Third Sunday of Advent
17th December 2023
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The third Sunday of Advent is known as ‘Gaudate’ Sunday, the Sunday of joy. Gaudate is the Latin word for ‘rejoice’. It’s an opportunity for us to let go of all the tasks we might not have yet done in our preparations for Christmas and thank God for our blessings. We welcome for the first time Mother Anne-Marie Garton to preach for us at both the 8am and 10am services. We also have our carol service this Sunday at 6pm, with mulled wine to follow in the hall. All are welcome to join us for a Sunday of joy.
Collect
God for whom we watch and wait,
you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son:
give us courage to speak the truth,
to hunger for justice,
and to suffer for the cause of right,
with Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings
Isaiah 61.1-4,8-11, Psalm 126 or
Canticle: Magnificat, 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24, John 1.6-8,19-28
Crib Service rehearsals There will be rehearsals for the Christmas Crib service during Sealights on Sunday 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.
Healing Prayer is offered most Sundays after the 10am in the side chapel.
Food Bank collection 15th, 16th, 17th December. We will be accepting donations of dried and tinned foods in church for the Shoreham and Adur Community Food Bank. We are doing this in partnership with the Shoreham Beach Resident’s Association. The food bank would be particularly grateful for festive treats including chocolates, biscuits, selection boxes, savoury items including crisps, Pringles, nuts etc and jams and marmalade. You can also drop off donations with Joss Loader at 25 Falcon Close. Thank you.
Labyrinth Walk in the church hall this Sunday at 7am. A contemplative way to prepare for the 8am service.
Taizé Singing Workshop led by Daisy Durrant at the church. Save the date.
Bob’s Card Sale I would like to inform you that I achieved my target for the year and reached the grand total of £504.80. I would like to thank everyone who purchased my cards over the year, without your support it would not have happened. Bob
A big thank you to Bob Caffyn on behalf of the church for all his fundraising and carefully crafted cards.
Christmas Tree Thanks to the Christmas tree seller on the Saltings roundabout for the generous donation of our big church tree. Also, thanks to Edgar for getting the tree, and to Kay and Jenny for the decorations.
Quiet Christmas
O Antiphons are ancient prayers traditionally used at evening prayer on the last seven days of Advent. Two years ago, Revd Jess made a beautiful series of short video reflections for each of the seven prayers. You can watch them here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwM-E8Y2LAAtxCpJFCclrWqyBgmRiuUIJ
Christmas Services
Carol Service by candlelight with mulled wine to follow in the hall
The Vivace concert raised a tremendous £1,000 for the Ukrainian children’s charity ‘Gen Ukrainian’. It was a well-attended and uplifting afternoon of festive music. Thanks go to Hilary Jolly for all her work organising this special musical event, the Vivace choir, singers and all who helped.
Guest singer Yuliia from Ukraine.
New Year’s Day Labyrinth Walk
And finally… Thank you to the children at Pebbles Pre-school for making the church a sparkling Bethlehem star to light our way this Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. It was a delight to welcome them into church this week for their Christmas performance.
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 17th December
8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane and Mthr Anne-Marie Garton
10am – Parish Communion with Revd Jane and Mthr Anne-Marie Garton. This service will be live streamed onto our Facebook and You Tube channel. You Tube page CLICK HERE Church Facebook page CLICK HERE
6pm – Carol service
Tuesday 19th December
9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane
Wednesday 20th December
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer for Advent on Zoom
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106
Passcode: 960274
Thursday 21st December
6pm – Quiet Christmas
Friday 22nd December 8am - Meditation with Morning Prayer a benefice service at St Mary de Haura
Saturday 23rd 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. Next week will be a double week edition.
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