Welcome to Worthing Christ Church

The Revd. David William Renshaw, Vicar of the Parish of Worthing, Christ Church Phone: 01903 244283
Email: christchurchvicar@btinternet.com
Parish Administrator: Janine Hobbs Email: janine.h@ntlworld.com
Parish office: The Parish Office is closed until normality returns, please email the administrator if you need to get in touch.

Welcome to the website for Christ Church, Worthing – we hope you will find the information you need. Please note: Our monthly magazine for April has been uploaded for you to enjoy!

Easter 2020 – Please click on the page for Easter Worship 2020

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7

Dear Friends,

I have started to use the website to provide you with a wave of prayer, to use at this time, when we cannot meet to worship and pray together. We can do this as one from the safety of our own homes however. I hope that this brings you some comfort at this time. Prayers will appear on the right side of most of the web pages, and will be updated as they flood in. My thanks to all who are contributing!

Thought for the day from the Churchwardens:

Hi,

Di, my fellow warden, has graciously agreed that I send a personal message to you all. I refer, below, some in the singular and some in the plural, just to reflect both of our feelings during Easter Holy Week.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth Peace Good Will toward men

As we approach Holy Week, we should always be mindful of the time that Jesus took with him his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. I just love the passage. I read from the NIV, [Mark 14: v 32 onwards].

Jesus knew sorrow and through this passage he asks his disciples to be with him and support him.
NIV v33 – Jesus was ‘deeply distressed’.

During this surreal time, who would have thought, that Churches throughout the world would be closed for worship at this most special time in the Christian calendar; but closed they are. [This was a reflection a member of the Church family] – who would have thought!!

I am comforted by my conversation with David, not so long ago, when I asked how, when scripture tells us ‘when two or more are gathered in my name’, do we pray on our own. After all, we all say our prayers in isolation, if we live on our own. The explanation was clear, he stated this could be interpreted as part of a Church gathering, but our Father in heaven answers ALL prayers whether singularly or together.

Jesus in the Garden expected his disciples to be with him at this time, but they fell asleep and Jesus challenged Peter. So, he prayed to his Father alone.

During our times in isolation, may we reflect on those times when Jesus felt isolated and distressed. He was not alone, and neither are we.

We finish with a psalm of David – I wonder in awe at this Psalm 23 – my inspiration is the knowledge that though we walk through the valley of shadow, there is and will always be light, the light of our saviour Jesus.

So, whilst we reflect this Friday, we rejoice that he is indeed the Risen Lord, and that shadow turns to Light, a light that burns bright in the world.

Loving Father send us out with Love in our hearts, a smile on our face and light in our eyes.

Ken & Di

Some other useful links…

Weddings.. If you would like to know more about getting married in church.. Congratulations!! It is such a wonderful time, and we would love to be there for you. To find out more information, and give you more ideas for your big day Click here

Baptisms.. If you would like to have your child baptised in church.. We would love to hear from you! Click here for more information

Funerals… If you would like some supportive information to help you organise a funeral for a loved one click here for some useful information we hope will help.

For the Chichester Diocese website, Click here

For the Worthing Deanery website, Click here

A daily wave of prayer to lift you!

Lord, For all whose day starts with anxiety,
as they leave the security of home worrying about the risk of infection;
particularly those whose health or age classifies them as vulnerable.
Loving God, be close, keep them safe, along with all whose tasks today includes the care of frail and elderly. And for all of us, grant wisdom to make sensible choices, not just for ourselves, but for everybody. Amen

Lord, Help us to put aside preconceptions about other people, because that alters our behaviour, and simply accept that they, like us, are precious in your eyes. Amen

Help me O God to live this day quietly, hopefully; to lean on your strength, trustfully, to wait for the unfolding of your will, patiently, serenely; to greet other people peacefully, joyfully; to face every task confidently courageously; in the name of Christ our Lord Amen

Most high and glorious God, Lighten the darkness of my heart and give me sound faith,
firm hope and perfect love.
Let me, Lord, have the right feelings and knowledge, properly to carry out the task you have given me. Amen

Lord I thank you for my friends;
When I am confused they give me wisdom.
When I feel sad they help me smile.
When I feel worthless they share their love.
Lord above all this I thank you that you are my
friend for ever. Amen

Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure.
Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, whose love we cannot measure, and whose blessings we cannot number, we praise and thank you for all your goodness, your strength in our weakness, your light in our darkness, your comfort in our sorrow, and above all your peace in our hearts. Amen

Holy God, your life is lived in our midst; open our eyes to see you and our minds and hearts to know you that we may live our life in you. Amen.

Creator God, in love you made the wonders of the universe, the treasures of the earth … and us in your own image. May your love give us strength to strengthen others, in faith and in hope, as we share the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need, as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength
to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,
and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love, for your name’s sake. Amen.

Merciful God,
we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain, knowing that whenever danger threatens
your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.