(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
A vibrant inclusive worshipping community
Sunday 8th August 2021
Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Collect
Lord of heaven and earth,
as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,
give us patience and courage never to lose hope,
but always to bring our prayers before you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings
1 Kings 19.4-8
But Elijah himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food for forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall glory in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look upon him and be radiant
and your faces shall not be ashamed.
O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
6 This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me
and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him
and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is gracious;
blessed is the one who trusts in him.
Ephesians 4.25 – 5.2
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labour and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John (6.35,41-51) Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Post Communion:
God of our pilgrimage,
you have willed that the gate of mercy
should stand open for those who trust in you:
look upon us with your favour
that we who follow the path of your will
may never wander from the way of life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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, Tracey Kennedy, Ann Boss
RIP: Jenny Lawrence, Beverly, Andrew Wilson, Michael Goulding
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
Those who live and work in Masonfield Crescent and Redwood Heights; Lancaster & District Homeless Action Service (LHDAS) on Edward Street
Also praying for William Woodhead and Lorna Jackson, as their Banns of Marriage are read; and for
Willow Makemson, ahead of her Christening today.
Prayer and Worship this week:
Sunday 8th August Tenth Sunday after Trinity
8.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10.30am Parish Eucharist (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)
12:30 pm Baptism of Willow Makemson
6:30 pm Joint Evening Prayer with Hymns (Lancaster Priory)
Wednesday
11am Moorside Hall Communion
5:30 pm Meditation, followed by
6 pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday 9:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Saturday 9pm: Compline (YouTube*)
Sunday 15th August Feast of the Assumption of Mary
8:30am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel, followed by Brunch
10.30am Parish Eucharist – Feast of the Assumption of Mary (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)
6 pm Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel
*The Christ Church YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q
Advance Notice:
A cycle race will be going through East Road and Williamson Road on Sunday 15th August at 11am – please be aware that there may be some road closures in place, and be prepared to come another way!
Zoom Prayer
Tuesday 17th August 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)
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 in the in-person sessions in the hall starting from 5th September after the 10:30 Eucharists – 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. Let us know if there are other times that would suit those for whom after the 10:30 isn’t convenient. There will also be cross-Deanery courses starting in the autumn.
Children’s Church
Children’s Church is taking its summer break and will restart on Sunday 5th September 2021 – looking forward to seeing you then!
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. How does bread court his sweetheart?
A. With lots of flours.
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.
Our Children, Youth and Families Co-ordinator
Julie Tinnion will be starting as our Children, Youth and Families Co-ordinator on 21st August. Please keep her in your prayers – and all the children and young people who will be welcomed at Christ Church. Please also consider how you might support this ministry – whether in your prayers, in practical help, or in dreaming and planning what might evolve!
Feast of the Assumption: 15th August
We will be commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary’s assumption (arrival) into heaven on Sunday 15th August, with a special service at 10:30. After the 8:30 Eucharist, there will be a bacon brunch (with vegan alternatives) – so do come early if you’re coming to the 10:30 service for chance to mix, meet, and munch. All welcome – do invite friends and neighbours too! Please sign up on the list on the board at the back of church so we’ve an idea of numbers for catering.
Summer Garden Party 21st August 2:30-4:30 pm.
Please come along to this lovely event in the church, the Hall and the church garden. Afternoon tea, music in church, stalls, games – what’s not to like! If you haven’t already bought tickets for entrance and afternoon tea, now’s the time do so – and why not buy a few numbers for the draw too?
Save the Date!
Steven Moore, percussionist, will be giving a concert of Preludes and Encores at Christ Church on Wednesday 8th September at 7.30pm. The concert will be on a ‘pay what you can’ basis – with funds raised being split with the church. Music will include pieces by Bach, Piazzolla, Sejourne and others.
Save the Date (2)!
Sunday 12th September at 3pm – Songs of Praise Service – all the hymns and worship songs you’ve wanted to sing for the last 16 months! Watch out for a request sheet.
Save the date (3)!
As part of preparations for COP26, Christians are walking a Climate Camino – a pilgrimage for Climate Justice from London to Glasgow. On Saturday 25th September from 11am, there will be a 7.5 mile Christ Church Camino – praying around our parish for issues of climate change and justice – all welcome for all or part of the walk.
Save the date (4)
The monthly Taizé Eucharist resumes on Sunday 5th September at 6pm. All welcome for a reflective service of prayers, song and stillness. If you’d like to join the music group for this, there will be a rehearsal from 4.30pm that afternoon, please contact Julian Davies or Rev’d Carol for more info.
Christians Aware …
Is a magazine covering topics such as international development, ecology and climate care, and social justice. Clive Shaw has left several copies at the back of church – do borrow them! Or better yet, join the national charity, Christians Aware, and get your own copy free www.christiansaware.co.uk. ‘We work for a world of justice and peace, where all people can work together as community across cultures and faiths.’
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PLEAS OF THE WEEK
Anna Richings is fundraising!
Anna (very bravely!) decided to take a cold-water swim or dip every day this past fortnight to raise money for the Church Repair Fund. You can still give online at https://givealittle.co/campaigns/1c7889a9-7ef8-4730-a84a-2d434726c909
The Olive Branch Foodbank – extra donations, please
During the school holidays, the Olive Branch is in need of extra donations to help them support families facing holiday hunger. They’re in particular need of tinned fruit and puddings, tinned meat and fish, rice, cereal, spaghetti, jam, kit kats and penguins (the biscuit ones!)
