A warm welcome to you on this First Sunday of Advent. 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 Octagon 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’.

Coventry Deaf Church
The Coventry Deaf Church are celebrating their First Anniversary with a service of Thanksgiving with Bishop Colin. This is being held at Christ Church, Frankpledge Road, Cheylesmore on Sunday 4th December at 3pm. All are welcome to join them for this service and for drinks and birthday cake.

Coffee Club
Coffee Club dates up to Christmas are as follows:- November 30th and December 14th. Both on Wednesday mornings at 10.45 am. All are welcome. Edna and Alan Robinson

Coffee Morning & Christmas Bazaar in aid of Coventry Myton Hospice
On the 14th December at the usual Coffee Club there will also be a Christmas Bazaar with stalls (Cakes, Books, Bric a Brac, Raffle etc) plus Hot Soup available. All proceeds raised will go to Coventry Myton Hospice. 11 am onwards. All welcome. Audrey Curtis

Carol Singing at ASDA
We have been asked to sing Carols at ASDA on Saturday 10th December between 2 pm - 3 pm. We are able to collect money during this time and I hope it may be possible to bag pack for shoppers (a very good source of donations). Please see if you can come and sing with us and put your name on the list in the foyer so we have some idea of numbers.

The Talisman Traditional Family Pantomime
The Talisman Theatre in Kenilworth are putting on a pantomime performance of Goldilocks and the Three Bears from December 21st through to 7th January. Please see poster for more details.

Toy Service
Next week we shall be holding our Annual Toy Service. Please bring new or almost new toys for distribution to the Children at Dudley Lodge.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope.

Leader The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of Christ, of how
a saviour would be born, a king in the line of David.
They spoke of how he would rule the world wisely and
bless all nations.
On Christmas day the Christ of our hope was born. On
Good Friday the Christ of our hope died. On Easter Day the
Christ of our hope rose from the dead. He then ascended
into heaven. On the last day, the Christ of our hope will come
again to establish his kingdom over all things on earth.

As followers of Christ, we await his return. We light this
candle to remember that as he came to us in the manger at
Bethlehem and gave light to the world, so he is coming again
to deliver his people. We light this candle to remind us to be
alert and to watch for his return.

The First Candle is lit.

We pray. Loving God, we thank you for the hope you give us. Help us prepare
our hearts for the Lord’s coming. Bless our worship. Help us live
holy and righteous lives. We ask it in the name of the one born
in Bethlehem. Amen.

We all sing:
Let there be hope shared among us,
let there be hope in our eyes.
May now your hope sweep this nation;
cause us, O Lord, to arise.
Give us a fresh understanding,
brotherly love that is real.
Let there be hope shared among us,
Let there be hope.

Advent Sunday

Collect: Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

First Reading Isaiah 64. 1-9 Sally Vigeon

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1. 3-9 Toby Hanna

Gospel Reading: Mark 13. 24-37 Freda Richards

Intercessor: Margaret Davoll

Hymns: 49 98 489 196 470 10

Post Communion Prayer: O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week beginning 27th November 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 Parish Office
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer
Saturday 9 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 4th November

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Toy Service
6.30 pm Evening Prayer