A warm welcome to you on this Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. 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’.

Today we welcome Sister Chris (from the Franciscans) who will be preaching at both 8am and 10am. Chris will be leading Mission 2 Grow in September.

Roof Appeal
Money is still coming in for the Roof Appeal. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in every way. As I said at the Annual Meeting the total raised so far is slightly over £6,500

Cleaning Rota
We have had one or two people drop out of our cleaning rota recently and it would be helpful if one or two people could volunteer to clean the church and centre occasionally.
If we get three more people the expected frequency of cleaning is once every three months! Please speak to Malcolm. We do at least have a rota organiser now.

Coffee Club
The Coffee Club meets next on Wednesday 31st March at 10.45 am. Cost £1. All welcome

Lent Course
The first five sessions of the Lent Course - Seasons of Renewal - have come to an end. The final session to be held in Easter Week will take the form of a party. In the evening we shall be starting at 7pm (rather that 7.30 pm) and having something of a party. Group members are bringing food for a meal. Others are welcome to join us, but please speak to Malcolm if you are thinking of coming so that numbers for catering are sorted! The morning group will be having tea, coffee and cakes at 10.30 am.

Services for Holy Week
Some advance notice of services this Holy Week.

Monday 7.30 pm Holy Communion with Address
“Your will be done”

Tuesday 7.30 pm Holy Communion with Address
“Lead us not into temptation”

Wednesday 7.30 pm Holy Communion with Address
“Forgive us as we forgive”

Maundy Thursday 8 pm Eucharist with Foot washing

Good Friday 2 pm Service for Good Friday

Easter Day 5.15 am Vigil and Dawn Eucharist
followed by breakfast (I hope!)
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion

Palm Sunday

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

First Reading: Isaiah 50. 4-9a

Second Reading: Philippians 2. 5-11

Gospel Reading: Luke 19. 28-40

Intercessor: Malcolm Tyler

Hymns: 11 335 226 72 346

Post Communion Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you humbled yourself in taking the form of a servant, and in obedience died on the cross for our salvation: give us the mind to follow you and to proclaim you as Lord and King, to the glory of God the Father.

This week beginning 21st March 2010

Palm Sunday

8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Communion, Junior Church and Lazers, with Procession of Palms
6.30 pm Evening Prayer
Monday 7 pm Parish Office
7.30 pm Evening Worship
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer
7.30 pm Evening Worship
Wednesday 10 am Holy Communion
7.30 pm Evening Worship
Maundy Thurs 9 am Morning Prayer
8 pm Eucharist with Foot Washing
Good Friday 2 pm Service for Good Friday
Holy Saturday 9.30 am Morning Prayer

Easter Day

5.15 am Vigil and Dawn Eucharist followed by breakfast
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Holy Communion