WELCOME TO THE PARISH CHURCH OF SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN, OXENHOPE
especially all who are new to our Church.

If you are a regular member of the congregation, please try to speak to someone you don’t know!

Sunday, 29^th January 2012:
the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany - Candlemas. W.
10 am: Parish Communion.

Celebrant and Preacher,
the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith.

‘Healing and Caring.’

This morning’s readings:

Epistle, Revelation 12.1-5a:
Reader, Robert Whitaker.
Gospel, Mark 1.21-28.
Lay Ministrant: Michael Cope.
Intercessor: Jan Berry.

Hymns, from ‘Mission Praise’:

73 Christ is made the sure foundation

170 Give thanks with a grateful heart

496 O for a thousand tongues to sing

511 O Lord, Your tenderness

69 Change my heart, O God

673 There is a Redeemer

Today’s Collect:

God our creator,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
we pray that the light
of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance
and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of 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.

Today’s Post Communion Prayer:

Generous Lord,
in word and eucharist we have proclaimed the mystery of your love:
help us so to live out our days
that we may be signs of your wonders in the world;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Morning Prayer (BCP):
this Tuesday at 9 am, in Church.

This Wednesday at 7 pm, bell ringing practice in the Tower. New starters welcome.

This Thursday:
7 pm: Choir Practice. 8.15 pm: Compline.

The Big Chill (for those in School years 6 to 10) next meets this Friday, 3^rd February:
7.30 to 8.45 pm at the Vicarage. Then every fortnight. Fun, fellowship and stuff to think about. Ask Richard, Adam or Nigel for further details.

‘Breakfast with God’ is evolving and is now taking place on Saturday mornings. The next session, for 4 to 11 year-olds and their families will be at Saint Mary's Church this Saturday, 4^th February, from 9.30 to 10.30 am. There will be breakfast followed by craft activities, songs, games and prayers for the children. Parents and Carers are more than welcome to stay if they want and unwind over a coffee and a croissant! ‘Breakfast with God’ sessions will then take place on the first Saturday of each month at Saint Mary's Church. There’s no need to book – just turn up!

Next Sunday at 10.30 am we join the West Drive Methodists Chapel congregation at the West Drive Church for their annual Covenant Service.
There will be the customary “first Sunday of the month” 8.30 am ‘Book of Common Prayer’ said celebration of Holy Communion at our own Church – but please note there will be no 10 am service at Saint Mary’s.

Jubilee Year in Keighley: next Sunday,
5^th February, (the eve of the anniversary of the Queen’s accession) Keighley Shared Church will hold a Civic Service at 4 pm. This will take the form of a ‘Come and Sing’ Choral Evensong with the Book of Common Prayer Accession Service.

Contemplative Prayer at West Drive Methodist Church takes place every first Monday of the month – so the next meeting will be a week tomorrow, on Monday 6^th February. The theme will be “God is Love”. Ask Fiona or the Reverend Nigel for further information.

Toddler Praise takes place every third Saturday of the month, 10.15 to 11.15 am in Church. So, the next meeting is on Saturday 18^th February.

A big ‘thank you’ to all who gave money to Inn Church, the Bradford ecumenical homelessness project, at our Christmas services. Thanks to your generosity, we are sending them a cheque for more than £460.

If you would like a lift to Church please leave a message on the Vicarage answerphone and you will be contacted to arrange this. Also, if you know someone who doesn’t come to Church because they find it difficult to get to Saint Mary's do encourage them to make contact and accept a lift.

Annual Meeting reports: yes, it’s that time of year again – and because of the way Easter falls this year (8^th April) we are hoping to have our annual meeting on Sunday 1^st April. Please submit your reports for 2011 to the Reverend Nigel as soon as is possible so that he can collate them and summarise them for the Annual Report. Many thanks in advance!

