(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
A vibrant inclusive worshipping community
Sunday 15th August 2021
The Blessed Virgin Mary
Collect
Almighty God, who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary and chose her to be the mother of your only Son: grant that we who are redeemed by his blood may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
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
Isaiah 61.10-end
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 45:10-end
Refrain: Behold our defender, O God,
10 Hear, O daughter; consider and incline your ear;
forget your own people and your father’s house.
11 So shall the king have pleasure in your beauty;
he is your lord, so do him honour.
12 The people of Tyre shall bring you gifts;
the richest of the people shall seek your favour.
13 The king’s daughter is all glorious within;
her clothing is embroidered cloth of gold.
Behold our defender, O God.
14 She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework;
after her the virgins that are her companions.
15 With joy and gladness shall they be brought
and enter into the palace of the king.
16 ‘Instead of your fathers you shall have sons,
whom you shall make princes over all the land.
17 ‘I will make your name to be remembered through all generations;
therefore shall the peoples praise you for ever and ever.’
Behold our defender, O God.
Galatians 4.4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke (1.46-55) Glory to you, O Lord.
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Post Communion:
God most high, whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh: we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption you visit us with your Holy Spirit and overshadow us by your power; strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience
and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness; 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, Dorothy Eidsforth, Ann Boss
RIP: Michael Goulding, Stephen Taylor, Mary Kerr
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
Those who live and work in St Andrew’s Close, Quernmore Road, and Campbell Drive; and The Ridge FareShare Food Group.
Also praying for William Woodhead and Lorna Jackson, as their Banns of Marriage are read; and for Phoenix Oliver, ahead of her Christening.
Prayer and Worship this week:
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)
Tuesday
4 pm Prayer4
Wednesday
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 22nd August Twelfth Sunday of Trinity
8:30am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel
10.30am Parish Eucharist – St Bartholomew (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)
12:30 pm Baptism of Phoenix Oliver
6 pm Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel
*The Christ Church YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q
Update on Sunday’s Cycle Race:
There will be a temporary closure on East Road from 1045, (10 mins max) and a temporary closure on the junction between Wyresdale Road and Coulston Road at 11am. However, the majority of the race will happen on Grab Lane (east of the Co-op) and on the other side of the M6 after 11am – so travel to church shouldn’t be affected – according to Race Control!
Feast of the Assumption: 15th August
Today we commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s assumption (arrival) into heaven. 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!
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)
Coming soon – save the date! 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 do you turn a soup into gold?
A. Add 24 carrots.
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!
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.’
Anna Richings’ fundraising – thank you ….
… from Anna to all her sponsors – her fortnight of cold-water swims and dips has raised over £500 for the Church Repair Fund – so well done Anna – and thank *you*!
Thank you to the gardeners
… for their hard work on Friday to make the church gardens look even lovelier!
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PLEAS OF THE WEEK
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 them and bring to church by 15th August or give to Julie Buckley no later than 18th Aug.
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.
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
We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek – Jesus, her Son. St Louis Marie de Montfort
Eco-Group Prayer for the Week
Indonesia has suffered over 1,000 natural disaster events this year including flooding and landslides, affecting five million people. Much of Asia is experiencing similar events. Unprecedented levels of rainfall in China and Western Europe has caused dramatic flooding leading to loss of life and destruction of homes and infrastructure. The UK is also subject to coastal erosion and flooding with London being the most recent to suffer. Discuss your concerns about these worldwide events with others and make your voice heard in whatever way you can.
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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.
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
E-News Sunday 15th August 2021