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)
Churchwarden: Mr Alex Brockhurst
Tel: 07792 544259.; Email: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org
Churchwarden: Mr Mike Wake
Tel: 07899 705632; Email: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org
Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Jan Brockhurst
Email: safeguarding@paghamchurch.org
Find us online: www.paghamchurch.org // @StThomasPagham
Registered charity number 1134842
SUNDAY 8th January 2023
the feast of the epiphany
Sunday 8th 08:00 Holy Communion- St Richard’s
THE EPIPHANY 09:30 Parish Family Eucharist
Monday 9th 09:00 Morning Prayer (church)
BAPTISM OF CHRIST
Tuesday 10th 17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
19:00 Tuesday@7
Wednesday 11th 14:30 Tea & Chat-
Pagham Parish Church Centre, Nyetimber Lane
17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Thursday 12th 09:00 Morning Prayer
St Aelred 10:00 Holy Communion
Friday 13th No public services today
St Hilary
Saturday 14th No public services today
Sunday 15th 08:00 Holy Communion
EPIPHANY 2 09:30 Parish Eucharist
14:00 Holy Baptism- Sebastian & Barnaby
Hymns
Entrance: 326 In the bleak midwinter
Gradual: 49 As with gladness
Offertory: 85 Brightest and best
Final: 552 O worship the Lord
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 at the back of church. 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 “Kings bow down before him; all the nations do him service.”
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: Rosie Sims, Terry Haskell, Barbara Crew, Karen Cox, Jim Fowler, Sheila King, Dawn Spurway Pearson, Nicola Simpson, Betty Smith, Mike Hatzfeld, Andrew Naylor, Colin May, Tyler Rankin, Max Davey, Leslie Francis, Dickie Roots, Colin Wood, Elizabeth.
Recently departed: Kathleen Bryant, Jean McEwan, Eric Mitchell.
Anniversary of death: Elsie Smith, Joyce Wentworth-Payne, Beryl Eames (8th); Maisie Knight (9th); Ida Turton, 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 (13th); Margaret Woombell (14th).
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.
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.
SUPPORT FOR THE FOODBANK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
Urgently needed this week: Durable plastics bags, 1ltr UHT Fruit Juice, 1ltr UHT Milk, Tinned Fruit, Pasta Sauce, Tinned Fish, Tinned Custard, Tinned Rice Pudding, Pasta, Tinned Meat, Cereal, Shampoo/ Conditioner, Nappies- size 4/5.
Epiphany Proclamation 2023
While a day like Christmas is fixed in our minds and on the calendars on December 25th, many of the important feasts of the Church year move, based upon the date that Easter is set. Easter changes each year moving to the Sunday after the “Paschal Full Moon,” and can fall between March 22 and April 25. In ancient times before calendars were common, most people did not know the dates for the upcoming Liturgical year. On Epiphany Sunday, the upcoming dates were “proclaimed”. After the Gospel, in keeping with an ancient practice of the Holy Church, the moveable feasts of the current year are announced according to this formula:
“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 Twenty-second day of February will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.
On the Ninth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the Eighteenth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the Twenty-eighth Day of May the feast of Pentecost.
On the Eleventh day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
On the Third day of December the First Sunday of Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Christmas – Thank You
Thank you to you all for your contributions to our Christmas celebrations. To those who helped dress the church, welcome congregations, provide beautiful music, prayed through our services. It has been a joy to celebrate my first ‘proper’ Christmas with you all. Thank you too for your kind cards, emails, prayers and gifts. I wish you all a healthy and holy New Year. Mthr Lucy.
Christmas Charities
Thank you to those who have supported our charities this Christmas. We have been able to send £236.39 each to Family Support Work and Five Talents.
Tea & Chat
Resumes this week- Wednesday 11th January 14:30- 16:00 at Pagham Parish Church Centre, Nyetimber Lane. An opportunity to gather with friends for a cup of tea, slice of cake, and fellowship in the middle of the week. Tea & Chat runs every second Wednesday of the month.
Burns Night hosted by Pagham Men’s Group
On Friday 27th January 2023 the infamous Men’s Group Burns Night returns to the Pagham Parish Church Centre, with Piper. Tickets available from Stephen Cox Rusbridge: 07974 177 905 // Stephen.coxrusbridge@btinternet.com. Pre only: £15 per adult/ £8 per under 14yrs. 2 Courses: Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (vegetarian option available) followed by pudding or cheese. Includes a complimentary glass of wine and wee dram of whiskey. Optional dress code: Tartan or Tweed.
Friends of Pagham Parish Church ‘Winter Warmer’ Join the “Friends” for an evening of good food on Saturday 11th at 6.30 pm in St. Andrew’s Chapel. £10 per head. Bring your own drinks. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the notice board.
Next week’s readings: The Second Sunday of Epiphany
Isaiah 49: 1- 7; Psalm 40: 1- 12; 1 Corinthians 1: 1- 9; John 1: 29- 42.