Sunday 18 January: EpiphanyOur service will be led by Revd Carol CooperThe week of prayer for Christian Unity falls appropriately in the Epiphany Season. We remember the importance of being part of a worldwide church and celebrate with others around the world, as together we follow Christ, the light to the nations.May we heed Christ's invitation to "come and see" and in so doing, deepen our unity as a diverse and vibrant community of believers.Reading and GospelOur first reading is from Ezekiel 37: 1-14. We hear how, in the valley of dry bones, the transformative power of God's spirit can breathe new life and hope into even the direst of situations.These verses can be followed on page 836 in the Old Testament of our pew bibles.This Sunday we continue our new sermon series called "Jesus changes everything".The Gospel reading is from John 3: 1-11 and starts on page 100 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus also illustrates the transformative nature of faith as Jesus explains that whoever believes in the Son of Man may have eternal life.NoticesSunday 18 January 9.30am. Morning Communion ServiceSunday 25 January 9.30am. Morning Communion Service followed by refreshmentsSunday 1 February 8.00am. Early Morning Communion – Book of Common PrayerSunday 1 February 9.30am. Morning Communion Service followed by refreshments. Service led by Revd Carol Cooper with our new Team Rector, the Revd Sam Follett preaching.Thursday 26 March 2026 – time tbc. BBO Big Band at Marlow Rugby ClubFinally …. a quick note on Churchyard maintenance. Please do not add green garden waste to our Blue Recycling Bin as there is a strong likelihood that our bin will not be emptied until any incorrect items are removed. Green Garden Waste can be added to the compost heap. Thank you for your help. 🙏And thank you for reading this week's Pew News.
None of this could have happened without all the contributions from everyone in the community. So a BIG THANK YOU to you all ... whether you were putting up Christmas decorations, serving mince pies, singing in a choir, cleaning and tidying the church ready for the next event, moving chairs around or risking life and limb marshalling cars in the car park!It was wonderful to see you all over the Christmas period and we hope to see you again very soon.
Sunday 11 January: Epiphany – the Baptism of Christ The service will be led by Revd Carol Cooper with Revd Sue Irwin preaching The Feast of the Epiphany is the season when we recognise Jesus as the son of God. Last week, we celebrated the visit of the magi to the new-born Christ. Now, we remember the Baptism of Christ by John, when a voice from heaven declares Jesus to be God’s beloved Son. “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” Matthew 3.16 If we want to know what God is like, we only need to look at Jesus. When we look at Him, we are confronted with the reality of his power, authority, compassion and love. Reading and Gospel This Sunday, we are launching a new sermon series called “Jesus changes everything”. We shall be exploring a number of encounters with Jesus from the Gospel of John – each showing us something about His character and how an encounter with Him changes everything. This week, both reading and Gospel highlight the need to be receptive to God’s call and open to divine guidance in our lives. Our reading this week is from 1 Samuel 3: 1-10. These verses start on page 264 in the Old Testament of our pew bibles. This is the start of Samuel’s calling and his first direct encounter with God. The Lord calls out to Samuel who is at first confused and does not realise who is calling him. It is Eli, the High Priest, who helps him to understand what is happening and advises him to say “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” The Gospel reading is from John 1: 35-51 and starts on page 99 of the New Testament in our pew bibles. Jesus walks close by John the Baptist and, realizing that he is now being followed himself, turns and calls the first disciples to “come and see”. They, in turn, invite their friends and family to “come and see” too. Notices Sunday 11 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 18 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 25 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 1 February 8.00am Early Morning Communion – Book of Common Prayer Sunday 1 February 9.30am Morning Communion Service Thursday 26 March 2026 – time tbc BBO Big Band at Marlow Rugby Club Thank you for reading this week’s Pew News. With love. Mark and Carol
Sunday 28 December: ChristmasFollowing Advent, the season of Christmas lasts for twelve days - culminating in the Feast of Epiphany on 6th January, when we recall how Jesus was first revealed to the wider world in the visit of the Magi (or Wise Men).We remind ourselves that celebrating the Christian season of Christmas extends beyond the start of the Boxing Day Sales.Keep the spirit of Christmas alive by reflecting upon the joy and generosity that Christmas brings and pray that we remain true to these values in our daily lives.Hear the words of the angel to Joseph:'You shall call his name Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins.'Therefore, let us seek the forgiveness of Godthrough Jesus the Saviour of the world.Reading and GospelOur reading this week is from Jeremiah 31:15-17. These verses are on page 762 in the Old Testament of our pew bibles.Ramah, a town located a few miles north of Jerusalem, was historically a staging area where captives were gathered before being deported and exiled. Rachel, one of the matriarchs of Israel, represents the mother of the nation. Her weeping symbolises the collective mourning of the nation, as they faced the loss of their land, their freedom, and even their identity as God's covenant people. Her refusal to be comforted shows the overwhelming nature of this grief. But, in the same verses, God also offers a promise of hope and renewal. The Gospel reading, from Matthew 2:13-18, is on page 2 of the New Testament in our pew bibles.Matthew draws a parallel between the sorrow of exile and the grief of Bethlehem's mothers. Just as Rachel mourned for the children of Israel during the exile, so too did the mothers in Bethlehem mourn for their children lost to Herod's cruelty.The ultimate fulfilment of Jeremiah's promise of restoration is found in Jesus Christ. While the exile and Herod's massacre brought sorrow, they also paved the way for the coming of the Saviour. In Christ, God brings ultimate restoration, turning mourning into joy. In both cases, the grief is profound, yet it is not the final word.NoticesSunday 28 December 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 4 January 8.00am Early Morning Communion – Book of Common Prayer Sunday 4 January 9.30am Morning Communion ServiceSunday 11 January 9.30am Morning Communion Service Sunday 18 January 9.30am Morning Communion ServiceThank you for reading this week's Pew News.
