Thank you This weeks flower notice is:- The flowers in church this week have been given by Margaret & Elias Jaworsky to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.

The Reverend Dr. Sam Cappleman Assistant Rural Dean of Bedford

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

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

309175 Mobile 07973 113861 vicar@stmarkschurch.com

Reader: Mrs Wendy Waters Pastoral Support Team Co-Ordinator 342613 reader@stmarkschurch.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 Church Wardens Mr Mike Cooper & Mr Jim Williams Treasurer: Mr Ian Farthing 210892 treasurer@stmarkschurch.com Gift Aid Administrator: Mr Jim Williams 360605 Churchyard Administrator: Mrs Avril Williams 342613 garden@stmarkschurch.com Music Copyright CCL1501 Charity No 1164416

St Mark’s Contact Information

Church Services

12 January 2020 - Baptism of Christ 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Worship Preacher - The Reverend Canon Charles Royden Leadership - Mr Jim Williams Intercessions - Mr Warwick Holden Organist - Mr Paul Edwards Lectionary Readings Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17

19 January 2020 8.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion Preacher - The Reverend Canon Charles Royden Leadership - Mr Mike Cooper Intercessions - Mrs Morag Stewart Organist - Mr John Mower Lectionary Readings Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 Midweek Services Wednesday Communion 10.00am in the Chapel Please join us for a service followed by coffee First Monday of every month. Holy Communion at 10.00am at Sir William Harpur House

St Mark’s Parish News Baptism of Christ 12 January 2020

Church Leadership Team Mr Mike Cooper, Mr Jim Williams, Mrs Laura Farthing,

Mrs Liz Jackson, Mrs Janet Warren, The Reverend Alan Kirk

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 online to receive each edition by email

Prayer for Sunday and the Week Ahead Lord, you know all that lies before us, both of duty and temptation. Keep us, we pray, from all things hurtful to the body and the soul. Strengthen within us all that is praiseworthy and true, and grant that nothing may come between us and your holy presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen John Hunter, 1849-1917

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 2-3.15pm U3A Recorder Group Rod Fewings 07718390188 6.00pm Brownies Mrs C Mathew 826190 7.00 to 10.00 p.m. Whist Drive third Monday each month or fifth if there are five. Judith Stanton 01234 823313. 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 7-8.5pm Happy Body Project Julie Holl 0780873965 7.30pm Whist Drive Third Monday in the month and fifth if there are five Contact Judith Stanton 823313

Tuesday 9.30am-11.15. Chat & Make A term time group for Parents, Carers 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 (Fortnightly) Wool and knitting needles provided. Mrs Maureen Watling 262225 2.00-3.30pm Tuesday Afternoon Housegroup. Fortnightly Social and Bible Study 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 Bible stories, crafts, singing and a meal. For children primary school age and their carers. Meeting dates 20 Nov, 11 Dec, 15 Jan, 19 Feb, 18 March 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. £2 including refreshments. Next meeting 15 January - Kevin Prigmore 8.00pm Bedford Wine and Social Club (1st week in the month) Jill Cooper 357960

Thursday

9.30-11.25am Chat & Play. A term time group for Parents, Carers & toddlers 0-5. Church office or Janine 297481 12pm Storybox. For the under 5’s and their carers between 12 noon and 1pm. Sandwich lunch and 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 (PAG) Contact Bob Wardale 406094 Mob:07914451198 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 details. Next meeting of the year is on Thursday 23 January - Medical Detection Dogs with Tom Borland 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 –7.30pm 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 with crèche for under 3’s 10 - 11am Hatha Yoga Contact Tracy Langford 07473033750 10 - 5.30pm Bedford Stamp Fayre at St. Mark’s. P Harris 01623 621143 1st wk Dec/Feb/Apr/Jun/Aug/Oct.

