel on the left side is the part done by Leonardo da Vinci. He used oil, which was at that time a new medium in painting. The baptism shown is not immersion, rather John pours water over Jesus using what appears to be a shell As well as being useful utensils, since ancient times shells have been religious symbols. Scallop shells are famously placed to lead the pilgrims along safe routes toward Santiago de Compostela. The scallop shell was originally a symbol of Saint James who was a fisherman before he became one of the twelve apostles The shell has become a common symbol of baptism and today many old churches have fonts by their doors in the shape of shells to remind us of our baptism. St John the Baptist is holding a slender cross and a scroll inscribed with the announcement of the Saviour’s advent: ECCE AGNUS DEI [QUI TOLLIT PECCATA MUNDI] ("Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Gospel according to John 1, 29). Jesus is surrounded by the extended arms of God in the golden rays and the descending dove of the Holy Spirit, the picture is therefore a perfect illustration of the Trinity.

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

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

The Baptism of Christ by Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci 1472-1475

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 of Morné Hoffman and Jane Elizabeth Barton of the parish of Holy Trinity Church, Bushey, with a qualifying connection to St Mark’s Church

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