Weekly Pews News
no 21-1
3.1.2021
The Feast of the Epiphany
Sunday 3rd January
08:00 Holy Communion: Isaiah 60: 1–6; Matthew 2: 1–12
09:30 Parish Eucharist with the blessing of chalks:
Isaiah 60: 1–6; Psalm 72: 10–15; Ephesians 3: 1–12; Matthew 2: 1–12
Collect O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Thank you! Many thanks indeed to all who have contributed so generously of their time, talents and other resources to make our celebration of Advent and Christmas so meaningful and holy, in this most difficult of years. To celebrate a major feast in a hybrid fashion, combining in-person and online worship, has been a new experience for us all, and so I particularly thank you all for the way in which you have embraced this. In doing so, we have been able to make sure that nearly everyone has been able to participate in some way – which I know has been much appreciated by those keeping safe at home.
The church has been looking beautiful, thanks to flower arrangers, Crib builders and Christmas Tree decorators, and there has been a lot of very positive feedback about the welcome that visitors from the local community have received, either at services or when they have visited, looking for a few moments of peace. It has been the ultimate privilege to walk my first Christmas with you all in this year. Many thanks too for the cards, gifts and good wishes that I have received.
I wish you all a blessed, happy and safe New Year. Mthr Lucy
Sunday 3rd January
Intention: the Pilgrim Course – leaders and participants. Those baptised and confirmed here during the year, their parents, godparents or sponsors, and our own godchildren.
Anniversary: Richard Hardy (1991); Reginald Porter (2000)
Monday 4th January
Intention: all imprisoned in any way, and those caught up in modern slavery; the prisoners, staff, chaplains and visitors at HMP Ford.
Anniversary: Patricia Harvey (1998); Patricia Norton (2006); John Gray (2010)
Tuesday 5th January
Intention: our children and young people, and their leaders; our Sunday School and Saints (older children).
Anniversary: Frances Weston (1989)
Wednesday 6th January
Intention: our Archbishops, Justin Welby of Canterbury and Stephen Cottrell of York; the work of the Archbishops’ Council and General Synod; the worldwide Anglican Communion.
17.30 Evening prayer (online)
Anniversary: Vanessa Knight (2008); Julia Balk (2010)
Thursday 7th January
Intention: our schools, colleges and universities; all teachers and learners, governors and administrators.
09.00 Morning prayer (in church)
10:00 Holy Communion
Anniversary: Elsie Smith (1975); Joyce Wentworth-Payne (1997); Beryl Eames (2000)
Friday 8th January
Intention: the hungry, homeless, refugees and asylum seekers; the work of Church Army, Christian Aid and all relief agencies; our local charities Stonepillow and Bognor Regis Foodbank.
Saturday 9th January
Intention: the Queen and Royal Family, our nation and government, and our local MP Nick Gibb.
Anniversary: Maisie Knight (2000)
Sunday 10th January – The Baptism of Christ
08:00 Holy Communion 09:30 Parish Eucharist
Readings: Genesis 1: 1–5; Psalm 29; Acts 19: 1–7; Mark 1: 4–11
PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS
We pray for all in need of healing in body, mind or spirit: Lynette, Rosie Sims, Terry Haskell, Barbara Crew, Jean Martin, Lila Cowee, June Evans, Karen Cox, Jim Fowler, Sheila King, Robin Potter, Gerald Hume, Carole & Ian Turner, Richard Rundle.
For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Colin Wood (264192) to start the Prayer Chain.
The recently departed: Maureen Yates, Joyce Reid, Victor Hatzfeld.
We remember Church family who live in residential care or usually receive communion at home: Beatrice Armstrong, Mary Baxter, Madge Breakspear.
We pray for all affected directly by Covid-19; for all operating the Track & Trace system, and for an effective response by all those they have to contact.
NOTICES
Epiphany Chalks: the blessing of chalks on the Feast of the Epiphany is a tradition of the Christian Church throughout Europe. These chalks are then taken home by members of the congregation and used to mark their homes. This Epiphany ceremony is a simple but meaningful act of witness which symbolises Christian willingness to offer hospitality and shelter to the Magi on their journey to Bethlehem, and also by extension in today’s world, to welcome all and sundry who love or are seeking the Lord’s Christ. Chalks will be blessed in the 09:30 service on Sunday 3rd. If you are not able to get to church but would like Mthr Lucy to safely deliver an envelope with all you need to you, please do be in touch with her – contact details below.
Sunday worship at St Thomas à Becket’s: please continue to book in with Trudi, and give notice the evening before. This helps us to welcome everybody in, and keep the Track & Trace register. Contact trudikearsley@hotmail.co.uk (tel: 263597).
Online services: there will still be a form of weekly service, available a little later on Sunday mornings, ~11:00. Its format will change each week: either a celebration of the Eucharist, or a Service of the Word. All will include some music and prayers. See the Weekly Communication email for details.
Morning & Evening Prayer: from Wednesday 6th, we revert to our combination of prayers in church and online, to allow those unable to access Zoom to return to church prayers, and provide for those unable to attend in person. See the diary above.
Church remains open for private prayer: thanks to a team of volunteer cleaners we are able to keep the church open daily ~09:00–16:00 for private prayer. When visiting please be sure to wear a face mask, use the anti–bac. hand gel provided, and check in using the NHS Track and Trace code, if you are able.
Friends of Pagham Parish Church Annual Quiz: the draw for the £100 prize will be made on Sunday 3rd. Entries cost £1, which can be brought to church. We are very grateful for a donation to cover the prize money.
Thank you for donations of around £145 collected in Children’s Society boxes through the year. Barbara Crew has faithfully cared for our Church donations for many years, and is glad to have handed over this responsibility now. Thank you, Barbara!
CONTACT DETAILS – find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @StThomasPagham.
The Revd Lucy Sullivan: 19 Willowhale Avenue, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 4AU.
mthrlucy.pagham@gmail.com, 01243 941551. Rest day Friday.
Churchwardens: Mike Wake and Stephen Cox-Rusbridge: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org,
07899 705632//07974 177905.
Church website update: email editor@paghamchurch.org.
Safeguarding Officer: Jan Brockhurst, safeguarding@paghamchurch.org.
Pews News: Alison Blenkinsop, pewsnews@paghamchurch.org, 261131, 07784 544981.