Regular Weekly Activities - St Mark’s Church

Baptism of Jesus Opening Sentence Psalm 29 The LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Collect Prayer for the Day Before we read we pray 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. First Reading Isaiah Chapter 42:1-9 Thus says the Lord: Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them. (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) Second Reading Acts 10:34 - 43 Peter began to speak to those assembled in the house of Cornelius. ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ – he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ (This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God)

Baptism Veurne Cathedral Belgium

Gospel Reading Matthew Chapter 3:13-17 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. 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. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’(This is the word of the Lord -- Thanks be to God) 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. When Jesus came to Jordan (Cruger) HP 132 2. The wise may bring their learning (Tyrolese) with instruments 3. Lord of our life and God of our salvation (Cloisters) MP 441 4. O let the son of God enfold you MP 502 5. Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour (Fragrance) MP 700 Commentary The background. John the Baptist is hugely important, he is the forerunner who announced Jesus, but he is also born out of the tradition of the Old Testament prophets. The Bible we have is split into two parts, the Old and the New Testaments. In so many ways John represents the traditions and ways of the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible of the Jews. In this way John represents both continuity and change and this is seen most vividly in the episode which we have today of the Baptism of Jesus. In John Chapter 3 we read that Jesus and his disciples were in the countryside of Judea and there was a baptism ministry going on associated with Jesus. John was also continuing to baptise at the Jordan before he was arrested and put into prison by Herod. Understandably people were confused and we are told in John Chapter 1:26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” This puts into sharp focus the confusion that there would have been between the different ministries of John and Jesus and why the Gospel writers were eager to clarify the situation and tell clearly what the different roles of Jesus and John were. A few verses on in John it records that Jesus had his disciples do the baptisms and he wasn’t doing them himself ! The most important purpose of the reading from Matthew today is to make perfectly clear who Jesus was and what his ministry was about. Jesus is seen at this time publicly demonstrating the type of ministry which he has chosen and moreover God is shown to clearly approve of what Jesus has decided. Jesus tells us that his baptism was to ‘fulfil all righteousness.’ A clue to understanding this is the fact that in the Gospel of Matthew we read 16 times that something took place to ‘fulfil.’ What Matthew means us to understand is that Jesus was the one who would fulfil what was promised through the Jewish scriptures, what we now read as the Old Testament. The key to unlocking what this baptism of Jesus was all about therefore lies in the Old Testament. Let’s take a look at those places in the Old Testament which give meaning to the baptism. We read that at the baptism of Jesus the heavens opened and Jesus heard a voice in a manner which would have reminded folks at the time of the riverside experience of the prophet Ezekiel 1:1 Jesus now also has a voice from heaven. Already in Matthew’s Gospel an angel, the Magi and John the Baptist have all confirmed the identity of Jesus, but now the heavens themselves are open and God speaks. The point being made is that what Jesus is doing affects the whole cosmos so that the heavens themselves are torn asunder. The barrier which separates the holy God from the sin of the people is parted because Jesus takes upon himself that sin and shows the forgiveness of God. This was an answer to the prayers of the people for God to be with them Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!

Catacomb of Peter and Marcellinus Rome early 2nd century

We are told that the Spirit comes upon Jesus to represent his anointing as Israel’s Messiah. This would also have been familiar from the Old Testament. The Spirit was seen to have come upon the kings of Israel at the time of their anointing and so in Acts 10:38 Peter describes Jesus baptism as an anointing with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit coming upon Jesus is therefore a part of the messianic mission of Jesus. 1. Samuel told Saul a sign of his anointing as King of Israel would be the Spirit coming upon him (1 Sam10:6) 1. When David was anointed king ‘the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day’ 1Sam

16:13 2. It was expected of the future royal son of David that the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him Is

