A warm welcome to you on this Palm Sunday. Please do join us after the service to share in a cup of tea or coffee. All ages are welcome at St. Mary’s, children included. There is also a crèche in the office for the very young if you need it. If this is your first time with us, please do fill in the slip at the end of the newsletter, so that we can keep in touch with you. St Mary’s is fitted with a hearing loop system. Members of the congregation who have a hearing aid with a ‘T’ switch will find that they can hear better when it is switched to ‘T’.

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The Light of Christ in the world - news from Stephen Taylor [USPG in South America] and Nobby Clarke [Luweero Medical Centre, Uganda]
The Mission noticeboard has the latest news from Stephen and Nobby. The USPG “Window” newsletter describes how Stephen continues his missionary work in Rio de Janeiro, despite many problems - please pray for him, for Nilton [the parish worker] and for the Franciscan brothers. Nobby has written to thank St Mary’s for our continued support to the Luweero clinic and he asks us to pray for the project, particularly for Gladys ‘the clinic’s nurse] and for the children and teachers at the school. Nobby and some of his firefighter colleagues are going to Uganda from 3-16 March 2005, to train the fire service there - please hold them in your prayers, that they may do their best and return home safely.
Sue Morton for St Mary’s Mission Group

Stainer’s Crucifixion tonight
Bedworth Choral Society presents Stainer’s Crucifixion tonight at 6.30 pm at St. Philips, Potters Green. Admission is free. All are welcome. Refreshments available. Retiring Collection in aid of Church and Choir funds. See poster for more details. Consequently there will be no service of Evening Prayer here tonight.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting
PCC have decided that as Easter is early this year it will not be possible to hold our Annual Church Meetings towards the end of March as usual. We shall therefore be holding the meeting on Sunday 17th April.
As well as electing Churchwardens, the meeting will elect 3 members to Deanery Synod (for 3 years) and eight members to PCC (a year term).
We shall also present the annual report.
Our electoral roll will need to be revised and this will be done between 20th February and 20th March. Please see Sheila Wick if you would like to join the electoral roll. Today is the last day to join , so please make sure you see Sheila.

A Quiet Day in May
Please make a note in your diaries that there will be a Parish Quiet Day on Saturday May 14th at St John’s Wolvey. St. John’s offers a lovely Parish Centre and rural surroundings. This year it will be led by Sue Morton and Tony Thistlewood. There is no need to make a definite booking yet. More information will be given out in March, but it won’t be costly and transport can be provided for anyone who needs it.

Holy Week and Easter
All our services for Holy Week and Easter are detailed on the enclosed sheet. Please do make an extra effort to attend at least some of the services. On Maundy Thursday we celebrate the Last Supper and the new commandment (in Latin Mandatum Novum - hence Maundy) to love one another. Traditionally the priest washes the feet of various parishioners as a reminder of Christ washing the feet of his disciples. There will be a vigil after the service and you are encouraged to take part in that if you are able. A list is posted on the door for you to sign up.

On Good Friday there are two events, the first a walk of witness starting at 10 am at St Philip’s moving to ASDA, the second our service at 2 pm. The service is traditionally very stark and reminds us of the death of Jesus and the pain he endured.

On Easter Day there are a variety of services beginning at 5.45 am with a short vigil and dawn service. We light the Easter fire and renew our baptismal vows. If you have never been to this service it is well worth the effort of getting up for. Please though remember that the clocks go forward an hour at 1 am so 5.45 am is a bit like 4.45 am(!) Afterwards there will be a wonderful breakfast cooked by David Osselton which is a real treat!

Alternatively there are the usual 8 am and 10 am services.

Whatever you decide, please do make an effort to be in Church over the Holy Week and Easter period. It may be hard work to come but it is worth it.

Fifth Sunday of Lent
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Reading

Second Reading:

Gospel Reading:

Intercessor:

Hymns: 11 435 346 72 32 237

Post Communion Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father.

This week beginning 20th March 2005
Sunday 8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church and Lazers
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Monday 9 am Morning Prayer
7 pm Holy Communion
7.30 pm PCC
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
7 pm Holy Communion
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
7 pm Servers rehearsal
Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer
8 pm Parish Communion with Foot washing and Vigil
Good Friday 10 am Walk of witness from St Philip’s to ASDA
2 pm Solemn Liturgy
Saturday 9.30 am Morning Prayer
Sunday 27th March Easter Day
5.45 am Vigil and Dawn Eucharist
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion
6.30 pm Evening Prayer