A warm welcome to you on this the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity. 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’.

Recipe Book
Do you have a favourite recipe? As part of the campaign to raise funds for the refurbishing of the church, we are planning to publish a parish recipe book and we need your help if this is to succeed. If you would like to take part in this venture would you please write out your recipe along with a note on why you particularly like it. Contributions should be given to Sally Vigeon, 10 Hall Lane; or by email to owenvig@talktalk.net

An evening of gentle humour, poetry and music
Owen and his Friends, the Grafton Consort of Singers, invite you to an evening of gentle humour, poetry and lovely music on the Last Day of Summer Saturday August 30th in Church at 7pm. Admission £4 including a glass of wine. Tickets will be on sale shortly.

Mission notice board
Please see the mission notice board for the latest updates, including news from Vio and Global Care's Home of Hope, Romania; also Yeldall and Myton Coventry Hospice. Vio has sent us a photo - how grown-up she looks. Sue Morton, for Mission Group

Coffee Morning
I am holding a coffee morning in aide of the Church of England Children’s Society at 4 Hall Lane on Monday 18th August from 10-12 noon.
All welcome. Audrey Curtis

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meetings for August are as follows: 6th & 20th August. Both at 10.30 am. Price is £1 which includes coffee & biscuits.
All welcome.

Toys and Books for Crèche
Toys and Books wanted for Creche - Claire Stanley is in the process of sorting and renewing the contents of the toy box and the bags which are in church. If you have any toys, books, puzzles or colouring books suitable for pre-school children which are complete and in good condition, they would be very gratefully received. Please give them to Claire, Barbara or Malcolm. Thank you.

Cathedral Visits
The Cathedral have recently introduced a policy whereby visitors are encouraged to make a donation to the upkeep of the building. However they do not wish to stop congregation members visiting and have issued passes to churches to enable us to visit without paying. If you would like to use the passes at any time they are kept in the office. Please ask Malcolm, Barbara or John to borrow them.

Holiday Postcards
If you are going on holiday, it would be lovely to receive a postcard from you to tell us where you are and what the resort is like. Please remember to send us one!

Christmas Fayre
Our Christmas Fayre this year will be on Saturday 15th November, but we need your help in more ways than one this year. Jean Hudson feels unable to co-ordinate things this year because of various personal commitments so we are looking for an overall co-ordinator. If you feel you could help or want to find out more of what is involved please have a word with Barbara or Malcolm.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Collect: God of glory, the end of our searching, help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom, and to give all that we have to gain the pearl beyond all price, through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

First Reading: Genesis 32. 22-31 Karen French

Second Reading: Romans 9. 1-5 Keith Lashley

Gospel Reading : Matthew 14. 13-21 Sarah Tompkins

Intercessor: Tony Thistlewood

Hymns: 422 384 295 67 26

Post Communion Prayer: Lord of all mercy, we your faithful people have celebrated that one true sacrifice which takes away our sins and brings pardon and peace: by our communion keep us firm on the foundation of the gospel
and preserve us from all sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week beginning 3rd August 2008

This 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 9.30 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 10th August

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