A warm welcome to you on this Third Sunday of Epiphany. 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’.

Flowers in church today have been donated in memory of both Bill Wooff and Bill Potter.

One or two small items have gone missing in church recently. Just before Christmas, the white burse (for holding the corporal - a white cloth used at communion) and last week the white stole (worn round the priest’s neck) have gone missing. We do use these things regularly and if anyone can shed light onto what may have happened to them we would be most grateful. Searches everywhere have been to no avail.

Ash Wednesday and Lent
It seems that immediately we leave the Christmas season we must start to think about Lent! Ash Wednesday is on 17th February this year and starts the season of Lent. Please look out your Palm crosses over the next few weeks so that they may be brought into church for burning (to provide the Ash for the Ash Wednesday service). We are planning Lent courses again and it is likely that these will again be held on Wednesday (both after the 10am service and in the evening.)

Church Urban Fund Celebration
There will be a service of celebration for the work of the Church Urban Fund in Coventry Diocese on Thursday 28 January at St John the Divine, Willenhall. Malcolm will be going and can offer a lift to any who would like to go. Please speak to Malcolm

In Depth Bible Study
Please note that the In Depth Bible Study is taking a short break, so not to clash with Ash Wednesday and Lent Groups. It will return on Wednesday 21st April when we’ll be looking at The Resurrection. Any queries please see Lorraine or Stella.

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meets next on Wednesday 3rd and 17th February at 10.45 am. Cost £1. All welcome.

Latest newsletter from Yeldall
Please see the Mission notice board and read about the good news from Yeldall Manor. Increasing numbers of people struggle with serious drug and drink addictions. Yeldall is a Christian response to addiction which is a beacon of light and hope to those who need it. Its residential rehabilitation programme is intensive and demanding for residents and staff. It's good to hear that the National Treatment Agency has recognised Yeldall's good work and provided significant grant aid. Thanks be to God. Sue Morton, for Mission Group

Scripture Union
Walsgrave Baptist Church are hosting two training mornings run by Scripture Union for anyone who works with children, not just junior church leaders. These will be held on Sat 6th Feb and Sat 24th April from 9.15 - 12.45pm. The cost is £5 and should be paid by 21st January. See flier for more details.

December Tote
1st Prize No. 47 F. Goalby £24.00
2nd Prize No. 45 T. Fearns £ 8.00

Third Sunday of Epiphany

Collect: God of all mercy, your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to praise you in Christ our Lord.

First Reading: Nehemiah 8.1-3,5-6,8-10 David Greenhalgh

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a Sheila King

Gospel Reading: Luke 4.14-21 Malcolm Tyler

Intercessor: Tony Thistlewood

Hymns: 362 442 318 154 174

Post Communion Prayer: Almighty Father, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world: may your people, illumined by your word and sacraments, shine with the radiance of his glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

This week beginning 24th January 2010

This Sunday

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Monday 7 pm Parish Office
7 pm Standing Committee
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
Thursday 9 am Morning Prayer
7.30 pm Church Urban Fund Service at Willenhall
Saturday 9.30 am Morning Prayer

Sunday 31st January

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion
6.30 pm Evening Prayer