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

Barbara and Mervyn would like to thank everybody for the cards and messages of sympathy, the help, support and prayers following the sad loss of Doreen. It has been comforting and much appreciated. Thanks also go to all those who were able to attend her truly fitting and uplifting funeral service.

Christmas Meal
Please make sure you get your tickets for our Christmas Meal on Sunday 14th December, 12.30pm. (min £10, £8). Tickets are available from Mel Smith, Malcolm or the wardens.

Owen & Last Sunday
As I write on Thursday morning Owen continues to progress in hospital. Unfortunately because of the noro virus nobody is able to visit at present.
I was able to tell Bishop Christopher on Wednesday exactly what had happened and he wanted to commend the actions both Barbara and Lorraine had taken. I think this means he thought you had received a spiritual communion even if you didn’t receive the bread and wine! My thanks clearly go to all who coped so admirably on the day.

Henley Ward Forum
The next Henley Ward Forum will take place on Thursday 11th December at Henley Green Community Centre in Wyken Croft (7pm - 9pm).

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club will meet next on Wednesday 10th December at 10.30 am Price £1. This will be the only meeting in December. In January, they will start again on Wednesday 7th. All Welcome.

Walsgrave 2009 Calendars
Malcolm has a supply of Walsgrave Calendars for sale at £5 each. If you would like one, please see Malcolm.
Early date for your Christmas Diary!!
Before your diary becomes too hectic please pencil in Friday 12 December - the date of our Christmas Quiz Night. Questions will have a Christmas theme in all of the categories, but they will not be too difficult. So please come along, enjoy the quiz, the company and mulled wine and mince pies!

Centre Cleaning Rota
For some time now we have had no paid cleaner to clean the Church Centre (not the church itself.) We have relied on volunteers to keep the Centre reasonably tidy. Whilst this has worked most of the time there have been occasions when the Centre could have been better presented. PCC have discussed this and feel that we cannot affort to pay a cleaner and hope that volunteers can be found to clean the Centre on a rota basis (maybe once every six or so weeks). They are leading the way but would be glad to know of anyone else who would be happy to go on a rota. Please see Malcolm for more details and to volunteer.

Major Emergencies in Coventry
Might you be willing to help out in the event of a major emergency happening in Coventry? The local authority is looking for people who would be willing to ‘befriend’ people who may be temporarily evacuated to a centre in the event of a major emergency.
The job would be to be around to chat to people, get cups of tea and relay messages. If you might be interested to help please have a word with Malcolm.

Weekly Collection Envelopes
The envelopes for the new year (week number 1 being 7 December) are now available and can be collected from the tables in the reception area. If anyone would like to join our weekly giving envelope scheme please speak to Malcolm or Jean Hudson.

Wills & Christian Aid
If you have not made a will, a local Christian Solicitor, Noel Kelly, is prepared to donate £10 to Christian Aid for each will he helps church members with. Please see his poster on the noticeboard for more details.

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 Sheila Wick

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1. 3-9 David Greenhalgh

Gospel Reading : Mark 13. 24-37 Margaret Oakley

Intercessor: Tony Thistlewood

Hymns: 307 566 98 219 561

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 30th November 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 December 7th

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