Prayers of Love and Faith
After a discussion at our last meeting, the PCC has decided to support the vicar and in accordance with our statement of welcome, offer blessings of same sex couples in St Andrew’s, following the new guidelines offered by the Church of England. The PCC is reflecting on options around whether to join schemes such as inclusive church, or honest church or whether to follow the Living in Love and Faith material as a church together. If anyone would like to discuss the use of Prayers of Love and Faith, or the other schemes being considered please speak to Rev Jo.  Our statement of welcome, last approved at the APCM as part of the Church Priorities document, is below:’ 

‘St Andrews Church –  Priorities 2022

Who are we: – St Andrews Church is a church that welcomes all comers whether this is your first time or thousandth time in church. You are welcome whatever your age, gender, marital status, disability, race or sexuality. You are welcome whether you have a deep and mature faith in Christ; are uncertain and still seeking; or have no faith. We are the church for the people of Eastern Green and Allesley Green Parish.

Our values: Our values are centred on those of our Lord. We look to minister and serve in faith, love, compassion, and forgiveness. While living out our faith with humour and joy.’

Questions of faith?
Why not join us for Alpha?  Alpha is a short course where each week we discuss aspects of the Christian faith. It’s a chance to ask all the questions you never quite dared to, in a relaxed friendly environment. We start with a light supper, then there will be a short talk and a time of discussion. We will start on Monday 29th January at 6pm ’till 7.30pm and run for 8 weeks up until Easter. Why not come along and try a session to see if it’s for you? To find out more and speak to Rev Jo on 07588 576351.

Can you help?
We need people to sign up to support our Alpha course by providing food for each session. Ideally, we would like at least 2 people each week. You don’t need to be a good cook, you are welcome to buy something and bring that. Food can be brought on a Sunday for the Monday if that’s helpful. You can also keep the receipts and claim back of needed. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church. Please also be keeping the course and its participants in your prayers. Any questions chat to Jo. Thanks

Prayer Ministry
Every week before a service the Prayer Ministry Team will pray for the church, the congregation and for that day’s service. On the third Sunday of each month members of the Prayer Team will be available to any member of the congregation who would like a prayer to cover a specific situation – either for themselves or a loved one when two members of the team will join with that person to pray with him or her after the service. The members of the team are Lynnette, Jeremy, Rita and Sara. Confidentiality is assured and permission will be sought to share with the Prayer Team who, will continue to pray on their behalf.

Prayer Book
There is a book placed at the back of the church in memory of Lesley Lee, in which you are invited to enter the name of someone for whom you would like to be held in prayer. Please feel free to make an entry in the book knowing those named will be held in prayer by the Prayer Group.

Sunday Teas and Coffees
We are looking to recruit more people to help with serving teas and coffees after the Sunday service. This is a great way to get to know others and help us build our church community, to find out more chat to one of the wardens or to Jo.

Tots Time
Tots time is our new Tots group for babies toddlers and their carers. The next few dates are: 8^th and 22^nd Feb, 7^th and 21^st March. Pop in any time from 8.45am, finishing around 10.15am.

Time to Pray 2024
As we start the new year, we invite you to join us to pray together for our mission and witness for 2024. The first Saturday in the month will be a time to come together to pray and to listen to God as we think about what God is calling us to be and do as a church, within our parish and also beyond to the new estate. We will meet in church at 9.30am on 3^rd February and 2^nd March. There will be coffee and pastries available after the time of prayer. Sue Masters, susanmasters@skycom

Flower Rota
The 2024 Flower Rota is at the back of church. I have made it a two-weekly rota to help with finances. If there is a specific date on which you would like to have flowers in the church (if that date is not already listed, just let me know or write the date and your name on the bottom of the rota). As last year, I can do the flowers for you, or you can source and arrange the flowers yourselves. Julia McNaney.

Craft and Hobby Fair
Our next Craft and Hobby Fair will be on Saturday 24th February from 1.30pm – 4.30pm at Eastern Green Village Hall. We are looking for:

• donations of books and jigsaws, including children’s.
• anything suitable to be used as raffle prizes
• donations of sweets and chocolates for the tombola
• donations of cakes
• help on the day with serving the refreshments.

If you can help please speak to Rebecca Martin in church or contact Julie on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk. Thank you.

Volunteering and Safeguarding
All church volunteers, whether paid or unpaid, will need to be safely recruited and possibly also require a basic/enhanced DBS check. If you have any questions about safeguarding and volunteering, please speak to Julia McNaney on 07872 614688 or Rev Jo.

Donations
Should you wish to give online to support the work of the church, the link below or the QR code will take you directly to the page. It is a secure way of supporting the churches ministry. Thank you for your ongoing support. Nick Tooby.
https://givealittle.co/campaigns/eef64318-0a22-4db7-8d81-0ab3ccddf15d

Diary Dates	Time	Event
Sun 28th Jan	10.00am	Holy Communion
Mon 29th Jan	9.30am	Morning Prayer
	6.00pm	Alpha Course – week 1
Weds 31st Jan	10.00am	Wednesday Communion
Sat 3rd Feb	9.30am	Time to Pray
Sun 4th Feb	8.00am	Said Communion
	10.00am	Worship for Everyone – Christingle

 Please send notices for next week to Julie by Thursday, email administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk or call 07756 918847

This week’s readings are:

The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

Collect
God of heaven,
you send the gospel to the ends of the earth
and your messengers to every nation:
send your Holy Spirit to transform us
by the good news of everlasting life
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Post Communion
Generous Lord,
in word and Eucharist we have proclaimed the mystery of your love:
help us so to live out our days
that we may be signs of your wonders in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-5

The Coming Messenger

3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ² But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; ³ he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. ⁴ Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

⁵ Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

NRSVA (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised)

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

²² When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), ²⁴ and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹ ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹ which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’

³³ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

³⁶ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

³⁹ When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

NRSVA (New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised)