(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
on Sunday 27th November 2022 First Sunday of Advent
Vicar: Revd Carol Backhouse 01524 942105
revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 1 East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EE
www.christchurchlancaster.org.uk Facebook:@ChristChurchLancaster
Everyone is welcome to join in prayer and worship this week:
Today
Today – 20th Nov –
Feast of Christ the King
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Confirmation Service with Rt Rev’d Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster
4pm Messy Church (in the Hall)
6pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
Tuesday
4pm Prayer4 (via Zoom)
Wednesday
5:30 pm Meditation and Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9:30 am Eucharist (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday 4th December Advent 2
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Parish Eucharist (with Children’s Church)
4pm Advent Celebration by Candlelight
Children and Youth
Tiddlers
For under 5s and their parents/carers, every Friday at 10.30am in the Hall
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children.
For KS1/2
Monthly Messy Church
Crafts, stories, song and a meal together at 4pm today and on 21st December in the Hall for KS1/2
Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Gluten-free wafers available. Please ask the Stewards for directions and assistance.
Please send items for inclusion in this newsletter to Jacqueline Stamper by Thursday lunchtime. Many thanks.
Scripture Readings for our Worship today:
Isaiah 2.1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 122
Refrain: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.
I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem; Jerusalem, built as a city that is at unity in itself. Thither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as is decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there are set the thrones of judgement, the thrones of the house of David.
Refrain: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. ‘Peace be within your walls and tranquillity within your palaces.’ For my kindred and companions’ sake, I will pray that peace be with you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do you good.
Refrain: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts.
Romans 13.11-14
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (Matthew 24.36-44)
Glory to you, O Lord.
‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
O Lord our God, make us watchful and keep us faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin but active in his service and joyful in his praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Ivy Buckley, Stephen Gardner, Ann Gilbride, Thomas Platt, Janet Ball, Sitar Rose, Istok Bratić, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susannna Michaelis, Audrey Davies, John McCafferty, Doreen Hudson, Norman Muckalt, Mike Dickinson
Those who have died recently: Teresa Isaac, Ted Proctor, Michael Atkinson
Those preparing for baptism: Marcia Dearnley
For our eight candidates preparing for Confirmation: Kelly, Zara, Poppy, Freddie, Dylan, Jacob, Peter and Robin.
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
For those who live and work on Dalton Road, Nun Street.
For the emergency services, including fire, police, ambulance, coastguard and mountain rescue teams.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 29th November 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://us06web.zoom.us/j/8069459310?pwd=cVJ1ZDlnNXF2dDVFWThVa0Z0VWE5dz09
Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Passcode 942105
Taizé Eucharist
On the first Sunday of every month at 6pm, there is a beautiful service of prayer, music and stillness in the style of the Taizé Community. In December the next will be on Sunday, 11th, owing to the Christmas Tree Festival and the Advent Celebration service the previous weekend – everyone welcome! If you’d like to join the music group (singing or instrumental), the rehearsal starts at 4.30pm. Do see Julian if you’d be interested.
Thought for the week
This time of Advent is a time of waiting for the Lord, who will visit us all on the feast, but also, each one, in our own hearts. The Lord is coming! Let us wait for him! Pope Francis
Meeting up
The clergy are available for pastoral support and spiritual direction, please don’t hesitate to be in in contact. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or is seriously ill, please let us know as soon as possible, to arrange prayers, home communion, a hospital visit, or anointing of the sick.
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.
In Other News…
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for hot and cold drinks, cake and biscuits after the 10:30 am service today – an opportunity to meet and congratulate those newly confirmed, and to get to know Bishop Jill and one another.
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in particular need of tins – including meat, fish, vegetables and pies, as well as donations of rice (not pasta or baked beans). 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/
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Think about donating online to the BIG GIVE https://moneyformadagascar.org/big-give-christmas-challenge between 30th November and 5th December and your gift will be multiplied by six.
Recycling at Christ Church
The next collection of crisp packets, used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, plastic bottle tops, and blister packets of tablets, will be on Sunday, 4th December and the first Sunday of every month.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. Why was the broom late for school? A. It over-swept.
Advent Calendars
The Real Advent Calendar, a Fairtrade chocolate calendar which shares the Christmas Story, are available here for £5. If you pay by cash, please mark the envelope ‘Advent Calendar’ Thank you!
PCC
Our Church Council next meets on 14th December – please let your PCC reps know if there are issues and ideas you’d like raising. In November, we reviewed our Safeguarding procedures, and made plans to invest some of our money as well as finalising plans for Christmas. Please keep your PCC in your prayers.
Quiet Day
Saturday 17th December 9.30-1.30pm with soup lunch
Led by Sr Sue, OCMM
Time to reflect and prepare this Advent. Everyone welcome – let Rev’d Carol know you’re coming.
Christ Church Crafting
… will meet next on Tuesday 13th December at 11:30am in the Hall – all welcome! Bring your own craft project, or make a pennant for the community bunting. Future meetings will be on the second Tuesday of the month at the same time. Contact Julie Buckley for further details.
Christ Church School
We’ve been invited to the School Christmas Fair on Wednesday 14th December from 3.15pm onwards, including Santa’s Grotto, gifts, games and refreshments. If you might like to host a stall, please contact Emma on friends@christchurch-lancaster.lancs.sch.uk
Community at Christ Church:
The Puzzles of the Kingdom – study group.
