Sunday Next before Lent
19th February 2023
This Sunday, we warmly welcome as our speaker at both services, the Revd Daniel Muwanguzi from Uganda.
Daniel is a colleague of Canon Tony. Together they coordinate the work of the Christian Charity 'SEAN International' across the continent of Africa. 'SEAN' stands for 'Study by Extension for All Nations' and is a key part of the worldwide Theological Education by Extension movement.
Some years ago, a number of Good Shepherd members met over several weeks to study together the SEAN course 'Pure Gold' - an overview of the whole Bible. On Sunday 19th Daniel will be sharing with us about the SEAN work that he is doing in Uganda including in the refugee camps near the South Sudan border. He will be with us in Shoreham for 12 days altogether, staying with Julia and Terry on Shoreham Beach. For more about SEAN International go to:- www.seaninternational.org
Collect
Holy God,
you know the disorder of our sinful lives:
set straight our crooked hearts,
and bend our wills to love your goodness
and your glory
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings
Exodus 24.12-18, Psalm 2
or Psalm 99, 2 Peter 1.16-21,
Matthew 17.1-9
Earthquake Appeal There will be a collection in church this Sunday (19th) for Embrace the Middle East Earthquake Appeal. Embrace is a Christian development charity. It has established partners working on the ground in northwest Syria, who are already responding to the crisis. Please bring cash or card readers are also available. You can find more information here: https://embraceme.org
A Prayer from Embrace the Middle East
Gracious and loving God, We lift before you all of the people affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey. We pray for all of those trapped under the rubble – Lord, comfort them and calm their fear. Please bless the emergency efforts to rescue them.
We pray for those who have lost loved ones in this latest tragedy – Lord, please bring comfort and peace in the midst of grief. We pray for those who have been left without homes – Lord, please provide them with shelter.
We pray for those who were already living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet – Lord, please be their refuge and strength. We pray for our partners responding to immediate needs on the ground – Lord, give them wisdom and bless the work of their hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sharing the Peace It was decided at our recent PCC meeting that we can now relax our covid guidance when sharing the Peace. Please continue to wave if would like to, and handshaking with those nearby is also welcomed. Remember there is hand sanitiser at the door if you would like to use it.
Ash Wednesday We are offering two services in the benefice – 7.30pm at St Mary de Haura, and 10am at the Good Shepherd. You are welcome at either service.
Occasional Choir The first meeting of the Occasional choir went very well with seven of us in attendance. We learned a few songs and had fun. The next rehearsal is at 10.30am Monday 20th February in the church. All welcome!
Regular choir meetings are on Thursday evening 6pm in the church. If anyone would like to join please talk to Fiona after church or call 07879 378678. Thank you.
New Keyboard Grateful thanks to Barry for donating an 88 key keyboard and stand to the church hall. Now we can have music to accompany fund raising events in the hall.
Lent Course Our Lent course this year is being run jointly across the benefice. It has been written by Revd Andrew and is called The Love You Had at First. It has a focus on love, both divine and human, and contains reflections on scripture, art and music.
There will be four groups running that are open to both churches, and our hope is that there will be mixing of people from COGS and St Marys at each group. It’s an opportunity to build our fellowship.
Monday 2pm – COGS – led by Judy Short and Glen Edey
Monday 7pm – St Mary’s Vicarage – led by Revd Andrew (FULL)
Tues 2pm – COGS – led by Revd Steve
Weds 3pm – Parish Centre – led by Revd Jane and Jenny Stride
Full details about dates, times and how to sign up are available at the back of church after the services. The course booklets are also available (suggested donation £2). You might follow the course on your own if you are not able to join a group. We hope you will be able to participate and deepen your Lenten journey.
Children & Families Role, COGS Following a dedicated and fruitful ministry by Daisy who is moving on to new adventures, the Church of the Good Shepherd will be looking to recruit a new Children and Families Worker to begin in early 2023. This part-time (3 hours a week or more for the right person) role would suit someone who enjoys nurturing faith amongst children and young people and would benefit from some extra income. Please spread the word widely and contact Revd Andrew if you are interested: vicar@stmarydehaura.org.uk.
World Day of Prayer 2023 This will be taking place in the Good Shepherd, Friday 3rd March, 2pm. All invited and welcome to the service, which will be followed by light refreshments. This year’s theme:” I have heard about your faith”. Prepared by Christian women of TAIWAN. For further information wwdp.org.uk. Or if you are willing to help in any way (with refreshments or with the service) especially as we are hosting the service this year your help would be most appreciated! Please speak to Elizabeth after church or tel. 01903 531366.
Lent Art Workshop with Revd Jane and local arts educator Claire Lemmon, who runs classes at the Circular Space in Shoreham. We learn about the fourth century desert fathers and mothers and choose one of their wisdom sayings as inspiration for an art project that can be displayed in church during Lent. All materials provided. All skill levels welcome.
PCC Vacancies At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 23rd April we will be electing a new Parochial Church Council (PCC). There are vacancies for lay representatives. Please consider prayerfully if you could contribute your time and skills in this way and speak to Revd Jane if interested.
And finally…
Big thanks go to our fundraising team for an enjoyable Valentine’s event. There were delicious afternoon teas, crafts and entertainment. We raised £1,030 for church funds – a tremendous achievement. Plus a donation to our wonderful singer, Cheryl.
I work half-time and the days I am usually available are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (morning). Blessings, Revd Jane
Services this Week Sunday 19th February
8am – Holy Communion with Canon Tony and Revd Daniel Muwanguzi
10am – Parish Communion with Canon Tony and Revd Daniel Muwanguzi
Tuesday 21st February
9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane
Wednesday 22nd February
10am – Ash Wednesday Holy Communion with Revd Jane and Revd Steve
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106
Passcode: 960274
Friday 24th February
8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer at St Mary de Haura
Saturday 25th February
8am – Morning Meditation At the Good Shepherd and also on Zoom. Meeting ID: 166073397 (no password needed) Click here LINK
Contacts
Revd Jane Bartlett Email: bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com Tel: 079355 38085.
Revd Andrew Bennison Email: revandrewbennison@gmail.com Tel: 01273 454914
Church wardens Kay Haffenden, Angela Tritton and deputy warden Penny Humphrey email: office@cogschurchwardens.co.uk
Safeguarding Officer Emma Purser 07786651886
Children’s Ministry Daisy Durrant email: cogssundayschool10@gmail.com
Parish centre and hall bookings Tel: 01273 440202
Prayer chain (for emergency prayer) Liz Beeston 01273 454685
Notices for next week should be sent to Revd Jane by Wednesday 12noon. bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com
Church website: www.goodshepherdshorehambeach.org.uk
To donate to the Church of the Good Shepherd online CLICK HERE Thank you. If you are reading this newsletter on a paper copy and would like to receive it each week through email please contact: cogsenews@gmail.com
Evening Prayer is said Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm at St Mary de Haura. On Monday it is 5.30pm on Zoom. If you want to attend the Zoom service on Monday contact Revd Steve for the link. Email: shorehamcurate@gmail.com Morning Prayer is said Monday to Wednesday, 8.30am at St Mary de Haura.