11:2, 61:1 The Spirit being described as descending like a dove is also significant. This recalls Noah’s dove which signalled the end of the flood and the beginning of the new world order. Also in Genesis 8:8-12. it speaks of the Spirit of God over the waters at creation Genesis 1:2. The Spirit hovers or flutters over the waters like a bird. The rabbis taught that the Spirit brooding over the waters in Genesis 1:2 was like a bird nestling her young and in one instance specifically like a dove (b. Hag 15a). So by referring to a dove a new creation is signified. This was a time for the end of judgement and a time of new blessing. The Gospel writer Matthew wants to tell us that when Jesus was baptised a new creation was taking place, nothing less than a new world order. The voice which Jesus hears from heaven is God’s voice to reveals the sonship of Jesus. The voice echoes Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope. Isaiah is looking forward to a time when God’s servant will bring justice and restore salvation to the ends of the earth. Look at Isaiah 49:5-6 And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength— he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” This is what the Lord says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” Matthew is showing that Jesus is the servant foretold by Isaiah. Note how Jesus is also referred to as the ‘beloved Son.’ The significance of this is that the only individual described as ‘beloved son’ in the Old Testament was Isaac in Genesis 22:2. Isaac was to be offered as a sacrifice and like Isaac Jesus life will be sacrificed for the sins of others. As God’s beloved Son, Jesus also embodies Israel, who was called God’s son (Exod 4:22; Hosea 11:1) but who could never live up to that calling and status. Another important allusion may be found to Psalm 2:7 the Royal Psalm where God addressed the newly enthroned king and said ‘You are my son; this day I have begotten you. In the same way God proclaims Jesus as ‘my son’ at the beginning of his ministry. And now the Lord says - he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength - he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” This is what the Lord says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” We can see that what Jesus does is firmly rooted in the Old Testament and Jews at the time would have found so much symbolism and fulfilment. But note how this kingship of Jesus is no longer just for Israel it is for all nations, it will reach to ends of the earth. Charles Royden

Ravenna Baptistry Italy 5th c

Prayers for Sunday and The Week Ahead Lord we thank you for our church and for your people who we stand alongside and worship you. The place where we come for cleansing, the place where we gather round your table and where we sing your praise. In this place may we proclaim all that you have done for us and praise your name. We thank you Lord God most high, for your constant and steadfast love which is new every morning. We thank you for your faithfulness which endures with each passing night. We praise you for all that you have done that rejoices our hearts. You have taught us with your wisdom, you have blessed us in our worship and you have given us happiness. You have kept us safe and you have strengthened us through the passing years. Lord we entrust ourselves to your mercy and protection. We pray for peace in our world especially at this time when there is a heightened risk of war. Bring that time when the nations will learn to live in friendship with each other and as members of your family of which your are Father to all people. Give us grace and strength, faith and courage to build a world in which the divisions of race, politics and all that divides us are broken down.

We pray for all of those in need, those who are ill or in pain, those who are nervous and worried and finding it hard to cope with life and those who are hungry and cold with no place to call their home. Give us compassion that the needs of others would be of more concern to us than pursuing our own interests. Give us strength lightly to bear our joys and sorrows. Give us strength to make our love fruitful in service. Give us strength never to disown the poor or bend our knees before insolent might. Give us strength to raise our minds above daily trifles and give us the strength to surrender our strength to thy will with love.

A Picture Paints a Thousand Words The Baptism of Christ - Pierro della Francesca c1438 National Gallery

