(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 15th October 2023 Trinity 19
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 – 15th October – Trinity 19
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am All Together Eucharist
6pm Celtic Evening Prayer
Wednesday
5.30pm Meditation followed by
6pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Sunday 22nd October – Trinity 20
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Children and Youth
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children
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
Faithful Lord, whose steadfast love never ceases and whose mercies never come to an end: grant us the grace to trust you and to receive the gifts of your love, new every morning, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Scripture Readings for our Worship
Isaiah 25.1-9
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt. Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you. For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled. On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death for ever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23
Refrain: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
Refrain: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
3 He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Refrain: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
5 You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Refrain: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Philippians 4.1-9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 22.1-14
Glory to you, O Lord
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Prayer after Communion:
Holy and blessed God, you have fed us with the body and blood of your Son and filled us with your Holy Spirit: may we honour you, not only with our lips but in lives dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please also remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Stephen Gardner, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susanna Michaelis, Juliann Dougherty, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes.
Those who have died recently: Maureen Renninson, Jenny Lauruol.
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
For those who live and work on Rydal Road, Windermere Road.
For our GPs, nurses, health visitors, midwives and other community health professionals.
For the families invited to the Memorial Service on the 5th November.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 31st October 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. The next will be on Sunday, 5th November- 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
If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies. Abp Desmond Tutu
All Souls’ Eucharist
A Eucharist to remember the faithful departed will be offered on Wednesday 1st November at 6pm in the Lady Chapel. If you would like the name of a loved one read out as we remember the departed, please PRINT their name on the list at the back of church.
Confirmations
Would you like to take a next step in faith? Would you like to start receiving communion? On the 26th November, Bishop Jill will be with us for a Confirmation Service at 10.30am. If you’d like to be Confirmed (and/or Baptised) as part of this special occasion, or are curious, please have a chat with Rev’d Carol. There will be 6 preparation classes beforehand on Sundays at 4pm, starting on the 15th October. Suitable for adults of any age, and for children in Year 6 and above.
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…
Warm Spaces in the Hall – winter season
Could you help offer a warm welcome and a hot soup lunch this winter? Probably Monday lunchtimes? Please let Rev’d Carol or Jacqueline know if so, and if possible, come along on Friday 20th October at 12 noon in the Hall to plan arrangements.
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in URGENT need of tinned pudding, rice, tinned curry, tinned pies, tinned ham, sweetcorn and peas, shampoo, shower gel, size 5 and size 6 nappies. . 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
Try using native home-grown grains such as barley, oats, wheat and oil seed rape, some of which are grown in Lancashire.
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.
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 5th November, and the first Sunday of each month.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. What do you call a magician who’s lost his magic? A. Ian.
PCC
…. met on the 11th October. We discussed how to encourage people to take the next steps in faith, as well as repair work to the building and reviewing recent events. Please let Rev’d Carol or Julie Buckley have your ideas and suggestions for discussion. 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:
Serving Team
We’re looking for new members for our serving team for the 10.30am Eucharist, who help carry the cross, lights and Bible, as well as helping the service go smoothly. This can be on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Suitable for ages 9+, training will be given.
Help needed!
Might you be able to spare some time each week or each month to help with a typesetting job please? Rev’d Carol needs some help preparing the weekly service sheets and notice sheets, using Word or Pages. Please ask if you’re curious!
We’re hiring!
Following a review of our children’s and youth work at Christ Church, we’re looking to appoint a Children’s Ministry Leader (part time). Our congregations have grown in recent years, and we are looking for a leader who will enable new families to take the next step in faith, and to establish a volunteer team for children’s ministry within and beyond the church’s walls. The post is for 15 hours a week, on a 2 year initial contract and subject to an Enhanced DBS check. For an informal conversation please contact the Vicar, revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com, or to apply for this Vacancy visit https://pathways.churchofengland.org/job/pathways/4665/children-s-ministry-leader
Christ Church Crafting
… meets next on 10th October at 11:30 am in the Hall, and on the second Tuesday of the month. Bring your own craft project, or help with a community banner. 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
Plans for Christ Church
You may be aware that the Vestry and North Transept (area behind the organ pipes) are in a poor state of repair. They are spaces which, if refurbished, could benefit our community and the welcome we offer. A Working Party has been discussing this – and our architects have produced some initial suggestions for what might be possible. These sketches will be at the back of church in coming weeks – please take a look and comment on what you like (or dislike, or suggest to make the plans even better). These ideas will then be turned into a final plan – so please have your say!
Gardening
The church gardening group meets on the first Friday of the month from 12-2pm – do come for as much or as little as you are able to. Please bring gloves and secateurs if you can although there are some spares in the shed – everyone welcome on the 3rd November!
Quiz Night – Friday 17th November 2023
Fun for all the family at our Quiz Night on Friday 17th November, starting at 6:30pm in the Hall. Tickets in advance or on the door – £10 for a family or £4 for a single ticket. Bring your own drinks, and snacks will be provided. Everyone welcome!
Harvest Thank you!
To everyone who supported the food collection for Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service; and nearly £100 was raised for CRESS supporting farming communities in South Sudan). And thank you to all the helpers for the Harvest Jacob’s Join – it was a lovely afternoon!
Harvest Collection for CRESS UK
If you’ve not already made a donation to the Harvest collection in aid of CRESS UK, which helps people in South Sudan to gain the knowledge and skills to establish self-sustaining communities, churches across our diocese are helping to support this worthy cause this Harvest. For more information and how to donate, go to: https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/bishop-s-harvest-appeal-2023
Sponsored Swim
Susan Brooks has undertaken a sponsored swim in aid of Church funds this past week. Please fill in the sponsorship form at the back of church. Thank you, Susan!
Ripley Supplementary Forms
If your child is applying for Ripley St Thomas School this year, please ask Rev’d Carol to complete the Supplementary Form with you during Office Hour (9.15am-10am on Sunday mornings). The deadline for forms is the 31st October.
Save the date!
Our Christmas Tree Festival will be on the 1-3rd December. If you work for a business which would like to sponsor a tree, or are part of a group (sport, music, charity, etc) which would like to decorate a tree, or if you’re in a band or choir which might like to perform – we’d love to hear from you! Please take an invite from the table near the church door.
Children’s Church, Messy Church – could you help?
Might you be able to help out occasionally with some of our children’s activities? Rev’d Carol and Julie Tinnion can tell you more about what would be involved.
Looking for a venue?
Our Hall is available for bookings for parties, meetings, classes, talks, etc., at very reasonable rates (£24 for the first hour, then £12 for each subsequent hour). It’s a lovely big space, served by a very well-equipped kitchen with all the crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils and equipment you’re likely to need. If you’d like to know about availability, or more about what’s available, please contact Pat Allen, at hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk or on 07980 351855.
Jam!
With thanks to Valerie and Jacqueline, there’s a wonderful selection of jams and chutneys for sale – £2.50 (or less) per jar from the table near the Children’s area – for church funds.
Other Diary Dates…
5th November 3pm Memorial Service for the recently departed
17th November 6.30pm Quiz Night
1st-3rd December Christmas Tree Festival
10th December 4pm Christingle Service
18th December 4pm Christmas Carol Service
Refreshments today
All are welcome for hot and cold drinks, biscuits, etc., after the 10:30 am Sunday service.
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
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:
Churchwardens: … Mr Peter Bohdan 07974924968; 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
Christ Church School …Miss Emma Simpson 01524 60955