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 28th JANUaRY 2024
the feast of the presentation of christ in the temple – candlemas
Sunday 28th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
PRESENTATION OF 09:30 Parish Eucharist followed by coffee
CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE 14:00 Holy Baptism Daisy and Harry Crocker
Monday 29th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
Ordinary time begins
Tuesday 30th 10:00 Eucharist (Aldwick)
17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
19:00 Tuesday@7 (Pagham)
Wednesday 31st 17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Thursday 1st February 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
10:00 Holy Communion (Pagham)
Friday 2nd No public services today
Saturday 3rd No public services today
Sunday 4th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
Second Sunday 09:30 Parish Eucharist
before Lent 12:30 Lunch on Sunday (Aldwick). Please sign-up
14:00 Holy Baptism Freddie Charman
HYMNS
Introit: 314 Immortal Invisible
Gradual: 339 Like a candle flame
Offertory: 411 Lord Jesus Christ
Final: SHEET Christ be our light
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 Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple: Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ 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: Malachi 3: 1- 5
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Psalm 24: 7- end The response to the psalm is as announced.
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 2: 14- end
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 22- 40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
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.
Recently departed: Marjorie Woods, Bob Tomlinson.
Anniversary of death: Eileen Tooze, Leonard Cowee (28th); Frank Ashton-Gwatkin, Daniel Humphries, Bill Clark, Sylvia Pepper (29th); Eric Atkins (30th); Bernadette Harrison (31st); Phoebe Ryan (1st February); William Burrow, Albert Barker (2nd); Hubert Sheppard (3rd).
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, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna,
who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life;
for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen
Next week’s readings: Second Sunday before Lent
Proverbs 8: 1, 22- 31; Psalm 104: 26- end; Colossians 1: 15- 20; John1: 1- 14.
Pints of View – a conversation for men
Meets with The Rev’d Clive Ashely on Thursday 8th February 2024 at 19:30 in The Inglenook. Buy yourself a pint and come have a chat on current affairs – no hidden agenda, a meeting of men of all ages. Please note the change in venue.
Aldwick Mothers’ Union AGM
The Mothers’ Union meet at 19:00 on Tuesday 6th February for their AGM at 19:30 at The Waverley. The meeting is open to anyone who would like to join them. You can learn more about the MU here: www.mothersunion.org
The Bear Necessities – a conversation for women
This group got off to a fantastic New Year with 17 of us meeting for conversation. This is a safe space for good conversation on current affairs with no hidden agenda, a meeting of women of all ages. The next meeting is on Monday 12th February 2024 at 19:30, at The Bear Inn – Pagham.
Mardi Gras/ Shrove Tuesday Party
Please join us for Mardi Gras fun in St Andrew’s chapel, Pagham Church at 6pm on 13th February. With freshly made pancakes, fun and company as we prepare for the holy season of Lent. We will also be burning last year’s palms to make ash for the services on Ash Wednesday. All are welcome, please sign- up to help with catering.
Lent 2024
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday- 14th February 2024. There will be a said eucharist with imposition of ashes at 10:00 in Pagham and a sung eucharist with imposition of ashes in Aldwick at 19:30 on this day. Please be sure to put the dates and times in your diaries. Details of all our activities in Lent are available in the Lent Flyer.
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.
Invitation from St Richard’s Aldwick: Lunch on Sunday
The successful Lunch on Sunday at St Richard’s resumes on 4th February following the 11:15am Parish Family Eucharist at St Richard’s (approx. 12:30). £10 per person for a two course, cooked lunch. Specifically designed for those who look for company on a Sunday afternoon and others to enjoy a meal with, or indeed those who would like someone else to do the cooking and washing up! All are very welcome to join, please sign-up at the back of church, or at St Richard’s. Mthr Lucy.
Save the date: Chilli & Bingo
I am pleased to share that we will be supporting two local young people with their fundraising for the charity ‘Grass Roots’ and their mission trip from Bishop Luffa School to Tanzania to see the charity in action, and to support their work. As part of their fundraising, they will be holding a ‘Chilli & Bingo’ night at the Church Centre on Saturday 9th March, please put the date in your diary!
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. In preparation for this many of you will be asked to write a report for the activity of the groups that you co-ordinate, please look out for an email from MO, PCC Treasurer about this.