First Sunday of Advent
3rd December 2023
We begin the Advent season and a new year church year. The run-up to Christmas can be hectic. Advent is an invitation for us to slow down and inwardly prepare for Christ’s coming. We begin a new lectionary year, with a focus on the Gospel of Mark. Our Sunday service is a regular parish communion at 10am, rather than all age, as the children are rehearsing for the crib service. All are welcome to join us.
Collect
Almighty God,
as your kingdom dawns,
turn us from the darkness of sin to the
light of holiness,
that we may be ready to meet you
in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Readings
Isaiah 64.1-9, Psalm 80.1-8,18-20,
1 Corinthians 1.3-9, Mark 13.24-37
Crib Service rehearsals There will be rehearsals for the Christmas Crib service during Sealights on Sunday 3rd, 10th, 17th December. Save the dates and let Fiona Hendry know if your child would like to be involved. The Crib Service will be in church, Christmas Eve, 4pm. There is no all age service on December 3rd, so that children can rehearse instead.
Carol sing-along Don’t forget to come and have fun in the Longshore pub on Saturday December 2nd, 6pm! We will be singing carols and Christmas Songs to raise money for the memorial wall. Festive clothes and accessories are a must!
Healing Prayer is offered most Sundays after the 10am in the side chapel.
Vivace Concert raising funds for Gen.camp (part of Gen,Ukrainian) - a Ukrainian charity. Gen.Camp is free of charge for children who have lost one or both parents in the war. They are treated at a fun educational and rehabilitation camp up in the peace and tranquillity of the Carpathian mountains for 21 days by specialists to help them overcome psychological trauma, and to regain the joy of childhood. Their research how shown how resilient young children are, when given specialist support. You can read more about the other valuable work the charity is engaged in by visiting: genukrainian.com.ua. For tickets contact Hilary Jolly 07879 448088, jollyhilary @yahoo.co.uk
Labyrinth Walk There an early morning walk in the hall at 7pm on Sunday, to prepare for the 8am service. Please note that there is no walk the following Sunday 10th December.
Taizé for Healing 3rd December 6pm
We mark the beginning of Advent with a service focusing on the light in that burns in the darkness.
Fellowship Christmas Lunch 17th December This will be held at the Yacht Club, 12noon for 12.30pm. Michael has arranged for 30 to enable other church members to join for a 2-course lunch.
The cost will only be £15 because our fund will allow a subsidy. Please let me know as soon as possible If you would like to come and make your menu choice. Payment in advance, as it is a group booking. Joy Daintree tel. 01273 462584
St Mary de Haura Christmas Tree Festival takes place on the weekend of Friday 1st -Sunday 3rd December. In aid of the Friends of St Mary’s.
Bob’s Card Sale Last chance to buy your cards before Christmas!
A variety of cards for sale on Sunday 10th December after 10am service in the church dall during coffee.
(If you have any old cards for recycling, especially male birthday cards, please pass onto Bob or leave in the church porch.)
All proceeds to the Church of The Good Shepherd. So far this year I have raised over £450, surpassing last year’s figures, so please help me get close to my target of £500. Your support would be much appreciated. Many thanks, Bob.
Posada We will be celebrating ‘Posada’ at the Church of the Good Shepherd, during the weeks leading up to Christmas. On Advent Sunday 3rd December 2023 small Nativity Sets will set off on their journey around homes in our parish and neighbourhood, where the Holy Family figures will be welcomed for two nights. A special place can be prepared, a candle can be lit and prayers can be said. After two nights the Holy Family figures are carried to another home. This continues until Christmas when the Nativity Sets are returned to church. ‘Posada’ originates in Mexico. The word means a ‘place to stay’. If you would like to be part of the ‘Posada’ celebration this year, please sign up on one of the lists at church. Thanks to Jenny Stride for organising this journey of special visitors. Canon Tony has made a short YouTube film about the posada that can be viewed here:
https://youtu.be/-1zv1pvWMds
COP28 Following on from the vigil a prayer tree is in the side chapel for hopes and prayers for COP28. Please add your messages.
Celtic Evening Prayer has a special liturgy for Advent from the Northumbrian Community. Come and join us on Zoom for 20 minutes on Wednesdays at 6pm.
Christingle
And finally… The Christmas fayre was a great success and raised an amazing £2,730.09 for church funds! It was an enjoyable festive event for the local community. Huge thanks must go to the hardworking fundraising team, all who helped and came along.
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 3rd December
8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane and Revd Peter
10am – Parish Communion with Revd Jane This service will be live streamed onto our Facebook and You Tube channel. You Tube page CLICK HERE Church Facebook page CLICK HERE
Tuesday 5th December
9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Peter
Wednesday 6th December
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer (on Zoom) CLICK HERE Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106 Passcode: 960274
Friday 8th December
8am - Meditation with Morning Prayer a benefice service at St Mary de Haura
Saturday 9th December
8am – Morning Meditation on Zoom and in church. 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