There will be a Confirmation Service at St Mary's at 6 pm on 23^rd September 2012, for anyone wishing to be confirmed and welcomed into the Church of England. Those of our Church family who have been with us for some time but do not receive Holy Communion now have the opportunity to do so through Confirmation. If you are interested please speak to Reverend Nigel in the first instance.
There will be a Confirmation Exploration Group meeting once a month from March to August (six meetings). Times and dates will be arranged to suit those interested in exploring Confirmation.

Exploratory Group: Reverend Nigel writes: “I have received a number of requests for an introductory/exploratory group (this is separate from the confirmation group). If you are new to Saint Mary's, or to Church/Christianity in general, do have a word with me about being part of that group.”

Notices for our Cluster:

Morning prayer is said at St Michael and All Angels Haworth at 9.15 am on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
There is an 8.30 “Prayer Book” service of Holy Communion on the third Sunday of each month at Saint Michael & All Angels Haworth, if you are unable to make the first Sunday of the month at Oxenhope.
Holy Communion is celebrated at St James Cross Roads at 9.15 am on Wednesdays.
All are welcome to these services.

Children up to and including KS2 are welcome to come to “Good Friday at Saint James” on Fridays in primary school term time, starting at
6 pm. This is lead by the Reverend Nigel Wright.

“Elderberries” meet on the third Thursday each month in the Old School Rooms in Haworth at
2 pm for a time of communion and fellowship. All who are young at heart are very welcome to attend. This is led by the Reverend and Mrs Peter Wilson.

Next Sunday 5^th February:
The Third Sunday before Lent. G.

8.30 am: Holy Communion
(Book of Common Prayer).

10.30 am: We are all invited to join our Methodist friends at their Church at for their Covenant Service.

There will be no 10 am Service at Saint Mary’s.

To contact the Reverend Nigel, ring 642529 (or mobile 07970 751670) and he will get back to you as soon as possible: or email him at nigel@stmarysoxenhope.co.uk If he is not available and the matter is urgent please contact the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith on 648464 or 07891 183682 (mobile), or by email at
peter.mayo-smith@bradford.anglican.org
Alternatively try either of our Readers, Fiona Bolam-Peel (648182) or Richard Berry (647974).

Rotas for the next few weeks:

Today, Sunday 29^th January: The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany - Candlemass. Children’s leader, Sue Gibson; support, Fran Cameron. Sidespersons: Hazel Belsey and Edna Randell. Coffee: The Butlers. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Anne Collinson & Kathryn Sharp. Flowers: Celia Holmes.

Next Sunday 5^th February: The Third Sunday before Lent. G. 8.30 am: Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer). We are all invited to join our Methodist friends at their Church at 10.30 am for their Covenant Service. Epistle, 1 Corinthians 9.16-23: Reader, Celia Holmes. Gospel, Mark 1.29-39. (There will be NO 10 am Service at our Church).

Sunday 12^th February: The Second Sunday before Lent. G. 10 am, Family Communion with Parade. Celebrant and Preacher, the Reverend Nigel Wright. Epistle, Colossians 1.15-20. Gospel, John 1.1-14. Lay Ministrant: Margaret Hindley. Sidespersons: Jane Clavin and Nigel Sutcliffe. Coffee: Jo Wright. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Jackie Cope & Norma Mackrell. Flowers: Jackie Cope.

Sunday 19^th February: The Sunday Next before Lent. G. 10 am, Parish Communion. Preacher, Richard Berry; Celebrant, the Reverend Geoff Banks. Epistle, 2 Corinthians 4.3-6: Reader, Margaret Hindley. Gospel, Mark 9.2-9. Lay Ministrant: Eileen Holmes. Intercessor: Jackie Cope. Children’s leader, Jennifer Whitaker; support, Camilla Allen. Sidespersons: Jan Berry & Michael Cope. Coffee: Margaret Hindley. Cleaning, Church and Tower: The Bennetts. Flowers: Jackie Cope.

Wednesday 22^nd February: Ash Wednesday. P.

