Weekly Pews News No 19-51/52
22 December 2019
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Collect for the day God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Psalm response Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance and we shall be saved.
Post-communion prayer at the Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Lord Jesus, light of the world, blessed is Gabriel, who brought good news; blessed is Mary, your mother and ours. Bless your Church preparing for Christmas; and bless us your children, who long for your coming. Amen.
Today’s services
8 am Morning prayer Readings: Micah 5: 2-5a; Luke 1: 26-38
9.45 am Parish Eucharist Readings: Isaiah 7: 10-16; Psalm 80: 1-8, 18-20; Romans 1: 1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Hymns: 480, 634, 605, 405
4 pm Evening Prayer
After the Eucharist, all are welcome to gather for refreshments and socialise in St Andrew’s chapel at the back of church.
The church is open every day for visitors and private prayer.
INTENTIONS for Sunday 22 December (other days continued overleaf)
Intention: our Deanery of Arundel & Bognor, and its parishes, clergy and people; our Rural Dean Mark Standen, and the work of Deanery Synod.
Anniversary: Mary Cornell (1993); Philip Ray (1994)
INTENTIONS (continued from inside)
Monday 23 December
Intention: all those who do difficult work on our behalf, especially in the armed services and the emergency services.
Anniversary: Anniversary: Christine Taylor (2001)
Tuesday 24 December
Intention: the Church’s worldwide mission; all missionary societies and the Bible Society.
Services
4 pm Crib Service
11.30
pm Midnight Eucharist Readings: Isaiah 52: 7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1: 1-4; John 1: 1-14 Hymns: 521, 597, 330, 479
Wednesday 25 December – Christmas Day
Intention: our Diocese of Chichester, our Bishops, Martin, Mark and Richard; the archdeacons, clergy and people; the work of Diocesan Synod and Church House; the witness of Chichester Cathedral.
Services
8 am Holy Communion Readings: Hebrews 1: 1-12; John 1: 1-14
9.45
am Family Eucharist Readings: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Luke 2: 1-14 Hymns: 479, 776, 508, 266
Anniversary: Audrey Hunt (2009)
Thursday 26 December – Stephen
Intention: the elderly, lonely and bereaved; all those in residential care and those who care for them.
Anniversary: Montague Austin (1972); Margot Fisher (1975); Edna Stevens (2015)
Friday 27 December – John, Apostle and Evangelist
Intention: all who work for peace and justice, and for the European Union and the United Nations.
Saturday 28 December – The Holy Innocents
Intention: vocations to the ordained ministry, especially any within our own parish; theological colleges and all ordinands in training, and vocations to the religious life.
Anniversary: Nicholas Carr (1963); Terry Wice (1997); Yvonne Clark (1999)
Sunday 29 December First Sunday of Christmas
Collect Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Psalm response Praise, O praise the name of the Lord.
8 am Holy Communion Readings: Galatians 4: 1-7; Matthew 1: 18-21
9.45 am Parish Eucharist Readings: Isaiah 63: 7-9; Psalm 148, Hebrews 2: 10-18, Matthew 2: 13-23 Hymns:
4 pm Evening worship – Christmas Carols
Intention: our mission to our own parish; the outreach of our parish newsletter; all newcomers to Pagham, and to our Church family.
(NB No weekday services until week starting 5 January)
Monday 30 December
Intention: our neighbouring churches, and the work of Churches Together in Bognor Regis and District. Anniversary: Stella Tribe (2007)
Tuesday 31 December
Intention: our family and friends. Anniversary: John Monkton (2000)
Wednesday 1 January – Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
Intention: our Parish Team – Clergy: Colin Wood, Bill Meyer; Reader: Roland Ell; Churchwardens: Mike Wake, Stephen Cox-Rusbridge.
Anniversary: Florence Austin (1977)
Thursday 2 January – Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus
Intention: our hospitals, doctors, nurses and midwives, home care assistants, pharmacists, therapists, opticians, dentists; all who provide health care. Anniversary: Elsie Barker (2008)
Friday 3 January
Intention: the Pilgrim Course – leaders and participants. Those baptised and confirmed here during the year, their parents, godparents or sponsors, and our own godchildren.
Anniversary: Richard Hardy (1991); Reginald Porter (2000)
Saturday 4 January
Intention: the prisoners, staff, chaplains and visitors at HMP Ford.
Anniversary: Patricia Harvey (1998); Patricia Norton (2006); John Gray (2010)
PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS
We pray for all in need of healing in body, mind or spirit: Judi March, Lynette, Zoe, Chloe Green, Rosie Sims, Nicola, Richard Rundle, Simon Hill, Diane Wills, Terry Haskell, Jean Martin, Derek Hardie, Madge Breakspear, Carole Turner, Ron Cusworth, Graham, Carolyn & family, Carol, Maddy, Gemma Green, David Ellis, Naomi. For urgent prayer, contact Gillian Purvis (267597) or Colin Wood (264192) to activate the Prayer Chain.
Those who have died: Zelma May, Stanley Woodruff.
We remember in our prayers Church members who live in residential care or receive communion at home: Catherine Morrish, Daphne Sharrad, Bett Steenerson, John Scully, Daphne Sharrad, Edna Swinnerton-Beet, Jane Upton, Maureen Yates.
We pray for God’s blessing upon all who live in our parish, especially in Windmill Close, Willow Way, Wolsey Close, Wythering Close.
We pray for Lilly Alexandra Cropley, to be baptised on Sunday 5 January.
Thanksgiving: grateful thanks for everyone’s prayers for Zoe, who has received enough healing strength to sustain some employment. Praise God!
NOTICES
Christmas communion at home: if anyone needs this, please contact the churchwardens (details below) and we will arrange it for you.
See the Christmas card board in the south aisle for cards and messages both to and from our Church family, and add your own!
Church Flowers: the Flower Team will be decorating the church on Monday 23rd from 9.30 am. We would be grateful for donations of greenery, which can be brought to the church today (22nd) or early on Monday morning. If you would like to help, please speak to Trudi (263597).
Christmas thanks: heartfelt thanks to all who have prepared and beautified the church, and are assisting in services for our keeping of the Christmas feast.
Pagham Pram Race: on Boxing Day from 11 am, starting at Mill Farm. Cheer on all participants, and look out for various Church members in disguise!
Burns Night: Friday 17 January, organised by the Men’s Group. Sign up on the sheet on the notice board, or contact Stephen on 07974 177905.
Church Roof: the tiling of the nave roof is finished! See the board for progress and funding updates, and under ‘Raise the Roof’ on the parish website.
CONTACT DETAILS
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