Weekly Pews News
no 21-19
9.5.2021
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 9th May
08:00 Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
09:30 Parish Eucharist
Collect God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; 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.
Readings Acts 10: 44–end; Psalm 98; 1 John 5: 1–6; John 15: 9–17
Psalm response The Lord has made known his victory in the sight of the nations.
Sunday 9th May
Intention: the Queen and Royal Family, our nation and government, and our local MP Nick Gibb.
Monday 10th May – Christian Aid Week starts
Intention: our local clubs and organisations, especially our Ladies’ Club and Men’s Group, and Pagham Luncheon Club.
09.00 Morning Prayer (in church)
Tuesday 11th May
Intention: our Scouts, Guides, Cadets and other local youth organisations.
17.30 Evening prayer (Zoom)
Wednesday 12th May
Intention: our local industry and commerce, our farmers and growers, and the holiday industry; the staff and guests of Church Farm Holiday Village.
17.30 Evening prayer (Zoom)
Thursday 13th May – Ascension Day
Intention: our choir and musicians; our lay ministers of communion, altar servers, welcome team and bell-ringers.
09:00 Morning prayer (in church)
10:00 Holy Communion (see below)
Friday 14th May – Matthias the Apostle
Intention: our Parochial Church Council, its officers and committees; all those who serve our Church in any way.
Saturday 15th May
Intention: our local community; our Parish Pastoral Care Team, local Residents’ Associations, and the County, District and Parish Councils.
Sunday 16th May – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 1: 15–17, 21–end; Psalm 1; 1 John 5: 9–13; John 17: 6–19
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, Karen Cox, Jim Fowler, Sheila King, Carole & Ian Turner, John Kitchener, Anne Woods.
For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Colin Wood (264192) to activate the Prayer Chain.
(See notice below regarding names on our prayer lists.)
Recently departed Pauline Fuller.
Anniversary of death Alfred Robbins, Kay Street (9th); Henry Mustard (10th); Vic Huxley (12th); Reginald Watson, Evelyn Archer (13th); Emily Blackman (15th).
We remember Church family who live in residential care or usually receive communion at home: Lila Cowee, Kathleen Dudley.
NOTICES
Public worship Please note that all steps for creating a Covid safe environment are in place, most notably: the wearing of face mask unless you are exempt, observing social distance and using hand-sanitiser on arrival. Booking is essential and will help us to arrange seating. Please note that as we are limited to ~60 members of the congregation on a Sunday morning, a waiting list will be in operation. To book contact Trudi Kearsley, T 263597, M 07703 597353.
Ascension Day is on Thursday. It is the day we celebrate Christ ascending to the heavens. Having first shown his glory in the resurrection, through the ascension we have had opened to us the way to life eternal, and in this we find our hope. The day will be celebrated by a celebration of the Eucharist at 10:00. We will move into the nave of the church to create enough space – please do make every effort to attend on this day of great rejoicing in the season of Eastertide.
Thy Kingdom Come The time between Ascension Day (13th May) and Pentecost (23rd May) is a time of hopeful waiting and prayer that we might all be renewed by the Holy Spirit. We are invited to pray for ourselves, those we are supported by on our journey of discipleship, and those who are yet to come to know the love offered them in Jesus Christ. Prayer resources are available in church to help us in the 10 days of Thy Kingdom Come. Do pick up a copy for use at home.
Beating the Bounds Our annual Parish walk, previously undertaken in mid-May, is again restricted by national Covid rules. Last year, Alison Blenkinsop walked and cycled round most of the boundary over several days, praying for Pagham residents, businesses and new housing developments. You can read her reports and map on the Church website by searching for ‘Beating the Bounds’. We hope they will inspire you to walk along a boundary section of our parish (see the map in day 2’s report) and pray for all who live and work in Pagham. As Beating the Bounds was traditionally done at Rogationtide in the three days leading up to Ascension Day, we suggest you do this any time between Monday and Wednesday. Alison will walk again during this time, and would love to gather your experiences and photos for a ‘Beating the Bounds 2021’ report: contact details below.
Requests in Pews News and the Prayer Chain Praying for those in special need is a joy and a privilege for the Church. Those named in the list above, or in Prayer Chain messages, need to consent individually to this. Please note that the Pews News Prayer List and the Prayer Chain operate independently of each other i.e. inclusion on one does not mean inclusion on the other. It is important to keep all details of prayer requests confidential outside Prayer Chain boundaries.
Christian Aid Week As with many things over the past year, fundraising has changed and this Christian Aid Week Appeal is no exception. 2021 celebrates 75 years of Christian Aid standing together with sisters and brothers across the world – one global family. There will be a special online service on Sunday 9th May at 6.30pm to look ahead in celebration, reflection and recommitment to the cause. To join in, sign up using the link https://www.christianaid.org.uk/pray/join/75-anniversary-service-sign. Please continue to support Christian Aid by donating, or raising funds: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week. Thank you! Sue O’Neill.
Children’s Society Collection Boxes are due for opening in May. Please bring remaining boxes to church on Sunday 9th, or contact Pat Rush to make a more convenient arrangement: T 262561, bprush@btinternet.com. Thank you!
Church cleaning We need your help in order to keep the church clean and tidy for the benefit of worshippers and visitors alike. This would entail just one hour per month, working with a team. If you are interested please contact Sue Miller: 07845 926766, sue.armex@btinternet.com.
Archdeaconry Confirmation On 8th July the Bishop of Lewes will confirm candidates from the Archdeaconry of Chichester, at St Mary’s Littlehampton. If you are a young person in school year 9 or above, or an adult, and are interested in being prepared for confirmation, please make contact with Mthr Lucy. Details on Admission to Holy Communion before Confirmation will follow later, for those in Year 6 and above who are seeking this.
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.
Churchwardens: Mike Wake and Alex Brockhurst: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org 07899 705632//07792 544259.
Church website update: email editor@paghamchurch.org.
Safeguarding Officer: Jan Brockhurst, safeguarding@paghamchurch.org.
Pews News: Alison Blenkinsop, pewsnews@paghamchurch.org, 261131, 07784 544981.