(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)

The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster

A vibrant inclusive worshipping community

Sunday 20^th June 2021

Fourth Sunday after Trinity

Collect

Almighty God,

you have broken the tyranny of sin

and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts

   whereby we call you Father:

give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,

that we and all creation may be brought

   to the glorious liberty of the children of God;

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. 

Readings 

Job 38.1-11

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 

‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 

Gird up your loins like a man,

   I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 

‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

   Tell me, if you have understanding. 

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

   Or who stretched the line upon it? 

On what were its bases sunk,

   or who laid its cornerstone 

when the morning stars sang together

   and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? 

‘Or who shut in the sea with doors

   when it burst out from the womb?— 

when I made the clouds its garment,

   and thick darkness its swaddling band, 

and prescribed bounds for it,

   and set bars and doors, 

and said, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

   and here shall your proud waves be stopped”? 

This is the word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 107.1-3,23-32

Refrain: Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness  and the wonders he does for his children.

¹    O give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious,  

for his steadfast love endures for ever.

²    Let the redeemed of the Lord say this,  

those he redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

³    And gathered out of the lands from the east and from the west,  

from the north and from the south.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness 

and the wonders he does for his children.

²³  Those who go down to the sea in ships  

and ply their trade in great waters,

²⁴  These have seen the works of the Lord  

and his wonders in the deep.

²⁵  For at his word the stormy wind arose  

and lifted up the waves of the sea.

²⁶  They were carried up to the heavens

and down again to the deep;  

their soul melted away in their peril.

²⁷  They reeled and staggered like a drunkard  

and were at their wits’ end.

²⁸  Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,  

and he brought them out of their distress.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness 

and the wonders he does for his children.

²⁹  He made the storm be still  

and the waves of the sea were calmed.

³⁰  Then were they glad because they were at rest,  

and he brought them to the haven they desired.

³¹  Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness 

and the wonders he does for his children.

³²  Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people 

and praise him in the council of the elders.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness 

and the wonders he does for his children.

2 Corinthians 6.1-13

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,

‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,

   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also. 

This is the word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Alleluia, alleluia.  Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark (4.35-41)    Glory to you, O Lord.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ

Post Communion: 

O God, whose beauty is beyond our imagining

and whose power we cannot comprehend:

show us your glory as far as we can grasp it,

and shield us from knowing more than we can bear

until we may look upon you without fear;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen

Prayers                         

Please remember in your prayers:

Those who are sick:  Olive Niccolls, Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Pat Brooks, Ivy Buckley, Stephen Gardner, Ann Gilbride, Thea Harris-Ellis, Thomas Platt, Janet Ball, Stephen Taylor, Dorothy Eidsforth, Jenny Lawrence.

RIP:  Kallum Watkinson, Jane Howson

Parish Cycle of Prayer:  

Those who live and work in Gregson Road, Dumbarton Road, Argyle Street; and the work of The Ridge Community Centre

Also: Jack Richards and Jasmin Owen, Thomas Robinson and Janine Hicks, Dominic Lane and Bryanni-May Cartledge as their Banns are read and they prepare for their wedding days.

Also: the interviews for our new Children, Youth and Families Coordinator on Wednesday.

Some suggested hymns you may like to follow at home:

• Through the night of doubt and sorrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcZB28QfpVg
• Be still, for the presence of the Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKfyudrhGK4
• Dear Lord and Father of mankind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1MN3chW1Hk&t=113s

Prayer and Worship this week: 

Sunday 20^th June Fourth Sunday after Trinity

8.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)

10.30am Parish Eucharist with Children’s Church (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)

6pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)

Wednesday  5:30 pm Meditation, followed by

6 pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)

Friday 9:30 am Holy Communion  St John the Baptist (Lady Chapel)

Saturday  9pm: Compline (YouTube*)

Sunday 27^th June Fifth Sunday after Trinity

8.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)

10.30am Parish Eucharist with Children’s Church (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)

6pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)

