Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 26th May 2024 Feast of the Holy Trinity
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 – 26th May
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Festal Eucharist
12:30 and 1:30pm Baptisms
6pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday
4pm Prayer4 via Zoom
7:15pm Pilgrim Course at the Vicarage
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer
Thursday
12noon Eucharist – Corpus Christi
6:30pm Benediction
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday: 2nd June Trinity 2
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Taizé Eucharist
Prayer for this week
Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children
Godly Play
Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4pm in Church for KS1/2 children. Next: 16th June
Contact: Rev’d Carol for more information.
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
Isaiah 6.1-8
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’
The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 29
Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare; in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10 The Lord shall give strength to his people;
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.Romans 8.22-27
Romans 8.12-17
So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (John 3.1-17)
Glory to you, O Lord.
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love: hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you in all your ways and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory, who are three Persons yet one God, now and for ever. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susanna Michaelis, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Mary Tredennick, Sheila Parsons, Christine McCrann – that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
Those preparing for Baptism:
Luca Hargrove, Ava Burns – as they begin the journey of Christian faith
Those preparing for marriage:
Keely Jolliffe and Richard Geddes – that God will bless them in their new life together.
For those who have died recently: Juliann Dougherty, Audrey Crompton, Kurt Johnson – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide for:
For those who live and work on Albion Mews, Balmoral Road
For the work of Lancaster City Council Lancashire County Council
For our September mission weekend and the people we invite to share our church community.
For Kaarina, as she prepares for ordination
For the appointment of a Children’s Ministry Leader
– that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 28th May 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
Thought for the Week
The contemplation of the Holy Trinity destroys all enmity. St Sergius (14th century Russian saint
Godly Play! 4pm on the third Sunday of each month
Godly Play is a way of sharing Scripture stories with children, and helping them wonder about faith, using a Montessori approach, with crafts and a snack to share too. It’s free, and especially suitable for primary age children (accompanied by an adult please). The next gathering is on Sunday, 16th June, at 4pm. Everyone welcome!
Children’s Ministry Leader
This post is being re-advertised. Please encourage people you think might be interested in leading and growing our work with children and families to apply, and please share with likely candidates and through your networks. https://pathways.churchofengland.org/en/jobs/children-s-ministry-leader/1087
Readers and intercessors
If you would be interested in joining the team of people who read and/or pray at the 10:30 am services., please sign up on the list at the back of church, or contact Pat.
Pilgrim – a course for the Christian journey
On Tuesdays 7.15pm in the Vicarage, everyone welcome as we continue Pilgrim – A Course for the Christian Journey. Whether you’re new to church, or wanting to go deeper, this new 6-week course will help us think about what it means to turn to Christ. Please ask Rev’d Carol if you’d like more info – why not invite a friend? The next one is on 28th May.
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
The foodbank continues to be in great need of tins of curry, chilli con carne, pies, meatballs, hotdogs, stewed steak, tuna, salmon, pork, corned beef, ham, fruit, rice pudding, custard, tomatoes, sweetcorn, carrots, peas, kidney beans, chickpeas; biscuits, crisps, multipacks of cake, cereal, jam, pasta sauce; packs of hot chocolate, coffee, tea, sugar, cordial, longlife juice, and many types of toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, toilet rolls, etc.) 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
Most of us know that we should avoid the purchase of peat-based compost to protect this incredibly valuable habitat and help prevent the release of greenhouse gases. Despite UK Government’s ban on sales of peat-based compost, as yet there is no legislation to back it up, and even worse no ban on commercial growers. This means that farmed mushrooms, leafy salads and houseplants are usually grown in peat compost. Look at Hidden Peat https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/ban-sale-peat, a new campaign launched by The Wildlife Trusts to learn what action you can take.
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.
Changes to recycling at Christ Church – from the Eco Group
We can still collect plastic bottle tops/lids, plastic toothbrushes and electric brush heads, covers and flosser nozzles, also flossing sticks, interdental brushes and dental tape containers, We can still take medical blister packs, but owing to the large quantities, please take your own to Superdrug if you can. Thank you for your ongoing support with recycling on the first Sunday of each month.
