Bill and Wendy Noakes

							                                          St Mary the Virgin Church
                                                             Bexley
                                              www.stmarysbexley.co.uk

                 Sunday 1st February 2009.
            Presentation of Christ in the Temple
               & 4th Sunday of the Epiphany

 8:00 am     Holy Communion (BCP)
10:00 am     Sung Holy Communion (CW)
10:00 am     The Children’s Ark Club – Hall
 4:30 pm     Candlemas

Mon 2nd      Presentation of Christ in the Temple
9:00 am      Morning Prayer

Tues 3rd     Anscar, archbishop, missionary, 865
 9:00 am     Morning Prayer
 7:45 pm     PCC Meeting – Lady Chapel

Weds 4th     Gilbert, founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189
10:00 am     Holy Communion – Lady Chapel
 3:00 pm     House Group at 53 Hartford Road

Thurs 5th
9:00 am      Morning Prayer
2:00 pm      Funeral of William Forsyth Eltham Crematorium
5:30 pm      Brownies – Hall
8:00 pm      Bellringing Practice

Fri 6th      Martyrs of Japan, 1597
             Accession of Queen Elizabeth II, 1952
7:00 pm      Choir Practice

Sun 8th      3rd Sunday before Lent

 8:00 am     Holy Communion (CW)
10:00 am     Sung Holy Communion (CW)
10:00 am     The Children’s Ark Club – Hall
 2:00 pm     Baptisms of Cloe Trimming & Rachel Haw
 6:30 pm     Compline
Today’s Readings:
 8:00 am Holy Communion (BCP p 114)
10:00 am Holy Communion (CW)
Malachi 3:1-5 and Luke 2:22-40


Readings for Wednesday 4th February
10:00 am Holy Communion
Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 and Mark 6:1-6


                              Comment

The Temple was the place of worship, a place of rites and rituals for
all sorts of circumstances, day in and day out. Some people have
spoken of ‘empty ritual.’ This was not the case in the Temple.
For those living the life of the Temple, its rituals were a way into a
profound experience of God. In this way Simeon and Anna inhabited
God’s presence, and readily saw that there is more to life than meets
the eye. In the baby Jesus , their eyes saw consolation, salvation,
light, revelation, glory and redemption.

Maybe the question to ask yourself today is that if Simeon and Anna
saw Jesus in these ways, how do you view Jesus? Is the Living God
an important part of your inner being that you show forth in your life?


Candlemas
Today at 4:30 pm there will be a Candlemas, which is a celebration
of Jesus’ presentation in the Temple and when he was recognised
as ‘the salvation and light of those in darkness’.…..who would ‘guide
our feet into the way of peace’ It is a service with many candles and
we hope you will be able to join us in this beautiful and moving
service.

Palm Crosses
On Wednesday 25th March, which is Ash Wednesday, the church
starts the season of Lent. Please bring last year’s palm crosses to
the church. These will be burnt to produce the ash which is used for
the imposition of the Ashes, symbolic of our mortality and the need
for penitence. Thank you.
The Bible Society
There is a special celebration service for the work of Bible Society at
Holy Trinity Church, Clapham Common, London SW4 0QZ on
Sunday 1st March at 4:30 pm.
RSVP if you are attending is required by Friday 13th February.
Please see the notice in the porch.


Healing Service
Anointing with holy oils is an ancient service the church offers to
those who are sick and who feel the need of the Holy Spirit to
‘quieten the soul’ and bring healing and God’s love. It also part of
many services including Taizé and can be incorporated into a
service of Holy Communion.

 There will be a healing service with Holy Communion at the
10:00 am Holy Communion service on Wednesday 4th March and
thereafter on the first Wednesday of each month.

Please note there is someone present to pray with you in the Lady
Chapel after Holy Communion at the Sunday 10:00 am service if you
should wish.

www.stmarysbexley.co.uk
If you have not yet done so please have a look at the St Mary’s web
site and pass any comments you may have to Paul.

The Extension
There will be a meeting to discuss the progress of the extension at
11:30 pm on Sunday 8th March in the Lady Chapel. The group is now
formed to plan for the toilet and clergy vestry extension to the side of
the church. Please make a note of the date and come along. Your
views are important and may be made known at this meeting.

February 22nd – 10:00 am All Age service
In addition to two adults and two children being baptised on this day,
it is also Founder’s Day for the Scout movement and they will be
present with their standards.

The Ellenor Lions Hospice
A few weeks ago, we received an appeal from the Ellenor Lions
Hospice saying that they were in a dire financial state with donations
from individual supporters and major corporate partners down
considerably. At the same time, we learned that everyone in
Dartford was being asked to give £1 to the appeal. This matter was
considered at the last meeting of the Standing Committee and it was
agreed that we should make the same appeal to our congregation.
A collecting box will be available in the cross aisle this Sunday and
for the following two Sundays. You will find a letter giving further
information on the notice board in the coffee corner.

Couples Planning to Marry at St Mary’s
Please note that in addition to the papers prepared for you in the box
in the cross aisle, wedding couples should see Mary Andrews, the
Church Warden, for additional papers which are now available.

Please note that, unless you live in the parish or are qualified by
association with the parish under the Marriage Measures Act 2008,
you will need to record your attendance at church in order to qualify
to be married.

                    Please remember in your prayers
  Our Link Mission Partners, Chris and Angela with Anna, Isaac and Noah

Bill and Wendy Noakes, Win Dominick, Donald Welch, June Fox,
Alan Chappell, Kevin Tilley, Richard Pomerance, Pascale Prigent,
Luke Becwith

Anniversary of Death: Arthur Smalley

Those who have died: Peter Lampon, William Forsyth, Raymond
Matthews
May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in glory.
………………………………………………………………………

              Vicar: The Reverend Paul Spreadbridge
           The Vicarage. 29 Hill Crescent, Bexley DA5 2DA
                         Tel: 01322 523457

                          Church Wardens
                   Miss Mary Andrews 01322 523071
                   Mr Roger Thompson 01322 522071

Please see the back page of the Parish ‘Link’ Magazine for details of
       those who hold different posts or offices at St Mary’s