A warm welcome to you on this Second 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’.

Thank you
A big thank you to everybody who contributed to the success of our
Christmas Fayre, whether it was by running a stall, providing goods or
by spending on the day. There is still some money coming in but the
provisional total raised is £1650 so you will see some more red
appearing on the barometer - thank you once again.

Children’s Society Boxes
Many thanks to all Children’s Society Box holders. Also many thanks to Anne and Barry Walker who helped to empty the boxes this year - I very much appreciated their help. Also a big thank you to Crawford who once again changed all the coppers for me; without him I would not know what to do with the small change as banks will not take £400 of coppers! The amount collected this year was £770.50, slightly down on last year. Audrey Curits

Hospital Drinks Rota
St. Mary’s covers two Wards at Walsgrave Hospital serving drinks on a Saturday evening. This usually takes about an hour. Unfortunately our numbers have depleted of late and the rota needs to be revised. If you would like to consider becoming a Volunteer would you please speak to Sheila Wick. This is a very worthwhile endeavour and is much appreciated by both patients and staff. Sheila Wick

November Tote
1st Prize No. 32 D. Smith £27.00
2nd Prize No. 43 A. Davoll £ 9.00
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 today (4th December) at 3pm. All are welcome to join them for this service and for drinks and birthday cake.

Coffee Club
The last Coffee Club date before Christmas is on December 14th 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.

A warm thank you and farewell
The Hauler-Davies family would like to let their family at St. Mary’s know that they will be relocating to Wales on the 7th December. Our last visit to St. Mary’s will be on Sunday 4th December and it is certain to be an emotional one. We would like to thank you all very much for taking us into your hearts and prayers. Your support, love and guidance have made us all feel very special, and your spiritual contribution to our Christian development has helped us all to know that the Holy Spirit is alive in us and has helped Paul in his decision to become confirmed. You will always hold a special part in our thoughts and prayers and we will miss you all tremendously. Thank you and good bye. Karen, Paul, Evie and Josephina

Second Sunday of Advent

Collect: Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God.

First Reading Isaiah 40. 1-11 [8am only]

Second Reading: 2 Peter 3. 8-15a [8am only]

Gospel Reading: Mark 1. 1-8 [8am only]

Post Communion Prayer: Father in heaven, who sent your Son to redeem the world and will send him again to be our judge: give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity of his first coming that, when he comes again,
we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week beginning 4th December 2005

Sunday 8 am Holy Communion
10 am Toy Service
11.45 am Baptism
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
2 pm Carol Singing at ASDA

Sunday 11th December

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church & Lazers
12 noon Baptisms
6.30 pm Evening Prayer