Newsletter. For Sunday 8 January 2017 Epiphany Welcome to our worship where we celebrate Epiphany

Transcription

1 The United Benefice of Old Shoreham and Kingston Buci The Churches of, St Julian and St Giles Newsletter For Sunday 8 January 2017 Epiphany Welcome to our worship where we celebrate Epiphany Children: Sunday School in the Parish of Kingston Buci meets on the 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th Sunday of the month in the church hall at the beginning of the service and returns for communion. Toy bags are available in all churches as you come in at the door. Please feel free to make use of these facilities for your children. Need a lift to Church? Please let us know Large print service books are available. Please ask at the door. There is an induction loop for those using a hearing aid.

2 From the Vicar Last week there was an article in the Guardian about how celebrating Christmas has shifted from actual Christmas to the month(s) preceding it. The author pointed out and quite rightly so - that although we are still in Christmastide wearing seasonal jumpers, wishing people a Happy Christmas and sharing mince pies was a rather odd thing to do in January. And as I write this the Orthodox churches have just begun their Christmas celebrations as their 25 December is our 7 January. Today we in the western churches celebrate Epiphany, when we commemorate the three wise men visiting Jesus in Bethlehem. This concludes Christmastide - for the last time we will light the advent candles and the Christmas tree will be removed. When I was young we had the tradition of lighting the candles on our Christmas tree for the last time on Epiphany before the tree was tossed out of our window of a fourth floor flat (both things I would not recommend, today). But there is a more important reason for celebrating Christmas into January. When I worked in a homeless shelter in Berlin I got chatting to some of our clients about the various things on offer for rough sleepers in Berlin over Christmas. What stuck from that conversation was that while December was a month of plenty they were quickly forgotten in January and February usually the coldest months of the year. Christmas is a special time. It reminds us to see, acknowledge and love our neighbour. However, this special time quickly fades once the festivities are declared over and the Christmas lights come down. So too does our regard for our struggling brothers and sisters. The great thing about God s gift of love is that it doesn t fade. God becoming one of us, being born as one of us is a reality that was created over 2000 years ago. It s a reality to which we can respond. It s a reality that can inform our lives not only at Christmas but over and beyond into the dull dreariness that a cold and wet January morning can be. Therefore once again I wish you all a Happy Christmas, Fr James 2

3 Today s Worship Collect O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; 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. Readings First Reading: Isaiah Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. Second Reading: Ephesians This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles for surely you have already heard of the commission of God s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the 3

4 same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. Gospel: Matthew In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage. When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasurechests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Post Communion Prayer Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. 4

5 Readings next Sunday First Reading: Isaiah Second Reading: 1 Corinthians Gospel: John For your Prayers In the Anglican Communion we pray for the Diocese of Kuching (South East Asia) The Rt Revd Bolly Lapok; Assistant Bishop of Kuching (South East Asia) The Rt Revd Solomon Cheong Sung Voon. In our Diocese we pray for the Diocesan Board of Finance: John Booth, Chr; Philip Bowden, V.Chr. and all members of the Committees. Within our local community we pray for Pastoral Visitors, Chalice Assistants and Servers, as well as the residents of Japonica Close, Tarragon Way, Kent Close and Ashcroft Close. Those with long term health problems or other difficulties: Ella Hutt, Simon Phillips, James Wickett, Mary Oliver, Jean Icke, John Baldwin, Pauline Packham, Those in need of our prayers specifically at this time: Those who have died recently: John Culham, Elizabeth Andrews. 5

6 Notices Alpha Course: Please see our web page: The course will take place at Hall and begin on 11 January. Sign-up sheets are now at the church doors, if you would like to join our Alpha Course please use them. This will also be of some benefit to those who might be thinking of Confirmation this summer. For more information on Confirmation or the Alpha Course please contact Fr James. Shoreham Food Bank: Some people of both parishes are becoming signatories for the voucher scheme of the Shoreham Foodbank. As part of the process of becoming signatories there will be a short presentation on the work of the foodbank on 12 January, 11am at Church (after the Communion Service). All are welcome to attend. Flowers: A big thank you to those who donated money for the Christmas flowers and to the flower team for all their hard work (some of whom were feeling poorly). It is all very much appreciated. Joint PCC meeting: The next PCC meeting will be a joint meeting of Kingston Buci and Old Shoreham PCC on Tuesday, 17 January at St Giles Hall. PCC will meet at 7pm and will then be joined by Kingston Buci PCC at 7.30pm. Changes to our Worship in January Services this month only will move back by one Sunday. For this means following schedule: 8 January: Pilgrims Service; 15 January: Modern Language Eucharist; 22 January Family Eucharist; 29 January: Traditional Language Eucharist. For Kingston Buci: 8 January: Family Service St Giles; 15 January: Parish Eucharist ; 22 January: Parish Eucharist St Giles; 29 January: Parish Eucharist St Julian s 6

7 This Week Sunday 8 January 2017 Epiphany 8.30am Eucharist 9.45am 10am St Giles Pilgrims Eucharist Family Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong Monday 9.30am Toddler Drop-In Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8am 9.30am 5.30pm 7pm 8am 10am 11am 8am 6.30pm 7.15pm The Rectory Hall Morning Prayer Eucharist Clergy Surgery Alpha Course Morning Prayer Holy Communion Foodbank Presentation Morning Prayer Junior Choir Senior Choir Saturday 9am Morning Prayer Next Sunday 15 January 2017 Epiphany II 8.30am Eucharist 9.45am Eucharist (Modern Language) 10am 6pm St Giles Parish Eucharist Sunday School Taize Evening Service 7

8 Contact Details Fr James Grant Associate Vicar or Rev d Barbara Wilson Deacon barbara.a.wilson@btinternet.com Rev d Pat Alden Hon. Assistant Priest pat@looksouth.net Mr Len Batten Churchwarden, len.batten1@gmail.com Miss Ann Burton Churchwarden, St Julian southwickann@gmail.com Mrs Penny Joseph Church Warden, St Giles penejos@gmail.com Kingston Buci Church Office office@parishofkingstonbuci.org.uk For Hall bookings: St Giles Hall: Mrs Sarah Ringshaw sarahelaine70@hotmail.com Hall: Mrs Nancy Knill Notices for the Weekly Newsletter Mrs Tina Robertson tinarobertson99@yahoo.co.uk (deadline 5pm) More information can be found on our websites: & OR visit us on Facebook and Twitter 8