In Matthew 4 1-4, we read how Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Although Jesus had fasted for forty days and nights and was famished, he did not follow the devil's temptation to turn stones into loaves of bread. He answered instead: "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"During Lent, exploring the Bible and reading the Scriptures more deeply can help us all to draw nearer to God and to nourish our souls. Reading and GospelOur Old Testament reading this week is taken from Exodus 16: 4-5 and 13-21 and starts on page 67 in our pew bibles. The Lord sustains the Israelites on their journey out of Egypt providing meat (quail) to eat in the evening and bread (manna) for the morning.The Gospel reading from John 6: 27-35 is on page 105 of the New Testament in our pew bibles.Jesus explains to the crowd that it is God who gives us the true bread from heaven and that they must all work for the food that endures for eternal life.Jesus said to them "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty" (verse 35)NoticesHelp please. The Church Cleaning Team does a fabulous job looking after our church. But we do urgently need at least two more people to join the team. If you think you can help, then please get in touch with Carol or Mark.Sunday 8 March 9.30amMorning Communion ServiceTuesday 10 March 10.00am – 12.00pmBisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Hoby family comes to BishamSaturday 14 March 7.00pm at All Saints' Church, MarlowTHE ST MATTHEW PASSION: The Chiltern Camerata and Consort are performing the St Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach. The musicians include Marlow residents Hugh Robson, Ruth Naylor, Carol Gibberd and Jeremy and Geraldine Rowe. Tickets £16 (£4 for Under 18s) from chiltern-camerata.org.uk or on the door. This is a wonderful opportunity to support local live music whilst experiencing the spirituality of the Lenten Gospel through Bach's exquisite music.Sunday 15 March 9.30amMorning Communion ServiceSunday 22 March 9.30amMorning Communion ServiceThursday 26 March 20.15pm at Marlow Rugby Club, SL7 1QUBBO Big Band: 17 piece swing and jazz band plus 2 all-star vocalists – fund raising concert for Bisham Church Friends. Tickets £10 - pay at the door. Free car park.Sunday 29 March 9.30amPalm Sunday - Morning Communion ServiceSunday 5 April 6.00am at All Saints' Bisham (not 6.30am as shown in Bisham Together)Sunrise Service in the ChurchyardJoin us for our traditional Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, held at dawn to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and to begin Easter Day with reflection, worship, and gratitude. We will gather outdoors at 6am as the day begins to break, sharing Bible readings that recall Mary's visit to the empty tomb and the hope brought by the risen Christ. As we watch the sun rise, we are reminded of new life and the triumph of light over darkness. After this time together outside, we will move into the church to continue the service and share in Holy Communion.Sunday 5 April 9.30am at All Saints' BishamAll Age Easter Communion ServiceThis Easter Communion service is for the whole church family — people of every age, gathering to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The service is designed to be accessible and engaging for everyone, with a shorter, interactive talk and opportunities for children and adults alike to take part. At the same time, we will keep the familiar shape of our worship, with prayers, readings, hymns, and the sharing of Holy Communion as we celebrate the good news of Easter together.Thursday 30 April 10.00am – 12.00pmBisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Vansittarts buy the Bisham EstateThank you for reading this week's, Pew News.With love.Mark and Carol
No sooner have we finished our first Coffee Morning of the year ... and the next one is just around the corner. Do come along on March 10th and find out what happens in the latest chapter of the story of Bisham village.Our Bible Study Group is meeting every Wednesday in March at Cliveden Manor Care Home. Please give it a try - you do not need to come to every session.
