THE COLLECT for Sunday, 22nd March 2009 - Mother Sunday
God of compassion,
whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,
shared the life of a home in Nazareth,
and on the cross
drew the whole human family to himself:
strengthen us in our daily living
that in joy and in sorrow
we may know the power of your presence
to bind together and to heal;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen


THE READINGS
Old Testament: Exodus 2:1-10
Gospel: John 19:25-27


POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Loving God,
as a mother feeds her children at the breast
you feed us in this sacrament
with the food and drink of eternal life:
help us who have tasted your goodness
to grow in grace within the household of faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen


To think about this week:

Blessed is the Mother...
Who can hold onto her children while
letting them go;
Who puts a tranquil home ahead of an
immaculate house;
Who knows a kind act will be
remembered longer than an easy word;
Who really believes that prayer changes
things;
Whose faith in the future sweetens the
present;
Whose Bible never needs dusting; and
Whose sense of humour is alive and well.
The Promoter

and on this day in 1906:

England won the first rugby international against France, 35-8.


Please pray for:

Peace in the world. Asking God's blessing on all people who suffer as a result of violence the world over, and especially for the people of Northern Ireland.

All mothers and those who care for children.

Our Mother Church, that we may be nourished by her and grow to maturity in faith.

David and Hannah Cleugh who will be joining the Team as Curates this summer.

All who live in Chiselhampton Hill.

The sick in body, mind or spirit, among them Stephen Selwood, Jenny Cross, Molly Bailey, Catherine Allen and Joan Goodchild.

The repose of the souls of all those who have died, especially Steve Wilson and Harry Hodge. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.


Notices~

VICTIMS OF THE CREDIT CRUNCH in our communities are coming to the attention of all of us. The clergy would like to establish a discretionary fund for everyday relief. Collections at this year's Lent meetings will support this and other contributions are welcome.

LENT COURSE “WAYS IN – to the Bible”. Tonight's talk is from Dr Martin Hodson and is on the entitled “Using the Bible to consider the environmental crisis of the 21st century”. There will be Evening Prayer in the Abbey at 6pm and the talk will begin at 7pm.

Before the Annual Church Meeting the Church Electoral Roll will be revised. If you, or anyone you know, would like to be included please let one of the Churchwardens know.

ON THE INTERNET?
You can find this notice sheet on
www.nsoffice .blogspot.com.
You may like to look at www.thevicarthinks.blogspot.com and www.acny.org.uk.

The new vegetable garden at St Laurence School will be opened on Friday, 27th March at 9.00am by Dr John Howell MP and blessed by the Vicar.

The funeral of Harry Hodge will take place on Friday, 27th March at 11.30am in St Laurence's.

Team Service on Sunday, 29th March 10.00am at the Abbey. Please come and support those being confirmed.


Diary for the week commencing 23rd March
Daily Offices:
Monday to Friday:
8.15am Morning Prayer, St Laurence, Warborough

Monday:
7.30pm Stadhampton Standing Committee

Wednesday:
5.00pm Evening Prayer (S)
7.30pm Warborough PCC

Thursday: Vicar's Day Off
7.30pm Bell Ring Practice (W)

Friday:
9.00am St Laurence School garden blessing
11.30am Funeral of Harry Hodge (W)


Sunday, 29th March – Lent 5

Dorchester Abbey
10.00am Team Confirmation Service

Warborough
6.00pm Evensong (sung)


NEXT WEEK'S READINGS

Old Testament:
Jer. 31:31-34

Gospel:
John 12:20-33