9th February 2020 – The Third Sunday before Lent
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.
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.
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.
Deanery Synod
We are looking for volunteers to join Deanery Synod and represent St Andrew’s. Synod meets three times a year in different churches around the area. This week provides a great opportunity to find out more about what it entails. You are welcome to attend the Synod on Tuesday at St Barnabas Kenilworth when there will be an opportunity to find out more about what is entailed, without any obligation.
Book Club
Our next book club meeting is on Saturday 28th March from 9.30-11.00am at the Vicarage and everyone is welcome to come along. The book we are reading is: Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valerio. It is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2020. The author imaginatively draws on the days of creation in Genesis 1 as she relates those themes to matter so environmental, ethical and social concern. The group is an opportunity to discuss the book and gain insight from others. Each person will need a copy of the book (or access an audio version of the book) and need to have read some of it before we meet. If you are interested please speak with Greg or Sue Masters.
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 21st 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.
St Andrew’s Day Time Lent Group 2020
Lent is a time of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter and as part of that reflection, why not join us in the Lent group? This year we will be meeting on Monday mornings from 10.30am to 12.00 noon at 55 Handsworth Crescent, starting on Monday 2nd March for five weeks. Each week will be a time of fellowship and an opportunity to look at the Bible together, sharing with each other in group discussion. All are welcome and if you have never been to a small group or to a Bible study group why not come along and be part of this group during Lent. If you want to know more or you are interested in being part of the group please speak with Sue Masters or email me on susanmasters@sky.com.
BCDM Module at St Andrew’s Church – Creation Care
This module, through consideration of scripture and science, looks at God’s creation, our place in it and the hope that we have for the future in a time of environmental crisis. By the end of the module, you should see that care for the environment is integral to our call as Christians to discipleship. Date and Time: Thursday Evenings, 7pm-9:30pm, 5th March – 2nd April. Venue: St Andrew’s, Church Lane, Eastern Green, Coventry CV5 7BX. To register, please go to http://www.dioceseofcoventry.org/BCDMregister. If you want to know more please speak with Sue Masters (07958 322026).
Parish Weekend 15th to 17th 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.
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.
Rod Stewart
Many thanks to Rosemarie Over for organizing such a wonderful evening’s entertainment with the Rod Stewart tribute act. Thanks to those others who helped Rosemarie on the day and with ticket sales.
Social Calendar
| Quiz Night | Mar 20th |
| Megfest | May 2nd |
| Skittles Evening | May 22nd |
| Proms at the Vicarage | June 27th |
| Party in the Park | June 6th |
| Quiz Night | Sept 18th |
Volunteers Evening
There is a warm welcome to all those who help with the volunteers rota on a Sunday or during the week by reading, cleaning, setting up the altar etc. If you haven’t received a written invitation, do please still come to our thank you evening on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the side room.
Sermon Series
During Lent, we will be having a sermon series that will explore the different elements of the Sunday morning service:
| 23rd Feb | Sue | Confession |
| 8th March | Nick | Singing |
| 15th March | Lesley | Creed |
| 22nd March | Greg | Intercessions |
| 29th March | Prayer Team | Peace |
| 12th April | Greg | Communion |
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 began on Thursday evening but it’s not too late to join. 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.
Seek His Face
Our monthly gathering to share prophecy, praise and prayer takes place this evening at 6.30pm in church. Seek His Face is a small group who warmly welcome newcomers. Do join us.
Skillzbank
We are looking for volunteers who have life skills that they might be willing to pass on to teenagers. These skills may be woodwork, car mechanics, electrical, technical, baking, musical etc. You would need to be available 2 or 3 Wednesday afternoons after Easter for an hour each time. If you would like to know more about this, please speak to Greg or Emma Wildman.
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.”
Mission Partners
Our latest newsletter from Dan & Phillipa Munday, our Mission Partners, is at the back of church (in the red folder).
Altar Flowers
This week’s altar flowers were kindly donated by Hazel and Frank Elks.
Prayer List
Please pray for Sandra Watts, Rita Weston, Barbara & Jack Bartlett, 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.
| Diary Dates February | ||
| Sun 9th | 6.30pm | Seek His Face |
| Mon 10th | 7.30pm | PCC meeting |
| Tues 11th | 6.00pm | All Star Theatre Company at Our Ladies |
| 7.30pm | Volunteer thank you evening in church | |
| Thurs 13th | Tastelife Week 2 | |
| Sun 16th | 6.30pm | Praying Together |
| Tues 18th | 7.30pm | Deanery Synod at St Barnabas, Kenilworth |
| Readings | 1 Cor 2.1-12 (p 1145) & Matt 5.13-20 (p 969) |
| Readers | Jeremy Thomas & Harvey Wyatt |
| Preacher | Lynnette Clarke |
| President | Lynnette Clarke |
| Led by | Nick Tooby |
| Comm Asst | Lesley Lee |
| Prayers | Di Fellowes |
| Organist | Di Fellowes |
| Next week | Rom 8.18-25 & Matt 6.25-34 |