(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
on Sunday 1st May 2022 Third Sunday of Easter
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 1st May
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Parish Eucharist* followed by APCM
3 pm Baptism
6 pm Taizé Eucharist (Lady Chapel)
Wednesday
5:30 pm Silent Meditation
6 pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday – 8th May
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Parish Eucharist* with Admission of Wardens
12:30 pm Baptism
6 pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
*Our YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q
Prayer for the Week:
Almighty Father, whom truly to know is eternal life: teach us to know your Son Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life; that we may follow the steps
of your holy apostles Philip and James,
and walk steadfastly in the way that leads to your glory;
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
A Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
the Prince of Peace. Amen.
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:
Acts 9.1-6
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 30
Refrain: You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.
I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have raised me up and have not let my foes triumph over me.
O Lord my God, I cried out to you
and you have healed me.
You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; you restored me to life from among those that go down to the Pit.
Sing to the Lord, you servants of his;
give thanks to his holy name.
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.
In my prosperity I said,
‘I shall never be moved.
You, Lord, of your goodness,
have made my hill so strong.’
Then you hid your face from me
and I was utterly dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried; to the Lord I made my supplication:
‘What profit is there in my blood,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
‘Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; O Lord, be my helper.’
You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness;
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.
Revelation 5.11-14
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!’ And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshipped.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (21: 1-19) Glory to you, O Lord.
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Lord God our Father, through our Saviour Jesus Christ
you have assured your children of eternal life
and in baptism have made us one with him:
deliver us from the death of sin and raise us to new life in your love,
in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.. Amen.
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Ivy Buckley, Stephen Gardner, Ann Gilbride, Thomas Platt, Janet Ball, Dorothy Eidsforth, Sitar Rose, Jacqueline Stamper, Istok Bratić, Yan Connell, Barbara Cocker, Caroline Lillicrap
Those who have died recently: Heather McFadden, Elizabeth Taylor, Ken Richardson, Joseph Wolfe, Olive Niccolls
Those being baptised: Indie Grace Humpage, Leo Diamond and Nadine Tomkinson
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Factory Hill, Troutbeck Road, Wolseley Street
For the work of the police and criminal justice system.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 10th May 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
Thought for the week
Alone we can do so little; together, we can do so much. Helen Keller
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Zero-waste is not about one individual trying to do it perfectly, it’s about a hundred doing it imperfectly. So have a go, and see what you can achieve.
Recycling at Christ Church
The next collection of crisp packets, used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and blister packets of tablets will be on Sunday 1st May, and the first Sunday of every month.
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…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in particular need of tins – including meat, fish, vegetables and pies, as well as donations of rice (not pasta or baked beans). All other items, including toiletries, are also gratefully received! Or you can give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
The Olive Branch are recruiting!
The Olive Branch hope to move to new premises later this year. Would you like to join the team and support people who live on the margins? Assistant project manager needed, 20 hours per week, across 3 days with some flexibility. Closing date 9am on Monday 16th May, more details at https://the-olivebranch.org.uk/latest-news/assistant-manager-vacancy or phone 01524 555715
Riding Lights Theatre Company – My Place
Renowned Christian theatre company Riding Lights are coming to Lancaster to perform their play, My Place, in conjunction with the charity Home for Good, who will be sharing about their work with children and young people.The play is suitable for adults and high school aged young people, tickets are available to purchase via www.ridinglights.org.uk.Thursday 19th May at 7.30pm in St Thomas’ Church
Brownie Litter Pick
Can you help our Brownies with their community litter pick?
Wednesday 4th May at the Fruity Corners end of Scotch Quarry, meeting at approx. 5.40pm. Please bring stout shoes, and suitable gloves. Holly (Brown Owl) will meet you there.
From the Miss Whalley’s Field Volunteers:
A reminder about FMWF planned Working Party on Sunday 8th May 1 – 3 pm. We intend to maintain the saplings by removing the canes and sleeves and clearing the area around them, plus other Spring maintenance tasks.
