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 25th FEBrUaRY 2024
Second SUNDAY of LENT
Sunday 25th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
Lent 2 09:30 Parish Eucharist followed by coffee
17:30 Stations of the Cross (Aldwick)
Monday 26th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
11:00 ‘Broken’ Lent Course 2 – (Pagham)
15:00 MU Wave of Prayer and Afternoon Tea
Tuesday 27th 10:00 Eucharist (Aldwick)
George Herbert 17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
19:00 Tuesday@7 (Pagham)
Wednesday 28th 17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Thursday 29th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
10:00 Holy Communion (Pagham)
12noon – 13:15 Lent Lunch (Pagham Church Centre)
17:30 Evening Prayer (Aldwick)
19.30 ‘Broken’ Lent Course 2
(Mosse Hall Committee Room)
Friday 1st No public services today
St David
Saturday 2nd No public services today
St Chad
Sunday 3rd 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
Lent 3 09:30 Parish Eucharist (not family eucharist)
17:30 Stations of the Cross (Pagham)
HYMNS
Introit: 190 Forty days and forty nights
Gradual: 797 Father welcome all his children
Offertory: 379 Lead us heavenly father
Final: 506 O let the Son of God enfold you
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.
The Collect (Opening Prayer) for the Second Sunday of Lent: Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; 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.
Old Testament reading: Genesis 17: 1- 7; 15- 16
God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’
Psalm 22: 23- end The response to the psalm is as announced.
New Testament Reading: Romans 4: 13- end
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Gospel Reading: Mark 8: 31- end
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
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, Bea Tucker, Tony, Charles Paterson.
Recently departed:
Anniversary of death: Betty Wilmott, Sandy Sell (18th); Thomas Best, Jack Field, Tony Spurle (21st); John Fisk (22nd); Eric Willmot (23rd); Alfred Vickery, Jean Saunders (24th).
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: Lord God, you have renewed us with the living bread from heaven; by it you nourish our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love: teach us always to hunger for him who is the true and living bread, and enable us to live by every word that proceeds from out of your mouth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Next week’s readings: Second Sunday of Lent
Genesis 17: 1- 7; 15- 16; Psalm 22: 23- end; Romans 4: 13- end; Mark 8: 31- end.
Annual Revision of the Electoral Roll – Please read
In accordance with CofE Rules and Regulations the Annual Revision of the Electoral Roll will take place between February 19th (28 days before the APCM) and March 3rd (15 days before the APCM) when it is closed until after the APCM.
Representations re additions, deletions, change of address etc to be made to the Electoral Roll Officer, Margaret Sherwood: tel. 01243 262 367 // margaret.sherwood@outlook.com. The revised Roll (names only) will be published after the APCM.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The APCM will take place on Wednesday 20th March at 19:30, in St Andrew’s Chapel. You are very welcome to attend as we review and give thanks for the activity of Pagham church in 2023. Reports for the Annual report should be sent to MO for the deadline this weekend, please.
If you are interested in standing for election on the PCC, please speak to Mthr Lucy or the Wardens to find out more about this way of serving the church community.
Lent 2024
You are all welcome to join in with any of the offerings this Lent. Although the Thursday evening Lent group started last week, you can catch up at the Monday group. It is also possible to see each session as a stand-alone, so why not join us when you can?
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross have formed part of Christian devotion during Lent for many centuries because they enable us to engage actively with the path of suffering walked by Jesus. They originated when early Christians visited Jerusalem and wanted to follow literally in the footsteps of Jesus, tracing the path from Pilate’s house to Calvary. They would pause for prayer and devotion at various points, it’s still possible to walk this path today. Eventually those pilgrims brought the practice back to their home countries and ever since then Christians of differing traditions have used this form of devotion.
You welcome to join in the Stations of the Cross on Sundays in Lent- this week (18th Feb.) at 17:30 at Pagham Church. No prior experience needed, or wet weather gear- our pilgrimage takes around on a spiritual journey inside the church.
Lent Lunches
Following the success of last year’s soup lunches during Lent, the opportunity for good food and company will return on Thursdays: 22nd, 29th February and 7th, 14th and 21st March at the Pagham Parish Church Centre, Nyetimber Lane. 12noon- 1:15pm. Join us for a warm welcome, soup and a roll, and tea & coffee. Why not invite a friend to join you? If you can help on any of the days, please add your name to the sheet in Church. Donation on the day for charities as listed.
Guest speaker and charity cake sale
Next Sunday we welcome Harriet Crow and her friend Lily to tell us more about ‘Grass Roots’ a charity that works in Tanzania, which Bishop Luffa School support. Harriet and Lily are raising awareness for Grass Roots, and funds for their mission trip later this year. They will be holding a cake sale after the 09:30 service on Sunday 25th February, don’t forget your purses!
Mothers’ Union Wave of Prayer
On Monday 26th February the diocese of Chichester Mothers’ Union will be prayed for around the world. In celebration of this Mothers’ Union members and all those interested in learning more about the MU are invited to Mthr Lucy’s home for prayer and afternoon tea at 3pm. All welcome.
Winter Warmer Lunch
The Friends of Pagham Church are hosting a Winter Warmer Lunch on Saturday 2nd March – 12.30 at The Pagham Church Centre. Two-course meal – £12. Please sign on the sign-up sheet on the notice board in church. For details – Carole Druce 07732768890
Chilli & Bingo
In support of Harriet and Lily and their fundraising for the charity ‘Grass Roots’ and mission trip from Bishop Luffa School to Tanzania we are pleased to be the venue for their ‘Chilli & Bingo’ night at the Church Centre on Saturday 9th March, tickets in advance, can be bought here www.ticketsource.co.uk/lily-and-harriet-fundraiser
SUPPORT FOR THE FOODBANK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
Urgently needed this week: UHT Milk, UHT fruit Juice, Tinned/ packet soup, Toilet Rolls, Sweet selection boxes. We have plenty: Baked beans, pulses.