Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 25th August 2024 Thirteenth 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 – 25th August Trinity 13
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
Thank you to Rev’d Alex, Rev’d John and Pat for leading our services today.
Tuesday
5pm Evening Prayer on Zoom (see notice)
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday: 1st September Trinity 14
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Taizé Eucharist
Prayer for this week
Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Children’s Church
…. is taking a summer break.
Godly Play –
From 8th September, the 6 pm services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month will have more of a family focus. (See notice)
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
Joshua 24.1-2a, 14-18
Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods.
‘Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’
Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34.15-22
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry and the Lord hears them and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and will save those who are crushed in spirit.
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous; from them all will the Lord deliver them.
20 He keeps all their bones, so that not one of them is broken.
21 But evil shall slay the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord ransoms the life of his servants
and will condemn none who seek refuge in him.
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
Ephesians 6.10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 6. 56-69
Glory to you, O Lord.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’
Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
God our creator, you feed your children with the true manna, the living bread from heaven: let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage until we come to that place where hunger and thirst are no more; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susanna Michaelis, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Sheila Parsons, Christine McCrann, Diana Wickens, Steve Wilkinson, Richard Jones, Diana Doren-Dean – that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
Those preparing for marriage:
John Lyth and Barbara Perrott – that God will bless them in their new life together.
Those who have died recently: Linda Davison, Mary Tredennick, Jeanette Woodhead, Susan Allen – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide for:
Those who live and work on Kershaw Drive, Campbell Drive.
For all who visit and work at the auction mart.
For our September mission weekend and the people we invite to share our church community. .
– that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Tuesday Evening Prayer
On 5pm each Tuesday (from the 27th August), Rev’d Carol and Rev’d Kaarina say Evening Prayer over Zoom. If you’d like to join them to give thanks for the day past, read the Scriptures and pray, the details are: Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Passcode 942105 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8069459310?pwd=cVJ1ZDlnNXF2dDVFWThVa0Z0VWE5dz09
Thought for the Week
Once we deeply trust that we ourselves are precious in God’s eyes, we are able to recognize the preciousness of others and their unique place in God’s heart. Henri Nouwen
September Service – from the 8th September
To help us meet the needs of our children and families better, there will be a new shape to some of the 6pm evening services. These will include a Godly Play story, and time for quiet reflection. On the 2nd Sunday, it will be Evening Prayer, and on the 4th Sunday a family-friendly eucharist. We hope you can join us, and would love to hear your thoughts.
Children’s Church
… is an important part of our church life, and one of the ways children learn more about Christian faith. We’re looking for helpers for Children’s Church for the new term. If you can offer one Sunday morning each a month (or more if possible) please have a word with Rev’d Carol. An Enhanced DBS check will be arranged.
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 next Sunday, 1st September – 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.
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…
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!
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
The Wildlife Trust charity believes that people are a part of nature, everything we value ultimately comes from it and everything we do has an impact on it. If this chimes with our Christian duty to care for creation, think about joining The Lancashire Wildlife Trust to support their work. https://www.lancswt.org.uk/support-us/become-member
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 – from the Eco-Group
On the first Sunday of the month, we collect 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. No bottle tops please.
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.
PCC
… meets next on 9th September. If there are aspects of church life, worship, and work in our parish which you’d like discussed, please speak to Rev’d Carol or Julie Buckley, or one of your PCC reps. If there are items of business which you’d like discussed, 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:
LGBTQ Sunday
Lancaster LGBTQ+ Christians and friends – 3pm first Sunday of every month at The Cornerstone, Dalton Square, LA1 1PX – LGBTQ-led service, friends and allies welcome, informal with reflection and conversation, safe space for all – www.LGBTQSunday.uk.
Hall Chairs
Thanks to a generous donation, we have new-to-us chairs in the hall, which are safer and stack better. So if you can offer a home to some (or all) of the 25 old stacking chairs, please have a word with Rev’d Carol.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Seen on a church notice-board: When you were born, your mother brought you here. When you were married, your partner brought you here. When you die, yo ur friends will bring you here. Why not try coming on your own sometimes?
Harvest Home 26th-29th September 2024
A weekend of special events at Christ Church to welcome people to our church family, and to share the love of God as we give thanks for the Harvest. Please take a card to help you pray for the church and our guests in the coming weeks:
Dear God, give me courage to invite my friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues to our Harvest events. Give them an open heart to this invitation, and may they grow closer to your love. May our church be a welcoming community where we see Christ at work in each person. Help me to share what church means to me, and speak of the hope I find in Christ. Amen.
Thursday 26th September 6.30pm Harvest Supper and Quiz Night at the Gregson Centre, Moor Lane. (£3 per person for supper)
Friday 27th September Look out for the Christ Church team’s special events at the livestock market, LRGS, HMP Lancaster Farms, and Christ Church Primary School
Saturday 28th September 2-4pm Apple Festival at Christ Church
Apple juicing, Music, Storytelling, Games, Stalls, Refreshments, Competitions for home-baking. Free entry.
Sunday 29th September Harvest Festival
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am All Together to Share the Harvest
With a collection of tins and long-life food for Lancaster Homeless Action
6pm Harvest Thanksgiving Service
I’m going – it’s going to be great! Would you like to come with me? Shall I pick you up?
Sponsor a Hymn
If you’d like to suggest and sponsor a hymn, to be sung within the 10.30am Eucharist, please fill in one of the blue forms from the noticeboard by the door.
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 6th September. 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 10th September.
Gardening
If you can spare some time to help weed and tidy the church garden, our gardening group meets next on Friday 6thSeptember 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
Promoting a Safer Church
If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999. Any safeguardingconcerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your Parish Safeguarding Officers, Debbie Steele and Emma Muckalt, who can be contacted as above.
Concerns can also be raised directly with our Diocesan Team,Tel: 01254 503088 or email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
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:
Vicar: … Rev’d Carol Backhouse revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 01524 942105
Curate: … Rev’d Kaarina Leong curate@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07749 489623
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
Promoting a Safer Church
Christ Church, Lancaster have adopted the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook. All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training. If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999. Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your Parish Safeguarding Officers, Debbie Steele and Emma Muckalt, who can be contacted as above. Concerns can also be raised directly with our Diocesan Team, Tel: 01254 503088 or email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org