The season of Advent signals the beginning of a new Church year: just as Christ will come in glory at the end of time to make all things new, so in the meantime we have the opportunity of receiving God’s grace anew. In fact, this new year is entitled a “Year of Mercy.” This has been initiated by Pope Francis who expresses his desire for ‘the Holy Year to be for all believers a true moment of encounter with the mercy of God.’ In this diocese, Bishop Martin has invited us all to enter into this same year: the Year of Mercy 2016 when he says, ‘open the doors, let the people in; let us go out in faith, joy and hope.’ There is a special service at Chichester Cathedral on the Second Sunday of Advent to initiate this year when a symbolic door will be opened. In Pagham too we will have the opportunity to open the doors of our church, of our hearts, of our lives, which is always a two-way encounter – going out and coming in, reaching out to our community and welcoming them in.
Thanks be to God for the mercy we have received in Jesus Christ, Babe of Bethlehem, for all the mercies we receive from His hands and for the mercy He wishes to grant to all people through us.
God be merciful to you and yours this Advent, Christmas and Year of Mercy.
Mark Eminson – Vicar
(All events at St Thomas à Becket’s church unless otherwise stated)
Sunday 6 December 3.30pm Opening of Year of Mercy door & Choral Evensong at Chichester Cathedral
Sunday mornings in Advent (29 November, 6, 13, 20 December):
8am Holy Communion
9.45am Parish Eucharist
Sunday evenings in Advent:
29 November 5.00pm Advent Carols & Readings
6 December 5.00pm Informal Worship
13 December 4.00pm Christingle
20 December 5.00pm Celtic Prayer
Weekdays in Advent:
Morning Prayer 9.20am Monday-Thursday & Saturday (8.30am Friday)
Evening Prayer 5.20pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (4.30pm Friday)
Tuesdays 7.00pm Eucharist
Wednesdays 10.00am Holy Communion
Wednesdays 8.00pm Compline
Carol Services:
Sunday 6 December 6.00pm Carols in Hotham Park
Thursday 17 December 9.00am Rose Green Infants
Thursday 17 December 7.30pm Chichester Voices Choir Concert, “Rejoice and Be Merry”
Friday 18 December 10.00am Rose Green Juniors
Friday 18 December 6.00pm Carols around Rose Green Christmas Tree
Tuesday 22 December 7.30pm Carols at The Bear Inn
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 27 December St John, Apostle & Evangelist
8am Holy Communion
9.45am Family Eucharist
4.00pm Christmas Carols
Tuesday 29 December The Martyrdom of Thomas à Becket
7.00pm The Eucharist
Thursday 31 December
11.30pm Ringing-in of the New Year
Sunday 3 January The Epiphany
9.45am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 10 January Baptism of Christ
9.45am Family Eucharist with Sunday School Play
Sunday 31 January Feast of Candlemas
9.45am Parish Eucharist