St Thomas à Becket
Pews News
Priest-in-Charge: The Reverend Lucy Sullivan
Tel: 01243 941 551 Email: mthrlucy.pagham@gmail.com (Rest day: Friday)
Licensed Lay Minister: Mrs Rosemary Towse
Email: rosemarytowse@talktalk.net
Churchwarden: Mr Alex Brockhurst
Tel: 07792 544259; Email: alex.brockhurst@hotmail.co.uk
Churchwarden: Mrs Sue O’Neill
Tel: 07867 904780; Email: suesdesignservices@gmail.com
Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Jan Brockhurst
Email: safeguarding@paghamchurch.org
Find us online: www.paghamchurch.org // StThomasPagham@gmail.com// @StThomasPagham
Registered charity number 1134842
SUNDAY 7th JANUaRY 2024
THE EPIPHANY
Sunday 7th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
The Epiphany 09:30 Parish Family Eucharist followed by coffee
Monday 8th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
BAPTISM OF CHRIST 17:30 Evening Prayer (Aldwick)
19:30 The Bear Necessities – A conversation for women
Tuesday 9th 10:00 Eucharist (Aldwick)
17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
19:00 Tuesday@7 (Pagham)
Wednesday 10th 14:30 Tea & Chat Parish Church Centre Nyetimber Lane
17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Thursday 11th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
10:00 Holy Communion (Pagham)
17:30 Evening Prayer (Aldwick)
19:30 Pints of View – A conversation for men
Friday 12th No public services today
St Aelred
Saturday 13th No public services today
St Hilary
Sunday 14th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
Epiphany 2 09:30 Parish Eucharist followed by coffee
HYMNS
Introit: 552 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
Gradual: 4 A great and mighty wonder
Offertory: 724 We three kings of Orient are
Final: 409 As with gladness men of old
The Collection plate– If you would like to make an offering, please use the contactless Payaz machine or the collection plate, both can be found by the door. Thank you for your generosity.
The Collect (Opening Prayer) for The Epiphany:
Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Old Testament reading: Isaiah 60: 1- 6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Psalm 72: 10- 15 The response to the psalm is as announced.
New Testament Reading: Ephesians 3: 1- 12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1- 12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Prayers of Intercession
The sick and those who care for them: Barbara & Alan Crew, Karen Cox, Sheila King, Dawn Spurway Pearson, Mike Hatzfeld, Elizabeth, Pam Browning, Lucia, Jessie Hutchins, Jeanne Dalton
Recently departed:
Anniversary of death: Elsie Smith, Joyce Wentworth-Payne, Beryl Eames (7th); Elsie Williams (8th); Maisie Knight (9th); Ida Turton, Douglas Wells, Pamela Bech (10th); June Bunning, Della Hooper, Hilda Lock, Allan Darlow, Sidney Earwaker (11th); Olivia Cole, Frederick Gray, Mary Kitchen (12th); Frederick Hadler, George Weaver, Clive Bratt, Diana Willson (13th)
We pray for peace and especially for and with the people of Ukraine. We pray for all those caught up in conflict, and for those seeking safety and refuge on these shores.
We pray for the people of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. For the peace of the Holy Land. For those who will weep, and fear, and die this day.
For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Pat Rush (262561) to start the Prayer Chain.
Post Communion Prayer: Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Next week’s readings: The Second Sunday of Epiphany
1 Samuel 3: 1- 10; Psalm 139: 1-5, 12- 18; Revelation 5: 1- 10; John 1: 43- end.
Epiphany Proclamation 2024
The Epiphany proclamation is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of faith, which are celebrated each year. This is a unique expression that connects our present day to our ancient roots of the Church.
It is a tradition that reminds of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going!
“Know dear brothers and sisters, that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Saviour. On the fourteenth day of February will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season. On the thirty first day of March, we will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the ninth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the nineteenth day of May the feast of Pentecost. On the second day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. On the first day of December, the first Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ to whom is honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Christmas Charities Collections
At our Christmas services we collected funds for two charities nominated by the PCC – Stonepillow Bognor Regis Hostel and the Christian Aid Christmas Appeal. I am very pleased to share that £476 has been raised and so £238 will be sent to each charity. Thank you for your generosity.
Christmas Quiz
Sunday 7th January is the last day to buy, fill in, and return quizzes (whether completed or not). They will be available to buy from Alison Blenkinsop. The draw for the main prize and consolation prize will take place on Sunday 14th January.
The Bear Necessities – a conversation for women
This group got off to a fantastic start last Monday with 16 of us meeting for conversation. This is a safe space for good conversation on current affairs with no hidden agenda, a meeting of women of all ages. The next meeting is on Monday 8th January 2024 at 19:30, at The Bear Inn – Pagham.
Tuesday@7
Our midweek informal evening eucharist returns on Tuesday 9th January 19:00. Suitable for all ages, a warm welcome awaits those wanting to explore their faith in new ways. Particularly suitable for those who find Sunday mornings difficult due to other commitments.
Pints of View – a conversation for men
Meets with The Rev’d Clive Ashely on Thursday 11th January 2024 at 19:30 in The Inglenook. Buy yourself a pint and come have a chat on current affairs – no hidden agenda, a meeting of men of all ages. Please note the change in venue and corrected date.
‘Pagham Church Men’s Group’ Burns Night – Friday 19th January
Tickets are now available for the Burns Night Supper on Friday 19th January, 18:30 for 19:00 at Pagham Parish Church Centre on Nyetimber Lane. Tickets (£15 per adult, £8 under 14’s) include: 2 course supper (Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (vegetarian option available), Pudding or Cheese, a glass of wine and a wee dram! As well as entertainment with Piper. Please contact Stephen Cox-Rusbridge 07974 177 905 or stephen.coxrusbridge@btinternet.com for tickets.
SUPPORT FOR THE FOODBANK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
Urgently needed this week: UHT Milk, UHT fruit Juice, Tinned/ packet soup, Toilet Rolls, Sweet selection boxes. We have plenty: Baked beans, pulses.