Second Sunday

before Lent

4^th February 2024

‘Does not wisdom call?’ Proverbs 8.1. Image by Revd Jess, see Bible Art below for commentary.

Epiphany is behind us, and our focus now turns away from the crib towards the cross. As we approach Lent, we enter a short season of green Ordinary Time. Our 10am service this week is all-age and is especially suitable for families. We look forward to welcoming you.

An Announcement from the Vicar

Last Sunday Revd Andrew announced the news of his departure from the benefice. Those who missed the announcement (made by Kay our church warden on Andrew’s behalf) are encouraged to read his letter online, available here. Revd Andrew is grateful for the many kind words received in response and his door is very much open for conversation in the weeks ahead. His final Sunday at the Good Shepherd will be 25^th February. Do please pray for the Churchwardens and those tasked with preparing for a vacancy.

The first milestone to be passed in the process of appointing a new Vicar is a meeting with the Archdeacon. Archdeacon Martin has arranged to meet the PCCs of St Mary's and the Church of the Good Shepherd at 7.30pm on Monday 12th February. The meeting will take place in the Church of the Good Shepherd. At the meeting the Archdeacon will set out, first, the arrangements for appointing a new Vicar and, secondly, the arrangements for managing the Vacancy.

Collect

Almighty God,

give us reverence for all creation

and respect for every person,

that we may mirror your likeness

in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Proverbs 8.1,22-31, Psalm 104.26-37,
Colossians 1.15-20, John 1.1-14

Paddington Bear If anyone owns a Paddington Bear Revd Jane invites you to bring him along to the all-age service this Sunday.

Healing Prayer is offered most Sundays after the 10am in the side chapel.

Labyrinth walk at 7am this Sunday in the hall. A contemplative preparation for the 8am service. All welcome.

World Day of Prayer Friday 1st March 2024 10.30am, Shoreham Baptist Church, 1A Western Road BN43 5WD. All are invited and welcome to the service which will be followed by light refreshments. This years’ service is prepared by Christian women of Palestine. The theme: “I BEG YOU, BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE”.
Electoral Roll Did you know that if you are baptised and have been worshipping regularly at the Good Shepherd for at least the past six months, you are eligible to join the Electoral Roll? Joining the ER enables you to vote at our Annual Meeting and helps us to maintain an accurate picture of our parish community. Please speak to Revd Jane or to our Electoral Roll Officer, Jenny Stride, to obtain a form with details of how to join. Email: jennymarshall42@gmail.com

Fellowship Lunch 18th February.   If you often eat Sunday lunch alone or would like to make friends with more people from The Good Shepherd, consider joining us at 3,Kings Walk. A warm welcome awaits from 12pm for lunch around 12.30pm followed by games, chat and afternoon tea or coffee  around 3pm. If you would like to know more ask me or one of our excellent cooks Michael and Chris or Jill and John.

Please get your name on the list by 11th Feb. if you want to come.  Joy Daintree.

Lent Course This year our Lent course across the benefice will be joining in with the Church of England’s ‘Watch and Pray’ course. ‘Watch and Pray’ invites us to seek God in both familiar and unfamiliar places during Lent and there are two key resources for individuals and groups to follow:

• A booklet of daily reflections which we will be making available for purchase on Sundays (£2 per copy) and which are all invited to follow.
• The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book: ‘Tarry Awhile’ by Selina Stone. This is an exciting book making connections between Black spirituality and daily life. It can be purchased easily online, including from here: https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780281090105/

Like last year, there will also be a range of discussion groups meeting across the benefice, taking place at the following times:

• Mon 7pm – Parish Centre
• Tues 10.30am – Church of the Good Shepherd
• Weds 3pm – Good Shepherd Vicarage
• Thurs 10.30am – Parish Centre

Sign-up sheets for these groups will be available from this Sunday 4^th February. You can also sign up by emailing the Office: smdh.office@gmail.com.
All participants are encouraged to obtain the booklet of daily reflections and/or Lent book.

Bob’s Cards will be on sale during coffee after the 10am service on Sunday 11^th February. All proceeds go to church funds.

Ash Wednesday on 14^th February marks the beginning of Lent. There are two Ash Wednesday services in the benefice: 10am at the Good Shepherd, and 7.30pm at St Mary de Haura. You are welcome to attend either.

Taizé for Healing this Sunday, 6pm

Fire Marshals We soon need to refresh our training for church fire marshals. It would also be helpful to recruit a few new people, especially at the 8am. It involves a short training in how to use the fire extinguishers. Please speak to John Haffenden if you can help. Email: John@seaspraykw.co.uk

Expressions of interest in a parish retreat. Revd Jane and Judy Short are exploring the possibility of having a parish quiet day at a retreat centre in Arundel. It would be a quiet day in the Sussex countryside with a bring and share lunch. For it to be viable we need about 15 to 20 people. We are hoping it would be on a Saturday in May or June, and that we could lift share. The cost would be around £20. If this would interest you, please email or talk with Judy: judymshort2@gmail.com

Half-term craft fun

Online Retreat The Church Times newspaper is hosting an online retreat in preparation for Lent, Saturday 10 February, 10am - 1pm. It offers a morning of worship and reflection. Speakers include Jay Hulme, Rachel Mann, Rob Marshall and Nick Papadopulos. Opening and closing worship with Richard Carter and the St Martin’s Voices. You can find out more here.

And finally…

Services this week

Sunday 4^th February

8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane

10am – All Age Parish Communion with Revd Jane.

6pm – Taizé for Healing

Tuesday 6^th February

9.30am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane

Wednesday 7^th February

6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom

CLICK HERE

Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106

Passcode: 960274

Friday 9^th February

8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer – a benefice service at St Mary de Haura

Saturday 10^th February

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 Monday 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

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.