Weekly Pews News
no 20-46 Second Sunday before Advent
15.11.2020
Sunday 15th November
Readings set for today: Zephaniah 1: 7, 12–end; Psalm 90: 1–8, 12; 1 Thessalonians 5: 1–11; Matthew 25: 14–30
Collect Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace,and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lockdown 2.0 at St Thomas à Becket, Pagham: in line with the Government instructions, public worship at St Thomas à Becket’s church is suspended until at least early December. Thanks to a team of volunteer cleaners we are able to have the church open ~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 to check in using the NHS Track and Trace code, if you are able to.
If you have any kind of need or need to speak with someone please do call Mthr Lucy: 01243 941551.
We pray for those who have contracted the virus, those treating them, those researching a vaccine, the
families of those who have died, and for the repose of the souls of the virus’s victims.
May God bless us all. Mthr Lucy
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Radio & TV broadcasts: Sunday Worship on Radio 4; Songs of Praise on BBC1; Choral Evensong on Radio 3; Sunday services on Premier Christian Radio and Angel Radio.
Smartphone free apps: C of E Time to Pray, Daily Prayer, Pray As You Go, Lectio365, Taketime Spiritual Meditations.
24-hour freephone: Daily Hope (for Christian worship): 0800 804 8044.
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The church is open ~9:00 – 16:00 every day for private prayer
Sunday 15th November
Intention: our local community; our Parish Pastoral Care Team, local Residents’ Associations, and the County, District and Parish Councils.
Monday 16th November – Margaret, queen, philanthropist, 1093
Intention: those married here and preparing for marriage this year; family life, and especially any families facing adversity.
09:00 Morning prayer (online, see below)
17.30 Evening prayer
Tuesday 17th November – Hugh, bishop, 1200
Intention: the press, radio and television corporations, and all who influence public opinion; also Christian publishing and broadcasting.
09:00 Morning prayer
17.30 Evening prayer
Anniversary: Irene Jev (1995); Ethel Goldsmith (1999)
Wednesday 18th November – Elizabeth, princess, philanthropist, 1231
Intention: all seafarers, fishermen and lifeboat crews, and the work of Mission to Seafarers.
17.30 Evening prayer
Thursday 19th November – Hilda, abbess, 680
Intention: Church finances, national and international finance; consider what the words poverty and wealth mean to us.
09:00 Morning prayer
Friday 20th November – Edmund, king, martyr, 870
Intention: all victims of violence, crime and oppression; those affected by domestic and other forms of abuse, and all who seek to support them.
Anniversary: Mary King (2004)
Saturday 21st November
Intention: the sick in body, mind or spirit; those who have life-limiting conditions; the work of St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
Anniversary: Ernest Caterer (1975); Joan Lack (1986); Eileen Badger (2005)
Sunday 22nd November Christ the King
Readings: Ezekiel 34: 11–16, 20–24; Psalm 95: 1–7; Ephesians 1: 15–end; Matthew 25: 31–end
PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS
We pray for all in need of healing in body, mind or spirit: Lynette, Rosie Sims, Terry Haskell, Jean Martin, Lila Cowee, Barbara Crew, June Evans, Bea Tucker, Karen Cox, Jim Fowler, Sheila King, Robin Potter.
For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Colin Wood (264192) to start the Prayer Chain.
We remember Church family who live in residential care or usually receive communion at home: Catherine Morrish, Daphne Sharrad, Bett Steenerson.
We pray for God’s blessing on all in our parish: West Drive, West Front Road, Windmill Close, Willow Way.
We pray for all affected directly by Covid-19; for those with anxiety and depression and other mental health disorders, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and now the coming of winter.
NOTICES
Archbishops’ call to prayer
On All Saints’ Day the Archbishops wrote to all the clergy in the Church of England. In this letter they stated their conviction that the first and primary response of the Church at this time was prayer.
“Bearing in mind our primary vocation as the Church of Jesus Christ to pray and to serve we call upon the Church of England to make this month of lockdown a month of prayer. More than anything else, whatever the nation thinks, we know that we are in the faithful hands of the risen Christ who knows our weaknesses, tiredness and struggles and whose steadfast love endures for ever.”
Resources provided by the Church of England can be found here: call-prayer-nation.
Daily Prayer: Mthr Lucy writes: I will be praying the Daily Office at 09:00 and 17:30 each day, and I invite you to join me spiritually wherever you are, so that we can continue praying together. It is possible to join in this time of prayer online in an interactive Zoom call. For details of this please see Trudi’s email. We join together at the following times: Monday & Tuesday 09:00 & 17:30, Wednesday 17:30 & Thursday 09:00. It has been wonderful to be joined in the first week by a regular half a dozen or so. Everything you need for the service is provided on the screen.
Sunday Services: every week a new service for the parishes of Pagham and Aldwick is being recorded and uploaded to YouTube. With Trudi’s email you will find an Order of Service for the next two weeks that will help you to join in, when you watch. If you’d like to take part either reading or leading the intercessions please contact Mthr Lucy. To find the service, simply click on the link in Trudi’s email.
Reverse Advent Calendar: please help us to continue supporting Bognor Regis Foodbank in the most valuable way over the next month, by donating items that can be used to help clients get ready for Christmas during December. After conversation with the Foodbank I have created a ‘Countdown to Advent’ calendar designed to help you think about the items you donate during November (attached to Good News and the communications email last week). Items can be collected in a box and then delivered to the church early in December. Thank you for continuing to support the much-needed work of this resource. Mthr Lucy
Arts Festival: the exhibition in the cathedral continues online: sussextogether-festival-arts-exhibition.
Pagham Church on social media: find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @StThomasPagham.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Revd Lucy Sullivan: 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 to add content.
Safeguarding Officer: Jan Brockhurst: safeguarding@paghamchurch.org.
Pews News: Alison Blenkinsop: pewsnews@paghamchurch.org, 01243 261131, 07784 544981.