Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)l
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 2nd February 2025 Feast of Candlemas
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 2nd February
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Festal Eucharist with Children’s Church
6pm Taizé Eucharist
Tuesday
5pm Evening Prayer on Zoom
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation
6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9:30am Holy Communion
Next Sunday: 9th February –
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist with Children’s Church
4pm Godly Play
6pm Evening Prayer
Prayer for this week
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ 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
welcomes primary-aged children during the 10.30am service during term time. Parents/guardians are also welcome to join in. Please see back-page notice.
Godly Play – 9th February
Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4 pm in church for KS1/2 children.
Messy Church – 23rd February
Every 4th Sunday of the month at 4pm in church for KS1/2 children
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 today:
Malachi 3.1-5
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 24.
Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.
1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it, the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it upon the seas and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
Refrain:
3 ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, or who can rise up in his holy place?’
4 ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie;
5 ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a just reward from the God of their salvation.’
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Refrain:
7 Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 ‘Who is the King of glory?’ ‘The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle.’
9 Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 ‘Who is this King of glory?’ ‘The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.’
Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.
Hebrews 2.14-18
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 2: 22-38
Glory to you, O Lord.
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Sheila Parsons, Christine McCrann, Steve Wilkinson, Richard Jones, Revd Kaarina, Ruby Rodrigues, Anne Brockbank, Marlene Phillips, Cathy Picken. – that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
Those who have died recently: Wendy (Clementine) Allen-Eliis, Barbara Gibson – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide for:
For those living and working on Ennerdale Close, Ridge Lane.
For Ryelands Sure Start Centre
For those attending the M:Power course…
– that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Tuesday Evening Prayer
At 5pm each Tuesday, 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: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81366929814?pwd=jTDuW7HO8lR7I0nQ9Jrm2BrMxjJqVS.1.
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 Innes. An Enhanced DBS check will be arranged. Please note that all children need to be accompanied to church by a parent/guardian.
Godly Play! 4pm on the third Sunday of each month
Godly Play shares 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 9th February at 4pm. Everyone welcome!
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.
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.
Holding Hope in Her Hands: Christian Aid Update Event:
Zoë Abernethy from Christian Aid will be speaking about the work of Christian Aid in Latin America and the Caribbean, and specifically about the work in Guatemala, the focus of Christian Aid Week 2025. All welcome – come along and be inspired! Tues Feb 11th 2025 at 7 pm Lancaster Methodist Church, Scotforth Road, Lancaster
Epiphany Gifts
If you can make a donation towards the cost of candles, bread, wine, and other sacristy items used in worship, please sign up on the list at the back of church, and mark any cash donations as ‘Epiphany Gift’. Thank you!
Thought for the Week
We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us thru that darkness to a safe and sane future. John F Kennedy
In Other News…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
The Olive Branch badly needs the following: tinned curry, chilli con carne, pies, spaghetti/macaroni cheese/ravioli, meatballs, hotdogs, stewed steak, tuna, salmon, pork, corned beef, ham, fruit, rice pudding, custard, tomatoes, sweetcorn, carrots, peas, potatoes, beans, chickpeas; biscuits, crisps, multipacks (biscuit/cake bars), cereal, jam, peanut butter, basmati/long-grain rice, pasta, pasta sauce jars, cooking oil; coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cordial, juice (long-life/non-fridge), long-life milk; and various toiletries. You can also give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
We now know that 2024 was the hottest year in the last decade and the first to pass 1.5° C above pre – industrial temperatures. According to the New Scientist, every fraction of a degree of rising temperatures that we can prevent counts. So keep on trying in every way you can..
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 – update from the Eco Group
On the first Sunday of the month, we collect medical blister packs and some dental care products. We are now adding some personal care items such as soft plastic tubes used for hand creams, wet wipe packaging and used make-up such as lipsticks, eyeshadow and mascara to our monthly collection. Please look carefully at the information provided on and close to the collection boxes to ensure that you only bring what can be recycled by our local Terracycle volunteers. No bottle tops or toothpaste tubes, 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
… met on the 15th January. We discussed an external defibrillator, plans for children’s work, repairs to the roof, and our 2025 budget. If there are aspects of life and worship at Christ Church which you’d like discussing, please speak to Rev’d Carol, Julie Buckley, or one of the PCC members.
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
Ripley Church of England Educational Trust – Clerk vacancy
The Trust is seeking to appoint a clerk. Duties include: enabling the Ripley Trust to serve its beneficiaries; monitoring the compliance of key areas of governance on behalf of the trust; and supporting the Board of Trustees and Chair in the smooth running and administration of the trust. Please see the notice accompanying the newsletter, and contact Keith Robinson, Vice-Chair, at Keith@st.tees.org.uk for a position description and further details.
Community at Christ Church:
Monthly Drop-In Lunch and Open Church – 9th February
On the second Sunday of each month (February 9th), there will be a free soup, bread and cheese (or vegan alternative) lunch on the second Sunday of the month (next – 9th February) and keeping the church open during the afternoon. Please sign up on the list at the back of church if you’re able to help by making or serving soup, buying bread and cheese, etc. (expenses will be reimbursed), or welcoming visitors into church for a few hours in the afternoon – thank you!
Allergies at Christ Church
If you help with refreshments and serving food at Christ Church, please consider doing the Food Safety and Allergy training available here: https://allergytraining.food.gov.uk/ . It’s free, and simply requires you to register through the website. Thank you!
Save the Date!
Eyes down for a fun evening of Bingo, with prizes for all the family. Saturday 15th February in the Church Hall, from 5.30pm. Tickets £5 each or £10/family, price includes drinks and snacks.
A Pint of Theology
On the second Tuesday of the month, at 7:30pm, starting 11th February, everyone is welcome in the Olive Bar at the Gregson for an hour’s discussion (with or without a pint) on aspects of Christian theology and its place in our contemporary world. Please share with others who might be interetsted, and contact Innes if you’d like to know more.
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.
Christ Church Choir
….. sings at the 10.30 service about once a month, plus other special occasions, and practises in church on Thursdays, 7-8:15 pm. 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
Craft Group
…. meets next in the Hall on February 4th at 11.30am. Everyone welcome – bring your own project, or share in one of the others on the go! No prior experience needed. The group is hoping to increase its frequency – watch this space!
Book Group
The church book group’s meets on the first Friday of the month (the next is on 7th February) at 4 pm in the church hall. Anyone who enjoys reading and discussion 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
Gardening Group
Our friendly gardening group meets on the first Friday of each month (7th February) between 12noon at 2pm to keep our church garden looking lovely. New members always welcome – whether for all or part of the time. If you can, please bring gloves and secateurs.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. How do you describe someone who’s just had every candle stolen from their home? A. Delighted!
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.
EasyFundraising
Did you know you can support Christ Church when you shop online? Register using https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/, and the brand’s commission will be donated to the church.
Key contacts:
Vicar: … Rev’d Carol Backhouse revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 01524 942105
Curate: … Rev’d Kaarina Leong (On leave)
Children’s Ministry Leader… Innes Heron-Stamp 07853791776 children@christchurchlancaster.org.uk
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 07717 824574
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