Worship with us this Sunday!
This Sunday is the Festival of Pentecost. The term Pentecost comes from the Greek Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē) meaning "fiftieth". It refers to the Jewish festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after First Fruits. As Christians, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus at Pentecost, the fiftieth day of Easter.
Use the links below to sign up to join us in person, or to access our live stream.
Join us in person! Go to our Services & Worship page to see upcoming services and sign up. You can do that by clicking or tapping on this link:
Join us Online! Head to our YouTube Channel to join us Live for our 10am Easter Eucharist, and access other videos. You can do that by clicking or tapping on this link:
This Week's News
Face coverings
St Mary’s is open for public worship on Sundays at 10am but even with the new & less restrictive Covid rules from Monday 17th May we still need to sign up for a place if you wish to attend. Social distancing measures will still be in place and a face covering must still be worn, but a return to normality is ever closer.
Rachel’s news
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Christine Hardman, announced last Sunday that our Vicar Rachel is to be the new Archdeacon of Northumberland. As many of you know Rachel has been an Assistant and then Acting Archdeacon since January when Mark Wroe moved to become Bishop of Berwick. Bishop Christine acknowledges in her statement that while Rachel will be a loss to us here at St Mary's she feels the wider Church can benefit from the wisdom and leadership she has demonstrated both here and since becoming Acting Archdeacon. Rachel and the family will be moving over the summer and Rachel will begin in post in September.
Sunday 8am Holy Communion
The 8am Sunday service of Holy Communion will return from next week, Trinity Sunday.
Flowers in church
The Flowers in church are in loving memory of Des and Pam Fletcher from Rod, Lawrence and all the family.
Our Musician Search
Following our consultation and discernment process, we have begun our search for a permanent musician.
We are looking for a paid musician to lead us in music. As a church, we love to sing and play in our worship, and we need a special person to bring out the best in us all.
If you know anyone who would be interested, please share the advert, and/or this link:
Congratulations
Many congratulations to Brother Harold Palmer who celebrates his 90th birthday next Sunday.
A message of Thanks
Olya Bouchard, our niece, is now happy to be back home and recovering. She even had a short walk in the garden. Thank you again for all your prayers. Peter and Rosemay
Christian Aid Week
Many grateful thanks if you delivered envelopes during Christian Aid week or supported them in any way – it was very much appreciated.
You can still donate to Christian Aid via our e-envelope here >
Thy Kingdom Come:
Pentecost Service for Children
The Thy Kingdom Come team have produced this "Pentecost Praise Service for Kids", led by CBeebies presenter Gemma Hunt, and the Bishop of Basingstoke.
Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer will now be said publicly on Tuesday and Thursdays in addition to Wednesday.
Private Prayer
Although the office is now open Tuesday to Thursday, the church will be open specifically for Private Prayer on Wednesdays as usual.
Diary & Reminders
Diary
Sunday 23rd May: 10am Parish Eucharist for Pentecost
Tuesday 25th May: 9am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 26th May: 9am Morning Prayer, then Private Prayer time until 12pm.
Thursday 27th May: 9am Morning Prayer
Sunday 30th May: 8am Holy Communion
Sunday 30th May: 10am Parish Eucharist for Trinity Sunday
Office Opening Hours:
As we are moving forward into our new freedom, the office is once again open.
The new opening times will be 10am-12noon, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Carol and Dot
Thy Kingdom Come Resources
We have prayer resources on our own dedicated Prayer page.
We are sharing Thy Kingdom Come's daily videos on our Facebook page.
Derek Burton has suggested a prayer walk here.
Thy Kingdom Come's YouTube Channel has lots on it!
Light up the World with your prayer via the Thy Kingdom Come website here.
And why not join us for morning prayer on Wednesday at 9am in church?
Dave Haddock Plants
Dave Haddock is still selling plants and he can deliver them to you. Contact Dave on: 07976687973 or visit his website. Now is the time to be thinking about spring and summer plants. So do go over and have a look! Don't forget to mention St Mary's when you order and we'll receive 30% of the cost!
For your prayers this week:
Your Prayers are requested for
Don
Rose Ketteringham
Martin Cooper
Jonathan Rodd
Janet Baker
Beverley Torrance
John Telfer
Myra Telfer
Lucinda & her children
Rest in Peace
May McDermott
David Kennedy Strachan
Don’t forget, you can add someone to the prayer list by emailing or phoning as usual, but you need to get their permission before adding them to the sick list. You can also use the form on the website here to submit a prayer request online.
This Week's Hymns & Readings
Remember that News and notices from previous weeks are all available to read by clicking "notices" at the top of the page. Sign up below to receive our weekly email by joining our mailing list.