This next year is for us in the Diocese of Chichester – and in this parish – the Year of the Bible.  This year follows logically from the Year of Mercy, so that as we return afresh to the Scriptures we will find again and again that God is merciful.

The Bishop of Lewes, Richard Jackson, has written:

The Bible is not just a simple guidebook.  It does set out the boundaries for holy living, but it is much more than that.  Its grand story records God’s dealing with people over thousands of years and their reflections on that relationship.  It is the only reliable place we can find out about Jesus, and as Anglicans it is the ultimate source of authority for our belief and ethics.  Our goal is to encourage individual Christians to engage with the Bible as part of their discipleship and to look closely at how these texts feature in their spiritual life.  More importantly, we hope that at the end of the year we will all engage with the Bible in a more systematic way.

So do look out for various things we will be doing this year, but in the meantime turn afresh to the beginnings of Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels for the accounts of Jesus’ birth or to places like Isaiah 7 and 9 and Malachi 3 for prophecies of His coming or again to Revelation 21-22 for the promise of His return in glory to put all things right.  The great story of the Bible really can be our story too and may more and more people accept that truth as their most precious gift this Christmas.

Mark Eminson – Vicar

Events

(All events at St Thomas à Becket’s Church unless otherwise stated)

Sunday mornings in Advent (27 November, 4, 11, 18 December)

8.00am Holy Communion

9.45am Parish Eucharist

Sunday evenings in Advent 5.00pm

27 November Advent Carols & Readings

4 December Informal Worship

11 December Christingle

18 December Compline

Weekdays in Advent

Morning Prayer 9.20am Monday-Thursday & Saturday (8.30am Friday)

Tuesdays 7.00pm Eucharist

Wednesdays 10.00am Holy Communion

Wednesdays 8.00pm Compline

Carol Services

Sunday 4 December 6.00-7.00pm Carols in Hotham Park

Thursday 15 December 9.15am Rose Green Infants

Friday 16 December 10.00am Rose Green Juniors

Saturday 17 December 7.30pm Chichester Voices Choir Concert

Tuesday 20 December 7.30pm Carols at The Bear Inn

Friday 23 December 6.00pm Carols around Rose Green Christmas Tree

Christmas Stay and Play – Wednesday 21st December 10am-12.30pm at Pagham Church Centre

Join us for craft, music, drinks and nibbles! Entry only £1 per family. (Children to be accompanied by an adult.)

Christmas Eve

5.00pm Crib Service

11.30pm Midnight Mass

Christmas Day

8.00am Holy Communion

9.45am Family Eucharist

Sunday 1 January Naming and Circumcision of Jesus

8.00am Holy Communion

9.45am Family Eucharist

5.00pm Christmas Carols

Sunday 8 January The Epiphany

9.45am Parish Eucharist

Sunday 22 January Third Sunday of Epiphany

9.45am Family Eucharist with Sunday School Play

Sunday 29 January Feast of Candlemas

9.45am Parish Eucharist