Fairtrade Church
As a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers, Christ Church have become a Fairtrade Church. This means that we commit to using and serving only Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar – more info here: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
Lunch and Bug Hunt
Join volunteers from North Lancs Wildlife Group on Sunday 9th June for a bug hunt in our garden. Please bring some food for to share for a picnic lunch (suggestions on the sign-up list at the back of church), and the fun begins at 1pm. Part of the Churches Count on Nature project and the Big Green Week! Please bring some cash with you for leaflets as part of the bug hunt. Thank you!
From Trash To Treasure
Join the Eco-Group for a fascinating and practical talk on Composting on the 4th June at 7.30pm in Christ Church. Compost reduces waste going to landfill, and benefits plants, people and the soil on which we depend!
PCC
The new PCC, elected at the APCM, met on 15th May. We discussed: the function and focus of the PCC, looking out, up, around, forward and inside; our parish’s aims; members’ duties as charity trustees for compliance, prudence and care for finance, people, buildings and fabric; how to get the best out of PCC (starting to form working groups to carry out specific functions in the absence of a churchwarden w.e.f. August. We also nominated the Standing Committee to meet between PCCs and take any urgent decisions.
We ask you to pray this prayer ‘this time tomorrow’ after a Sunday service – wherever you are. (Why not put a reminder in your phone?)
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:
Christian Aid Week
This year’s appeal focuses on Burundi – supporting farmers to develop their practice in the face of extreme practice. To support their work, please pray, write to your MP or support here: https://give.christianaid.org.uk/donate/CAM-006503
Hall for Hire – Don’t forget that the Hall is available for hire, especially at weekends and during the day. £24/first hour and £12 for each subsequent hour/part-hour. Please contact Pat hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855 for more info.
Book Group
The church book group meets on the first Friday of each month at 4 pm in the church hall. Books are provided by Lancashire Libraries, in addition to those shared by members. The date of the next meeting is 7th June. Anyone who enjoys reading and discussion books is very welcome to join us. You can just turn up on the day, speak to Joyce, or send an email to joycelynch1946@gmail.com
Craft Group
Meets on the second (and sometimes other) Tuesday(s) of each month at 11.30am in the Hall. Everyone welcome – bring your own project, or share in one of the others on the go! No prior experience needed. The group next meets on 11th June.
Gardening
If you can spare some time to help weed and tidy the church garden, our gardening group meets next on Friday 7thJune, between 12 and 2pm (and the first Friday of every month. Please bring gloves and secateurs if you have them – and contact Liz Mills if you’d like more 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
Corpus Christi
On Thursday 30th May, the church keeps the feast of Corpus Christi, giving thanks for the gift of Christ present with us in the Eucharist. There will be a Eucharist at 12noon, and a service of Benediction at 6.30pm. Benediction is a beautiful service of prayer, stillness and blessing – all are welcome.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
There was a young fellow from Trinity/ Who took the square root of infinity./ But the number of digits/ Just gave him the fidgets;/ So he dropped Maths and took up Divinity..
Date for your diary – 29th June!
We are blessed that Kaarina will be ordained Deacon on 29th June in Blackburn Cathedral. Rev’d Kaarina will then join Christ Church as Curate for the next few years to train further in ministry. If you would like to support her at her ordination, there will be lifts available to the Cathedral. You can also welcome her in the Sunday services the following day.
Date for your diary – 19th July!
The Bishop of Burnley Designate, the Rev’d Dr Joe Kennedy, will be consecrated at 11 am on 19th July in York Minster. If you would like a lift, please contact Jacqueline.
Anny Lee’s Memorial Service
Will be at Patty’s Barn, Cockerham on Thursday 30th May, lunch at 1pm, sharing of memories from 2pm and scattering of Anny’s ashes at Cockersands Abbey. Dresscode – cheerful. Please let Bridget know you’re coming – 07932 562234.
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for refreshments after the 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:
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: … Mrs Emma Muckalt & Ms Debbie Steele safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org 07547 717060
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