Or you can give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
New Christian Aid Co-ordinator Needed
Gill Burgess is stepping down as co-ordinator for the Lancaster Christian Aid Group.The main focus of the role is organising for Christian Aid Week each May. I’ve listed out the main elements of the work below, but would like to stress that anyone taking it on could re-shape and develop it any way they think best, and it could also also be shared by more than one person:
– keeping an overview of the activities in the local group (including in-church collections, special events, house-to-house collections, and more recently online giving)
– ordering and distributing Christian Aid resources to the church reps (approximately 18 churches/groups), and updating them on procedures for CA Week
– liaising with the group treasurer
– publicising CA Week and related events locally
– arranging 2 committee meetings each year – – preparing agenda and taking minutes
– in conjunction with the committee, organising an annual supporters’ update event
– liaising with our regional Christian Aid Church Engagement Officer, Darren Staunton
– writing a short report for Lancaster Churches Together each autumn on the group’s activities
– maintaining up-to-date records of reps’ details on Christian Aid’s volunteer database and complying with Christian Aid’s GDPR policy. Please contact her if you’d like more details- mob: 07790 507326 and email: gill.burgess@gmail.com.
Do you eat Gü puddings?
(Or can you be persuaded to?!) We need lots of the little glass pots for the Summer Garden Party on 21st August – please wash and save them!
Claver Hill Visit
The EcoGroup are having an outing to Claver Hill on Friday 20th August at 2pm. If you’d like to join, please see Joyce or Margaret.
Gardening Day – postponed
The next gardening day will now be on Friday 13th August from 12noon (TBC) – all welcome, please bring your own secateurs and favourite gardening gloves!
Next Recycling Sunday & Co-op soft plastics recycling
Please bring clean, empty plastic bottle tops, crisp packets, blister packs, toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes/toothbrush heads so that they can be taken for recycling, today, and then the next collection is on Sunday 5th September.
Co-op stores now recycle soft plastics (in particular, bread bags, crisp packets, pasta bags, fruit & veg wrappers, pizza wrappers).
Age UK
Liz Scott sends her best wishes to all at Christ Church, and has shared some leaflets about the work of Age UK locally which are at the back of church. She says that she was surprised by how much support is available – and hopes that others will benefit too.
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!
You can also contribute online via the Give a Little website: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/1c7889a9-7ef8-4730-a84a-2d434726c909
Supporting Christ Church
If you would like to support Christ Church’s work and worship regularly, or you already do – please consider giving by Direct Debit. Christ Church is now taking part in the Parish Giving Scheme, which allows us to offer direct debit as an option. This national Scheme takes a lot of hassle out of claiming gift aid, and ensures that any donation is covered by guarantees. It also allows you to easily review how much you give depending on circumstances. There are no costs or overheads to the parish. For more information, the QR code takes you to our page on the scheme:
Online at www.parishgiving.org.uk
By telephone 0333 002 1271 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm
Postal forms available on request.
For any of these methods our PGS code 030603240 ensures that your gift goes to our church.
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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
There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread. Mahatma Gandhi
Eco-Group Prayer for the Week
Jacobabad in Pakistan is considered one of the places most vulnerable to climate change. It has endured temperatures above 50°and is one of two places on earth to have officially passed a threshold hotter than the human body can stand. Pray for the people living in these conditions and for the politicians who can make a difference.
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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 reader@christchurchlancaster.org.uk.
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
COVID-19 – latest update from Rev’d Carol
Now that regulations on Covid precautions have changed, much advice has been issued by the government, national church and local health authorities, with each Vicar being responsible for plans and arrangements in each church building. After discussion at PCC on Wednesday 21st July, Christ Church asks that everyone continues to:
- Wear a face covering within the building, unless medically exempt
- Keep a safe distance – with some pews remaining closed to help this
- Use the Track and Trace code, or the paper sign-in sheet for each service
- Use hand gel on arriving in the building, and before receiving communion
In addition:
- – At the 1030 service, communion will now be received from the rail; please kneel or stand to receive. Afterwards, please return to your seat via the Lady Chapel – The common cup (chalice) may be shared *if desired*. If you wish to receive, please remain at the rail after receiving the bread. The person administering will wear a face covering, and please *do not* touch the chalice with your hands, and *do not* intinct your wafer (dip it into the wine). The chalice will be wiped with an alcohol sanitiser between use.
- Congregational singing will restart at the Sunday 10:30 Eucharist, with other services remaining said.
- The 10:30 Service will continue to be recorded for those who wish to watch and worship at home.
- Face-to-face gatherings can resume, outdoors where possible and with ventilation/face coverings in situ where not.
As a church community, we are called to act for the benefit of all, and especially the most vulnerable. We wish our church community to be safe, accepting and welcoming for all, regardless of health, or vaccine-status. Although regulations have lifted, I strongly encourage everyone to continue to take precautions and continue the good habits we have got into in recent months.
All of us will feel differently about the lifting of regulations – some ecstatic, some anxious. I’m more than happy to listen and hear your own views on this, and talk through what will help you feel safe and continue to be part of the church in coming weeks. There is a range of quieter and busier services at Christ Church so you may also wish to consider something different to your usual pattern. Please be mindful that some may not be as ready to be as close-up as others, and that is absolutely fine, so please don’t be afraid to say, ‘Please may I have space?’ if you need it, knowing that no questions will be asked.