(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 12th February 2023 2nd before Lent
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 – Sunday 12th February – 2nd before Lent
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am All Together Eucharist
6 pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
Tuesday
7 pm Start Group (at the Vicarage)
Wednesday
5:30 pm Meditation and Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday 19th February – before Lent
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Parish Eucharist (with Children’s Church)
4 pm Messy Church (Hall)
6 pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
Children and Youth
Tiddlers
For under 5s and their parents/carers, every Friday at 10:30 am in the Hall
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children
Messy Church
Crafts, stories, song and a meal together at 4pm on Sunday 19th February in the Hall for KS1/2
Connect Club
Meets in the Hall at 4pm on alternate Fridays (next one 10th March). Youth group for those in Years 5-7, with games, snacks and conversation.
Contact: Mrs Julie Tinnion 07749 489623
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.
Prayer for the Week
Almighty God,
give us reverence for all creation and respect for every person, that we may mirror your likeness in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Readings for our Worship
Genesis 1.1 – 2.3
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
And God said, ‘Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’ So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God said, ‘Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, ‘Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.’ And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
And God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.’ So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’ And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Romans 8.18-25
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (6.25-34). Glory to you, O Lord.
‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
God our creator, by your gift the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise, and the bread of life at the heart of your Church: may we who have been nourished at your table on earth be transformed by the glory of the Saviour’s cross and enjoy the delights of eternity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please also remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Stephen Gardner, Thomas Platt, Sitar Rose, Istok Bratić, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susannna Michaelis, Mike Dickinson, Valerie Williams
Those who have died recently: Norman Muckalt, Ivy Buckley, Samantha Coates, Margaret Smith, David Robinson, Andrew Wilson, Fred Forrest, Janet Ball.
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
For those who live and work on Honister Road, Ambleside Road.
For the work of our local schools.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 21st February 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
Ash Wednesday
22nd February marks the beginning of Lent, a season of prayer, reflection, good works, and changing our lives into the pattern of Christ. Study booklets (Dust and Glory and Watching in Hope) will be available, which give a daily prayer and reflection. Services with ashing will be at 12 noon (Said Eucharist) and 7pm (Sung Eucharist) – all welcome
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. The next will be today, Sunday 5th March – 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.
Start Group
Start the New Year with God, Jesus and the journey of life in six fun, down-to-earth sessions – everyone welcome! Please pick up a flyer in church, or see Rev’d Carol for more info.
Tuesdays at 7pm until 14th March, meeting at the Vicarage (1 East Road, LA1 3EE)
Thought for the week
Be a rainbow, not someone else’s cloud. Maya Angelou
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…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in particular need of tined vegetables, fish, and meat. 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
At COP15 a historic deal was achieved to halt biodiversity loss by 2030. Learn more about this landmark decision and take hope and pray for its delivery. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/cop15-ends-landmark-biodiversity-agreement
Volunteers at Miss Whalley’s Field
Help needed on Saturday 18th February from 10am to prune and maintain the Wood, meet at the Memorial stone. Please bring solid footwear, secateurs and gloves, if possible.
Donations for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Donations of washing powder, laundry liquid, men’s toiletries, men’s hats and gloves needed. Please leave donations in the box at the back of church for RAIS.
Help for the Turkish and Syrian Earthquakes.
If you’re able to make a donation to support the rescue and relief efforts, a national appeal has been launched: https://donation.dec.org.uk/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal, for which Christian Aid and other faith-based charities are providing essential aid.
Vegan cookery book
The Eco-Group have produced a vegan recipe booklet, available at the back of church in the newsletter. Free – but donations to the Food bank if wished.
Recycling at Christ Church
The next collection of crisp packets, used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, plastic bottle tops, and blister packets of tablets, will be today Sunday, 5th March, and the first Sunday of every month.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
“I saw this advert in a window that said: ‘Television for sale £1; volume stuck on full.’ I thought, ‘I can’t turn that down.’” Tim Vine
PCC
Our Church Council next meets on 15th February – please let your PCC reps know if there are issues and ideas you’d like raising. In January, we approved work to repair the cellar door, and grant applications for the initial work on the Vestry. Please keep your PCC in your prayers, and share this prayer for our church:
Lord God, Together with you by our side, we can bring growth to our Church. Send your Holy Spirit to give us good planning, wise actions, joy in worship and our welcome, the right words when we speak to others. Help our Church grow in numbers, in Spiritual commitment to you, and in service to our local community, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Community at Christ Church:
Save the Date!
A Day to Pray – Saturday 18th March 9.30am-1.30pm. During Lent, we set apart time for prayer, reading the Scriptures, fasting and good works. Come along to try out some different ways of praying, and explore what prayer is. Everyone welcome – no experience necessary! Lunch provided, please let Rev’d Carol know any dietary needs.
Christ Church Crafting
… will meet next on Tuesday 14th March at 11:30am in the Hall – all welcome! Bring your own craft project, or make a pennant for the community bunting. Apologies for the cancellation of the February meeting, but future meetings will normally be on the second Tuesday of the month at the same time. Contact Julie Buckley for further details.
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
Warm Spaces – Mingle on Mondays
Every Monday from 1-2.30pm. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church to help with hosting, food preparation etc. If you’d like to help but don’t have a current DBS check with church, please bring two forms of photo id with you to church (passport, driving licence etc) and proof of address (council tax, utility bill, etc). Any questions – please ask Rev’d Carol.
Please keep this project in your prayers, and help to share posters around neighbouring streets.
Restoration and Refurbishment
Following the workshop on 25th February, a working party will meet and put the key proposals to our architects for some initial sketch suggestions about what might be possible – so there will be more opportunity to share your thoughts on the plans in coming months! If you (or someone you know) has skills in project management, fundraising and finance, historic buildings or conservation, please let Rev’d Carol know.
In the news:
You may have seen that the General Synod (the national assembly of the Church of England, with representatives of bishops, clergy and laity from every diocese) has recently approved a motion which:
- Repents of the harm done to LGBTQI+ people by the Church
- Embeds the Pastoral Principles in the life of the Church of England (these are to do with how we hold good conversations in the face of difference)
- Welcomes the decision made by the House of Bishops to withdraw Issues in Human Sexuality (the 1991 statement by the Bishops on many aspects of sexual behaviour) and to commend and publish Prayers of Love and Faith*.
The Bishops will refine and issue these prayers, for use in different kinds of service to celebrate and bless same-sex couples in church, with pastoral guidance for their use. However, this doesn’t yet allow couples to marry in church, but only to receive a blessing. If you’ve any questions about this, or if it would help to talk through your own reactions to the news, please don’t hesitate to speak to Rev’d Carol.
*If you would like to see these Prayers, please contact Jacqueline Stamper.
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for hot and cold drinks and biscuits after the 10:30 am services.
Receiving the notices by email
If you would like to receive these notices by email, please contact Jacqueline Stamper on the above address.
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: …TBC safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07547 717060
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