Claire Maxim, James Barwell, Ann Cockel, John and Annmarie and Michael
Frances Isaacs, Donald McLintock, Dorothy Burrows, Florence Sutton, Alwyn Lloyd Roberts, Pat Charlsley and William Preston
Nathan Light (7th), Helen Collett and Joan Farr (9th), John Carey (12th) and Cynthia Kirkham (13th)
Gift Aid: If you are a taxpayer, please maximise your giving in the Offertory Plate by using the Gift Aid envelopes provided.
St Mary’s notices can be sent to the Parish Office at info@stmarysmoseley.co.uk, or by phone: 0121 449 2243 (mornings) by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Voicemail messages can be left at any time. Also see http://www.stmarysmoseley.co.uk.
St Anne’s notices can be sent to Revd Rosemary Donovan at info@st-annes-moseley.org.uk, or by phone: 0121 449 1071 by Thursday. Also see http://www.st-annes-moseley.org.uk.
St Mary’s has a loop system for the hard of hearing, in the centre block of seats. Turn your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
Children aged 3-11 meet on the second, third and fourth Sundays. They continue worship in their groups and meet their leaders at the back of the church after the collect for the day. All children are welcome. There is a crèche facility at all 10:00 a.m. services.
Children meet on the first, third and fourth Sundays during the 10:15 a.m. service. They leave with their leaders after the first hymn. All children are welcome.
The Youth Group meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St Mary’s. All young people are welcome.
…takes place on Sunday 21 December during the 10:00 a.m. service, with rehearsals planned for 7 and 14 December. There will also be a dress rehearsal on Saturday 20 December in church at 2:30 p.m. (refreshments and fun guaranteed). If your child(ren) would like to take part, please ensure that they are able to come to the rehearsals. We also need some volunteers for the speaking parts, so if your child(ren) are interested please let Debbie Barwell or Chris Abbott know by 24 November. We are aiming to assign speaking parts during children’s groups on 30 November.
To the tune of the Holly and the ivy
Chorus:
The Holly and the ivy
Are dancing in a ring
Round the berry bright red candles
And the white and shining King.
Verse 1
Oh, one is for God’s people
In every age and day
We are watching for his coming
We believe and we obey
Verse 2
And two is for the prophets,
And for the light they bring,
They are candles in the darkness
All alight for Christ the King.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make this a successful event The final total now stands at £1,200.
During Christmas there will be a prayer tree in the Lady Chapel. All are invited to use the cards to write a prayer and put it on the tree.
Urgently required for a female theology student over weekends/Christmas. Can you help? Please contact Jan Miller on 449 0970.
New copies out today (don’t forget to subscribe for another year).
A team of helpers to serve refreshments at the end of the celebration. If you can help then please contact Sally Cope on 449 1779. Pick up a flyer and invite a friend to come along!
This group will be meeting shortly to discuss the allocation for the next year. There will be a list at the back of church TODAY to suggest your own favourite charity for consideration by the group. Thank You
If anyone has any views they would like to be considered, please contact one of the Vision Team.
You are invited to donate gifts of money to purchase sweets and flowers as our gift from the Church, to the residents in the Care Homes that we serve. Please offer contributions to Cathie Carey or the churchwardens.
Thank you to all who took part in the Ignatian Retreat in Daily Life. We hope that you felt you had journeyed over new ground and been spiritually strengthened and perhaps may wish for another retreat in the future.
The Lady Chapel has been created into an area for quiet reflection and silent prayer. Two candle stands have been purchased following a generous donation, so that anyone can light a candle whilst praying. Prayer requests can also be left, which will be offered up in worship during the week.
At their recent meetings, both PCCs agreed a different pattern of worship for Sunday evenings during January and February. In an attempt to conserve energy and resources during these cold dark months there will be joint evening worship at 6:30 p.m. at St Mary’s. Evening services will resume at St Anne’s in March.
| Service | First Reading | Second Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Isaiah 40:1-11 | Gospel: Mark 1:1-6 |
| Time | St Mary’s | St Anne’s |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion Preacher: Revd Rosemary Donovan |
|
| 10:00 a.m. | Community Worship Officiants: Revd Jeremy Dussek & Caroline Philips |
|
| 10:15 a.m. | Sung Eucharist Celebrant: Revd Rosemary Donovan Preacher: Jonathan Hodgsont Hymns: 49,401,226,193,209 |
|
| 11:15 a.m. | Sung Eucharist Celebrant & Preacher: Revd Frank Berry Anthem: Creator of the Stars of Night (arr. John Scott) |
|
| 6:30 p.m. | Service lead by members of the Youth Group Officiants: Members of the Youth Group. All are invited to this special service. Please come and support the young people as they lead us in worship. |
No service |
| Day | Time | St Mary’s | St Anne’s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon-8-Dec | No Morning Prayer | ||
| Tue-9-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Holy Communion | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Prayer circle | ||
| Wed-10-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Morning Prayer | |
| Thu-13-Dec | 9:00 a.m. | Morning Prayer | |
| 4:00 p.m. | Last M*A*S*S for this term |
| Time | St Mary’s | St Anne’s |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Sung Eucharist | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Community Worship | |
| 6:30 p.m. | Evensong | Holy Communion |
See also: Calendar of Future Events and Advent Calendar
| Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wed-10-Dec | 7:30 p.m. | Youth Group at 15, Park Hill |
| Mon-15-Dec | 12:30 p.m. | Lunch Club Christmas Dinner. Cost £5. All are welcome. Contact Hilda: Tel No 604 5643 |
| Thu-18-Dec | 7:30 p.m. | Christmas Celebrations at St Mary’s Church. Cracking Carols and Christmas Cheer. An evening of music, readings and carols to start the festive season. Admission Free. Collection for Kinmoss. |
| Sat-20-Dec | 11:30 a.m. | Amnesty International/Medical Foundation Concert at Birmingham Cathedral Tickets cost £5 per adult, accompanied children under 16 go free. Tickets in advance can be obtained from Vernon Batsford on 705 2054, or they are available on the door. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations will be divided equally between Amnesty and the Medical Foundation |
The Judean desert is a dry, rocky, sun-drenched, wild and wonderful place. Its barrenness might seem foreboding, but it provides the perfect place to encounter God. To stand and stare out over that great stretch of wilderness is an unforgettable experience; the silence and the stillness are almost tangible.
The people of Israel knew the value of desert experiences. God had courted them in the wilderness upon their departure from Egypt. How fitting that God once again speaks a word in the desert, not in some vague way, but in a human person situated in time and space. John the Baptist was receptive to the word perhaps because his life was uncluttered and his heart was ready to respond. Perhaps too, the desert conditions helped him to recognise that the voice he heard belonged to God.
The desert was a familiar and strangely welcoming place for our ancestors and it can be that kind of place for us as well. We don’t literally have to travel to a new location, but we might need to de-clutter our minds and hearts, make space in our daily lives and routines, and learn to value the quiet. Then maybe we can hear God speak.
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and delivers us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever.