Epiphany
8th January 2023
‘Arise, shine; for your light has come.’ Isaiah 60.1. Image by Revd Jess, see Bible Art below for commentary.
Christmas isn’t over until the three Magi have arrived. We welcome them with their gifts this Sunday. Our 10am service is all age, and puppets are promised, plus an Epiphany song composed by our family and children’s co-ordinator, Daisy Durrant. We will also bless Epiphany chalk for the traditional door blessing. It’s going to be very special. We hope you can join us.
Collect
Creator of the heavens,
who led the Magi by a star
to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us,
that we may find our journey’s end
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings
Isaiah 60.1-6, Psalm 72.[1-9]10-15, Ephesians 3.1-12, Matthew 2.1-12
New arrangements for Communion
The numbers of people coming forward for Communion has grown, so the ministry team has decided that this year we will return to two stations at the altar offering bread and wine. Please come forward and go to either side of the altar to receive. It is sufficient to receive bread alone if you prefer not to take the cup.
The funeral for Anne Limbert will take place at Worthing Crematorium at 2.30pm on Tues 10th Jan. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
New Tuesday coffee morning
Thanks to Nix Cuthell for organising our new coffee morning. She needs some tablecloths. If you have any you would like to donate, please let her know. Email: nixcuthell@btinternet.com
Sponsored flowers for the altar will commence from Sunday 21st January. If you would like to sign up available dates are on the form at the back of the church.
Please only select one date to avoid disappointment as limited dates are available.
Please speak to Linda Caffyn regarding budget and colour choice.
All arrangements will be beautifully arranged by the flower team.
2022 card sales During 2022 with your support, card sales raised £473. I hope to increase this during 2023. Any cards for recycling please hand to Bob or leave in the church porch for collection. Many thanks for your continued support. Bob. (And thanks to Bob for such a great fundraiser with his lovely cards).
The Fellowship Lunch this month will be on 22nd Jan at Joy’s, 3, Kings Walk. New people are welcome. Please ask if you would like to find out more about it. Existing members please note that the 22nd is the 4th Sunday in Jan (because we usually meet on the 3rd Sunday in the month). Joy Daintree.
Half-term fun for children
Please spread the word if you know of any families who might be interested.
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) 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.
Epiphany Door Blessing
To celebrate the visit of the wise men to the Holy Family some people like to ask God to bless their homes. They mark the front door with blessed chalk, with the year’s number, split in half, and the letters C, M and B in between.
These letters stand for the traditional names of the three wise men (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) and also for the Latin blessing: Christus mansionem benedicat: May Christ Bless this House. The + represents the cross of Jesus.
For the year 2022, use chalk to write this on or next to your door
20+C+M+B+22
Prayer: As we remember the visit of the wise men to the birthplace of Jesus, God bless our home this year. Protect each person who lives and stays here and may each of us know your hope, peace, joy and love. Amen
New Songs
We are introducing some new worship songs that are especially suited to children. These will be sung at our all age services and also occasionally as our post communion hymn when families are present. We will sing them a couple of services in a row so that we get to learn them. The songs have been written by the award winning British composer Bernadette Farrell. They are very easy to learn, so we hope you will all soon be singing along.
And finally…
We welcomed more than 40 people to our New Year’s Day labyrinth walk. It was a time of peace and contemplation to start 2023.Blessings and prayers for you all this week.
I work half-time and the days I am usually available are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (morning).
Revd Jane
Services this Week Sunday 8th January
8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane
10am – All Age Communion with Revd Jane and Canon Tony
Tuesday 10th January
9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Andrew
Wednesday 11th January
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106
Passcode: 960274
Friday 13th January
8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer at St Mary de Haura
Saturday 14th January
8am – Morning Meditation in 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.