The Baptism of Christ is a painting by the Italian Renaissance master, Piero della Francesca when he was in his 20’s. It is interesting this one because if you look carefully beneath the robes of the angel on the right you can see how Piero has painted over the scenery as he changed his mind in the painting process. Like eggs thrown as windows egg tempera dried hard and quick so changes were not easy. It was commissioned for a small church in Sansepolcro in Tuscany. The painting was an altar piece and so it was intended to convey its meaning to people who would have been a distance away from it. There is a calm meditative quality about the stillness of the scene. The central figure of Jesus is of a size and proportion to make an impact and he stands out, whilst John the Baptist is shown as the one who draws attention to Jesus. Jesus is having water from the Jordan poured over his head by his cousin John, albeit the scenery would have been reminiscent of Sansepolcro! This marks the time when Jesus chooses to take up a particular and unexpected type of ministry which receives God’s blessing as shown by the presence of the dove. There are other things going on. In the background, there is a man in his underpants trying to get out of his shirt. Removal of clothing was once a significant feature of baptism indeed there is evidence that early baptisms were done in the nude. One put off one’s old garments before going into the water and receiving new ones. This led in the age of asceticism in the second century to the separating of the baptizing of women and men, with women officiating at women’s baptisms. By the Middle Ages disrobing had been much abandoned so much had ascetism taken hold of the church. The fact that the man is struggling is perhaps indicative of the difficulty in leaving his old self behind Behind John individuals wear hats which show them as Greeks. In the 1430’s there was a desire to see the Byzantine and Western churches brought together. Byzantine ecumenical councils brought visitors from the east to Italy in this region in the 1930’s and influenced artists at the time. Or was he thinking of the Magi? On the left of the painting is a Walnut tree, a scared tree was important to Sansepolcro and there are also varieties of indigenous plants. Three angelic beings, who are all dressed differently, hold each other’s hands. The angel in the middle with a garland of flowers looks concerned, this is a remarkable event. Pierro also wrote Mathematics books, if you look at John's arm and leg, they form two angles of the same size.

Lent Course This year we will have four evenings in Lent. They will start at 7.00pm for coffee, an hour of study from 7.30pm until 8.30pm and then cheese and wine until 9.00pm We hope that you will be able to join us. Please tell a member of the Leadership Team if you would like assistance with transport.

19 March, 26 March, 2 April, 9 April

Messy Church Future dates:3.45 to 5.30pm Wednesday 15 January Wednesday 19 February

Bedford Asylum St Peter's Church are holding an illustrated talk on Bedford Asylum, its location, history and links to St Peter's on Monday 13 January 2020 at 2.15 pm in St Peter's Chapter House. £2 for admission and refreshments. All welcome.

75 Memorial Flames Tuesday 21st - 31st January, Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day to remember those killed under Nazi persecution and in genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 marks 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 25th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

Working in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Memorial Flames made by Bedford’s local community will be on display to commemorate this landmark anniversary. If you would like to contribute to the art display, please email Lydia.Saul@bedford.gov.uk for more information. Civic Holocaust Memorial Commemoration Sunday 26 January 4pm – 5pm, Free Entry A commemoration organised by Bedford Council of Faiths and featuring Music4Memory (local dementia group) and members of local schools and community groups. Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 25th Anniversary of the Bosnian genocide. HMD Commemoration at Anne Frank Tree Monday 27 January, 12:30, Free

A short commemoration on National Holocaust Memorial Day at the Anne Frank Tree in Russell Park Bedford (near Bower Street) organised by Bedford Council of Faiths with participation from local schools Bereavement Support Group

This is an opportunity for anybody who has been bereaved to gather together for tea, coffee and a chat. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month in the Chapel and the next meeting will be

5 February Margaret Standley There is a letter available this morning from the family concerning arrangements for the funeral service for Margaret.

Forthcoming Funerals

The funeral of Gillian Rose Harrington will take place at Bedford Crematorium on Monday 13 January at 4.00pm The funeral of Milly Rollinson will take place at Bedford Crematorium on Friday 24 January at 12.15pm followed by a service of celebration for her life at St Mark’s Church at 1.00pm. Family Flowers Only Please The funeral of Margaret Standley will take place at St Mark’s Church at 2.30pm on Friday 31 January Family Flowers Only Please. Donations in lieu of flowers for Saint Marks Church & Action for Children. The funeral of Patricia Haynes will take place at Bedford Crematorium on Thursday 6 February at 12.15pm

May the souls of the faithful departed

through the mercy of God rest in peace and rise in glory.

All funerals at Bedford Crematorium

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

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.

Please support St Mark’s Church by using www.easyfundraising every time you shop online. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk and in the middle where it says ‘Search for a Cause’ type St Marks Church, Bedford. Enter your details and register. The best way is to download the app and it will re-mind you to donate. Always go to Easyfundraising before you go to Amazon or John Lewis etc, that way we can receive a donation of up to 5% and it costs you nothing !