(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
A vibrant inclusive worshipping community
Sunday 19th September 2021
Sixteenth Sunday of Trinity
Collect
O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers
of your people who call upon you;
and grant that they may both perceive and know
what things they ought to do,
and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them;
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
Jeremiah 11.18-20
It was the Lord who made it known to me, and I knew;
then you showed me their evil deeds.
But I was like a gentle lamb
led to the slaughter.
And I did not know it was against me
that they devised schemes, saying,
‘Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
let us cut him off from the land of the living,
so that his name will no longer be remembered!’
But you, O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously,
who try the heart and the mind,
let me see your retribution upon them,
for to you I have committed my cause.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Psalm 54
Refrain: Behold, God is my helper.
1 Save me, O God, by your name
and vindicate me by your power.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
give heed to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have risen up against me,
and the ruthless seek after my life;
they have not set God before them.
4 Behold, God is my helper;
it is the Lord who upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper.
5 May evil rebound on those who lie in wait for me;
destroy them in your faithfulness.
6 An offering of a free heart will I give you
and praise your name, O Lord, for it is gracious.
7 For he has delivered me out of all my trouble,
and my eye has seen the downfall of my enemies.
Behold, God is my helper.
James 3.13 – 4.3,7-8a
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (9.30-37). Glory to you, O Lord
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Post Communion:
Almighty God,
you have taught us through your Son
that love is the fulfilling of the law:
grant that we may love you with our whole heart
and our neighbours as ourselves;
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, Ella Patterson, Barry Pickering, Sitar Rose, Hadžira Mehmedovič, Heather McFadden, Maddison Crompton.
RIP: Michael Goulding, Stephen Taylor, Mary Kerr, Irene Watson, Elly
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
Those who live and work in Stone Row Head, and Coleman Drive; those living in sheltered accommodation and those supporting them.
Please also pray for Elliot Arthur, to be baptised today; and for Phoenix and Tommy, to be baptised next Sunday.
Prayer and Worship this week:
Sunday 19 th September Sunday
8:30am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel
10.30am Intergenerational Eucharist (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)
12:30pm Baptism – Elliot Arthur
6pm Eucharist – Saint Matthew (Lady Chapel)
Tuesday
4 pm Prayer4 on Zoom
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 26 th September
8:30 am Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel
10:30 am Parish Eucharist with Children’s Church (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)
12:30 pm Baptism
1:30 pm Baptism
6 pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
*The Christ Church YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q
Today: Intergenerational Eucharist
Our 10:30 Eucharist today is the first of our monthly intergenerational services, planned for all ages, so that we all learn with and from one another throughout the whole service. We hope you enjoy it!
Today: 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 this Sunday after the 10:30 Eucharist – 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, or you may wish to join …..
Living in Love and Faith – Deanery Course
Here in Lancaster and Morecambe Deanery, we are offering the Living and Love in Faith Course in-person during the autumn on the following dates:
- Tuesday evenings 7.30-9.30pm: 5, 12, 19 October, 2, 9, 16 November
Christ Church CE Primary School has kindly offered their school premises to host the course. Please see the invitation leaflets circulated with the newsletter, which also tells you how to book.
Help needed for the Deanery Course
Can you help on (all or some) of Tuesdays 5th, 12th, 19th October and 2nd, 9th and 16th November from 7.10pm at Christ Church Primary School? We need a couple of people to welcome and direct people around the building and car park, as well as serve refreshments – and do join the course too!
Zoom Prayer
Tuesday 21st September 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)
Children’s Church
This Sunday, we all stay in church together for the first of our monthly intergenerational services, Children’s Church will continue to meet regularly during the 10:30 Eucharists on other Sundays.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. Which Bible character was the best comedian?
A. Samson – he really brought the house down!
PCC
If there are things which you’d like PCC to discuss on September 22nd – if there are things which concern you, or you’d like to see the church do, please speak to Rev’d Carol, Julie Buckley, or one of the PCC members.
Baptisms and Confirmations 2021
If you are interested in being baptised and/or confirmed, or know someone who would like to be, please let Rev’d Carol know. There will be a confirmation service with Bishop Jill on Sunday 21st November, with preparation classes beforehand. Confirmation is a public declaration of faith in Christ, and the Bishop represents the whole church in giving the gift of the Holy Spirit. It may (but not necessarily) be a time to begin receiving Holy Communion. Children may be in Year 6 or above.
