Second Sunday before Advent
19th November 2023
We turn in our church season towards the coming of Advent. As part of our worship this Sunday at 10am we also have a special thanksgiving prayer for the increase in giving following on from our Generosity Sunday. We are grateful for the tremendous generosity of the congregation. All are welcome to join us.
Collect
Heavenly Lord,
you long for the world’s salvation:
stir us from apathy,
restrain us from excess
and revive in us new hope
that all creation will one day be healed
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Readings
Zephaniah 1.7,12-18
Psalm 90.1-8[9-11]12, 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11, Matthew 25.14-30
Crib Service rehearsals There will be rehearsals for the Christmas Crib service during Sealights on Sunday 19th, 26th November, 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.
Healing Prayer is offered most Sundays after the 10am in the side chapel.
Vivace Concert
Christmas carols at the Longshore
We will be taking a keyboard to the pub on Saturday 2nd December at 6pm. All are welcome to come and have a Christmas sing song. The pub will be serving food and drink as usual. If you have an amp with two or three MIDI input connections and the connecting leads which we could borrow for the evening, please talk to Fiona West. Thank you. Also there will be an open rehearsal / sing song in the church hall after coffee on Sunday 26th November led by Fiona. (Word sheets provided!) We will be singing carols and Christmas Songs.
Labyrinth Walk Sundays 7am in the hall, a contemplative preparation for the 8am Communion service. All welcome
Marmalade and cards Sheila Powell is selling her homemade goods in the hall after the 10am service this Sunday. Money goes to the Good Shepherd.
Saturday meditation is on Zoom only this week, 25th November.
Christmas Fayre 25th November 11am - 3pm
Benefice Advent Course This course is now being offered across the benefice. Revd Jane is running a three-week course during Advent using the Archbishop of York’s Advent book ‘Stick with Love’ by Arun Arora (SPCK). This is in conjunction with the ‘Big Church Read’ and supporting video materials. The group will run online on Zoom, Tuesday evenings, 5th, 12th and 19th December 7.30pm-9pm. There will also be an in-person course after the Tuesday morning service on the same dates. Sign-up sheets are available at the back of church after the services. Additionally, Dr Jonathan Smith will be hosting an in-person group in the St Mary de Haura Vicarage on Wednesday 6th, 13th and 30th December, 7.30pm-8.45pm. To sign up for this group please email Revd Andrew: vicar@stmarydehaura.org.uk
The book can also be studied individually at home. If you sign up, please purchase your own book before the start of the course. It can be found online. You can find out more about the book here: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/stick-with-love-566
COP28 vigil of hope The next United Nations annual climate change conference (COP28) takes place from 30th November to 12th December in Dubai. It is a critical opportunity to put the world on sustainable path. We are gathering for a community vigil ahead of this important meeting of world leaders. It is an opportunity to share our hopes and prayers. To gather in community and to reflect upon the significance of this moment. All are welcome to attend.
COP28 Daily Prayer Join the charity Green Christian every morning at 8am on Zoom during COP28. There will be 10 minutes of prayer and reflection, focusing on the theme of the day. This runs 30th Nov to 12th Dec. You do not have to be a member of Green Christian to join. Go here to register: https://greenchristian.org.uk/prayer-for-cop28-2/
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.
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
And finally…
We had an enjoyable church outing earlier in November to Chichester Cathedral. We had afternoon tea together in the cathedral cafe. We then attended choral evensong and the Good Shepherd was included in the cathedral prayers. We finished with a spectacular viewing of the peace doves art installation. Thanks to all who came.
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 19th November
8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane
10am – Parish Communion with Revd Andrew. This service will be live streamed onto our Facebook and You Tube channel. You Tube page CLICK HERE Church Facebook page CLICK HERE
Tuesday 21st November
9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Andrew
Wednesday 22nd November
6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer (on Zoom) CLICK HERE Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106 Passcode: 960274
Friday 24th November
8am - Meditation with Morning Prayer a benefice service at St Mary de Haura
Saturday 25th November
8am – Morning Meditation on Zoom only this week. 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