Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 31st March 2024 Easter Day
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 – 31st March 2024
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Festal Eucharist
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Wednesday
5:30pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion
Next Sunday: 7th April First Sunday of Easter
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Prayer for this week
Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen
Children and Young People
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: 21st April
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
Acts 10.34-43
Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 118.1-2,14-24
Refrain: I will give thanks to you, for you have become my salvation.
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim,
‘His mercy endures for ever.’
Refrain:
14 The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.
15 Joyful shouts of salvation
sound from the tents of the righteous:
16 ‘The right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds; the right hand of the Lord raises up; the right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds.’
17 I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me sorely, but he has not given me over to death.
Refrain:
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Refrain:
1 Corinthians 15.1-11
Now I should remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to someone untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 16.1-8
Glory to you, O Lord
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
God of Life, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection have delivered us from the power of our enemy: grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his risen life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Stephen Gardner, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susanna Michaelis, Juliann Dougherty, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ella Patterson, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood – that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
For those preparing for marriage:
Sue Taylor and Andrew Neal – that God will bless them in their new life together.
Those who have died recently: Winifred Tyson – 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 Grizedale Road, Coniston Road, Scafell Road.
For the students and staff at the universities of Lancaster and Cumbria.
For the Bishop-Designate of Burnley, the Rev’d Dr Joseph Kennedy.
For our community fair, that help would be forthcoming.
– that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 16th April 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
Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime. The Rev’d Dr Martin Luther King
Holy Week
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the music, prayer, worship and children’s work during Holy Week – all the hard work and effort is greatly appreciated!
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 on Sunday, 21st April, at 4pm. If you can help, or would like to come along, please pick up a flyer, and ask Rev’d Carol if you are curious.
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…
Notice of APCM The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will happen at 12noon on Sunday 21st April, at which our Churchwardens and Parish Church Council will be elected for the next year. Please prayerfully consider who you’d like to nominate to represent your congregation – and whether you have skills and experience you can offer.
The Electoral Roll
Would you say that Christ Church is your church? If so, please consider adding your name to the Electoral Roll (a list of people who are part of Christ Church and who worship here regularly). This entitles you to vote in church elections, and also helps us know how many people feel at home here. Please pick up form at the back of church, or see Jane Lippitt for more info. (You don’t need to complete a form if you signed up last year.)
Mingle on Mondays this winter
Thank you to everyone who has supported the work this winter, our guests have really appreciated it. We’re now taking a break.
Community Fair
Our community life at Christ Church wouldn’t be possible without the gifts, skills and time of so many people. We have a display of help needed at the back of church along with booklets of what’s up for grabs – so please take a look and consider how you might support your church!
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
As we celebrate the good news and hope of Easter pray that Christians everywhere will see and understand that Jesus’s death and resurrection is for the whole of creation.
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
As a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers, Christ Church have become a Fairtrade Church. This means that we commit to using and serving only Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar – more info here: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
Wedding Invitation
Sue and Andrew are getting married at Christ Church at 2pm on Saturday 27th April! They’ve invited everyone at Christ Church to come and share their special day, plus the refreshments in the Hall afterwards. If you’re driving, please consider parking in the Grammar School/Wyresdale Road car-park (opposite Wyresdale Gardens). Please keep Sue and Andrew in your prayers as they prepare for their wedding day.
Anny Lee – Memorial Service
Anny (and her husband John) were part of Christ Church for several years. Their daughter has shared an invitation to Anny’s Memorial Service at Cockerham on the 30th May – more details from Rev’d Brenda Harding.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Easter celebrations are a great way to get people out of their shells.
Godly Play! 4pm on the third Sunday of each month
Godly Play is a way of sharing Scripture stories, and helping children wonder about their 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 Sunday, 21st April, at 4 pm. If you can help, or would like to come along, please pick up a flyer, and ask Rev’d Carol if you’re curious.
Pilgrim – a new course for the Christian journey
On Tuesdays 7.15pm in the Vicarage, everyone welcome as we continue Pilgrim – A Course for the Christian Journey. Whether you’re new to church, or wanting to go deeper, this new 6-week course, starting 16th April, will help us think about what it means to turn to Christ. Please ask Rev’d Carol if you’d like more info – why not invite a friend?
PCC
…. …. next meets on the 10th April. Please let Rev’d Carol/Julie Buckley know if there are ideas/suggestions you’d like the church council to discuss. 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:
Community Fair
*You* make our community possible – please might you be able to help Christ Church by sharing your time and skills? All sorts of roles and jobs are up for grabs. Please take a moment before/after the service today to look at the display in 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 April. 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 Tuesday 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 the 10th April.
Gardening
If you can spare some time to help weed and tidy the church garden, our gardening group meet on the first Friday of the month, between 12 and 2pm, starting on the 5th April. Please bring gloves and secateurs if you have them – and contact Liz Mills if you’d like to know more.
Easter Gifts
Please could you contribute to the costs of the consumables (e.g. candles, wine, etc. ) we use each week in church? There’s a list at the back of church for your gifts.. Thank you.
Porch Repairs – Thank you
*Thank you* to everyone who has supported the £4.5k work to repair our church porch. The re-mortaring work was done before Christmas – and we’ve now had confirmation that the repairs have been inspected to a good standard. Adding lime mortar to the stonework will ensure that the porch remains watertight, and doesn’t shed its outer layers of salt. There are other ongoing projects, so please consider making a donation to the Church Repair Fund if you can.
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
Christ Church Time Capsule
We’ve been invited by the Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field to bury a time capsule in the field. Do you have photos of Christ Church, or other small items which could be included as a reflection of our community in 2024? Please speak to Rev’d Carol.
Farewell to our Brownies
Sadly, the Christ Church Brownie pack has had to close last week owing to a lack of volunteers. Holly Bretnall, the Brown Owl, continues to run a pack in Bowerham and our girls will transfer there. With thanks to Holly for all her hard work in sustaining the group for so long.
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: … currently vacant safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
01254 503088
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