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The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster

A vibrant inclusive worshipping community

Sunday 27^th June 2021

Fourth Sunday after Trinity

Collect

O God, the protector of all who trust in you,

without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:

increase and multiply upon us your mercy;

that with you as our ruler and guide

we may so pass through things temporal

that we lose not our hold on things eternal;

grant this, heavenly Father,

for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Readings 

Wisdom of Solomon 1.13-15; 2.23,24

Because God did not make death,

and he does not delight in the death of the living. 

For he created all things so that they might exist;

the generative forces of the world are wholesome,

and there is no destructive poison in them,

and the dominion of Hades is not on earth. 

For righteousness is immortal. 

For God created us for incorruption,

and made us in the image of his own eternity, 

but through the devil’s envy death entered the world,

and those who belong to his company experience it.

This is the word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Psalm 30

Refrain:    You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.

¹    I will exalt you, O Lord,

because you have raised me up  

and have not let my foes triumph over me.

²    O Lord my God, I cried out to you  

and you have healed me.

³    You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead;  

you restored me to life from among those that go down to the Pit.

⁴    Sing to the Lord, you servants of his;  

give thanks to his holy name.

⁵    For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, his favour for a lifetime.  

Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.

⁶    In my prosperity I said, ‘I shall never be moved.  

You, Lord, of your goodness, have made my hill so strong.’

⁷    Then you hid your face from me  

and I was utterly dismayed.

⁸    To you, O Lord, I cried;  

to the Lord I made my supplication:

⁹    ‘What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit?  

Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

¹⁰  ‘Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me;  

O Lord, be my helper.’

You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.

¹¹  You have turned my mourning into dancing;  

you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness;

¹²  Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing;  

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.

2 Corinthians 8.7-15

Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written,

‘The one who had much did not have too much,

   and the one who had little did not have too little.’

This is the word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Alleluia, alleluia.  Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark (5.21-43)    Glory to you, O Lord.

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’ So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum’, which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ

Post Communion: 

Eternal God,

comfort of the afflicted and healer of the broken,

you have fed us at the table of life and hope:

teach us the ways of gentleness and peace,

that all the world may acknowledge

the kingdom of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayers                         

Please remember in your prayers:

Those who are sick:  Olive Niccolls, Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Pat Brooks, Ivy Buckley, Stephen Gardner, Ann Gilbride, Thea Harris-Ellis, Thomas Platt, Janet Ball, Stephen Taylor, Dorothy Eidsforth, Jenny Lawrence, Allan Twiname.

RIP:  Kallum Watkinson, Jane Howson

Parish Cycle of Prayer:  

Those who live and work in Elgin Street, Dunkeld Street and Perth Street;  and the work of The Gregson Community Centre.

Also: Jasmin Owen and Jack Richards, as they prepare for their wedding in Christ Church on Friday 2^nd July.

Some suggested hymns you may like to follow at home:

• Immortal love, forever full https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMLvVYFxCT0
• Take my life and let it be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sss-g50Dw1Q
• Christ’s is the world in which we move https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTIwZ3XNyEY

Prayer and Worship this week: 

Sunday 27^th June Fourth Sunday after Trinity

8.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)

10.30am Parish Eucharist with Children’s Church (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)

6pm Eucharist – SS Peter and Paul  (Lady Chapel)

Wednesday  5:30 pm Meditation, followed by

6 pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)

Friday 9:30 am Holy Communion  St Thomas  (Lady Chapel)

3 pm Wedding of Jasmin Owen and Jack Richards

Saturday  9pm: Compline (YouTube*)

Sunday 4^th July  Fifth Sunday after Trinity

8.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)

10.30am Parish Eucharist with Children’s Church (in church, then uploaded to YouTube*)

6pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)

*The Christ Church YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q

If you would like to book in for the Sunday Eucharists, please use these Eventbrite links:

Sundays: 8:30 am https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/144628127623

Sundays: 10:30 am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/112092136598

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Zoom Prayer

Tuesday 29th June 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://zoom.us/j/8069459310?pwd=TlV6QUQ5UVdiK0p1M0Q0cE0vRXIvUT09  Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Password: ChristChch

Dial in: 0208 080 6591  Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Password: 310771 (any queries see Rev Carol)

Living in Love and Faith – a process of discernment

We are continuing to join in the national time of discernment, Living in Love and Faith. This encourages us to listen to a rich breadth of stories and experiences of relationships and faith, and to reflect on what Scripture and the Holy Spirit are saying to us about what that means for the future. Across the Church of England groups are sharing in these five sessions, as part of a national discernment of how the church will teach about relationships in future, and what prayer and blessing for couples will look like in years to come. All are welcome to join these sessions – we want your voice to feed into this exercise on these issues, which we pray will affect how the Church moves forward together in love and faith. 

