A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 10th May 2026 Sixth Sunday of Easter
Vicar: Revd Carol Backhouse 07857 449724
revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 24 Wentworth Drive, Lancaster, LA1 3RJ
www.christchurchlancaster.org.uk Facebook:@ChristChurchLancaster
Everyone is welcome to join in prayer and worship this week:
Today
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday
Evening prayer via zoom
Wednesday
5.30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion
Sunday – 17th May
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Gluten-free wafers available. Please ask the Stewards for directions and assistance.
Please send items for inclusion in this newsletter to Kim Robinson by Thursday lunchtime. Many thanks.
Prayer for this week
God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; 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
Little Seedlings
Every Tuesday from 9am in the Church Hall for under 4s and their parents/carers.
Children’s Church
… is an important part of our church life, and one of the ways children learn more about Christian faith. 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. All children need to be accompanied to church by a parent/guardian, please.
Messy Church
On the 4th Sunday of the month at 4pm in the Hall for KS1/2 children.
Scripture Readings for our Worship
Acts 17. 22-31
Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, ‘Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For “In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your own poets have said, “For we too are his offspring.” Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Psalm 66. 7-18
Refrain: All the earth shall worship you, O Lord.
7 Bless our God, O you peoples; make the voice of his praise to be heard,
8 Who holds our souls in life and suffers not our feet to slip.
9 For you, O God, have proved us; you have tried us as silver is tried.
10 You brought us into the snare; you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
11 You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; but you brought us out into a place of liberty.
Refrain: All the earth shall worship you, O Lord.
12 I will come into your house with burnt offerings and will pay you my vows, which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
13 I will offer you fat burnt sacrifices with the smoke of rams; I will sacrifice oxen and goats.
14 Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for my soul.
15 I called out to him with my mouth and his praise was on my tongue.
16 If I had nursed evil in my heart, the Lord would not have heard me,
17 But in truth God has heard me; he has heeded the voice of my prayer.
18 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, nor withheld his loving mercy from me.
1 Peter 3. 13-end
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John 14. 15-21
Glory to you, O Lord.
‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father, whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life:may we thirst for you, the spring of life and source of goodness, through him who 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, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Christine McCrann, Richard Jones, John Lyth, Freda Jackson, Julie Withers, Martin Johnson, Ruby Rodrigues, Lou Rawlinson, Peter Milburn
– may God’s healing, wholeness and peace be with them.
For those who have died recently, including:
Marlene Philips, Rita Gal
May they rest in peace and rise in glory
For those preparing for baptism:
Carson Bradley
May they shine as lights in the world to the Glory of God
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide:
For those who live and work in Albion Mews, Balmoral Road. For Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council
May God’s loving kindness be found and shared.
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 revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com. Please ask the person’s permission if you’d like them included in the weekly notices.
Choir Church – Friday 15th May
Please join us again on Friday 15th May for our next Eucharist at 3.15pm in Christ Church School Hall.
Admission to Communion
If your child is baptised and regularly taking part in Eucharist services at Christ Church, please talk with them about whether they would like to be Admitted to Communion. This is a step before Confirmation, and enables children to understand the significance of God’s grace at work when we share bread and wine as a church family. There will be a special service on Sunday 28th June, with preparation classes on the 7th, 14th and 21st June. Please speak to Rev’d Carol or Innes if you’d like to sign up or know more!
Community at Christ Church:
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Last November politicians, business and community leaders were briefed by ten of the UK’s leading experts on the implications of climate and nature breakdown on health, food systems, national security and the economy. A film has been produced to share this information with the community. Try to attend the next screening which will take place at 7pm on 15th May at Victoria Institute in Caton
Are you concerned about climate change, and caring for Creation?
If so, contact joycelynch1946@gmail.com to find out if our active Eco Group is something you’d like to be part of – it meets every six weeks at a member’s home.
Would you welcome a lift to church? Why not join the FunBus?
Do you or does someone you know need a lift to church? If you’re finding it difficult to get to church services (perhaps especially in the winter months), we’re organising a “bus” to bring people to church. Please contact Rev’d Kaarina if you’re interested.
Stewards for Baptisms
We are in need of volunteers to steward at upcoming baptisms. There is a sign up sheet with dates at the back of church. If you are able to volunteer please sign up. Thank you.
