The alternative collect prayer for the fifth Sunday of EasterRisen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.Congratulations! Well done to our 5 brilliant Confirmation candidates who were confirmed at a lovely Deanery Confirmation service at St Stephen’s in Hightown on Tuesday evening this week by Bishop Geoff Pearson. Simon has loved spending time with them in St Andrew’s school each week over the last couple of months chatting with them about the Christian faith and preparing them for this, and it was really special seeing them take this step. Please do pray for God’s blessing on them. SERVICESSunday 3rd MaySt Andrew's: 10.00 am Holy Communion St Thomas': 10.00 am Holy Communion followed by the Annual Parish Church Meeting St James': 11.15 am Holy Communion St Peter’s: 11.15 am Morning Prayer AND 4.00 pm Church 4 AllWednesday 6th May10.30 am Team Holy Communion Service at St Andrew’sSunday 10th MaySt Andrew's: 10.00 am Holy Communion followed by the Annual Parish Church MeetingSt Thomas': 10.00 am Holy Communion St James': 11.15 am Morning Prayer St Peter’s: 11.15 am Holy Communion AND 4.00 pm Church 4 All with CommunionBible Readings Sunday 3rd May Acts 7:55-end, John 14:1-14 Sunday 10th May Acts 17:22-31, John 14:15-21 Sunday 17th May Acts 1:6-14, John 17:1-11 Sunday 24th May Team Service: Matthew 25:1-13 Sunday 31st May 2 Corinthians 13:11-end, Matthew 28:16-end News Annual Parish Church Meetings The season of annual meetings is still with us! Please do join us at these important meetings for the remaining two churches as we reflect on the year that has gone and look forward to the year ahead… St Thomas’ APCM Sunday 3rd May after the service St Andrew’s APCM Sunday 10th May after the serviceSt Andrew’s Prayer Chain Prayer is offered for anyone facing a difficult situation who would welcome prayerful support. Any request for prayer will be held in the strictest confidence by the small group of people praying. If you would like to be prayed for by the Prayer Chain, please contact - Clergy, Claire Sherman, Karen Blanchard, Norma Pimblett, Alison Crawford. If prayer is requested for another person, please make sure that they give their consent for information to be shared with the Prayer Chain and to say they would like to be prayed for. Thanks, Karen BlanchardParish Giving Scheme The new system is now available to access. Should you at any time require information, please contact your parish representative, or contact PGS directly by Post: 76 Kingsholm Road, Gloucester, GL1 3BD; Phone: 0333 002 1260 or1271; Email: info@parishgiving.org.uk; Website: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/StampsA request from St Thomas’ for your used stamps, as they are collecting them to support training guide dogs. Please do pass any you have in to your church, and the clergy will ensure they get to St Thomas’. Thank you.Request for Wool Donations - also stuffing material for toys & pillowsWool donations for our craft and chat group wld be very gratefully received! Whether whole or part balls of wool, any colour etc. Also, at the moment, donations of stuffing material for toys & pillows would be much appreciated. If you are able to drop off to the craft & chat group between 12.30 and 2pm on Thursdays at St James’ Church Green Lane, that would be great, but collection can easily be arranged. Please contact Pat Dunbar by text message on 07795147109 or email at patcol@blueyonder.co.uk Thank you! WEEKLY EVENTSCraft and Chat: every Thursday 12.30pm until 2pm at St James in the fellowship room. Knitting, crocheting or any craft, you are assured of a very warm welcome so please do come and join us. PatHot lunch, tea and cakes every Thursday afternoon at Melling Tithebarn……12.00pm to 2.00pm. A plate for donations will be available. You are assured of a very warm welcome so please do come and join us. MONTHLY EVENTSSt Peter's Tea and Scones: everyone is welcome to join us for tea and scones on the first Friday in every month from 2pm-3pm. The next one will be Friday 5th June. Expect lots of friendly chats and live music by our resident Michael with his keyboard. Prayer & Worship - monthly get together Each month we are going to be gathering for a time of prayer & worship together at St James Church, Green Lane. This will be a relaxed and informal time, but led and with songs, reflection on passages of scripture, pointers / themes for prayer etc. This is following on from the Prayer Course that a number of us did through Lent & Easter time, but is absolutely open to everyone, not just those who came to that course. The next of these will be on Wednesday 20th May, 7.30pm and we would be delighted to see you there. Please do speak to Rev. Simon or Claire Sherman for any further information.Bereavement Support: at St Andrew’s Church. Further enquiries, and if there are any particular requests for bereavement support, from anywhere across our 4 parishes, please contact St Andrew’s Parish Office 0151 531 8972. Other noticesBulletin items for inclusion Please send an email to revsimonelliott76@gmail.com stating ‘for bulletin’ in the email ‘subject’ box / email title by midday Thursday of the week you’d like items included.Foodbank: the Foodbank is based at St George's United Reformed Church on Northway opposite Iceland, on Tuesdays 10.00am-12.00 noon.Tins, packet foods and toiletries are always useful. They will gratefully receive donations from 10-12 on Tuesdays at St George’s URC on Northway (easiest access is via the car park on Larchwood Avenue). Alternatively please do drop any donations off before Tuesday on the vicarage doorstep at 23 Green Link. Thank you.CONTACT DETAILSPlease contact us…If you know anyone who would like to receive this emailIf there is anyone who needs prayer If you know anyone who needs a phone call Contact details:Revd. Ian Hopkins 07914 505437 or ianfee100@gmail.com Revd. Simon Elliott 07919 464348 or revsimonelliott76@gmail.com