Newsletter 6th February 2022

Fourth Sunday before Lent

6^th February 2022

Image by Revd Jess. Luke 5.4.'Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.'

The church liturgical colours change to green for a short season of Ordinary Time before we begin Lent and our journey towards the cross. This Sunday at 10am we have an all age service and our children have been preparing to help us celebrate.  This Sunday is also Accession Day, marking the anniversary of our Queen taking the throne in 1952. It is particularly fitting to celebrate this anniversary in 2022 as it marks the beginning of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

There is an additional Collect prayer for this Sunday which is printed below.

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
bless our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth,
and all who are in authority under her;
that they may order all things
      in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace,
to the honour and glory of your name
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

We hope you can join us this week at one of the services, either in person or online.  Please note that there isn’t a Taizé Healing Service this month. Our next Taizé service will be 6^th March at 6pm.

Covid Update

Government guidance about the mandatory use of face coverings in indoor venues has been dropped, however the Church of England reminds us that face coverings ‘may be recommended in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.’ We continue to encourage the use of face coverings during services, especially whilst covid rates are high. This will be reviewed at our next PCC in early March.

Thanks for bearing with all the changes we have had to put in place to keep the church services as safe as we can.

Collect

Lord of the hosts of heaven,

our salvation and our strength,

without you we are lost:

guard us from all that harms or hurts

and raise us when we fall;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Isaiah 6.1-8[9-13], Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15.1-11, Luke 5.1-11

Sunday group is joining us for the all age this week.

Valentine’s Quiz

There will be a Valentine’s quiz available for people to enjoy for a small suggested donation of £1. Answers to be returned to church by the 13th Feb. Small prizes. Full copies of the answers will also be available (after the 13^th!).

Bible Reader’s Training We are welcoming some new people onto our reader’s rota for the 8am and 10am services. Canon Tony is organising a number of training sessions for our new readers and also a ‘refresh’ for any existing readers who would like coaching. These will be on a Thursday evening in church, or during the daytime by arrangement. Contact Canon Tony if you are a reader who would like to participate in the training. Email:  tony.thompson1938@gmail.com

Fire Drill There will be a fire drill in church during the month of February at one of the 10am services.

Taizé Healing Service Our next service will be 6^th March. Sorry but there isn’t one in February.

Bible Art Luke 5.1-11

(See image at top of newsletter)

This passage is so well known to us, and it's interesting to think why Luke wanted to include it in his Gospel. Was it the size of the catch from water where there had been none before? Was it the fact that Jesus knew they were there? Or was it that Simon did what Jesus told him to do; or his sudden realisation of his own sinfulness when in the presence of Jesus? Or it could be the fact that   Simon, James and John left their boats to follow Jesus.  Probably it's all of these occurrences because each of them is important to help us understand who Jesus is, and how the people around him became aware of his identity.

A totally irrelevant thought - what happened to the two boat-fulls of fish? Revd Jess

Stations of the Cross Art Morning

Saturday 12^th February, 10.30am- lunchtime (and beyond if you’d like to work longer)

Revd Jane and Revd Jess are running a Stations of the Cross art morning in the church hall. We shall be reflecting on the stations and each make a station using a simple, stylised collage technique. You don’t need to be good at drawing or art to do this. All materials are provided. The pictures will be displayed in church during Lent. Bring a packed lunch and please do a lateral flow test before you come. If you would like to participate book your place by emailing Revd Jess - j.aidley@gmail.com

And finally…

We are running Lent courses this year. These will take place both in person or on Zoom. The materials can also be used at home for personal reflection. We hope you will join. More details to follow soon.

I work half-time and the usual days when I am available are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings. Blessings and prayers for you all this week. Revd Jane

Services this Week

Sunday, 6^th February

8am – Holy Communion with Revd Jane.

10am – All Age 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 8^th February

9.30am - Informal Holy Communion with Revd Jane.

Wednesday 9^th February

6pm – Celtic Evening Prayer on Zoom

CLICK HERE

Meeting ID: 868 1252 3106

Passcode: 960274

Friday 11^th February

8am – Meditation with Morning Prayer at St Mary de Haura and also on Zoom

Meeting ID: 513293120 (No password is needed ) 

Click here LINK  

Saturday 12^th February

8am – Morning Meditation at the Good Shepherd and also on Zoom

Meeting ID: 166073397 (no password needed) Click here LINK  

Evening Prayer

This is said at 5.30pm at St Marys and via Zoom on

Monday and Wednesday, at 5.30pm. If

you want to attend online contact Revd Steve for the link. Email: shorehamcurate@gmail.com

To donate to the Church of the Good Shepherd online CLICK HERE Thank you!

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