2^nd February 2020 – Presentation of Christ in the Temple / Candlemas

Welcome
St Andrew’s Church welcomes allcomers, 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. If you are new to church, please do take a welcome leaflet to be found in the pews; and do not hesitate to ask one of the welcomers if you have any queries.

Priorities 2020

• Stewardship and Finance
• St Andy’s
• Children and young people
• Inspiring Worship

We are now Contactless!
As we move more and more towards a society that uses plastic to pay rather than cash, we are finding people attending services who are asking if they can make their collection or give donations using a contactless bank card. I’m please to say that we are now able to meet this request, as we have a contactless card reader for St Andrew’s. If you wish to give your weekly collection or make a donation in this way, please speak to one of the Churchwardens who will help you do this. It’s quick, your privacy is protected and we can also issue a receipt to a phone or email address. We will not be making the card reader available when the collection is taken during the service. There are however, blue cards at the back of church you can use and place in the basket at the time of the collection, then use the card reader before or after the service. These blue cards are used by people who make their giving to church by Direct Debit. If you have any questions please speak to one of the Churchwardens who will be happy to help.

Parish Weekend 15^th to 17^th May 2020
Following two successful weekends we are doing it again in 2020 and would love you to join us. WHAT IS IT? A weekend away for members of St Andrew’s/St Andy’s to come together for Bible teaching, worship, prayer and fellowship. WHERE IS IT?     Shallowford House, Staffordshire (about an hour’s drive from Coventry). WHO IS IT FOR? Everyone, including children. WHAT DOES IT COST? The cost is £160 per adult with reduced prices for children. If you want to know more? Speak with Sue Masters (07958322026, susanmasters@sky.com) or with Greg. Book now with a small deposit to secure your place on the weekend.

Church Cleaning
We are looking for, hopefully, 6 volunteers to help clean the church. This means we could have 4 teams of 2, so it would only involve having to clean once a month. Denise and I would cover a five-week month. It only requires about 1 -2 hours of your time, and is an important ministry within the church. At the moment we clean on Fridays, from 10am to approx. 11.30am., but you could suit yourselves. If you are able to oblige, please have a word with me or Denise. Thank you for your consideration. Jackie Lynch.

Many Thanks
To all that gave donations towards Christmas altar flowers. They were put into the church on 21^st December and we have taken the last ones out this week. Thank you so much. Ann Dove.

Flower List
There are 8 spaces on the flower list at the back of church. If you would like to pay for flowers for a particular week, please fill your name in as soon as possible. If a week is left empty the church has to pay for the flowers that week. If you don’t want a particular week maybe you would just like to make a donation. It costs £12 a week for flowers, which could be quite a drain on church finances. Thank you. Ann Dove.

Prayer Available
Please note that there is always someone willing to pray with you after the service about any need or concern you have. Please feel free to approach one of the prayer team direct or ask one of the clergy.

Worship 4 All
This year, Worship 4 All services will be exploring the fruit of the Spirit. Today we start with the first and most important of the fruit: Love

Week of Christian Unity
Many thanks to all who supported the various prayer meetings and two services which constituted the week of prayer for Christian Unity. Special thanks to those who produced cakes for the two services.

PowerPoint
We are looking for an additional volunteer who would be willing on an occasional basis to operate the PowerPoint for the screens on Sunday morning. The volunteer would be expected to help once every couple of months or so.

Tots Praise
Tots Praise is having a holiday through January and February, restarting in March.

The Link Magazine
It is now a year since the Link was discontinued as a paper magazine distributed to every home in the parish. It is still much missed. However, please don’t forget that all the content is still available to read online on the St Andrew’s website on the first of each month.

Seek His Face
Our monthly gathering for prophecy, prayer and praise takes place next Sunday at 6.30pm in church. All welcome.

Social Calendar
Rod Stewart – Feb 8th (tickets available from Rosemarie Over or online at https://www.wegottickets.com/event/495503/
Skittles Evening – May 22nd
Party in the Park – June 6th

Sermon Series
During Lent, we will be having a sermon series that will explore the different elements of the Sunday morning service:

Side Room Curtains
Many thanks to Beryl Lee who has kindly paid for the new curtains in the side room. Thanks also to Julia and Clive McNaney for purchasing them and putting them up. They certainly make the side room feel warmer and do much to end the echo.

Tastelife
St Andrew’s will be running a new group for those suffering with eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, overeating etc.) and also those caring for sufferers. It begins this Thursday 6^th February for 8 weeks. The course which helps sufferers to break free of their eating disorder is nationally accredited by the University of Brighton. Places need to be booked in advance. For further information, please speak to Greg or Rosemarie.

Service of Contemplation
Tonight Greg will be leading the service of contemplation at 6.30pm marking Candlemas. An Ignatian reflection will be followed by a candlelit service of Compline. All welcome.

Social Committee
Rosemarie Over and Jackie Lynch do a magnificent job planning social events to enhance the life of the church, but we need a couple of more people to help with this. The committee meets approx. 5 times a year, although there is work to be done between meetings (booking venues, organising refreshments etc.). Anyone interested in helping should speak to them or Greg about it.

Transport for Medical Appointments
St Andrew’s new service, offering lifts to medical appointments at Coventry doctors and hospital has started. To book a lift, please contact Julie on 07756 918847 or administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk. It is important that as much notice as possible is given. We are enormously grateful to all our volunteer drivers who have freely offered their time. A recent review found that we have been successful in providing lifts for 87% of requests. Volunteers have to date been called on approximately once a month. If we are to maintain this level of service, as demand increases, we will need more volunteers. If you willing to offer an occasional lift, please contact Greg or Julie. This message of thanks shows how valuable the service can be:
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for organising my lift to Walsgrave Hospital today. I would like to put on record how fabulous both Hilary and Steve were getting me there in plenty of time. As I really didn’t know where I needed to go when I got there Steve escorted me to the outpatients department and to the correct reception desk for my clinic. The have certainly redeemed my faith in the human race, particularly at this time.”

Altar Flowers
This week’s altar flowers were kindly donated by Marilyn Starr.

Prayer List
Please pray for Sandra Watts, Rita Weston, Barbara & Jack Bartlett, Jane Caswell, Jean Carter, Beryl Poppitt, Colin Sanders, Flix Haynes, Josie Yates, Beryl Lee and Rosemary Pottinger. To add names to the list please contact Julie at administrator@standrews-eg.org.uk or 07756 918847.