St Mary the Virgin, Welwyn - Welwyn.org.uk

‘Doom and Gloom’
in religious art
a slide presentation by Roger Aubrey
8pm Friday 13th March in New Church House
to provide water for a
village in Malawi
followed by a glass of wine
The Children’s Society annual box opening: Diane
Petty will be in New Church House on Saturday 14th
March between 10am-12noon to collect boxes. If you
cannot bring your box in at this time please leave it at the
Church Office on weekdays between 10am –12noon or
phone Diane on 714901.
The next Ladies Lunch - Saturday 18th April
It was good to see many of you at the last Ladies' Lunch
on 21st February and we are pleased to announce that
Stephen Fielding will be our guest speaker at our next
lunch. Stephen will talk about his various careers and his
coming to ministry as well as his personal interests in
life. Please do join us for what should be a very enjoyable
occasion. The talk will start at 12.30 prompt. Tickets at
£8.00 will go on sale on the following Sundays: 22nd
March, 29th March and 5th April after the 9.30 service
and will be available from Vickie Harris, Mavis Francis,
Joyce Lund and Marie-France Rowland.
Children’s Society Collection 21st March-4th April:
There are still a number of roads in the parish where a
collector is needed urgently in order to help support the
Society’s important work. Even if you have never
collected before your help would be much appreciated. If
you feel able to give a little time to call on houses would
you please contact me Audrey Taylor 01707 325678.
For times of next week’s services please see the notice in
the porch.
W For your PrayersW
The Residents of: Canonsfield; Canonsfield Court;
Canonsfield Road
The Sick: Dennis Carpenter; Muriel Taylor;
Yim Lon Chong; Beryl Pringle; Connie Udale; Brian
Evers; Chris and Hilary Clements; Sophie Washington;
Dawn Tilley; Derek Haslam; Betty Kenyon;
Martina Pym
Those who have died recently and their families
and friends: James Overman; Kenneth Harding;
Corporal Daniel Ginty; Christine Reynolds; Jon Green;
Shirley Thompson
This week please pray for:
The Family Service this morning
The Lent Groups running throughout the Team
The Pram Service
The Stuart Road Service
The Women’s World Day of Prayer on Friday
The Saturday morning Fairtrade Shop
The Elstree and Borehamwood Team Ministry
St Giles Church, Codicote
The Bishop elect of St Albans the Rt. Revd Alan Smith
Next week’s readings: Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16;
Romans 4: 13-25; Mark 8: 31-38
St Mary’s Church Office:
open weekdays 10am-12noon Tel: 01438 840964
e-mail secretary@welwyn.org.uk
Parish Web site www.welwyn.org.uk
St Mary the Virgin,
Welwyn
Sunday 1st March 2009
The First Sunday of Lent
We warmly welcome all our visitors to this
Service of Parish Communion
and hope you will stay behind afterwards
for a cup of coffee.
We welcome Andrew Millinger as our organist
for this morning’s service.
For those with a hearing aid an induction loop is
fitted in this church for your use. There are also large
print versions of the service and the hymn books
available. Please ask one of the sidespersons.
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days
in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves
in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
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
Opening Hymn:
‘The Kingdom of God is justice and joy’
1) The kingdom of God
is justice and joy,
for Jesus restores
what sin would destroy;
God’s power and glory
in Jesus we know,
and here and hereafter
the kingdom shall grow.

2) The kingdom of God
is mercy and grace,
the captives are freed,
the sinners find place
the outcast are welcomed
God’s banquet to share,
and hope is awakened
in place of despair.
3) The kingdom of God
is challenge and choice,
believe the good news,
repent and rejoice!
His love for us sinners
brought Christ to his cross,
our crisis of judgement
for gain or for loss.
4) God’s kingdom is come,
the gift and the goal,
in Jesus begun,
in heaven made whole;
the heirs of the kingdom
shall answer his call,
and all things cry ‘Glory!’
to God all in all.
First Reading: Genesis 9: 8-17
(Read by Tom Davidson)
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3: 18-22
(Read by Philippa Dowdell)
Gradual Hymn: 357
‘Father hear the prayer we offer’
Gospel: Mark 1: 9-15
Offertory Hymn: 67
‘Forty days and forty nights’
(During the singing of this hymn a collection will be
taken)
During Communion the Choir will sing ‘Lead me
Lord’ -S S Wesley
Communion Hymn:
‘As the deer pants for the water’
1. As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship you.
2. I want you more than gold or silver
only you can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
and the apple of my eye.
3. You’re my friend and you are my brother,
even though you are a king.
I love you more than any other,
so much more than anything.
Final Hymn: 393 ‘Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us’
— ˇ — Notices — ˇ —
There will be Evensong for St David’s Day this evening
Family Service
for St David’s Day
this morning at 11.15am
led by Coralie McCluskey
with the 14+ band
All welcome
at 6.30pm in St Peter’s, Tewin led by Coralie
McCluskey.
Lent Groups : This year’s Lent study book is ‘Season
of Renewal’ by Alison Morgan and Bill Goodman.
Season of Renewal’ offers a gentle but challenging
approach to Lent. The course itself is divided into six
sessions. Each session includes creative and practical
elements as well as a focus on scripture and some
times of prayer. The course explores the work of the
Holy Spirit in the life of the individual and the church.
Full details of all the Lent Groups running throughout the
Welwyn Team can be seen on the pillar by the South
Door.
The Mothers' Union are meeting on Tuesday 3rd March
at 2.00 pm at 11 Mardley Avenue for their AGM/Oxfam
DVD "Sisters of the Planet". Visitors welcome. Chris
Allday 716859
The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 4th
March at 2pm in St Mary’s. All pre-school children, their
parents and carers welcome at this relaxed informal
service.
Stuart Road Service Thursday 5th March 10.30-11am.
Service of hymns followed by tea and coffee. Any older
people who would like to come but need a lift please
phone the office, 840964.
The funeral of Shirley Thompson will take place on
Thursday, 5th March, at 2.30pm in St Mary’s.
Women’s World Day of Prayer: This year the service
will be held at St Giles, Codicote on Friday, 6th March at
1.30pm.
To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, we will be having a
special fairtrade tasting session on Saturday 7 th March at
the Fairtrade Shop in New Church House from 10-
11.30am. Do come along and try the new geobars and
chocolate, and have a look through the new Spring/
Summer Traidcraft catalogue.
Next Sunday, 8th March, is the Second Sunday of Lent.
Coralie McCluskey will preside at Holy Communion at
8am. There will be Parish Communion at 9.30am. Alan
Winton will preside and Usha Hull will preach. There
will be Choral Evensong at 6.30pm led by Catherine
Jupp.