Sunday next before Lent
27th February 2022
'A cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.’ Luke 9. 34.
Art by Revd Jess, see below for details.
The world is in shock over what is happening in Ukraine. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have asked us to pray for peace on Sunday and also to support a global day of prayer for Ukraine on Ash Wednesday. We will be having a focus on Ukraine at our Ash Wednesday service at 10am. Here is a prayer for Ukraine from our Archbishops:
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, and ask that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
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 34.29-35, Psalm 99,
2 Corinthians 3.12 - 4.2, Luke 9.28-36[37-43a]
Sunday group meets in the hall at 10am. New children are always welcome.
The next Taizé for Healing Service is Sunday 6th March, 6pm.
Your Help Needed
We urgently need volunteers to help with coffee on Sunday mornings. This is such an important part of our life together and if you feel you could help once a month, it would be much appreciated.
We also need extra help with cleaning the church. If you can spare an hour once a month to dust and vacuum, this would greatly spread the workload. Please contact Revd Jane if you would like to know more.
Bible Art (See top of newsletter for image)
Luke 9 28-36 This is such a familiar story about Jesus and three disciples going up the mountain, and Jesus appearing in glory with two other figures with him. We know about Peter's rather embarrassing blurting out about the shelters; but it is the next bit which is rather surprising as it says that, as he was speaking a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud, and it is that moment which I have depicted in my painting.
For some reason I hadn't noticed that the cloud enveloped the disciples; I always perceived it as having surrounded Jesus and the other two figures, and then dispersed leaving Jesus on his own? But it surrounded the disciples too, and something about it terrified them. Was it simply that they weren't as used to hill fog as we are, or was there some other reason? Was it the sudden contrast between seeing the intensely bright glory surrounding Jesus and the greyness of the cloud?
Why might it not only have surrounded Jesus as his glory faded and the other two figures disappeared, but also enveloped the disciples too? Revd Jess
Quiz Night
Tickets are on sale after the service
Bob’s Card Sale
On Sunday 6th March after the 10am service in the church hall. A variety of cards for sale including ‘Mothering Sunday’ and ‘Easter’ cards, as well as birthday, get well, sympathy and blank cards.
All proceeds go to the Church of the Good Shepherd.
If anyone has any old cards including birthdays, get well, sympathy cards, they would be very much appreciated. Please leave them in the church porch. Bob.
Ash Wednesday 2nd March
We are offering two Ash Wednesday services in the benefice. There will be a service at the Good Shepherd at 10am and another at St Mary de Haura at 7.30pm. Please come along to either to begin Lent.
Lent Courses
This year we are running the Lent course ‘Comfort ye my People’ produced by the Chichester Diocese. In the 5 sessions we are offered beautiful images, stories and songs that speak of the God who knows us and loves us. In each session someone will speak to you about the comfort that they have found in these gifts. They will invite you to begin your own exploration of how God might lift your burdens and give you space and time to rest. More details are found here: Lent 2022 - Diocese of Chichester (anglican.org) This course can also be followed by individuals at home. There are four groups to choose from, run in partnership with St Mary de Haura.
Tuesdays, 7.30pm in the Good Shepherd church with Revd Jane.
Wednesdays, 10am on Zoom with Judy Short and Glenn Edey.
Wednesdays, 2.30pm with Revd Liz Rathbone at her home in Shoreham town.
Thursdays, 3.30pm in the parish centre with Revd Steve.
Sign-up sheet are available after the services at the back of church. We hope you will join in.
World Day of Prayer 2022
Friday 4th March at 2.30pm, Shoreham Methodist Church, Brunswick Road BN43 5WB
Followed by light refreshments
EVERYONE WELCOME
‘I know the plans I have for you’
Prepared this year by Christian women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Fire Drill This will now take place during one of the March Sunday services.
Lent Talks
‘Caring for Creation’ is the title of this year’s Lent talks being organised by Churches Together in Shoreham. These will be held on Wed 16th and 23rd March at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments with the talks starting at 7.30pm. The meetings are open to all and no signing up is required.
These sessions will help us, both as individuals and churches, make a Christian response to last year’s COP26 conference in Glasgow.
In the first talk, Brother Samuel, Society of Saint Francis, will make the case why we as Christians should care for the environment. Brother Samuel is co-author of ‘Seeing Differently’ (Canterbury Press 2021) which develops this theme.
In the second, Colin McFarlin, Waste Prevention Adviser for West Sussex Council, will show us how to be better recyclers. He will also touch on the EcoChurch initiative.
After the talks there will be time not only for discussion and but also an opportunity to share what we as churches in Shoreham are already doing in this vitally important area. Come along and find out what we can do together to help safeguard the future of this wonderful planet.
And finally…
Have you noticed the encouraging signs of spring in the church garden? Thank you to our garden volunteers who keep everything looking so lovely.
I work half-time and the usual days when I am available are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. Blessings and prayers for you all this week. Revd Jane
Notices for the newsletter should be emailed to Revd Jane by Wednesday at 12noon
Contacts
Revd Jane Bartlett Email: bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com Tel: 079355 38085.
Church wardens Emma Purser, Penny Humphrey and deputy warden Kay Haffenden 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
Services this Week
Sunday, 27th February
8am – Holy Communion with Revd Steve.
10am – Parish Communion with Revd Steve.
This service will be live streamed onto our Facebook and You Tube channel.
You Tube page CLICK HERE
Church Facebook page CLICK HERE
Tuesday 1st March
9.30am - Informal Holy Communion with Revd Jess.
Wednesday 2nd March
10am – Ash Wednesday Holy Communion with Revd Jane.
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106
Passcode: 960274
Friday 4th March
8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer at St Mary de Haura and also on Zoom
Meeting ID: 513293120 (No password is needed )
Click here LINK
Saturday 5th March
8am – Morning Meditation at the Good Shepherd and also on Zoom
Meeting ID: 166073397 (no password needed) Click here LINK
Evening Prayer This is said at 5.30pm at St Marys and via Zoom on Monday and Wednesday, at 5.30pm. If you want to attend online contact Revd Steve for the link. Email: shorehamcurate@gmail.com
To donate to the Church of the Good Shepherd online CLICK HERE Thank you!
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Church website: www.goodshepherdshorehambeach.org.uk