Sunday 26^th February: The First Sunday of Lent. P. 10 am, Parish Communion. Preacher, Fiona Bolam-Peel; Celebrant, the Reverend Nigel Wright. Epistle, 1 Peter 3.18-end: Reader, Kathryn Sharp. Gospel, Mark 1.9-15. Lay Ministrant: Fiona Bolam-Peel. Intercessor: Margaret Hindley. Children’s leader, Sue Gibson; support, Fran Cameron. Sidespersons: Camilla Allen & Pauline Bedford. Coffee: Sue Harding. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Brenda Emmett & Sue Harding. No flowers in Lent.

Sunday 4^th March: The Second Sunday of Lent. P. 8.30 am, Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer). 10 am, Parish Communion. Celebrant and Preacher, the Reverend Nigel Wright. Old Testament Reading, Genesis 17.1-7, 15, 16; Epistle, Romans 4.13-end: Reader, Eileen Holmes. Gospel, Mark 8.31-end. Lay Ministrant: Michael Cope. Intercessor: Robert Whitaker (Moorside and Hawksbridge). Children’s leader, Jo Wright; support, Jennifer Whitaker. Sidespersons: Marion Povey & Kathryn Sharp. Coffee: Jackie Cope. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Chris Jones & Edna Randell. No flowers in Lent.

Sunday 11^th March: The Third Sunday of Lent. P. 10 am, Parish Communion. Celebrant and Preacher, the Reverend Nigel Wright. Old Testament Reading, Exodus 20.1-17; Epistle, 1 Corinthians 1.18-25: Reader, Jackie Cope. Gospel, John 2.13-22. Lay Ministrant: Jeremy Mackrell. Children’s leader, Sue Gibson; support, Jo Wright. Sidespersons: Nigel Sutcliffe & Jane Clavin. Coffee: Jo Wright. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Jan and Richard Berry. No flowers in Lent.

Sunday 18^th March: The Fourth Sunday of Lent - Mothering Sunday. 10 am, Family Communion. Celebrant, the Reverend Nigel Wright. Old Testament Reading, Exodus 2.1-10; Epistle, Colossians 3.12-17. Gospel, Luke 2.33-35. Lay Ministrant: Eileen Holmes. Intercessor: Jan Berry. Children’s leader, Jennifer Whitaker (crafts for toddlers/preschool in Church). Sidespersons: Hazel Belsey & Edna Randell. Coffee: Camilla Allen. Cleaning, Church and Tower: . No flowers in Lent.

Sunday 25^th March: The Fifth Sunday of Lent. P. Passiontide begins. 10 am, Parish Communion. Preacher, Fiona Bolam-Peel; Celebrant, the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith. Old Testament Reading, Jeremiah 31.31-34; Epistle, Hebrews 5.5-10: Reader, John Chambers. Gospel, John 12.20-33. Lay Ministrant: Fiona Bolam-Peel. Intercessor: Jennifer Whitaker. Children’s leader, Fran Cameron; support, Camilla Allen. Sidespersons: Tony Holmes and --. Coffee: Chris Jones. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Pat Schofield & --. No flowers in Lent.

Sunday 1^st April: PALM SUNDAY. R. 8.30 am, Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer). 10 am, Parish Communion. Celebrant and Preacher, the Reverend Nigel Wright. Epistle, Philippians 2.5-11: Reader, Andrew Collinson. Gospel, Mark 14.1- end of 15 (or: Mark 15.1-39). Lay Ministrant: Michael Cope. Intercessor: --. Children’s leader, Jo Wright; support, Sue Gibson. Sidespersons: Marion Povey & Kathryn Sharp. Coffee: Celia Holmes. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Anne Collinson & Kathryn Sharp. No flowers in Lent.

Thursday 5^th April: MAUNDY THURSDAY. R/W. Old Testament Reading, Exodus 12.1-4, 11-14; Epistle, 1 Corinthians 11 23-26: Reader, Brenda Emmett.