Online: each Monday until 12^th July at 7pm  

https://zoom.us/j/98449131608?pwd=Y0RNQ3VUckh1aGJYQmt1dEpLbW13dz09

Meeting ID: 984 4913 1608, Passcode: 342669

In person: (restrictions permitting) after the 10:30 Eucharist Service from 5^th September in the Hall.

Save the date – Pet Blessing Service 11^th July! 

On Sunday 11^th July at 3pm, there will be a Pet Blessing Service: a time to give thanks, remember and bless our pets. All welcome – please bring your pet on a lead/in a suitable container (or a photo instead) – and please let Rev Carol know if you’re bringing anything larger than a Great Dane! 

Meeting up

I’m able to meet more people in the parish again, and to get to know folks. If you’d like to go for a walk, or arrange a garden visit – it would be lovely to meet and chat, please let me know when’s convenient! Rev’d Carol.

Children’s Church

Thank you to Julie Tinnion for restarting Children’s Church.  We need a minimum of two adults in the Hall each week. If you can help (whether every week, every month – every little helps!), please have a chat with Rev Carol or Julie Tinnion. 

Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!

Q. Why did the nurse tiptoe past the cupboard?

A. So as not to wake the sleeping pills!

Children’s Corner

Read today’s Gospel story (above)

Talk about the different people who help others that are hurt or unwell. Why are their roles important? 

What experiences do you have of people being healed? Had you prayed for these people beforehand?  Either go for a walk or look at a map of your town or local area. Look for places where people are likely to be in need of healing, such as hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, hospices, residential homes, etc. 

Pray this prayer asking God to bring healing to those places: 

Heavenly Father, you have the power to heal the sick. We pray for healing for all those that need it in our community. Amen 

Changes to Marriage Registration

You may be aware that there are national changes to the way marriages are registered. Firstly, that mothers’ names (and also the names of step- or adoptive parents) can be listed on the marriage certificate – and also more witnesses can sign. 

Secondly, that we no longer hold the green register books or issue replacement certificates if these are lost. This is because there’s now a national, electronic register. If you need a replacement marriage certificate, this will be issued by the Lancashire County Registry Services.  Please speak to Rev Carol for advice.

Summer Garden Party

… is postponed until 21^st August (2:30-4:30 pm).  Original tickets are still valid, but if you would like a refund, that’s no problem.

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PLEAS OF THE WEEK   

Gardening Group 2^nd July

… will be meeting on Friday 2^nd July between 10 am and 12 noon to work on the church grounds.  All welcome – bring your own gardening gloves, etc!

Lancaster Health Festival 2021, 26^th-30^th July 

From Rev’d Ian Dewar, the RLI Chaplain: 

Medical Unit 2 (3 wards) is looking to host a week of live music, art competitions and carers information stalls as part of the Lancaster Health Festival 2021.  This week of live music will start on Monday 26th July and finish on Friday 30th July. Do you play an instrument?  Could you give up 30 – 45 minutes in that week? Do you know someone who might be interested?  If so, we would love to hear from you.

Phone 01524 519231 Email: lancasterhealthfest@mbht.nhs.uk

SLCT Prayer Walk. Friday 9^th July

South Lancaster Churches Together are hoping to hold a prayer walk this year, having missed out last year.  It is still not clear what the Covid regulations will be, so plans may have to be slightly altered, even at short notice.  However, this is a brief plan so far!

We will meet at Trinity URC, Bowerham, either in the garden or inside church for 6.45pm on Friday 9th July.  The walk may have to be socially distanced and please bring a face mask if they are still required for inside buildings. The walk will not be strenuous or too long, will be on footpaths, and will not include hills – just gentle slopes.     We will stop several times for prayers and there will be opportunities to sit down.

We aim to return to Trinity URC about 8.45pm.  The regulations at the time of writing do not allow a church to serve refreshments, so please bring your own drink and biscuit.

Christine Medd         Tel: 01524 64730     

Email: arton.medd@btinternet.com

West End Impact …

.. are seeking someone for approx. 10 hrs/week, either as a volunteer position, or at an hourly rate negotiable subject to funding, to provide administrative support to West End Impact staff and trustees, facilitate communication, assist with monitoring & evaluation of grants, accounting and fundraising support and volunteer data management. Please email Michael Kohl to arrange an informal chat.  info@westendimpact.org.uk 

Fundraising Group

If you’d like to help plan some fun social events and fundraisers for the church in coming months (or would like to help on the day) – please contact Julie Buckley.

