Pew Sheet, Sunday 16th November 2025. 3rd Sunday of Kingdom Season. The 2nd Sunday before Advent

We are delighted that you have been able to join us today as we observe ‘Safeguarding Sunday’ to remember our shared responsibility to watch over and care for one another, and ensure that each of us, especially those who are most vulnerable, can enjoy the fullness of life that Jesus promised to give us.

We safeguard one another as a response to, and in imitation of God, who watches over us without ceasing, and has a special care and concern for ‘the widow, the orphan, and the stranger’ – which is God’s way of saying anyone who is vulnerable or in need of support, lonely, or alone, either because of their direct circumstances, or because they feel unable to share their concerns, hurts, or past experiences with others.

We know that thinking about safeguarding during our service might cause

difficult memories or feelings for some. If you experience anything of this nature this morning, or if anything which is said brings something to mind which you feel needs sharing, please do speak to one of the ministers at the end of the service, and we will gladly listen to you. The first part of our service today is led by our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Frances Gabriel, who can be contacted at any time about safeguarding concerns directly by email on: [email protected]

The diocesan safeguarding advisor for Buckinghamshire archdeaconry is Tsungai Muchegwa, who can be contacted via the safeguarding office on 01865 208220 or by email on: [email protected]

As preparation for our service, you may like to pray the following prayer quietly, or in a quiet moment after we have shared communion together. Called ‘The Survivor’s Prayer’ it is written by Cerys Morgan, a survivor of abuse within the Church, and provides a helpful reflection as to why safeguarding is so important to each of us.

Dear God,
Thank you that as your Church, you entrust to us your work here on earth.
We pray that through your Spirit, you will always empower us to do the right thing for the benefit of those suffering abuse and injustice.
That we will not fear to be bringers of your justice.
That we will be your voice for those whose voices are silenced.
That when your light shines into dark areas of abuse, we will have courage as your representatives, to face our fears, and to show forth your heart of
compassion and justice, speaking your words of life and freedom into
broken hearts.
Teach us as a Church to be your body, fully knitted together and working in
unity so that we can care for one another with care and dignity.
Enable us to be instruments of your love, that chains will be broken and broken hearts restored.
That we will teach everyone how precious they are to you.
That they will know you are the God who sees and feels their pain.
We pray that through your Spirit, and through your Church trusting fully in your Word, victims will become victors, and their mess become a precious message of your love and restoration in their lives. We ask this in your name and for your glory. Amen

Collect

Loving God,
you keep us as the apple of your eye and hide us under the shadow of
your wings: keep us watchful, yet caring, trusting, yet ready to question,
that all who worship here may do so in safety and in the knowledge of
your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.

James 2:14:26

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe, and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works.

Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

Luke 1:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you. He will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

Post Communion Prayer

Loving God, help us to be a church that loves, welcomes, protects,
listens, learns, serves, repents, restores, transforms, values, cares, and believes in the transformational power of your risen life to bring justice for all. Help us, heal us, guide us, we pray. In Jesus name, Amen.

This week’s events

Monday (Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200)

Bell ringing at 7.30pm in St Laurence. Contact Jan on 07835 461361.

Zoom Julian Group at 8pm, Group ID: 996 4332 0665 password: Julian

Tuesday (Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, 1231)

Zoom Morning Prayer at 9am. Meeting ID: 539 3978774 Password: TuaR0T (The 0 in R0T is a zero not an ‘O’) or email: [email protected]

Evening Home Groups, contact Jo on 07803 942 687.

Wednesday (Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680)

Morning Coffee from 10.00 am in the St Laurence Rooms/Great Horwood Village Hall followed by Midweek Holy Communion at 12.00 noon in St Laurence’s.

Thursday (Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870)

Daytime Home Group, contact Jo on 07803 942 687.

Friday

Junior Choir, 6.30pm in St Laurence, followed by full Choir Practice at 7.30pm.