Lent is an opportunity for us all. Jesus invites us to follow his lead and to clear away what we don’t need so we can affirm our trust in God - the only one who can give us everything we do need. This year, our Lent challenge is to discover new, life-giving habits which will sustain us not just in Lent but in all seasons. Exploring the Bible will help us grow in our relationship with God. The Scriptures are more than words to know. They are an invitation into a story to live in, a guide to live life by and a treasure to rejoice in. Reading and Gospel Our Old Testament reading this week is taken from Exodus 14: 10-22 and starts on page 64 in our pew bibles. Pursued by Pharaoh and the Egyptians to the edge of the Red Sea, the Israelites are overcome by fear and believe that the Lord has simply led them into the wilderness to die. Moses reassures them not to be afraid and to stand firm. Faith in God is rewarded when the Red Sea parts and the Israelites’ trust in Him enables them to cross the sea on dry ground, with the water forming a wall to their left and right. The Gospel reading from Matthew 14 22-33 is on page 17 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. The disciples are terrified when they see a ghostly figure walking on the lake towards their boat. Peter, looking for confirmation that it is really their Lord, asks to be commanded by Jesus to come to him on the water. At first, he too can walk on water but then becomes frightened and starts to sink. Peter is overcome by doubt and lack of faith. Nonetheless, Jesus still reaches out for his hand and catches him. Obedience, faith and trust in God. What will our response be when God calls us to follow his lead? Notices Sunday 1 March 8.00am ... Early Morning Communion (Book of Common Prayer) Sunday 1 March 9.30am ... Morning Communion Service Sunday 8 March 9.30am ... Morning Communion Service Tuesday 10 March 10.00am – 12.00pm ... Bisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Hoby family comes to Bisham Sunday 15 March 9.30am ... Morning Communion Service Sunday 22 March 9.30am ... Morning Communion Service Thursday 26 March 2026 7.30pm at Marlow Rugby Club ... BBO Big Band– fund raising concert for All Saints’ Bisham. Tickets on the door are £10 each. Thursday 30 April 10.00am – 12.00pm ... Bisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Vansittarts buy the Bisham Estate Thank you for reading this week’s, Pew News. With love. Mark and Carol
Ash Wednesday on 18 February marked the start of Lent. On this day, we recognise our own failures and shortcomings in loving God and our neighbour. Ash Wednesday reminds us that true worship begins with humility which leads to God’s mercy As we follow the Way of Christ, God calls us to share in worship. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus said “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Worship is at the very heart of Christian life. It is the rhythm – not just exercised once a week, but always – in which we learn again who God is, and where we find ourselves renewed in hope. Reading and Gospel Our Old Testament reading this week is taken from Exodus 3: 1-12 and can be followed on page 53 in our pew bibles. Moses, whilst tending his father-in-law’s flock of sheep, sees that a bush is ablaze and responds by turning aside to look more closely at why the bush has not been totally consumed. When the Lord sees that Moses has responded, he calls to Moses by name out of the bush. He then asks Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. In the Gospel reading from John 10: 1-10, Jesus uses a figure of speech to describe himself as the gate to the sheepfold. He too calls out to his sheep by name and “the sheep will follow him because they know his voice”. Each of his followers is known individually by Christ and whoever follows Jesus will have abundant life. The reading from John starts on page 110 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. This Lent, our sermon series will be called 'Following His Lead', based on the book of Exodus.As we seek to follow Jesus in every part of our lives, we can do so because we trust Him. God is entirely trustworthy – He knows what is best for us and He is only ever working for our good.Notices Sunday 22 February 9.30amMorning Communion and show of appreciation for Sean Wheeler’s work in BishamWednesday 25 February 3.30pm – 5.00pm at Cliveden Manor Care Home, Little Marlow Rd, Marlow. Every Wednesday from 25 Feb – 1 AprilDraw Near: Life-Giving Habits for Lent – Bible Readings, Discussion, Prayer and MusicSaturday 28 February 10.00am till 4.30pm at Bourne End Community Centre“A walk through the Old Testament”. For tickets and more info: https://marlowanglican.churchsuite.com/events/pk19sahuSunday 1 March 8.00amEarly Morning Communion (Book of Common Prayer)Sunday 1 March 9.30amMorning Communion ServiceSunday 8 March 9.30amMorning Communion ServiceTuesday 10 March 10.00amBisham Church Friends Coffee Morning and History Talk – The Hoby family comes to BishamSunday 15 March 9.30amMorning Communion ServiceThursday 26 March 2026 7.30pm at Marlow Rugby ClubBBO Big Band– fund raising concert for All Saints’ BishamThank you for reading this week’s, Pew News.With love. Mark and Carol
