A very warm welcome to all
“I will bless God at all times, and praise shall ever be in my mouth.”
St Mary the Virgin (transferred from 15th)
Readings: Isaiah 7: 10-15; Gal 4: 4-7
Gospel: Luke 1: 46-55
In our Gospel today
Today we celebrate our Patronal Festival. We celebrate our life together and the saint after whom our Church is named, St Mary the Virgin, Mother of Jesus. How blessed we are to be named after Mary who is regarded as the greatest of saints and the first Christian.
This is a celebration of the grace and power of God in a human life, of what extraordinary and truly marvellous things God can do in a life that is yielded to God and receptive to God’s will. In our readings today we have an insight into Mary’s relationship with God and we see there the qualities that are needed for our own lives to be bearers of Jesus for the world. At this time of uncertainty in our church’s life we look once more to our Patron, St Mary, for guidance that we might be full of faith and trust like her.
Peace Garden
The planting of the raised bed happened on Thursday this week and that really signals the completion of our Peace Garden. This Sunday is our Patronal Festival and Fr Roger Dyer would like to have an act of dedication and blessing of the new garden during the service. After the final hymn we will all process out to the garden – lead by the Cross, Priest, Banners, Choir and Congregation. Liturgically we will be taking the Blessing and Dismissal outdoors and finish the service in the Peace Garden.
Services of Evensong
There will be a service of Evensong at St Mary’s on Sunday 27th August at 6:30pm. This will be Matthew’s last service with us before he takes up his new post. After the service there will be a Reception and an opportunity for us to express our thanks to Matthew for his work amongst us in recent years. Please mark this date in your diaries and on your calendars!
St Mary’s Gift Day
This Sunday, 13th August, it will be our Patronal Festival (transferred from the 15th). This will also be our annual St Mary’s Gift Day where we ask congregation members to think about reviewing their regular giving and to consider making a further one-off gift to St Mary’s.
Photograph Competition 2023
Our Photograph Competition for 2023 has been launched and will be our third such competition and will run until 30th September. We are still awaiting our first photographic entries! Competition rules can be found here:
https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/notices/photograph-competition-2023/
Social Ladies’ and Gents’ evenings
A Ladies’ Evening has now been arranged for Thursday 28th September at the No. 10 Restaurant on Queens Terrace. Please contact Gillian Rose or Anne Farquhar if you would like to attend. A similar evening will be organised for the gents. So please let David Rose know if you’re interested in attending and have any good ideas for a venue.
Bottle Appeal
We ask everyone to consider donating attractive (and empty) gin or whisky bottles for our ‘Bottle Appeal’. This is an ongoing fundraising initiative and we ask you to keep your eyes open.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 13th August 2023
Sunday 13th August 8am Said Eucharist (1970 Liturgy) Patronal Festival: Revd Roger Dyer
Sunday 13th August 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy) Patronal Festival: Revd Roger Dyer
Tuesday 15th August at 10am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy) Mary the Virgin: Revd Dr Jenny Holden
Wednesday 16th August 10am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Revd Roger Dyer
Friday 18th August 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 20th August 8am Said Eucharist (1970 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Sunday 20th August 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Revd Jason Hobbs
Sunday 20th August readings: Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32
Gospel: Matthew 16: (10-20), 21-28
“Let us learn from the Virgin Mary how to be bolder in obeying the word of God.”
(Pope Francis)
For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd. Roger Dyer on 07719 458571
or revrogdyer@btinternet.com