Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ (Jeremiah 1: 5)
At the end of our Year of Prayer, we have drawn closer to God, the One who formed us, knows us and loves us. This is the perfect foundation for this next Year of Vocation, which will be launched on the Festival of the Baptism of Christ. Our vocation (God’s call to us and our response) begins in baptism. He has grafted us into His family, His Body, and each of us has a part to play and work to do in extending His Kingdom. If Sunday (worship and prayer) is where we start, then Monday to Saturday is where our vocation is lived out; as the Church of England puts it in a new resource, the aim is “setting God’s people free for every day faith.” Brothers and sisters, let that be our prayer and aim this year: to be prophets in our own time and place, day by day; that we, and many more, will know, love and follow Jesus.
Mark Eminson – Vicar
(All events at St Thomas à Becket Church unless otherwise stated)
Sunday mornings in Advent (2, 9, 16, 23 December):
8.00am Holy Communion
9.45am Parish Eucharist
Sunday evenings in Advent 5.00pm:
2 December Advent Carols & Readings
9 December Christingle
16 December Celtic Evening Prayer
23 December Compline
Weekdays in Advent:
Morning Prayer 9.00am Monday-Thursday
8.30am Friday
9.30am Saturday
Evening Prayer 5.00pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Tuesdays 7.00pm Eucharist
Wednesdays 10.00am Holy Communion
Wednesdays 7.00pm Compline
Carol Services:
Friday 14 December 9.00am Rose Green Infants
Tuesday 18 December 7.30pm Carols at The Bear Inn
Wednesday 19 December 10.00am Rose Green Juniors
Thursday 20 December 7.30pm Chichester Voices Choir Concert
Christmas:
Christmas Eve 5.00pm Crib Service
Christmas Eve 11.30pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day 8.00am Holy Communion
Christmas Day 9.45am Family Eucharist
Sunday 30 December First Sunday of Christmas
8.00am Holy Communion
9.45am Family Eucharist
5.00pm Christmas Carols
Sunday 6 January The Epiphany
9.45am Family Eucharist with Sunday School Play
Sunday 13 January Baptism of Christ
9.45am Family Eucharist and Launch of Year of Vocation