Save the date: 25th September Christ Church Camino
Everyone’s welcome to join our parish walk on Saturday 25th September, which will pause at different points around the parish boundaries to pray. It’s part of a nationwide prayer movement ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November. If you’d like to join all (or part) of the walk, timings are as follows:
11am- Leave Church and walk through Scotch Quarry
1120 – Walk along the Canal and over to Sainsbury’s
1140- Begin walking along the river path
1215 – Denny Beck Lunch Stop
1pm – M6 motorway bridge
1.20pm Lancaster Prison/Cemetery
1.40pm Standen and Grab Lane, heading to the abattoir
2pm Return to Church.
Please bring stout shoes, waterproofs, and plenty of water, suncream, snacks, and lunch. Dogs welcome.
Pray and fast for the climate
Please join in praying for climate justice and climate action ahead of CoP26 in Glasgow in November. A global movement of Christians is praying and fasting on the first Sunday of each month for climate justice. As well as theChrist Church Camino, we hope to hold a vigil here sometime in October, ahead of the Glasgow summit. You can find out more at https://prayandfastfortheclimate.org.uk
Great Big Green Week
Please see local events for the Great Big Green Week (18-26 September) in the leaflets in church or at https://transitioncitylancaster.org/events/listing, incl:
Fairtrade/Green Fair
For the Great Big Green Week on Saturday 25th September, 10am-4pm, at The Cornerstone, Sulyard St. Lancaster. The film Guardians of the Rain Forest will be showing every 30 minutes from 10.30am – 4.00pm, plus CraftAid stall and local crafts. For more information, contact Simon on 01524 840027
Lament for Lost Species event
… at 7:30pm on 23rd September at Lancaster Methodist Church.
Next Recycling Sunday
Please bring your blister packs, used dental products (brushes, toothpaste tubes, etc) and crisp packets on Sunday, 3rd October, ready for recycling.
Co-op soft plastics recycling
Co-op stores now recycle soft plastics (in particular, bread bags, crisp packets, pasta bags, fruit & veg wrappers, pizza wrappers).
Legacies at Christ Church.
Gifts in Wills are an important part of Christian stewardship, and dedicating a gift is one way tho thank God for blessings received. If you’re considering writing a Will and leaving a gift to the church, there is a lilac leaflet available near the offertory box which explains more. The PCC have recently passed a Legacy Policy to ensure that gifts are used well to support Christ Church’s mission and ministry, whilst taking into account a donor’s wishes. If you wish to speak to Rev’d Carol or Jacqueline Stamper in confidence, or for further details, please see www.churchlegacy.org.uk.
Taizé Eucharist
We’ve now resumed the monthly Taizé Eucharist, supported by a very talented music group. If you’d like to join the music group, please contact Julian Davies or Rev’d Carol for more info. Or just come along on 3rd October at 6pm for the next reflective service of prayers, song and stillness.
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.
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PLEAS OF THE WEEK
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in particular need of tins – including meat, fish, vegetables and pies. They have sufficient pasta and rice – but all other items, including toiletries, are also gratefully received!
Or you can give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
Christ Church Crafting:
Begins on Tuesday 14th September at 11:30am in the Hall – all welcome! Bring your own craft project, or share in the work on the new banners. Future meetings will be on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the same time. Contact Marion Cowan for further details.
Cleaner wanted!
Lancaster Baptist Church, Nelson Street, Lancaster, has a vacancy for a permanent Cleaner – up to 10 hours per week Monday to Friday, working flexible hours. Rate of pay £9.50 per hour
Main duties: cleaning ( including maintaining standards to reduce risk of covid-19 transmission)
For a full job description and application form please contact office@lancasterbaptistchurch.org.uk Closing date midnight 26th September 2021.
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.
Apples!
Many of the apples in the church orchard are ripe, much earlier this year. We are planning an Apple Festival on the 9th October so if you are able to gather the windfalls and either store, preserve or freeze them ahead of the 9th – that would be gratefully appreciated!
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
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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
Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried. G K Chesterton
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
This last year has been a wake-up call to the need to restore our relationships with God, creation, and each other. Join the Christ Church Camino: walk, pray, and observe the world around you.
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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: Ms Jacqueline Stamper 64083 churchwarden@christchurchlancaster.org.uk
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Ms Jane Lippitt 07930 979503 safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk
Children, Youth & Families Coordinator: Mrs Julie Tinnion 07749 489623 children@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