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 11th FEBrUaRY 2024
SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT
Sunday 11th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
Sunday next 09:30 Parish Eucharist
before Lent 14:00 Holy Baptism Henry Scott-Moore
Monday 12th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
19:30 The Bear Necessities (The Bear Inn, Pagham)
Tuesday 13th 10:00 Eucharist (Aldwick)
18:00 Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Party (Pagham)
Wednesday 14th 10:00 Said Eucharist + ashing (Pagham)
Ash Wednesday 17:30 Evening Prayer (Zoom)
19:30 Sung Eucharist + ashing (Aldwick)
Thursday 15th 09:00 Morning Prayer (Pagham)
10:00 Holy Communion (Pagham)
19.30 Lent Study Group –‘Broken’ (Mosse Hall
Committee Room)
Friday 16th No public services today
Saturday 17th No public services today
Sunday18th 08:00 Holy Communion (Aldwick)
First Sunday 09:30 Parish Eucharist
of Lent 17:30 Stations of the Cross (Pagham)
HYMNS
Introit: 346 Jesus Calls us
Gradual: 672 Thine be the glory
Offertory: 67 Be still for the presence of the Lord
Final: 428 Love divine
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 Sunday next before Lent: Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give is grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Old Testament reading: 2 Kings 2: 1-12
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I know; keep silent.’ Elijah said to him, ‘Elisha stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, I know; be silent.’ Then Elijah said to him,, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.’ But he said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.’ He responded, ‘You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.’ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’ But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
Psalm 50: 1 – 6 The response to the psalm is as announced.
New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 3 – 6
Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is in the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 2 – 9
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to the Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
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
Recently departed:
Anniversary of death: Frank Rowley (11th), Rose Humphries (12th)
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: Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ: may we who are partakers at his table reflect his life in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to change and save. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Next week’s readings: First Sunday of Lent
Genesis 9: 8 -17; Psalm 25: 1- 10; 1 Peter 3: 18- 22; Mark 1: 9- 15.
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.
Tea and Chat
There will be no meeting this month but it will resume in March.
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.
Winter Warmer Lunch
The Friends of Pagham Church are hosting a Winter Warmer Lunch on Saturday 2nd March – 12.30 at Pagham Church Centre. Two-course meal – £12. Please sign on the sign-up sheet on the notice board. For details – Carole Druce 07732768890
Save the date: Chilli & Bingo
I am pleased to share that we are 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, tickets in advance, can be bought here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lily-and-harriet-fundraiser
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.
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.