Christmas and New Year
Nativity needlework art by Chris Diebel on display in the church.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This is a bumper newsletter covering services from Christmas Eve up to and including 8th January 2022. Boxing Day falls on a Sunday this year. There will be a short said service at 10am only on that day. Some of the weekly services are taking a Christmas break so do look at the service times to check. Sadly we have decided to cancel the New Year’s Day labyrinth walk and mandala workshop, and also the Taizé with Healing service on 2nd January. This is because there is so much uncertainty with the covid situation. But the good news is that we now have an online afternoon fellowship and study group looking at the Gospel of Luke. All the details are below.
Our all age service is put back one week to the 9th January. We will be doing something special that morning for Epiphany so please do join us. Don’t forget our Christmas Day service is livestreamed for those who want to join from home.
Christmas greetings to all from Revd Jane, Canon Ann and Revd Steve. We hope you have a peaceful and blessed Christmas season. The grace of God has dawned upon the world!
Collects
Christmas Night
Eternal God,
in the stillness of this night
you sent your almighty Word
to pierce the world’s darkness with the light of salvation:
give to the earth the peace that we long for
and fill our hearts with the joy of heaven
through our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Christmas Day
Lord Jesus Christ,
your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise
as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God.
First Sunday of Christmas
God in Trinity,
eternal unity of perfect love:
gather the nations to be one family,
and draw us into your holy life
through the birth of Emmanuel,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Second Sunday of Christmas
God our Father,
in love you sent your Son
that the world may have life:
lead us to seek him among the outcast
and to find him in those in need,
for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Christmas Readings
Christmas Night Isaiah 52.7-10, Psalm 98
Hebrews 1.1-4[5-12], John 1.1-14
Christmas Day
Isaiah 9.2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2.11-14
Luke 2.1-14[15-20]
First Sunday of Christmas
2 Chronicles 24.20-22, Psalm 119.161-168
Acts 7.51-60, Matthew 10.17-22
Second Sunday of Christmas
Jeremiah 31.7-14, Psalm 147.13-21, Ephesians 1.3-14, John 1.[1-9]10-18
Covid Cancellations
It is with a heavy heart that we cancel the New Year’s Day labyrinth walk and mandala workshop. We are also cancelling the Taizé for Healing service on 2nd January. With so much uncertainty about the covid situation it seems a sensible decision.
However, the good news is that Kate Collier is running her mandala New Year workshop online on 3rd January, 7pm to 9.30pm. You can make your own personal mandala to bring hope, insight and love for yourself and the world in 2022. The cost is £20, but for those booking through the church, the money will go as a donation to the church hall fund. For more information and booking details email Kate fkatecollier@yahoo.co.uk
Children’s Society fundraiser
The total raised so far is £225.49 from the Christingle service collection and the collection in the candle boxes. There may be a few more candle boxes yet to come. Please bring them with you to a church service. Many thanks for those who have donated
Choir dates
The choir return from recess on Sunday 9th January.
There will be a choir practise on Thursday 6th January.
Bible Art
Sunday 26th December – St Stephen
In Matthew 10.19-20 Jesus said 'When they hand you over, do not worry what you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you at that time ...
I wonder if Stephen heard Jesus say that to the disciples? Certainly it was a promise which was fulfilled for him, as he was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with great authority, and the words he said as he died made such an impression on those who heard them that they were written down for posterity, just as Jesus's last words were.
Revd Jess
Bishop Martin’s Christmas Message
Bishop Martin has recorded a Christmas message for parishes to use this week. You can download the video message here or listen to it on You Tube here
Urgent Food Bank Collection
The community food bank operating from the Shoreham Free Church urgently needs some extra food – tins and dried foods please. You can drop off donations this Friday (24th) between 10am to 12noon directly at the Free Church at the corner of Gordon Road and Buckingham Road, BN43 6WF.
Afternoon Study and Fellowship Group
Wednesday 19th January 3pm to 4.30pm on Zoom
There is a particular focus on Luke’s Gospel this year in our lectionary readings. Join Revd Jane for an afternoon of study and discussion about Luke. There will be a 30 minute film to watch together by the Bible scholar Paula Gooder, introducing us to Luke. There is also time for prayer and discussion. Make a cuppa and join us.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87877287421?pwd=UVlXRVpkOEEvMjA1WW1LeDlBcjBoQT09
Meeting ID: 878 7728 7421
Passcode: 624624
Parish Office – Christmas dates
The parish office will be closed between Friday 24th December to Monday 3rd January, and open again on Tuesday 4th.
Prayer Chain
Between 23 December to 27th December contact Joy for all prayer chain requests on 01273 462584.
Friday Meditation with Morning Prayer There is no group meeting 31st December. We return on 7th January at St Marys and on Zoom.
Saturday Morning Meditation with lectio divina This returns 8th January.
And Finally…
Given the fast changing covid situation it proved a real blessing that we had organised an outdoor Christingle this year. Lots of people of all ages were able to gather in the garden of the Durrant family. It was joyous to sing carols together under a full moon. 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 Christmas season. I shall be taking a break after Boxing Day until 4th January.
Revd Jane
Contacts
Revd Jane Bartlett Email: bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com Tel: 079355 38085.
Church wardens Emma Purser, Penny Humphrey and deputy warden Kay Haffenden email: cogswardens@gmail.com
Safeguarding Officer Emma Purser 07786651886
Parish centre and hall bookings Tel: 01273 440202
www.goodshepherdshorehambeach.org.uk
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
Service Times
Christmas Eve
4pm – Crib Service
11.30pm – Midnight Mass with Revd Jane
Christmas Day
10am – Family Communion with Revd Jane and 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
Sunday 26th December
10am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane
Tuesday 28th December
9.30am - Informal Holy Communion with Revd Peter
Sunday 2nd January 2022
8am – Holy Communion – with Revd Peter and Derek
10am – Parish Communion – with Revd Peter and Derek
Tuesday 4th January
9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Pat
Wednesday 5th January
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayeron Zoom
Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106
Passcode: 960274
Friday 7th January
8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer at St Mary de Haura and also on Zoom
Meeting ID: 513293120 (No password is needed )
Saturday 8th January
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 Canon Ann for the link. Email: annwaizeneker@gmail.com
Notices for the next newsletter should be emailed to Revd Jane by Wednesday 5th Jan at 12noon
To donate to the Church of the Good Shepherd online CLICK HERE Thank you!