Weekly Pews News

no 21-50

12.12.2021                       

                        

Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday 12th December   

08:00              Holy Communion

09:30              Parish Eucharist

Collect O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.   Amen.

Readings  Zephaniah 3: 14–20; Canticle: Isaiah 12: 2–6; Philippians 4: 4–7; Luke 3: 7–18

Canticle response  Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.   

Sunday 12th December

Intention: our local industry and commerce, our farmers and growers, and the holiday industry; the staff and guests of Church Farm Holiday Village.

Monday 13th December – Lucy, martyr, 304

Intention: our choir and musicians; our lay ministers of communion, altar servers, welcome team and bell-ringers.

09:00            Morning prayer (at church)

Tuesday 14th December – John of the Cross, poet, teacher of the faith, 1591

Intention: our Parochial Church Council, its officers and committees; all those who serve our Church in any way.

17:30            Evening prayer (on Zoom)

19:00              Tuesday@7 Eucharist with Christingle

Wednesday 15th December

Intention: our local community; our Parish Pastoral Care Team, local Residents’ Associations, and the County, District and Parish Councils.

17:30            Evening Prayer (on Zoom)

Thursday 16th December

Intention: those married here and preparing for marriage this year; family life, and especially any families facing adversity.

09:00            Morning prayer (at church)

10:00              Holy Communion

14:30            Reflection on ‘The Coming of God’ at Mosse Hall, St Richard’s (see below)

Friday 17th December – O Sapientia

Intention: the press, radio and television corporations, and all who influence public opinion; also Christian publishing and broadcasting.

17:00            Choir practice

Saturday 18th December – O Adonai

Intention: all seafarers, fishermen and lifeboat crews, and the work of Mission to Seafarers.

Sunday 19th December – Fourth Sunday of Advent – O Radix Jesse

Readings: Micah 5: 2–5a; Luke 1: 46b–55; Hebrews 10: 5–10; Luke 1: 39–45

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, Karen Cox, Jim Fowler, Sheila King, Dawn Spurway Pearson, Mo Ford, Nicola Simpson, Betty Smith, Heather Marchant, Mike Hatzfeld, Andrew Naylor, Colin & Kerry May.

For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Pat Rush (262561) to activate the Prayer Chain.

The recently departed Ann Eden, Kathlyn (Kay) Holladay-Segrave.

Anniversary of death Dorothy Player (12th); Gladys Markworth (13th); Cecelia Fielder (14th); Edward Ashwood, Alfred Dobson, Henry Alldis, Geoffrey Niblett, Tony Lock (16th); Francis Atkinson,  Richard Kimbell (18th).

We remember Church family who live in residential care or usually receive communion at home: Kathleen Dudley.

We thank God for June Baker’s recovery and return home, after many months of illness. June is very grateful for people’s prayers, cards and kind messages, and the support she has from carers.  

 

NOTICES

Face coverings it is now mandatory to wear face coverings when in places of worship. You are asked to wear your face covering at all times when attending services/events in the church including when singing, please, unless medically exempt. We also ask that you use the hand sanitizer available at the door on arrival. Mthr Lucy and the Wardens will continue to review our Covid-19 practices regularly, so please be aware of notices on the pew sheet and in church.

Transept seating These side areas are kept for those who wish to maintain social distancing. Please remember that there are ‘red crosses’ available for you to place on the seats beside you, if you wish to give a sign to others that you want to keep good social distance.

Advent preparation Mthr Lucy invites you to read the classic ‘The coming of God’ by Maria Boulding this Advent. ‘Rich with an Advent theme, this work explores the different ways in which God comes to us. Its central message is that God comes to the needy and empty. Whether our poverty is material or spiritual, the book aims to bring hope and promise.’ There will be an opportunity to reflect on this reading with tea and conversation on Thursday 16th at 14:30. We meet in the Committee Room of the Mosse Hall at St Richard’s church, Gossamer Lane. Plenty of parking available.

Christmas cards and greetings As last year, a board is available in the south aisle for you to post Christmas cards to the congregation. As we continue to consider how we can be wise stewards of the whole of creation, you are encouraged to simply pin one card for the whole congregation rather than sending individual cards. You might like to consider making a donation to charity with the money saved in sending these cards. The pigeon holes will not be available this year.

Mulled Wine and Christmas Rhyme Following the very successful ‘Hymns and Pimm’s’ event in September, St Richard’s will be hosting a Christmas edition: ‘Mulled Wine and Christmas Rhyme’ on Sunday 12th at 16:00, at St Richard’s, Gossamer Lane, Aldwick. Join us for a good carol sing, warming refreshments and a time of good cheer! Tickets £5 to include your first drink, available from Barbara (01243 266193).

Christmas Services Do take the colourful flyers detailing Christmas services to give to neighbours and friends.

Sunday School Please note there will be no Sunday School during December. The next session will be 16th January. See the Christmas services flyer for details on the Christingle and Crib services.

Friends of Pagham Church annual fundraising quiz is now available for £2 from Mo Hatzfeld (268576) or Trudi Kearsley (263597) for a prize of £100. NB Question 10: for BC, read AD!

Support the Square Meal Project as you shop (see flyer with the Church Communications email). This scheme, set up by the Rotary Club, provides food vouchers to families in need. The scheme is registered with Co-op stores: shoppers register as Co-op members (at no cost), and choose this charity to support; funds are raised by buying ‘own brand’ items (1p in every £1).


CONTACT DETAILS        –      find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @StThomasPagham

Priest-in-Charge: The Reverend Lucy Sullivan
19 Willowhale Avenue, Bognor Regis, 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.