Epiphany
7th January 2024
Wishing you all a happy new year and every blessing for 2024! We celebrate Epiphany this Sunday, the visit of the mysterious Magi to the Christ child. We have an all-age service at 10am. We also follow the tradition of ‘the blessing of the chalk’. The blessing and distribution of chalks (with which houses are marked with a special logo commemorating the visit of the Magi) is a church custom that originated in and spread from Central Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. The Taizé for Healing service at 6pm picks up on the rich themes of Epiphany.
The season of joyful celebration that began at Christmas now continues through the successive Sundays of Epiphany, and the festal cycle ends with Candlemas in February. 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, (Genesis 1.1-5)
Psalm 72.[1-9]10-15,
Ephesians 3.1-12, Matthew 2.1-12
Healing Prayer is offered most Sundays after the 10am in the side chapel.
Best wishes to Jonathan Marshall. We prayed for Jonathan at our service last week, his last with us before he moves abroad. Thank you to Lesley Ward for the cake that was shared in the hall over coffee. Jonathan has been a big of part of the life at the Good Shepherd for many years, including serving as church warden. We will miss him but look forward to his visits when he is back in the country. Thank you, Jonathan, for all the many ways you have contributed to the church.
Taizé for Healing, 7th Jan, 6pm
Strictly at Church When did you last hit the floor dancing? Strictly at Church...a dance night to remember! Our first fundraising event of the year will be a pre-Valentine dance in the church on Friday 2nd February from 6.00pm. Save the date. More information soon.
Labyrinth walk at 7am this Sunday in the hall. A contemplative preparation for the 8am service. All welcome.
Fellowship Lunch We are looking forward to our first Fellowship Lunch in 2024. It is on 21st January at 3, Kings Walk. If you would like to come please let me know by 14th Jan. If you are interested but would like to know more, speak to me or any of our team: Michael, Chris , Jill and John. Joy. Tel: 01273 462584.
Bible Learning Circle a new term begins, this year exploring Mark’s Gospel. It starts on
Monday 8th at 6.30pm at an address in Lancing. If you would like to know more contact Jenny Stride, email: jennymarshall42@gmail.com
The Funeral of Gavin Flowers- Leek, a former member of the church, is Wednesday 10th January 2024, 1pm at St. Andrews Parish Church, Steyning and afterwards at Cobblestone Tea House.
Please wear red (or mixed with black) his Argentinian Tango colours, or any bright colours. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Twelfth Night Door Blessing
For the year 2024, use chalk to write this on or next to your door
20+C+M+B+24
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
And finally…We welcomed more than 40 people to our New Year’s Day labyrinth walk. It was a gentle and reflective way to begin 2024.
I work half-time and the days I am usually available are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday morning. I wish you all a blessed week, Revd Jane
Services this week
Sunday 7th January
8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane and Fr Jerry
10am – All age Parish Communion with Revd Jane and Fr Jerry. This service will be live streamed onto our Facebook and You Tube channel. You Tube page CLICK HERE Church Facebook page CLICK HERE
6pm - Taizé for Healing
Tuesday 9th January
9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Pat
Wednesday 10th January
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106
Passcode: 960274
Friday 12th January
8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer – a benefice service at St Mary de Haura
Saturday 13th January
8am – Morning meditation – in the Good Shepherd and also on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81286470381 Meeting ID: 812 8647 0381
Evening Prayer is said Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm at St Mary de Haura.
Morning Prayer is said Monday to Wednesday, 8.30am at St Mary de Haura.
To donate to the Church of the Good Shepherd online CLICK HERE Thank you
Church website:
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
The deadline for notices to Revd Jane for the weekly newsletter is 1pm on Tuesday.
Contacts
Revd Jane Bartlett Email: bartlett.jane@ntlworld.com Tel: 079355 38085.
Revd Andrew Bennison Email: revandrewbennison@gmail.com Tel: 01273 454914
Church warden Kay Haffenden email: office@cogschurchwardens.co.uk
Safeguarding Officer David Edey Tel: 07590764900 Email: davidedey17@gmail.com
Children’s Ministry Fiona Hendry fionahendry321@gmail.com
Parish centre and hall bookings Tel: 01273 440202
Prayer chain (for emergency prayer) Liz Beeston 01273 454685