A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 21st June 2026 Third Sunday after Trinity
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 – 21st June
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
3pm Pimms and Hymns
No Evening Prayer
Tuesday
5pm Evening prayer via zoom
Wednesday
5.30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion
Sunday – 28th June
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
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
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
Jeremiah 20. 7-13
O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughing-stock all day long; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, ‘Violence and destruction!’ For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name’, then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. For I hear many whispering:‘Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. ‘Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.’ But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail.They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Psalm 69. 8-11, 18-20
Refrain- Hide not your face from your servant , O Lord.
8. For your sake have I suffered reproach; shame has covered my face.
9. I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother’s children.
10. Zeal for your house has eaten me up; the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
Refrain- Hide not your face from your servant , O Lord.
18. Answer me, Lord, for your loving kindness is good; turn to me in the multitude of your mercies.
19. Hide not your face from your servant; be swift to answer me, for I am in trouble.
Refrain- Hide not your face from your servant , O Lord.
20. Draw near to my soul and redeem me; deliver me because of my enemies.
Refrain- Hide not your face from your servant , O Lord.
Romans 6. 1-11
What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew 10. 24-39
Glory to you, O Lord.
‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
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, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Christine McCrann, John Lyth, Freda Jackson, Julie Withers, Martin Johnson, Ruby Rodrigues, Lou Rawlinson, Peter Milburn, Helen Stewart
– may God’s healing, wholeness and peace be with them.
For those who have died recently, including:
Julie Withers, Henry Shields, Richard Jones, Barbara Ellison
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 in Dundee Street, Wyresdale Court. For our uniformed organisations.
May God’s loving kindness be found and shared.
We pray for people attending and helping with the following events:
Pimms and Hymns, Bug Hunt and Pet Blessing.
Bless our community and those who share in worship and service here.
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.
National Month of Prayer for Toddler Groups
It’s National Month of Prayer for Toddler Groups this month. Please pray for Little Seedings, it’s leaders and all the families it comes into contact with. The theme is Jesus The Good Shepherd. John 10. 14-16
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Community at Christ Church:
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Next Sunday is the Christ Church Annual Bug Hunt. Join members of the Eco Church and North Lancashire Wildlife Group between 2-3 pm and see what wildlife you can find in the church garden, learn from experts and have fun.
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.
Hymns and Pimms – Sunday 21st June 3pm
Join us this Sunday 21st June for Pimms and Hymns. There will be cream tea at 3pm and singing at 4pm. All are welcome!
Open Deanery Synod Meeting Tuesday 23rd June – St James’ Heysham 7.15pm
A warm invitation to join an open Deanery Synod meeting at St James’ Heysham at 7.15pm. A chance to hear what other churches in the area are doing and to pray for one another. Our Guest speaker will be Linda Currin, from the Olive Branch. You’re invited to bring a plate of food to share for a Jacob’s Join Supper.
Bible Study Group – commencing 24th June
Are you curious to go a bit deeper into the bible? Rev’d Kaarina will be holding a drop in bible study group every Wednesday Evening after Evening Prayer where we read and discuss the Gospel of Luke. No prior knowledge required, come along and find out a bit more! Wednesdays 6.45 – 7.30pm in the Storey Chapel/Church Hall (dependant on weather!) Starting 24th June.
Lunch after the service followed by Bug Hunt – Sunday 28th June
Please join us for lunch after the service on Sunday 28th June. All are welcome, Please bring a friend! Bug Hunt with friends from North Lancs Wildlife Group starts at 2pm – with additional activities for children and families.
Lancaster Churches Together Prayer Walk – Thursday 9th July
Lancaster Churches Together July meeting will be a Prayer Walk around the city, praying for city institutions and organisations and we invite everyone to join us. Meet at 6.30 pm at Ripley School Gates, Ashton Road, Lancaster, LA1 4RS. The walk will end at approximately 8 pm at Lancaster Baptist Church for a short service and refreshments.
Organ recital – Tuesday 21st July 12 noon
Our organist Graham Toft will be hosting an organ recital on Tuesday 21st July at 12 noon in Church. Come and enjoy organ music by Widor, Lefebvre Wely and Franck. Free admission and refreshments in the Church Hall. All are welcome!
Save the date – Pet Blessing 26th July 4pm
We will be having our Pet Blessing Service on the 26th July at 4pm. All creatures great and small welcome! Please bring your pet on a lead or in a cage, or just a bring a photo! Just let us know if you are bringing anything larger than a Great Dane! Donations of tinned dog food/treats and old towels and blankets for Wolfwood will be very welcome.
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 (3rd July) 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 (3rd July). 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
Save the date – 27th June
Listening Skills training with Simon Stewart, Chaplain at Lancaster Cornerstone. 10.30 to 12.30 – donations welcome. Whether in church or at work – Simon will encourage us to listen well, and share some techniques for supporting people through pastoral crises. Sign up sheet at the back of church or sign up here – Donations welcome.
Inspired by Icons Workshop – Saturday 18th July
Join us for a fun afternoon at Christ Church led by professional artist Julia M Swarbrick, and learn about the rich history of icon painting and create your own design to take home. Places are £35 includes all design materials and light refreshments. This is a fundraising event to help repair the church roof and spires. Please book your place by 30th June.Contact Rev Kaarina curate@christchurchlancaster.org.uk or contact Clare Mumford on 07419211461 to book your place.
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 21st July. 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
Coffee with the Curate
Coffee with the Curate resumes on Monday 22nd June and weekly on Mondays 10-12 at The Gregson Cafe. Meet new folk and have a chat over a brew. All are Welcome!
Admission to Communion – Classes continue this week!
Preparation classes for Admission to Communion conclude this Sunday 21st June, in Church at 9.15am. There will be a special service on Sunday 28th June. Please speak to Rev’d Carol or Innes if you have any questions.
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
Organist: 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:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81366929814?pwd=jTDuW7HO8lR7I0nQ9Jrm2BrMxjJqVS.1.
Receiving the notices by email
If you would like to receive these notices by email, please contact Kim Robinson on the above address.