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)
Churchwarden: Mr Alex Brockhurst
Tel: 07792 544259.; Email: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org
Churchwarden: Mr Mike Wake
Tel: 07899 705632; Email: churchwarden@paghamchurch.org
Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Jan Brockhurst
Email: safeguarding@paghamchurch.org
Find us online: www.paghamchurch.org // @StThomasPagham
Registered charity number 1134842
SUNDAY 29th January 2023
Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
Sunday 29th 08:00 Holy Communion- St Richard’s
09:30 Parish Eucharist
Monday 30th 09:00 Morning Prayer (church)
Charles, king and martyr (11:00 Eucharist at Nyewood Juniors)
Tuesday 31st 17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
19:00 TUESDAY@7
Wednesday 1st Feb. 17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Thursday 2nd 09:00 Morning Prayer (church)
10:00 Holy Communion
Friday 3rd No public services today
Anskar
Saturday 4th No public services today
Sunday 5th 08:00 Holy Communion
THIRD SUNDAY 09:30 Parish Family Eucharist
BEFORE LENT
Hymns
Entrance: 483 O for a closer walk with God
Gradual: 399 Like a candle flame
Offertory: 157 Faithful Vigil Ended
Final: 609 Songs of thankfulness and praise (omit v4)
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 Presentation of Christ:
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 “The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.”
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: Rosie Sims, Terry Haskell, Barbara Crew, Karen Cox, Jim Fowler, Sheila King, Dawn Spurway Pearson, Nicola Simpson, Betty Smith, Mike Hatzfeld, Andrew Naylor, Colin May, Tyler Rankin, Max Davey, Leslie Francis, Dickie Roots, Colin Wood, Elizabeth.
Recently departed:
Anniversary of death: 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); Baby Lavinia Caraccioli (4th).
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.
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: Third Sunday before Lent
Isaiah 58: 1-9a; Psalm 112: 1- 9; 1 Corinthians 2: 1- 12; Matthew 5: 13- 20
Exsultet Candles
On this feast of Candlemas, when traditionally all the candles to be burnt in worship throughout the year are blessed in preparation for use, we have a number of ‘Pagham candles’ available for sale. They cost £2- £6 dependant on size and are unscented.
Exultet Candles- made from previous years Paschal (Easter) candles make a wonderful gift or addition to your home and are perfect to be lit during your prayer time or perhaps on the table for a dinner party- what a great way to open the conversation about your church with friends!
Men’s Group Burns Night Huge thanks to Stephen and the Men’s group for the fantastic Burns Night on Friday evening. And very many thanks to all those who came along in support. A great time was had by all.
Breakfast Club Meets next on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at 09 30 Pagham Beach café. The cost of breakfast at Pagham Beach café is between £7.00 and £11.00. Any queries please contact Alex Brockhurst 07792 544259.
Aldwick Mothers’ Union AGM The Aldwick Mothers’ Union is open to women and men, parents or not, in the local area and they will hold their AGM will take place on Tuesday 7th February at 19:30, at the Waverley. All are welcome to attend- especially those who have enjoyed events, this year. This is an opportunity to hear about the work of MU, to find out more about joining and the plans for the next year do come along. For more details, please speak to Julie Broad 07511 953 896.
Friends of Pagham Parish Church ‘Winter Warmer’ Join the “Friends” for an evening of good food on Saturday 11th February at 6.30 pm in St. Andrew’s Chapel. £10 per head. Bring your own drinks. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the notice board.
Ash Wednesday Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 22nd February. On this day there will be a Said Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at 10:00 at St Thomas à Becket, and a Sung Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at 19:30, at St Richard’s Aldwick. Please do make every effort to attend a service on this day at the start this holy season. In preparation for these services, please can you return any palm crosses you have at home, to be burnt for ash. Many thanks.
Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2023 Please pick-up a flyer which outlines all our Lent, Holy Week and Easter services, study groups, and invitations to prayer. This year, in an attempt to make all events as accessible as possible there is a combination of offerings day/ evening/ weekend – at St Richard’s and St Thomas à Becket. Please know that you are welcome at all sessions.
Christian Aid Lent Lunches In aid of Christian Aid we will be hosting ‘Lent Lunches’ at the Pagham Parish Church Centre, Nyetimber Lane, on the Thursdays in Lent 12:00- 14:00(March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th). Warming soup lunch with bread roll, teas and coffees and a warm welcome! Bring a friend. Pay what you feel… this means you might only feel able to pay £1… or you might feel able to pay £10. Knowing that you can enjoy a warm meal and company, or that you are enabling someone else to enjoy these in the difficult financial times some are facing at the moment, and adding to our offering to Christian Aid. Sue O’Neill will be co-ordinating these lunches, if you would like to help her, please do contact her on suesdesignservices@gmail.com / 07867 904 780. It’s not necessary to be available every week.
SUPPORT FOR THE FOODBANK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
Urgently needed this week: Durable plastics bags, 1ltr UHT Fruit Juice, 1ltr UHT Milk, Tinned Fruit, Pasta Sauce, Tinned Fish, Tinned Custard, Tinned Rice Pudding, Pasta, Tinned Meat, Cereal, Shampoo/ Conditioner, Nappies- size 4/5.