Favourite Hymns for Hymns and Pimms – Sunday 21st June
In preparation for our Pimms and Hymns on Sunday 21st June please vote for yourfavourite hymns! – there is a voting sheet at the back of church, the top votes will be sung at the service. There will be cream tea at 3pm and singing at 4pm. All are welcome!
Peace Concert – Saturday 16th May 7pm
There is a Musical Meditation on Peace on Saturday 16th May at 7pm in Church. This is to raise money for a solar powered well in Central Gaza. It is pay as you feel (suggested donation £10)
Organ Recital – Tuesday 19th May 12 Noon
Our Organist Graham Toft will be playing organ music by Mendelssohn BACH and Brahms on the Harrison and Harrison Organ on Tuesday 19th May at 12 noon. All are welcome!
Thank you
Thank you to all who donated items, services and time to Our Auction of Promises Evening on Friday, and thank you to all that came and supported us. A wonderful night was had by all
In Other News…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
The Olive Branch badly needs all kinds of long-life food and drink – please bring a tin or packet to church with you to leave in the collection crates. . You can also give money for them to buy what people need: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
Chimney Tops and Spire Appeal
Urgent repairs are needed to our church chimney and spires to make the building watertight and safe – 170 year old mortar has washed out, causing damage inside the building. We need to raise £10,000 ourselves before we are eligible for grant funding. Please would you help? Pick up a flyer with details of how to donate, and if you have ideas for fundraising events please have a word with Rev’d Carol or the fundraising team. We’re getting closer to the target – can you help us get over the line? Thank you in advance.
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 Lorna at hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07808 765364 for more info.
Gardening Group
Our friendly gardening group meets on the first Friday of each month (5th June) between 12noon and 2pm to keep our church garden looking lovely. New members welcome, for all or part of the time – contact lippittjane@gmail.com. Please bring gloves & secateurs if you have them.
Book Group
The church book group normally meets on the first Friday of each month at 4 pm in the church hall (5th June). 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
Sponsored Hymn
If you’d like a particular hymn singing on a Sunday morning, perhaps in memory of a loved one, please fill in a blue sponsored hymn form from the back noticeboard, and return it to Rev’d Carol. Sponsoring a hymn raises funds for Christ Church – it is up to you how much you donate!
Thought for the week
When we forgive, we choose the goodness of others over their faults, we experience God’s goodness flowing through ourselves, and we also experience our own goodness in a way that surprises us. Richard Rohr
Supporting Christ 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.
Fundraising – ideas, opportunities, and support needed!
We’re blessed to have received some generous grant funding for the work we need to do on the building, but we still need all the help we can get to raise the match funding we still need from our own resources. You’re welcome to send more ideas to buckleys@live.co.uk. if you’re able to send a financial contribution by using the QR code below, thank you. We’re getting closer to the target, so anything you can give would be much appreciated.
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.
PCC
Our next PCC meeting will be held on the 3rd June. Please do talk to our PCC reps about any aspect of life at Christ Church. And pray for the PCC in its work this year.
You might want to use the following prayer:
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
Volunteers needed – Church work party – 23rd May 9.30-12noon
On Saturday 23rd May 9.30-12noon, help is needed for a church working party to tackle some cleaning and basic maintenance and DIY jobs around the church. Children welcome to help, alongside a responsible adult! Brunch provided – everyone welcome, you don’t have to stay the full time!
Key contacts:
Vicar: … Rev’d Carol Backhouse revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 07857 449724
Curate: … Rev’d Kaarina Leong curate@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07749 489623
Children’s Ministry Leader… Innes Heron-Stamp children@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07853791776
Church Warden: Greg Skelland churchwarden@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07944 683847
Director of Music: Graham Toft grahamtoft1@aol.com
Parish Administrator: Ms Kim Robinson 07483936011 kimberly.robinson@blackburn.anglican.org
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 07808 765364
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
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for refreshments after the service.
Tuesday Evening Prayer
At 5pm most Tuesdays, the clergy say Evening Prayer over Zoom. If you’d like to join to give thanks for the day past, readings from the Scriptures and prayer, the details are:
Receiving the notices by email
If you would like to receive these notices by email, please contact Kim Robinson on the above address.