Update The Parish of Cogges Week beginning Sunday 7th March 2010 (3rd Sunday of Lent) If you are new to the church we'd like to get to know you and help you to find out more about us. If you would like to find out Who's Who in the Church look in the Green book on the Shelf by the door. Please fill in a welcome card from the shelf by the main church door and hand it to one of the clergy. Please also sign the visitor's book on the table at the door. If you would like to Gift Aid your giving today, there are envelopes available on the shelf by the church door or from Jen Osman t. 704577. 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) 9.30 am Morning Prayer, St James 11.00 am Morning Worship, St Mary's 3.00 pm Jigsaw 6.00 pm Evening Prayer Reading Today 2 Samuel 7: 18 - 29 In the week ahead : Monday 9.15 am Praying Parents Tuesday 10.30am Admin Meeting, The House 1.30pm Toddler Group, St Mary's Wednesday 9-9.45am Blake Assembly 8.00 pm Open to God, St Mary's Thursday 9.15 am Open to God, St Mary's Friday 2.30 pm CSG with Revd Andrew Pritchard Tickets for the Ray Burley concert on the 20th March are now on sale at the Church office and St Andrews Bookshop. Priced ?8 and ?5 concessions. Proceeds to Church reordering. 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) 9.30 am Holy Communion, St James 11.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary's Does God Exist Yes No Probably Explore the meaning of life. The ALPHA Course St Mary's Church, Cogges. Begins on Monday 19th April 2010 at 7.00pm Coffee and croissants We will be serving the usual coffee, rolls, and fruit in the Church Centre directly after the 8 a.m. service today, Sunday 7 March. Do join us before making your way home. No charge, but as usual all contributions will go to Church Reordering costs. Jackie Archer has gone to Sierra Leone today to work with victims of the Civil War, ex-soldiers, polio victims, orphans and old people (life expectancy is 41). She would value your prayers on this short visit. She will be involved with a bit of construction work and listening and talking to people. Staff Vicar Revd Andrew Sweeney 702155 Email vicar@coggesparish.com Curate Revd Andrew Pritchard 07944 522098 Email andrewjdp@yahoo.co.uk Associate Minister - North Leigh Revd Miri Keen 880095 NSM Revd Tim Edge Parish Office Mo & Elaine 779613 E mail address: office@coggesparish.co m Website Address: www.coggesparish.com OUR MINISTERS Andrew Sweeney and Andrew Pritchard have their day off on Friday In order to protect Miri's off duty days please be aware that her working days are as follows: Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday You could make a difference to a child in the developing world today. Victor and Tobias both need a sponsor. If this is something you would like to consider, or you would just like to know more about the work of Compassion, please speak to Rachel Webster, 01993 700910, rachel@james-webster.co.uk OXFORDSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES RIDE & STRIDE The Ride & Stride in Oxfordshire last September has raised so far over ?122000 and is anticipated reach ?125,000. Of the 34 counties who took part in this event only 3 other counties raised more than Oxfordshire. Half of this money went directly to the churches nominated by the riders or walkers. As regards St Marys Cogges, our participants raised ?691, ?49 more than last year, half of which went to our church. My thanks to those members who took part. A note for your diary, this year the Ride & Stride will take place on Saturday 11 September. I will let you know when the sponsorship forms are available nearer the time. David Eaton Film worth seeing Mugabe and the White African is showing at Screen at the Square (in the Corn Exchange) on March 8th and 10th at 7.30pm. It is a true story of a Christian family, white farmers in Zimbabwe, who challenged Mugabe over his land reforms by refusing to leave their farm and the many Africans who worked with them, suffering repeated attacks as a result, and eventually challenging Mugabe in the courts. Leaders Away Day The new date for this is Saturday 12th June at Windmill Conference Centre, Clanfield. If you are a leader you should have had an email from the Office to let you know. If not, please contact Mo in 779613. Open to God meetings started this week looking at Moses and his prayer life. On Wednesday through worship, readings and encouragement we explored how we are 'called by name' as Moses was. How Moses pitched his 'tent of meeting' a place of presence, provision & power (Ex 33) Where do we pitch our tent of meeting? We then looked out to families, friends, work colleagues & parish. How can we, as church members, be a presence of grace within our community. Following this time feedback showed us that: God goes before us. Time is precious create time to share God's love. Pray for others to hear/ see/feel God. Be bold - stand up for ourselves as Christians. Be culturally relevant - hating the sin, loving the sinner. Be creative with our 'tents of meeting' - at work, home, walking around our neighbourhood. Do things as a group, not alone. Alone we are an emptying glass - together, with the Holy Spirit, we are an overflowing glass. Get out and meet with others in the community - do not worry about making mistakes. Tap into God's resources when ours are spent (Phil 2:13) Thursday was an intimate time in the Blake Chapel worshipping and experiencing prayer. Filling ourselves with Jesus, letting go of our distractions & troubles. Looking for God's purpose in everything. We were led into our 'tent of meeting', sitting with God, asking questions, listening, seeking His wisdom and answers: being together. Our thanks go to those who provided drinks & cakes and most especially to those who prayed, prepared & lead us into a closer experience of prayer. Has anyone removed the feather duster from the church, the church cleaners would love it to be returned. Prayer Chain I would like to start up the Prayer chain again where we deal with urgent requests and send them out to key groups e.g. Pastorates and Home groups. I need someone who is willing to take over from me while I am way on holiday etc. If you are willing to help in any way, please contact me. Jenny Allen 702555 Easter is not far away, so it's time to think about lilies; you may remember the beautiful displays we enjoyed last year and we'd like to do them again. If you would like to donate ?5 - the cost of a lily - in memory of a loved one, please speak to Elizabeth Williams (773096) or Jen Osman (704577) before 21st March. Thank you 1 1