*The Christ Church YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q

If you would like to book in for the Sunday Eucharists, please use these Eventbrite links:

Sundays: 8:30 am https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/144628127623

Sundays: 10:30 am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/112092136598

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Zoom Prayer

Tuesday 29th June is the next meeting of Prayer4 – 30 minutes of prayer, at 4pm every fortnight. There’ll be a short Bible reading, some music, some stillness, and space to pray for the people and places on your heart – all from the comfort of your own sofa. Zoom details: https://zoom.us/j/8069459310?pwd=TlV6QUQ5UVdiK0p1M0Q0cE0vRXIvUT09  Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Password: ChristChch

Dial in: 0208 080 6591  Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Password: 310771 (any queries see Rev Carol)

Following Monday’s announcement: 

1.The Summer Garden Party has been postponed until Saturday 21st August,(also at 2.30pm) tickets will still be valid – although if you would prefer a refund this is no problem. 

2.The Living in Love and Faith in-person course originally due to run from 27th June will be moved to 5th September after the Sunday 10:30 service. **please note – if you would be interested in doing the course, but would prefer another day/time – please let Rev Carol know. So long as three people are present (virtually or in person), conversations can happen! I hope to run the course several times over coming months, to give and many as possible the chance to join. If you’d like a copy of the book, please say – see below for more information.

Living in Love and Faith – a process of discernment

We are continuing to join in the national time of discernment, Living in Love and Faith. This encourages us to listen to a rich breadth of stories and experiences of relationships and faith, and to reflect on what Scripture and the Holy Spirit are saying to us about what that means for the future. Across the Church of England groups are sharing in these five sessions, as part of a national discernment of how the church will teach about relationships in future, and what prayer and blessing for couples will look like in years to come. All are welcome to join these sessions – we want your voice to feed into this exercise on these issues, which we pray will affect how the Church moves forward together in love and faith. 

Online: each Monday until 12^th July at 7pm  

https://zoom.us/j/98449131608?pwd=Y0RNQ3VUckh1aGJYQmt1dEpLbW13dz09

Meeting ID: 984 4913 1608, Passcode: 342669

In person: (restrictions permitting) after the 10:30 Eucharist Service from 5^th September in the Hall.

Save the date – Pet Blessing Service 11^th July! 

On Sunday 11^th July at 3pm, there will be a Pet Blessing Service: a time to give thanks, remember and bless our pets. All welcome – please bring your pet on a lead/in a suitable container (or a photo instead) – and please let Rev Carol know if you’re bringing anything larger than a Great Dane! 

Meeting up

I’m able to meet more people in the parish again, and to get to know folks. If you’d like to go for a walk, or arrange a garden visit – it would be lovely to meet and chat, please let me know when’s convenient! Rev’d Carol.

Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!

Why did my friend go outdoors with her purse open?

She expected some change in the weather.

Children’s Corner

Read today’s Gospel story (above)

Spend some time playing with water together. You could go wild and have a water balloon fight, or simply splash about in a bowl of water with things that float and sink. Enjoy the experience and refreshment that water can bring and be reminded of Jesus who calms the storms in our lives. When you are all drying off say the prayer below, or your own prayer of ‘thanks’ to God. 

What things do you find calming? It could be a particular person, certain music or a stunning view, etc. 

Discuss if it is easy or hard to trust God when you have stormy times in your life? 

Pray together: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for being our safe place when our troubles and fears seem so much bigger than we are. Help us to remember we can trust you to hear us when we cry out to you, and that you have the power to calm the storms in our lives. Amen

Children’s Church has restarted!!

Thank you to Julie Tinnion for restarting Children’s Church last week.  We need a minimum of two adults in the Halleach week. If you can help (whether every week, every month – every little helps!), please have a chat with Rev Carol or Julie Tinnion. 

Changes to Marriage Registration

You may be aware that there are national changes to the way marriages are registered. Firstly, that mothers’ names (and also the names of step- or adoptive parents) can be listed on the marriage certificate – and also more witnesses can sign. 

