Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 16th June 2024 Third Sunday of 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 – 16th June
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
4pm Godly Play
6pm Evening Prayer
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday: 23rd June Trinity 4
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
12:30pm Baptism
6pm Evening Prayer
Prayer for this week
Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; 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
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: today: 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
Ezekiel 17.22-24
Thus says the Lord God:
I myself will take a sprig
from the lofty top of a cedar;
I will set it out.
I will break off a tender one
from the topmost of its young twigs;
I myself will plant it
on a high and lofty mountain.
On the mountain height of Israel
I will plant it,
in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit,
and become a noble cedar.
Under it every kind of bird will live;
in the shade of its branches will nest
winged creatures of every kind.
All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord.
I bring low the high tree,
I make high the low tree;
I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.
I the Lord have spoken; I will accomplish it.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 92.1-4,12-15
Refrain: You, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.
1 It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 To tell of your love early in the morning and of your faithfulness in the night-time,
3 Upon the ten-stringed instrument, upon the harp, and to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, Lord, have made me glad by your acts, and I sing aloud at the works of your hands.
Refrain: You, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.
12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
13 Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age;
they shall be vigorous and in full leaf;
15 That they may show that the Lord is true; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Refrain: You, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.
2 Corinthians 5.6-10,14-17
So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 4.26-34
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’
He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
O God, whose beauty is beyond our imagining and whose power we cannot comprehend: show us your glory as far as we can grasp it, and shield us from knowing more than we can bear until we may look upon you without fear; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. 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:
Willow Swales – may they grow in faith and shine as lights in the world
For those who have died recently: Julianne Dougherty, Audrey Crompton, Kurt Johnson, Andrew Bell, Sheelagh Lynch – 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 Gregson Road, Dumbarton Road, Argyle Street
For the work of The Ridge Community Centre
For our September mission weekend and the people we invite to share our church community.
For Kaarina, as she prepares for ordination, and for Bishop-Designate Joe (Burnley)
For the appointment of a Children’s Ministry Leader – that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 25th June 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
Do not judge me by my successes: judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. Nelson Mandela
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 today, 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 Closing date for applications: 23 June 2024.
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.
Use of the Sanctuary
A large chunk of plaster fell into the Sanctuary, from a height of at least 60ft. We’re awaiting a specialist to inspect the roof and chimney to find out whether water has got in, and what work needs to happen to stop further issues. In the meantime, we will be worshipping in the Lady Chapel and/or using a freestanding altar in the Nave. Please don’t walk on the carpet in front of the high altar!
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
Swift populations are in decline, for the most part caused by the loss of their usual homes under the eaves as a result of house renovations. Last week, Lancaster City signed a Swift Charter, becoming a Swift City, and calling on new buildings to include a swift brick where feasible. Could you help by installing a swift box on your house and encourage your neighbours to do the same?
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
We are now a Fairtrade Church. as a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
Lunch and Bug Hunt
Thank you to everyone who supported our church lunch and bug hunt last weekend – to the North Lancs Wildlife Group volunteers who came to join us, and to Clare Mumford for organising things.
Pride Next Weekend
If you’re joining the Pride Parade at 11am next week, look out for Big Jesus, and the Christians at Pride stall in Dalton Square. There’ll be a 4pm Pride service in the Cornerstone for all LGBTQIA+ Christians and allies. If you’re able to make cake to share on the stall, please bring it on Sunday, or leave it with Simon in the Cornerstone on Saturday morning. Thank you.
PCC
…. met on the 10th June. We discussed how the new working groups would operate, dealing with finance, care of our grounds and buildings, safeguarding, and social life. We also discussed arrangements for Rev’d Katrina joining us as Curate, and the implications of the recent fall of plaster and the roof repairs likely to be needed. If there are items of business which you’d like discussed at a future PCC, please speak to Rev’d Carol or Julie Buckley.
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:
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 5th July. 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 18th June.
Gardening
If you can spare some time to help weed and tidy the church garden, our gardening group meets next on Friday 5th July, 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
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
A bear walks into a pub and says, ‘Give me a whisky …….. and a cola.’ ‘Why the big pause?’ asks the barman. The bear shrugs. ‘I’m not sure. I was just born with them.’
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 at 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. To book a seat on the (free!) coach leaving from St John’s Ellel at 8am, please click here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bishop-of-burnleys-office/diocese-of-blackburn-north-coach-journey/2024-07-19/08:00/t-avkxdmj. You’ll also need to book a place at the service here: https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/Nzk3NS05/t(congregation) https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/Nzk3NS01/t (clergy and LLMs).
Save the Date!
Pimms and Hymns are back! Join us on Sunday 14th July from 3pm to enjoy cake and refreshments, before a selection of favourite hymns from 4pm. Please vote for your favourite hymns on the sheet at the back of church – two votes per person.
Election Hustings – Tuesday 18th June
If you’d like to hear more about the local candidates to be our next Member of Parliament, their policies and how they would respond to key issues – please save the date for Tuesday 18th June at St Thomas’ Church – doors open from 7pm for questions to be submitted, and the opening speeches begin at 7.30pm. This is hosted by Lancaster Churches Together. All welcome – bring your questions to ask the candidates!
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