Wood carving of St Mary by Peter Kramer given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Logo of St Mary’s Church

Sunday 19 November 2006: 2nd Sunday before Advent

Intercessions

We remember those with birthdays this week, Sarah Lindley, James Hyde and Kay Burton (20th), Jamie Wall (21st), Robert Brown (22nd), Elinor Newcombe and Joanne Simons (23rd), and Joshua Parry, Vincent Okafor and Margaret Findlay (24th).

The church is open every morning between 10:00 a.m. and 12 noon, but to enable us to keep the church open in this way, we need more people to offer an hour one morning a week to be available in church. If you can help, please have a word with Jonathan Hodgson.

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.

Loop

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.

Malawi Calendars 2007

These are now available to order from the cathedral price £5. Please sign the order sheet at the back of St Mary’s

Joint Christmas Fair 2006

This will take place at St Mary’s on Saturday 25 November from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please support this important event. Enjoy a variety of stalls, coffee and light refreshments. There are now boxes at the back of both churches for stall donations. Thank you. For further details please contact Claire Johnson on 07752 507324.

St Mary’s Flower Guild are running the cake stall and would like donations for the stall delivered to the church on Saturday morning please.

Friends of the Choir

A Wine Tasting Evening at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday 25 November at St Anne’s Hall. A tutored wine tasting by Mark Stammers. Tickets at £9 (£7 conc) from John Carey 4492506 or Giles Osborne 4493791

Presenting the new St Anne’s 2007 Calendar

An initative of the Publicity Group containing superb specially commissioned photographs alongside scriptural quotes and inspiring prayers for each month. Designed to be both attractive and practical as well as encouraging personal devotion. The perfect Christmas gift, but don’t delay as only limited numbers printed. Order yours for just £6 from Craig Donovan.

Freespirit Joint Youth Service

Sunday 19 November at 7:30 p.m. at All Saints Kings Heath. Please come and support our young people who have been working so hard exploring the theme of ’Remembering’. The service will use art, music and drama, words that the young people have written alongside visuals taken on their trip to Beth Shalom. All are welcome—it’s the best all age worship ever! Refreshments from 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend.

Advent Study Groups

Today is the last chance to sign up to join a group. There are lists sat the back of both churches indicating days and times.

Wanted

Old magazines for Advent intercessions and youth activities. Please bring in for Rosemary.

‘Share the Light’

At our Joint Advent Carol Service on Sunday 3 December we will be encouraging people to commit to inviting friends and neighbours to our Christmas services and praying for them throughout the year. This mission initiative supported by CMS involves buying an Advent candle to give away. The candles will be available from the back of both churches cost £2.

Stop Press

Our love and congratulations to Peter & Anupama on the birth of Nathaniel on Thursday 16 November.

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Sunday 19 November 2006: 2nd Sunday before Advent

St Mary’s
TimeServiceDetails
8:00 a.m. Holy Communion Order One traditional language Preacher: Jonathan Hodgson
10:30 a.m. Parish Communion with children’s groups Preacher Jonathan Hodgson
6:30 p.m. Evensong Visiting Preacher: Revd Brian Gracie, Chaplain of Winson Green Prison


St Anne’s
TimeServiceDetails
10:15 a.m. Parish Communion Visiting Preacher and President Rev Nigel Hand
6:30 p.m. Evensong Preacher: Eric Dwyer

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Mid-week services to which all are welcome

Day Morning Prayer Holy Communion Evening Prayer
Monday
     
Tuesday
St Mary’s
  9:15 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday
St Anne’s
9:15 a.m.   4:45 p.m.
Thursday
St Anne’s
9:15 a.m.   4:00 p.m.
Children’s Service
Friday
9:15 p.m.
St Anne’s
  4:45 p.m.
St Mary’s

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Other events this week

Day Time Details
Monday 12:45 p.m. St Anne’s Lunch Club. Contact Hilda Johnston: 604 5643
8:00 p.m. St Mary’s Bell Ringers
Tuesday 5:15 p.m. St Mary’s Junior Choir
Wednesday 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon Coffee & Co at St Mary’s
7:30 p.m. Youth Group: Rose Cottage at St. Mary’s
8:00 p.m. Wednesday Group meets at 16 Paton Grove
Thursday 4:00 p.m. Children’s service St Anne’s
7:30 p.m. St Mary’s Singers
Friday 6:45 p.m. St Mary’s Robed Choir
7:30 p.m. St Anne’s Choir
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon Coffee & Co at St Mary’s

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Next Sunday 26 November: Christ The King

St Mary’s
Time Service
8:00 a.m. Holy Communion Order One traditional Language
10:00 a.m. Parish Communion
6:30 p.m. Evensong


St Anne’s
Time Service
10:15 a.m. Matins
6:30 p.m. Healing Service

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Future Dates for Your Dairy

Date Time Details
Sun-19-Nov 11:45 a.m. Publicity Group meets at St Anne’s
Mon-20-Nov Welcome service for Bishop David at the cathedral
Tue-21-Nov 8:30 p.m. Prayer Group
Thu-23-Nov Friends of Christmas Day Together lunch at St Anne’s Parish Hall
8:00 p.m. St Anne’s Pastoral Committee
Sat-25-Nov 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Christmas Fair at St Mary’s
7:30 p.m. Friends of the Choir Wine Tasting Evening at St Anne’s Parish Hall
Thu-30-Nov 7:30 p.m. Malawi Market at the Cathedral. Stalls and activities on many aspects of Malawi work.
Fri-22-Dec 7:30 p.m. Carol Concert in aid of World Vision, a charity working to make an impact on poverty. Crescent Theatre, Brindley Place. Tickets £10. Contact Jenny McTiernan (07809 641991) or Mark Askew (07764 656049).

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Thought for the Week from Diane Hirst

Straight to the point
Straight to the point

“He never promised us a rose garden”

The disciples’ admiration for the great temple buildings lead to Jesus’ astonishing prediction of its utter destruction. Today’s Gospel is almost a paraphrase of Matthew 24 and in both versions he makes copious use of the language of the Old Testament. Yet the message which he conveys with these strong words, has great relevance to today’s world. Yes, two thousand years on, “we hear news of battles far away” and are aware almost every day of famine and earthquake. Mark tells us that such things must happen, but they do not mean the end has come. So often one hears from non believers, “If there was a God, he wouldn’t let such things happen.” There can be no glib response to this, indeed none of us really understand the whys and wherefores, but in the light of today’s reading, matters do seem to make more sense. We cannot and should not expect God to wave a magic wand and make everything all right, this certainly was not promised in the gospels. Then there is the adage of “from bad comes good”. Horrifying events bring out the best in others. so much has been done in the last two years and still is being done to help the surviving victims of the Tsunami and to repair their ravaged country, to cite just a single example. From darkness comes light. This, in my opinion is the supplement to Jesus’ powerful words.

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Collect for today: 2nd Sunday before Advent

Heavenly Father whose blessed son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

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