A warm welcome to you on this Sixth Sunday of Easter. 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’.

Coffee Club
The meetings of the coffee club for the next few months are as follows:- 11th and 25th May and 8th and 22nd June all at 10.45 am.
All are welcome. Edna and Alan Robinson

A Quiet Day on 14th May
Please see Sue Morton or Tony Thistlewood for booking forms. This event in and around St John’s Church, Wolvey, is intended as a day without work or study - retreat into peace.

Update from Global Care: Vio, The Home of Hope, Romania
Please see the Mission board for the latest letter and photo from Vio. How grown-up she looks! Vio will be 16 years of age in June - I’m looking for a nice birthday card to send her. We also send a small donation to Global Care to celebrate Vio’s birthday [also at Christmas] as presents are not encouraged and donations go towards helping all of the children and young people. Global Care welcomes any donation - small or large - it’s the thought that counts - do let me know if you want to help. Please also see the Mission Board for a News Brief from Global Care - a Tsunami Special. Sue Morton for St Mary’s Mission Group

New Collection Plates
Members of the congregation may have noticed that we have new collection plates. These plates arrived after Easter but were donated by Frances’ cousin to St Mary’s as she had conducted her uncle’s funeral last October. It has taken 5 months for the order to be completed but they are beautifully turned in oak. Our thanks go to Frances for taking the funeral and her cousin’s family for the donation.

Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week will be upon us very soon (15th-21st May). If you are able to help with Christian Aid collections please sign your name up on the list in the centre and collect the necessary bag.

Tickets for Kew Gardens
Jean Hudson has obtained 4 tickets for admission to Kew Gardens to be used by June 30th for which she would like to invite bids, with the money raised going to the church redecoration fund. Bids to Jean or Barbara Hancox for a pair of tickets or all 4, by the 12th April. Thank you.

Bible Reading Fellowship Books - May-August 2005
The pre ordered copies of BRF books are available to pick up at the letter rack. Copies have increased in cost to £3.25 each or £9.75 for the year. Karen Hauler-Davies will be available to collect monies after the 10am services or cheques may be paid to St Mary’s Church and left in the letter rack in an envelope marked Karen/BRF. Thank you for your continuing support.

Listen with Others - Bible Reading Group
Listen with others group begins again on Wednesday 18th May 7.30-9pm. Existing and new members will all be warmly welcomes to this lively and friendly group held at 17 Aldermans Green Road. Transport is available for those without cars. Please sign up at the nurture board if you would like a list of the topics and readings that we will cover this year. Feel free to pop into whichever discussions take your fancy. Buns, Bibles and Banter - A must to lift your spirits every week.

Want to learn more about the Bible Reading Fellowship - Browse and Subscription opportunities
BRF books are invaluable to helping new and experienced Christians get to grips with their bible. With a reading a day and added commentary they give a real boost to your knowledge of the bible and your own spiritual journey. Books cost £3.25 per 4 months or £9.75 a year. Come and browse through some samples, before you subscribe this Sunday 10 am service and Sunday 1st May 8 am and 10 am service.

Quiz Night
The Quiz Night last week raised £138.10. Thankyou to all those who supported this event and to Will and Hannah for organising it.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Collect: God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading Acts 17. 22-31 [8 am only]

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3. 13-22 [8 am only]

Gospel Reading: John 14. 15-21 [8 am only]

Post Communion Prayer: God our Father, whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life: may we thirst for you, the spring of life and source of goodness, through him who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

This week beginning 1st May 2005
Sunday 8 am Holy Communion
10 am Worship for All
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Monday 7 pm NO Parish Office (Bank Holiday)
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
7 pm Prayers for the sick
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
Ascension Day 9 am Morning Prayer
8 pm Parish Communion

Sunday 8th May
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church and Lazers
6.30 pm Evening Prayer