Looking ahead – Christmas Tree Festival!

On 3^rd December, we’ll be holding the first ever three-day Christ Church Christmas Tree Festival! The church will be filled with trees, which will be decorated by local groups to represent and celebrate our community. There’ll be music, refreshments – and we look forward to welcoming lots of people over the weekend.  If you can help – with planning, publicity, community links, or nearer the time – please let Julie Buckley know.

Squares for Syria

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing knitted squares to be sent to Syria – we have made up several blankets – and also to those who have supplied the crocheted squares which have been made into lovely baby blankets.  Margaret Lyth has been given a large quantity of wool to be used for knitting/crocheting more squares, so if you’re able to make more squares – or would like to start helping – please contact her on 60387. 

Supporting Christ Church 

If you would like to regularly support Christ Church’s work and worship, or already do – please consider giving by Direct Debit. 

Christ Church is taking part in the Parish Giving Scheme, which allows us to offer direct debit as an option. This national Scheme takes a lot of hassle out of claiming gift aid, and also ensures that any donation is covered by guarantees. It also allows you to easily review how much you give depending on circumstances. There are no costs or overheads to the parish. 

If you already give by standing order, please consider cancelling this and setting up a direct debit instead. Please note: all payments are taken on the 1^st of the month, but may be set up for monthly, quarterly or annually donations.

The QR code takes you to our page on the scheme

Online at www.parishgiving.org.uk

By telephone 0333 002 1271 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm

By post – a form will shortly be available

For any of these methods our PGS code 030603240 ensures that your gift goes to our church.

The Olive Branch Foodbank

Donations of tinned pies, curry, meatballs and hotpot especially needed. Thank you for all the donations in recent weeks  –  they gave out 300 parcels last month alone!   Or you can give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/

Vaccinaid – Give the world a shot!

Our church leaders are encouraging us to play our part in helping UNICEF deliver 2 billion vaccines around the world by the end of this year, to bring this world-wide epidemic to an end.  Keeping one another safe from COVID is part of living out Christ’s call to love our neighbour.  By contributing to crowdfunding this project on  https://www.vaccinaid.org  we can help the whole world get the protection many of us already have through our easy access to healthcare. 

The Christ Church Cookbook: contributions invited

The Eco Church Group has been promoting reducing our carbon footprint by eating less meat.  Reducing meat consumption, especially meat from intensive farming, has benefits for both the climate and animal welfare.  We’re producing a cookbook of our favourite vegetarian and vegan dishes that could tempt even carnivores. Contributions of your favourite tried and tested veggie and vegan recipes are invited (metric measurements). Sales will raise money for Christ Church funds.  The size of the booklet means finding a balance of starters, mains and puddings, vegan/non-vegan recipes, but all contributions are welcome, even if they can’t all be included. Please send to: reader@christchurchlancaster.org.uk.

Next Recycling Sunday: 4th July

Please bring clean, empty plastic bottle tops, crisp packets, blister packs, toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes/toothbrush heads so that they can be taken for recycling. . If you’re not around that day, please bring them to the next collection on Sunday 1st August. 

Church Repair Fund

We recently launched our Church Repair Fund to help 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. If you’re able to give of your time and talents to plan or help with some fundraising events – please keep an eye on the notices for more details!

Cross Bay Walk

Thank you to everyone who sponsored Rev Carol and Lizzy for their sponsored walk across Morecambe Bay Sands on 5^th June!  They have raised around £500 for the Church Repair Fund so far.

Prayers & our Newsletter

If you, or someone you know would like to receive this newsletter, either electronically or a paper version – do let Jacqueline/Rev Carol know and we will endeavour to keep in contact with people.

We will be praying daily for all who are suffering in the current crisis. 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. 

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Thought for the week

When rich people fight wars with one another, poor people are the ones to die.              Jean Paul Sartre

Eco-Group Action for the Week:  

Take a bag with you when out for a walk and see how much plastic you can collect and recycle – Covid-safely of course!

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Key contacts:

Vicar: Revd Carol Backhouse 942105 revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com

1 East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EE

Lay Reader:  Dr Pat Allen 39552.

Churchwarden: Dr Paul Thompson 34949

Churchwarden: Mrs Jacqueline Stamper 64083 churchwarden@christchurchlancaster.org.uk

Parish Safeguarding Officer:  Ms Jane Lippitt 07930 979503 safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk

Nightshelter Co-ordinator: Ms Jan Norbury 07547 717 060   coordinator.nightshelter@gmail.com

Hall Bookings: hallchristchurch@btinternet.com 07890 351855

Christ Church School  Ms Emma Simpson 60955

The national prayer for this outbreak:

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy.  Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen