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 17th decEMBER 2023
third sunday of advent
Sunday 17th 08:00 Holy Communion (Pagham & Aldwick)
ADVENT 3 09:30 Parish Eucharist with Sunday School
O Sapientia 18:00 Festival of Lessons and Carols (Aldwick)
Monday 18th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
19:00 Sounds Familiar Concert- Pagham Church
Tuesday 19th 10:00 Eucharist (Aldwick)
19:00 Carols at The Bear Inn – Pagham
Wednesday 20th 19:30 ‘In the bleak midwinter’…’God is with us’
Quiet Carol Service
Thursday 21st 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
10:00 Holy Communion (Pagham)
Friday 22nd No public worship today
Saturday 23rd No public worship today
Sunday 24th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
ADVENT 4 16:00 Crib Servi
CHRISTMAS EVE 21:00 Bethlehem Midnight Mass
Introit: 631 Tell out my soul
Advent Wreath: SHEET Christ be our light
Gradual: 60 Beauty for brokenness (omit v3)
Offertory: 348 Jesus Christ is waiting (omit v2)
Final: 303 I cannot tell (omit v3)
The Collect (Opening Prayer) for the Third Sunday of Advent:
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.
Old Testament reading: Isaiah 61: 1- 4, 8 end
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Psalm 126 The response to the psalm is as announced.
New Testament Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16- 24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Gospel Reading: John 1: 6- 8; 19- 28
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
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: Francis Atkinson, Richard Kimbe, Robert Breakspear, Alix Sullivan (18th); Cecil Smith, Sylvia Harvey (21st); Mary Cornell, Philip Ray (22nd); Christine Taylor (23rd).
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: We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts;
kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
Next week’s readings: Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7: 1- 11, 16; Psalm 89: 1- 8; Romans 16: 25- end; Luke 1: 26- 38
Christmas – it’s time to spread the word!
Flyers with details of our Christmas services are now available, and it would be wonderful if you can deliver some to your neighbours and friends, and perhaps take some along to your clubs and societies. We can all play a part in sharing the invitation this Christmas.
Grand Christmas Raffle
We have a large selection of magnificent prizes donated by local businesses, in addition to a first prize of £100. Thank you to all who have already returned their counterfoils and money. Additional tickets can be obtained from Trudi either in church or call 07703 597 353. This will be drawn on 17th December. Tickets are still for sale, however, counterfoils and money need to be with Trudi by Saturday 16th December.
Sounds Familiar Christmas Concert
Sounds Familiar Christmas Concert at Pagham Church- Monday 18th December 19:00. Do come along for a warming and cheerful music by the local community choir including a number from our congregations. Tickets £5 for adults (children free) available on the door, followed by seasonal refreshments.
Decorating the Church for Christmas
We would be grateful of greenery to help us to create the Christmas Floral Arrangements. If you could deliver to church by 9.30 on Saturday 23rd December that would be helpful. No berries please.
The Travelling Crib
During Advent our travelling crib will be making its journey around the parish. Each day Mary and Joseph will be invited into a new home to rest for the night. If you would like to welcome the Holy Family for a visit during the season of Advent, please sign up alongside a date on the list- and note down your contact details.
Ahead of time you will be contacted by those who host the family the day before you to arrange delivery, and likewise you will need to contact the hosts who follow on from you. This is a wonderful way to get to know new people in the church community, and also to share hospitality together.
The Holy Family set off from church on Advent Sunday- 3rd December at the Parish Family Eucharist at 09:30am and will make their way back to the church on Christmas Eve at the Crib Service (4pm).
Festival of Lessons and Carols
Our traditional carol service takes place on Sunday 17th December at 18:00 at St Richard’s Aldwick followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Music at this service is provided by the joint choirs of Pagham and Aldwick who have been working hard for many months now, with readers from our Tuesday@7 service- this is a real community event. Please do come along – why not bring your family and friends too?
Carols at The Bear
Join us for a good old carol sing at The Bear Inn, Pagham on Tuesday 19th December from 19:00, the more the merrier so do invite your friends!
Christmas Quiz
The Annual Christmas Quiz raising funds for the Friends of Pagham Church is available for £2.00 in church or from Alison Blenkinsop 261131/07784544981. The prize is a food hamper. All entries will be entered into a draw for a mystery consolation prize. Closing date is Sunday 7th January.
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.