A warm welcome to you on this the Second Sunday of Lent. 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’.

Lent Course
During Lent we are running the Lent Course ‘Lentwise’ by Paula Gooder. There are two sessions, one at 10.30 - 12 noon and one at 7.30 - 9 pm and it is possible to mix and match sessions (in other words if you can’t come in the morning, the evening session of the same day will follow the same material). The first session was held last week but you are still most welcome to come to the ones.
After the morning session those who would like to can stay on for soup and a roll. Please add your name to the list of attendees so that we can cater correctly.

St Mary’s Charitable Giving Update
Please see the Mission notice board. We have received “Thank-you’s” from: Anglicans in World Mission [USPG], Yeldall Manor, Gilead Health Development, Global Care Sponsor a Child, Coventry Myton Hospice Appeal. Sue Morton, for St Mary’s Mission Group.

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meets next on Wednesday 18th March at 10.45 am. Cost £1. All Welcome.

February Tote
1st Prize No. 66 M Wakeman £25.50
2nd Prize No. 18 M. McMurray £ 8.50

Thanksgiving Service for the late Ron Newby (Global Care)
A Thanksgiving Service for the Life and work of Ron Newby who sadly died in October last year is to be held at Coventry Cathedral on Saturday 14th March 2009 at 2pm. Family, friends and colleagues are all invited. However, to help with the planning of the day please confirm whether you are able to attend by contacting their office on 7660 1800. There will be light refreshments after the service so please also let them know of any special dietary arrangements.

Annual Meeting
We are currently revising our electoral roll prior to our annual meeting on Sunday 29th March. If you worship with us regularly you should be on our roll and need to speak to Sheila Wick if you are uncertain about whether you are on the roll or not. Election forms for officers (PCC members and Churchwardens) will be available next week.
Please may I remind those who normally submit reports for the AGM that these are needed by no later than Tuesday.

Prayer Tree
Please do remember our Prayer Tree for your prayer requests. Leaves are available to place you prayer requests on the tree or you can also use the yellow and green prayer cards.

Coventry Walkathon 2009
The Coventry walkathon 2009 will take place in the Memorial Park on Sunday 10th May. Local charities have raised a staggering £140,000 over the last 14 years. Anyone can take part in this Walkathon to raise money for a charity or worthwhile cause which you nominate or for local charities nominated by the organisers. Walk starts at 11 am and closes at 3.15 pm and the idea is that you walk as many laps of the park as you can manage. Each lap is 1.75 miles You can come in fancy dress and there will be prizes for the most original costumes. Please see poster for more details.

The Second Sunday of Lent

Collect: Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way come to share in his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

First Reading: Genesis 17. 1-7, 15-16 John Aspden

Second Reading: Romans 4. 13-25 Les Dakin

Gospel Reading : Mark 8. 31-38 Lorraine Baker

Intercessor: Malcolm Tyler

Hymns: 349 120 235 261 46

Post Communion Prayer: Almighty God, you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This week beginning 8th March 2009

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
7.30 pm PCC Meeting
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
10.30 am Lent Course
7.30 pm Lent Course
Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer
Saturday 9.30 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 15th March

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