If you would enjoy exploring some of the key ideas and themes in Jesus’ teaching reflected in his extraordinary parables and pictures (the ‘Puzzles of the Kingdom’), all are welcome to an informal study group meeting after the 10:30 Eucharist on Sundays in the Hall.
Christ Church Choir
….. sings at the 10.30 service about once a month, plus other special occasions, and practises in church on Thursdays at 7.15pm for an hour. New members always welcome; if you’re not sure, come along and give it a try for a few weeks! Have a word with Clive or contact him via cliveshaw54@gmail.com
Epiphany Gifts
As we prepare to give thanks for the gift of Christ, light of the world (and remember the gifts brought by the Wise Men) – might you be able to make a donation towards the candles, incense, bread, wine and oil which are part of our worship? Please see the suggestions list at the back of church, and make a donation labelled ‘Epiphany Gift’. Thank you!
Warm Spaces
There will be a briefing for everyone who would like to help with the Warm Spaces Lunch this Wednesday 23rd at 2pm in the Hall. If you don’t have a current DBS check with church, please bring 2 forms of photo id with you (passport, driving licence etc) and proof of address (council tax, utility bill, etc). Any questions – please ask Rev’d Carol.
Singers Needed!
At 2.30pm on Friday 23rd December – to sing carols with the residents of Moorside Hall Nursing Home (Wyresdale Road). Please let Rev’d Carol know if you’d like more details. Song sheets provided.
Toy Service
As part of our All Together service on Sunday 11th December there will be a collection of toys for the families at Lune Park Children’s Centre. New, or excellent condition second-hand toys only please – no soft toys. Please do not gift-wrap them – the staff will have to remove the wrapping to check that they are safe and suitable. Deliveries may be made to church 6-7pm on the 6th December or 4-7pm on the 8th December.
Christmas Tree Festival
We’re looking forward to hosting our second Festival on the 2-4th December, raising funds for church and LDHAS. But we need your help! If you can spare an hour or more to:
- help set up the trees and prepare the church
- Welcome visitors and steward the festival
- Offer refreshments or run a stall (sale goods will be provided)
Please sign up on the lists at the back of Church – it will be a fun weekend and a chance to make new friends.
Please also take a poster or bundle of flyers to share with your neighbours, and invite friends and family along. If you can share via WhatsApp and Facebook – even better! Thank you!
The Festival will close at 4pm on Sunday 4th with an Advent Celebration of music and readings by candlelight. Everyone welcome!
Receiving the notices by email
If you would like to receive these notices by email, please contact Jacqueline Stamper on the above address.
Watching in Hope – Advent 2022
Materials will soon be available as we prepare for the season of Advent – watching and waiting of God with us in the birth of Christ. Our diocese is also sharing materials, available here: https://bit.ly/3EdCCYO and here: https://bit.ly/3WYfmqB
Save the Dates: Please pick up a flyer!
13th November 10.30am Remembrance Sunday Parade
15th November 7pm Tree Festival Preparation at the Vicarage
20th November Feast of Christ the King
27th November 10:30 am Confirmation Service with Bishop Jill
1-4th December Christmas Tree Festival
11th December Christingle Service, with Toy Collection for Ryelands Sure Start Centre
17th December 9.30-1pm Advent Quiet Morning with Sr Sue
18th December 6pm Carol Service
Supporting Christ Church
Church Repair Fund
Our Church Repair Fund helps 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. You can also contribute online via the Give a Little website: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/1c7889a9-7ef8-4730-a84a-2d434726c909
Light up the Lady Chapel
The Psalmist writes: ‘Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ However, the lighting in the choir and Lady Chapel is in need of help – some has broken beyond repair, and the rest is struggling to illuminate a space that is now regularly used for worship. We already have raised half the funds needed.Can you help by sponsoring a light, or making a donation towards the £5k cost? Please see the envelope for more details or use this code:
Supporting Christ Church – One-off Gifts
If you would like to make a one-off donation to the church as an offering, to pay a fee, or as a gift to regular funds, you can give through our ‘Give a little’ page: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/f63a0655-b270-4d05-bf35-3994747785d0 This will also give you the option to Gift Aid your donation (if you pay tax in the UK), enabling the church to get an extra 25p back from the taxman for every £1 you give.
Supporting Christ Church – Regularly
Christ Church is now taking part in the Parish Giving Scheme, which enables you to give regularly by Direct Debit, and to to easily review how much you give depending on circumstances. Online at www.parishgiving.org.uk Or by telephone 0333 002 1271 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. For any of these methods our PGS code 030603240 ensures that your gift goes to our church.
Key contacts:
Churchwarden: …Ms Jacqueline Stamper churchwarden@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 01524 64083
Priest with PTO and Choir Contact: …Rev’d Clive Shaw. cliveshaw54@gmail.com
Lay Reader: …Dr Pat Allen reader@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 01524 39552
Parish Safeguarding Officer: …Ms Jane Lippitt safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07930 979503
Children, Youth & Families Coordinator: …Mrs Julie Tinnion children@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07749 489623
Parish Secretary: …Mrs Julie Buckley buckleys@live.co.uk 01524 37229
Hall Bookings: …hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855
Nightshelter Co-ordinator: …Ms Jan Norbury coordinator.nightshelter@gmail.com 07547 717 060
Christ Church School …Miss Emma Simpson 01524 60955