Secondly, that we no longer hold the green register books or issue replacement certificates if these are lost. This is because there’s now a national, electronic register. If you need a replacement marriage certificate, this will be issued by the Registry Office in Queen’s Square.  Please speak to Rev Carol for advice.

Sidespeople/welcomers

Welcoming people to the services at Christ Church is a really valuable role.  If you would like to join the rota of sidespeople, either at the 8.30 or 10.30 services, or if you would like to know more about this role, please contact Jane Lippitt on lippittjane@gmail.com or on 07930 979503. 

New Paschal Candlestick

With grateful thanks to a generous donor, we have a new Paschal candlestick beside the font. The old one was becoming dangerous, so a faculty (church planning permission) has been obtained for a new one. It holds the light of Christ throughout our Easter services, and when we welcome new members of the church family at baptisms – we hope you like the new design!

New Music for the Eucharist

We look forward to receiving news that the restrictions on singing can lift. Once this happens, we’ll begin singing Peter Nardone’s Mass of St Cedd  (music for the Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei) within our Eucharist. You can listen to a recording here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Ose65Z9CA

Thanks to our Choir and musicians for leading us! 

Choir

Singers of all ages and abilities/experience are very welcome to come to choir practices every Thursday 7:15 -8:15 pm in church. Please contact Jacqueline for more details.

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PLEAS OF THE WEEK   

Lancaster Health Festival 2021, 26^th-30^th July 

From Rev’d Ian Dewar, the RLI Chaplain: 

Medical Unit 2 (3 wards) is looking to host a week of live music, art competitions and carers information stalls as part of the Lancaster Health Festival 2021.  This week of live music will start on Monday 26th July and finish on Friday 30th July. Do you play an instrument?  Could you give up 30 – 45 minutes in that week? Do you know someone who might be interested?  If so, we would love to hear from you.

Phone 01524 519231 Email: lancasterhealthfest@mbht.nhs.uk

SLCT Prayer Walk. Friday 9^th July

South Lancaster Churches Together are hoping to hold a prayer walk this year, having missed out last year.  It is still not clear what the Covid regulations will be, so plans may have to be slightly altered, even at short notice.  However, this is a brief plan so far!

We will meet at Trinity URC, Bowerham, either in the garden or inside church for 6.45pm on Friday 9th July.  The walk may have to be socially distanced and please bring a face mask if they are still required for inside buildings. The walk will not be strenuous or too long, will be on footpaths, and will not include hills – just gentle slopes.     We will stop several times for prayers and there will be opportunities to sit down.

We aim to return to Trinity URC about 8.45pm.  The regulations at the time of writing do not allow a church to serve refreshments, so please bring your own drink and biscuit.

Christine Medd         Tel: 01524 64730     

Email: arton.medd@btinternet.com

West End Impact …

.. are seeking someone for approx. 10 hrs/week, either as a volunteer position, or at an hourly rate negotiable subject to funding, to provide administrative support to West End Impact staff and trustees, facilitate communication, assist with monitoring & evaluation of grants, accounting and fundraising support and volunteer data management. Please email Michael Kohl to arrange an informal chat.  info@westendimpact.org.uk 

Church Repair Fund

We recently launched our Church Repair Fund to help keep our buildings in good condition so that they can continue to be used for ministry and outreach in the years to come. There are several big projects on the Porch, East Wall, and Hall, which are in need of urgent work. If you’d like more details about what is going on, please pick up a leaflet – and if you are able to make a donation there are envelopes available. If you’re able to give of your time and talents to plan or help with some fundraising events – please keep an eye on the notices for more details!

Fundraising Group

If you’d like to help plan some fun social events and fundraisers for the church in coming months (or would like to help on the day) – please contact Julie Buckley.

Looking ahead – Christmas Tree Festival!

