We are sorry to learn of the death of Frank Abbott. We send our love and prayers to Joy. Frank’s funeral will be at St Mary’s on Monday 18th December at 12 noon
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets: I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them”. Amen, Come soon, Lord Jesus! The second candle is lit and this response is used: “Jesus is the light of the world. A light no darkness can ever put out.”
Advent candles tell their story,
as we watch and pray,
Longing for the day of glory,
“Come Lord soon”, we say,
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
Changed for gladness on that Day.
Prophet voices loudly crying,
making pathways clear,
Glimpsing glory, self denying,
calling all to hear,
Through their message—challenged, shaken,
hearts awaken God is near.
During the Advent season there will be four advent prayer stations within the churches for people to pray for individuals, places, our work and leisure time as well as our dreams and aspirations for our world. Please follow the self explanatory notes and keep alert during Advent
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.
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.
Order yours for just £6 from Craig Donovan. Only 15 left.
This event will again take place in the Parish Hal, Park Hill. Please support this community outreach project in whatever way you can. Please see the lists at the back of both churches and sign up to help.
We are asking for gifts of money to be used for purchasing communal gifts for the residents in our Care Homes. Donations of about £2 please to the Ministry Team or Parish Office by Sunday 10 December.
There will be a Christmas traidcraft stall (both morning and evening) today at St Anne’s. The stall will have cards, wrapping paper and lots of potential Christmas gifts. If you would like to order anything please contact Kathy Carter on 444 2755.
Today we light the AI candle at St Anne’s and remember all prisoners of conscience. There are also leaflets available at the back of both churches for individuals to “Send a message of Hope” by writing Christmas Cards to Prisoners of conscience. For further info contact Elizabeth Leicester or Elizabeth Way.
This includes photographs and design work by Nigel Blakey and Karen Gray. We need help distributing them. Please see either Liz Blakey or Rosemary Donovan. Thanks in advance.
Grand Raffle: Tickets £1. Main prize: two tickets to Paris. Draw: Friday 16 February. Please see John Carey or adult choir members.
Many thanks to all who had any part in the success of this annual event. Special appreciation to Claire Johnson who organised the event, and to all stall holders and those who supported us on the day. Total raised was £950 which will be divided between the two churches.
As part of the joint project with All Saints on 'Remembering', the youth group produced a three part icon as a centre piece. This will be displayed in the churches 2 weeks in each.
Bish Bash ’06An opportunity for our young people to meet others across the Diocese and welcome the new Bishop, on Sunday 17 December at St Mary’s Pype Hayes, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free entry, real live manger scene, magician, battle of the bands, food and much more. Rosemary is going and will take a car load. Contact her for more information on 449 1071.
| Time | Service | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion Order Two | Preacher: The Revd Rosemary Donovan |
| 10:00 a.m. | Parish Communion with children's groups | Preacher: Jonathan Hodgson |
| 6:30 p.m. | Evensong | Preacher: Revd Joan Griffin |
| Time | Service | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 10:15 a.m. | Family Service | Led by Revd Rosemary Donovan and Cathie Carey |
| 6:30 p.m. | Holy Communion | Preacher: Revd Rosemary Donovan |
| Day | Morning Prayer | Holy Communion | Evening Prayer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. Children's Service |
|
| Friday | 9:15 p.m. St Anne’s |
4:45 p.m. St Mary’s |
| 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 |
| 8:30 p.m. | Prayer Group at 16 Paton Grove | |
| Wednesday | 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon | Coffee & Co 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 |
| Time | Service |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Holy Communion Order One traditional language |
| 10:00 a.m. | Parish Communion with children’s presentation |
| 6:30 p.m. | Nine Lessons and Carols |
| Time | Service |
|---|---|
| 10:15 a.m. | Parish Communion |
| 6:30 p.m. | Nine Lessons and Carols |
| Date | Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-11-Dec | 7:30 p.m. | St Mary’s PCC with Canon Howell-Jones at The Parish Hall |
| Wed-13-Dec | No Youth Group | |
| Thu-14-Dec | Friends of Christmas Day Together Christmas Lunch. £10. Names please to Janet or Betty as soon as possible. | |
| 7:45 p.m. | Stage 2 Play Some of our youth group will be performing in Willie Russell’s Daughters of Albion at the Hippodrome’s Dance Xchange. We still have some spare tickets, cost £8.50. Please contact Jayne Haslam on 624 6188. | |
| Sat-16-Dec | St Anne’s Christmas Lunch. £5. Book with Hilda. | |
| Sun-17-Dec | 10:00 a.m. | Children’s presentation at St Mary’s |
On the notice board in Church you will find a poster from the scouts. In bold type it says, “Join the Adventure”, and then in smaller type, “Be prepared”. The latter is a very obvious message from today’s Gospel. Prepared for what? You have only to go into almost any shop at the moment to be bombarded with Christmas gifts, slogans, and perhaps “musak”. For us as Christians there is much more preparation needed as we examine our lives and prepare for the coming of Jesus into our world. How different from the world into which he came as a baby, though people with their needs, problems, idiosyncrasies and sins will not have changed.
But what of the Birmingham Diocese as we prepare for the impact and challenges of the new Bishop? At St Mary’s and St Anne’s we must also prepare for the coming of our new Priest-in-Charge, Jeremy. Preparing or getting ready means opening our minds and hearts to, perhaps, new and exciting ideas for our churches and indeed for ourselves. John the Baptist also said, “…and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways shall be made smooth.” This happens to roads sometimes, but can it also happen to lives, Church lives? “…and all flesh shall see the salvation of our God.” Let us make this our new Advent prayer as we “Join the Adventure.”
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 deliver us; through Jesus Christ your son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and forever.