A warm welcome to you on this Third 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 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’.
A very warm welcome to the family and friends of Ben Baker who is to be baptised at 10am today; we have come to know him over the months since his birth and we look forward to seeing him as he grows up. Please do take a moment to read the Pastoral Introduction in the service sheet today which says a great deal about the rite of Baptism.
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who helped with work in whatever way over the Easter
period. Not only did the church look wonderful, the services seemed to
go well too. So much work goes on behind the scenes at major festivals
and it is right to acknowledge it from time to time.
Owen Vigeon and Mike Wakeman
Many of you will be pleased to hear that Owen Vigeon is progressing well
following his emergency dash to hospital a couple of weeks ago. He is
still far from his normal self and may well be on the sick list for some
time; please hold him and Sally in your prayers.
Mike Wakeman is looking much better and hopes his operation will be fairly
soon now following his recent visit to the consultant.
Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meetings for the rest of April are 16th and 30th at 10.45
am.
A big thank you to the Coffee Club who have just donated £100 to
the Church Refurbishment Fund. All welcome.
Quiz Night
Advance notice that there will be a Quiz Night here on Friday 25th April.
at 7 pm. Tickets are available on the door at £1.50 per person or
£6 per team of 4. Nibbles will be provided but please bring your
own drinks (tea and coffee will be available.) Proceeds will go to the
Refurbishment Fund.
The last quiz night was not well attended but was great fun nonetheless. Please do try to make an effort to come and bring some friends. You do not have to be brilliantly clever; the evening is more about getting to know one another and having fun.
Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting is on 20th April this year. Please remember to take
your copy of the papers for the meeting. Nomination forms are also available
to propose names for Churchwardens, Deanery Synod and PCC members. After
some lengthy discussion PCC have decided not to hold a shared lunch after
the Annual Meeting. Although we value the friendship of a shared lunch,
we noted the dwindling numbers attending and the reduction in quality
of the food contributed. We hope to be able to organise something later
in the year possibly around Harvest time but would like to take in other
suggestions from people and gauge the level of support for different options.
Third Sunday of Easter
Collect: Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father.
First Reading: Acts 2. 14a, 35-41 [8am only]
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1. 17-23 [8am only]
Gospel Reading : Luke 24. 13-35 [8am only]
Post Communion Prayer: Living God, your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in all his redeeming work; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
This week beginning 6th April 2008
This Sunday 8 am Holy Communion
10 am Worship for All with 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
Sunday 13th April
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church & Lazers
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