On 3^rd December, we’ll be holding the first ever three-day Christ Church Christmas Tree Festival! The church will be filled with trees, which will be decorated by local groups to represent and celebrate our community. There’ll be music, refreshments – and we look forward to welcoming lots of people over the weekend.  If you can help – with planning, publicity, community links, or nearer the time – please let Julie Buckley know.

Squares for Syria

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing knitted squares to be sent to Syria – we have made up several blankets – and also to those who have supplied the crocheted squares which have been made into lovely baby blankets.  Margaret Lyth has been given a large quantity of wool to be used for knitting/crocheting more squares, so if you’re able to make more squares – or would like to start helping – please contact her on 60387. 

The Olive Branch Foodbank

Donations of tinned pies, curry, meatballs and hotpot especially needed. Thank you for all the donations in recent weeks  –  they gave out 300 parcels last month alone!   Or you can give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/

Vaccinaid – Give the world a shot!

Our church leaders are encouraging us to play our part in helping UNICEF deliver 2 billion vaccines around the world by the end of this year, to bring this world-wide epidemic to an end.  Keeping one another safe from COVID is part of living out Christ’s call to love our neighbour.  By contributing to crowdfunding this project on  https://www.vaccinaid.org we can help the whole world get the protection many of us already have through our easy access to healthcare. 

The Christ Church Cookbook: contributions invited

The Eco Church Group has been promoting reducing our carbon footprint by eating less meat.  Reducing meat consumption, especially meat from intensive farming, has benefits for both the climate and animal welfare.  We’re producing a cookbook of our favourite vegetarian and vegan dishes that could tempt even carnivores. Contributions of your favourite tried and tested veggie and vegan recipes are invited (metric measurements). Sales will raise money for Christ Church funds.  The size of the booklet means finding a balance of starters, mains and puddings, vegan/non-vegan recipes, but all contributions are welcome, even if they can’t all be included. Please send to: reader@christchurchlancaster.org.uk.

Next Recycling Sunday: 4th July

Please bring clean, empty plastic bottle tops, crisp packets, blister packs, toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes/toothbrush heads so that they can be taken for recycling. . If you’re not around that day, please bring them to the next collection on Sunday 1st August. 

Cross Bay Walk

Thank you to everyone who sponsored Rev Carol and Lizzy for their sponsored walk across Morecambe Bay Sands on 5^th June!  Over £300 raised for the Church Repair Fund so far!  If you’d like to give online, there is a crowdfunding page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/christ-church-repair-fund

Prayers & our Newsletter

If you, or someone you know would like to receive this newsletter, either electronically or a paper version – do let Jacqueline/Rev Carol know and we will endeavour to keep in contact with people.

We will be praying daily for all who are suffering in the current crisis. If you would like us to pray for you, or for someone you know, for any reason, please email your request to prayer@christchurchlancaster.org.uk or text the Prayer Chain on 07980 351855. Please ask the person’s permission if you’d like them included in the weekly notices. 

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Thought for the week

The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go God’s love for us does not.

C S Lewis

Eco-Group Action for the Week:  

Please support Greenpeace’s call on the government to stop dumping our plastic waste abroad and to tackle our plastic crisis properly. Plastic is not only fatal to marine life when it is blown into the sea, it causes serious health problems for communities living near sites where our waste is burned in the open air. https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/waste-exports-ty

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Key contacts:

Vicar: Revd Carol Backhouse 942105 revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com

1 East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EE

Lay Reader:  Dr Pat Allen 39552.

Churchwarden: Dr Paul Thompson 34949

Churchwarden: Mrs Jacqueline Stamper 64083 churchwarden@christchurchlancaster.org.uk

Parish Safeguarding Officer:  Ms Jane Lippitt 07930 979503 safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk

Nightshelter Co-ordinator: Ms Jan Norbury 07547 717 060   coordinator.nightshelter@gmail.com

Hall Bookings: hallchristchurch@btinternet.com 07890 351855

Christ Church School  Ms Emma Simpson 60955

The national prayer for this outbreak:

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy.  Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen.