Weekly Pews News
No 19-47
1 December 2019
First Sunday of Advent
Collect for the day
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Postcommunion prayer
Lord Jesus, light of the world, born in David’s city of Bethlehem, born like him to be a king: be born in our hearts at Christmas, be King in our lives today. Amen.
Today’s services
8 am Holy Communion Readings: Romans 13: 8-14; Matthew 21: 1-13
9.45 am Parish Eucharist Readings: Isaiah 2: 1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13: 11–end; Matthew 24: 36-44 Hymns: 633, 655, 557, sheet
4 pm Evening Worship – Advent carols and readings
The church is open every day for visitors and private prayer.
All welcome!
Sunday 1 December
Intention: our Parish Team – Clergy: Colin Wood, Bill Meyer; Reader: Roland Ell; Churchwardens: Mike Wake, Stephen Cox-Rusbridge.
Monday 2 December – Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, 1637
Intention: our hospitals, doctors, nurses and midwives, home care assistants, pharmacists, therapists, opticians, dentists; all who provide health care.
11 am Funeral of Stanley Woodruff
Tuesday 3 December – Francis Xavier, missionary in Asia, 1552
Intention: the Pilgrim Course – leaders and participants. Those baptised and confirmed here during the year, their parents, godparents or sponsors, and our own godchildren.
7 pm The Eucharist with Archdeacon Luke
7.30 pm Ladies’ Club Christmas celebration at the Church Centre
Anniversary: John Morrish (2015); Charles Meyer (1990); David Atkins (2017)
Wednesday 4 December – John of Damascus, monk, 749
Intention: all imprisoned in any way, and those caught up in modern slavery; the prisoners, staff, chaplains and visitors at HMP Ford
10 am Holy Communion 12 noon Luncheon Club (prebooked) at The Bear Inn
7 pm Compline
Anniversary: Brian Jenkin (1993); Greta Garland (2004)
Thursday 5 December
Intention: our children and young people, and their leaders; our Sunday School and Saints (older children).
8 pm Chichester Voices rehearsal
Anniversary: Jack Vagg (2017)
Friday 6 December – *Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 326
Intention: our Archbishops, Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of York; the work of the Archbishops’ Council and General Synod; the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Anniversary: Charles Martin (1997)
Saturday 7 December – Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397
Intention: our schools, colleges and universities; all teachers and learners, governors and administrators; all others in voluntary community roles.
*Later known as Santa Claus
PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS
We pray for all in need of healing in body, mind or spirit: Judi March, Lynette, Zoe, Chloe Green, Rosie Sims, Nicola, Richard Rundle, Simon Hill, Diane Wills, Terry Haskell, Jean Martin, Derek Hardie, Madge Breakspear, Carole Turner.
For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Colin Wood (264192) to activate the Prayer Chain.
Those who have died: Fred Nolson, William Dix, Zelma May, Stanley Woodruff.
We remember in our prayers Church members in residential care or who receive communion at home: Beatrice Armstrong, Mary Baxter, Madge Breakspear, Lila Cowee.
We pray for God’s blessing upon all who live in our parish: Viscount Drive, Warwick Close.
Thanksgiving: Linda Hill thanks the congregation for their prayers for her son Simon, and is grateful for God’s healing grace. Simon has made a good physical recovery from a car crash in Spain (where he lives), and has returned to work. The family values our prayers for ongoing healing of mind and spirit also.
CONTACT DETAILS
Churchwardens: Mike Wake and Stephen Cox-Rusbridge: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org, 07899 705632//07974 177905.
Church website update: email editor@paghamchurch.org to add content.
Safeguarding Officer: Jan Brockhurst: safeguarding@paghamchurch.org.
Pews News: Alison Blenkinsop: pewsnews@paghamchurch.org, 261131.
(Deadline for notices: Thursday morning)
Sunday 8th Second Sunday of Advent
8 am Holy Communion Readings: Romans 15: 4 -13; Luke 21: 25-33
9.45 am Parish Eucharist Readings: Isaiah 11: 1-10; Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-1; Romans 15: 4-13; Matthew 3: 1-12 Hymns: 406, 447, 690, 221
4 pm Christingle service
NOTICES
Church Roof update: our Raise the Roof appeal, launched three and half years ago, has enabled us to get very near the target of £350,000. See the board at the back of the church for progress pictures and funding updates. All the 300 or so tiles that were sponsored, with names of the donors on the back, are now on the roof. It’s still not too late to sponsor and sign your name and a dedication on more tiles, for £10!
Vacancy update: see the report included with Pews News of Archdeacon Luke’s recent visit when he addressed the PCC. With three parishes in the area vacant at the same time, the Bishop has taken the opportunity to look at pastoral care in all these parishes. While this overview is taking place, it seems likely that Pagham will have a Priest-in-Charge appointed, but probably not until next autumn. Even though we are in a vacancy, we have pledged to pay the same Parish share to the Diocese in 2020 as we would with a Parish Priest.
Advent and Christmas services: please take the mauve leaflet listing these services, and share with neighbours and friends. Compline, a quiet evening service, will be said each Wednesday during Advent.
Church path sweeping: as the last leaves fall, speak to Mike Wake, or just turn up next Saturday morning, if you are able to help with this.
Pagham Ladies’ Club invite you to a Christmas Celebration at the Church Centre, Nyetimber Lane, on Tuesday 3rd at 7.30 pm. The programme will include Carols with the Glenwood Ladies’ Choir, Christmas poems and readings, raffle, mince pies and punch. All are welcome.
Our annual Christingle Service takes place next Sunday 8th, at 4 pm. Envelopes and candle money-boxes for Children’s Society donations are available at the back of church.
Chichester Voices provide an evening of festive music, entitled ‘A Boy was born’, in church on Thursday 19th at 7.30 pm. Tickets are available from June Baker after the 9.45 am service. See posters and flyers.
Nyewood Infant and Junior Schools are looking for new School Governors. If you might be interested, or know someone with an interest in education and skills for a governing body, do please speak to one of the churchwardens.
Parish Mosaic: see the board in the south aisle for wonderful mosaics of our Pagham photos, organised by Graham Jones. There’s more to come!
Christmas card board: later this week, a board will be put in place in the south aisle for those who would prefer to display a joint card or other Christmas message to our Church family. This can reduce the environmental impact of cards, save time, and increase direct giving to charities, but is entirely by choice. More information from Alison, 261131.