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 29TH OCTOBER 2023
BIBLE SUNDAY – LAST AFTER TRINITY
Sunday 29th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
LAST AFTER TRINITY 09:30 Parish Eucharist followed by coffee
16:00 Memorial service (Pagham)
Monday 30th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham Church)
Tuesday 31st 10:00 Eucharist (St Richard’s)
18:00 Evening Prayer (Pagham)
19:00 Tuesday@7 Light Party (Pagham)
Wednesday 1st 09:30 Breakfast Club Manor Nursery
ALL SAINTS DAY 18:00 Evening Prayer (Pagham)
Thursday 2nd 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
All Souls’ Day 10:00 Holy Communion (Pagham)
Commemoration of 19:30 Sung Requiem Mass (St Richard’s)
the Faithful Departed
Friday 3rd No public worship today
Richard Hooker
Saturday 4th 11:00 Pastoral Care meeting (Aldwick Committee Rm)
Sunday 5th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick & Pagham)
ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY 09:30 Parish Family Eucharist
with blessing of Shoeboxes followed by coffee
16:30 Admission to Holy Communion
Hymns
Introit: 752 Will you come and follow me
Gradual: 716 We have a gospel to proclaim
Offertory: 114 Come down O love divine
Final: 187 Forth in the peace of Christ we go
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 Bible Sunday:
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever Amen.
Old Testament reading: Nehemiah 8: 1- 4a, 8- 12
All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, ‘Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Psalm 119: 9- 16 The response to the psalm is as announced.
New Testament Reading: Colossians 3: 12- 17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 24: 30- 35
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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, Julie Green, Lucia, Jessie Hutchins, Bill & Pat Rush.
Recently departed:
Anniversary of death: Roy Marley, Fintan Kennedy (29th); Emily Evans, Frank Lawton (30th); Alfred Thorell, Jean McDermott, Eric Towler (31st); Florence Fagg, Peggy Rowley (1st)
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: God of all grace, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread; who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.
Next week’s readings: All Saints’ Sunday
Revelation 7: 9- end; Psalm 34: 1- 10; 1 John 3: 1- 3; Matthew 5: 1- 12
Annual Memorial Service – Sunday 29th October at 16:00
At this service we will remember by name all those we love but see no longer, there will also be an opportunity to light a candle. Do join us for this poignant service as the nights draw in and we begin a month of remembrance and celebration of all the saints’ living and departed, who shape our lives and faith. Please add names to be remembered to the list at the back of church.
Return of Generous Giving pledges
The gold box for returning your generous giving pledge cards is now available in the church. If you have yet to collect your letter about this, please do see the trays at the back of church, or look out for a letter through your door in the coming days. We will offer up your returned cards as part of the offering on All Saints’ Sunday in thanksgiving for the prayerful consideration of your giving to the church in support of our mission and ministry.
Getting to know Paul
Our study course on the writings of St Paul- continue on Sundays 12th & 19th November, at 16:00 in St Andrew’s Chapel at Pagham Church. Do pick-up a flyer for these sessions which include details on how sessions will run and suggested pre- reading. It’s not too late to join us!
2023 Link to Hope Shoebox Appeal
Please bring your filled and wrapped shoeboxes to church by Sunday 5th November when we will bless them and send them on their way. Details are available on leaflets in church– or if you feel that you cannot fill a whole box, perhaps you could supply some items or money towards the transport costs. Every little helps. Details – Trudi Kearsley 263597/07703597353.
Pastoral Visiting
On Saturday 4th November there will be a meeting for all those who would like to join a Pastoral Visiting team for the parish. We will meet with friends from St Richard’s church in the Committee Room of the Mosse Hall at 11am – for coffee, conversation about the nature of pastoral visiting and briefing about how pastoral visiting will work going forward. This is an important gathering for those who have previously been involved with visiting, taking home communion to the housebound, and also for those who would like to get involved with this ministry. Please speak to Mthr Lucy if you are interested in joining. Please note for safeguarding and good practice it is essential that individuals both meet with Mthr Lucy prior to the training and engage with this meeting before starting to visit- if you are unable to attend this session but are still interested please let Mthr Lucy know.
Admission to Holy Communion 2023
Noah, Joseph, Woody, Teddy, Nicholas and Rufus will be admitted to Holy Communion in a special service at 16:30 on All Saints’ Sunday – 5th November. Please pray for our candidates as they prepare to take this step on their journey of faith- all are very welcome to come and support them, perhaps if you/ your child has been admitted to communion in the last few years you might come and support this year’s candidates.
Remembrance Sunday
We gather at Pagham church for the Parish Eucharist as usual at 09:30, followed by an Act of Remembrance at 11am. At our service we welcome the congregation of St Richard’s and include the singing of the joint choirs, as well as welcoming local uniformed organisations. There will be a said Eucharist at 8am in Aldwick on this day, but no 11:15am service.
Christmas Fair Saturday 2nd December in the Church Centre. More details available from Sue O’Neill!
Lunch on Sunday at St Richard’s
The next ‘Lunch on Sunday’ will be on Sunday 5th November, following the Parish Family Eucharist (~ 12:30). The meal will be Chilli and Jacket Potatoes, both vegetarian and meat versions available. Please sign-up at the back of church. £10 per person, please bring your own drinks.
St Richard’s Church invites you to… The Quiz night with Fish & Chip Supper
Following the success of the quiz night in February another night is offered to get the brain working as the nights draw in. Saturday 18th November 6pm– £10 per person for Fish & Chip supper, bring your own drinks. Please sign-up in church. If you’re able to provide a dessert, there is a sign-up list for this too!