Friday 6^th April: GOOD FRIDAY.

Saturday 7^th April: EASTER EVE.

Sunday 8^th April: EASTER DAY. W. 10 am, Family Communion. Preacher, the Reverend Nigel Wright; Celebrant, the Reverend Geoff Banks. Old Testament Reading, Isaiah 25.6-9; Epistle, Acts 10.34-43: Reader, Jennifer Whitaker. Gospel, John 20.1-18. Lay Ministrant: Eileen Holmes. Sidespersons: Camilla Allen & Jackie Cope. Coffee: The Bennetts. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Eileen Holmes & Robert Whitaker. Flowers: Anne Collinson. Donations and helpers wanted please to decorate the Church.

Sunday 15^th April: the Second Sunday of Easter – Low Sunday. W. 10 am, Family Communion. Epistle, Acts 4.32-35: Reader, Pam Chambers. Gospel, John 20.19-end. Lay Ministrant: Michael Cope. Intercessor: Jackie Cope. Sidespersons: Hazel Belsey & Edna Randell. Coffee: Marion Povey. Cleaning, Church and Tower: The Bennetts. Flowers: Anne Collinson.

Sunday 22^nd April: The Third Sunday of Easter. W. 10 am, Parish Communion. Epistle, Acts 3.12-19: Reader, Sam Mawer. Gospel, Luke 24.36b-48. Lay Ministrant: Jeremy Mackrell. Intercessor: Margaret Hindley. Sidespersons: Jane Clavin & Nigel Sutcliffe. Coffee: Pauline Bedford. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Brenda Emmett & Sue Harding. Flowers: Anne Collinson.

Sunday 29^th April: The Fourth Sunday of Easter. W. 10 am, Parish Communion – to which we welcome our friends of the Methodist Church. Epistle, Acts 4.5-12: Reader, a Member of the Methodist church. Gospel, John 10.11-18. Lay Ministrant: Eileen Holmes. Intercessor: Jan Berry. Sidespersons: Jan Berry & Michael Cope. Coffee: The Bennetts. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Chris Jones & Edna Randell. Flowers: Jennifer Whitaker.

Sunday 6^th May: The Fifth Sunday of Easter. W. 8.30 am, Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer). 10 am, Parish Communion. Epistle, Acts 8.26-end: Reader, Jane Mooney. Gospel, John 15.1-8. Lay Ministrant: Margaret Hindley. Intercessor: Robert Whitaker. Sidespersons: Marion Povey & Kathryn Sharp. Coffee: Anne Collinson. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Jackie Cope & Norma Mackrell. Flowers: Jennifer Whitaker.

Sunday 13^th May: The Sixth Sunday of Easter. W. 10 am, Family Communion. Epistle, Acts 10.44-end. Gospel, John 15.9-17. Lay Ministrant: Fiona Bolam-Peel. Sidespersons: Tony Holmes and --. Coffee: The Butlers. Cleaning, Church and Tower: Jan & Richard Berry. Flowers: Brenda Emmett.

Thursday 17^th May: ASCENSION DAY. Old Testament Reading, Daniel 7.9-14; Epistle, Acts 1.1-11: Reader, Jeremy Mackrell.

Sunday 20^th May: the Seventh Sunday of Easter. 10 am, Parish Communion. Epistle, Acts 1.15-17 and 21-end: Reader, Tony Matthews. Gospel, John 17.6-19. Lay Ministrant: Jackie Cope. Intercessor: Jennifer Whitaker. Sidespersons: Camilla Allen & Pauline Bedford. Coffee: Edna Randell. Cleaning, Church and Tower: . Flowers: .

Margaret Hindley and Pauline Hudson clean the Chancel. Celia Holmes cleans the toilets, tidies the kitchen and washes tea towels. Cover for illness or for emergency only, please: Sidespersons, Chris Jones (646056): Coffee, Kathryn Sharp (643279).