Please meet at the Memorial stone on Derwent Rd. Wear suitable clothing and footwear, and bring gardening gloves and any useful tools. e.g trowels, secateurs, shears, rakes. Children welcome under the supervision of adults.
Susan’s Easter Weekend Sponsored Walk – still time to sponsor!
Susan successfully completed her walk to Galgate and back on each of the four days of the Easter weekend, in aid of Christ Church funds. Well done, Susan, and many thanks for taking on the challenge! People can still contribute sponsorship, whether or not you’d already signed up to do so, either online or in church. Please let us know if you’re a UK taxpayer and would like to increase your donation by allowing us to claim Gift Aid on your donation.
Nature calls!
There is no more money in the bird food kitty. Our feathered friends find themselves with an account in the red, due largely to the recent spending on improvements to their facilities and the annual enthusiasm for baby making with associated peanut parties. If anyone would like to make a donation I am sure that the birds will be very appreciative. We may even be treated to a fly past! Julian.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. What bit of fish doesn’t make sense?
A. The piece of cod that passeth all understanding.
Community at Christ Church:
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
PCC Meeting
The next Church Council meeting will be on 25th May – if there are ideas, suggestions or issues you’d like discussing, please let Rev’d Carol/Julie Buckley know.
Christ Church Crafting
… will meet next on Tuesday 10th May at 11:30am in the Hall – all welcome! Bring your own craft project, or make a pennant for the community bunting. Future meetings will be on the second Tuesday of the month at the same time. Contact Marion Cowan for further details.
Gardening Session – 27th May
The next church gardening session will be on 27th May 2-3 pm. All welcome!
Save the Date 1!
On Tuesday 3rd May a new course begins – called ‘Everybody Welcome’. As we restart as a community, the course will help us think about how we warmly welcome visitors and new arrivals into church. It’s for everyone to come along and share your thoughts and ideas – 7pm at the Vicarage (1 East Road), for 5 weeks.
Save the Date 2!
Friday 6th May – Ladies’ Night at the Vicarage, 6.30 for 7pm. Come for supper and a social – we’ll be joined by Jenny Guilder (who’s a trainee priest starting on placement with us soon) – and she will share something of her own story with us. Please invite a friend too – and let Rev’d Carol know any dietary needs.
Notice of APCM 12 noon today – Join by Zoom if you’re unable to attend in person*
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will happen at 12noon on Sunday 1st May, at which our Churchwardens and PCC will be elected for the next year. Please prayerfully consider who you’d like to nominate, and whether you may be being called to serve in these roles.
We’re looking for people to help on the team in the following ways:
- 2 Churchwardens (who assist the Vicar in the practical and pastoral care of the church community as well as the buildings and fabric)
- 1 Deanery Synod representative to network with other churches in our areas
- 6 PCC Members who serve as trustees, looking after governance, buildings, safeguarding and money matters.
- Treasurer (with the option of working alongside Andrew, our current treasurer in the first year to learn the ropes of church book-keeping)
Nomination forms are available at the back of church – please return to Rev’d Carol
*Zoom link for those who wish to join the APCM from home:
Christ Church APCM Time: May 1, 2022 11:30 AM London
Meeting ID: 806 945 9310 Passcode: 942105
Save the Dates: Please pick up a flyer!
6th May – 7pm Ladies’ Night at the Vicarage
21st May Pilgrimage to the Shepherd’s Church, Abbeystead, for a picnic lunch
29th May – 4pm Choral Evensong and Cream Tea to begin the Jubilee Weekend
24th July – 3pm Pet Blessing Service
31st July – 3pm Pimms and Hymns Service celebrating our favourite hymns
14th August 10.30am Feast of the Assumption, followed by Barbecue in the Church grounds.
9-18th September Heritage Open Days
24th September – 2-4pm Community Apple Festival
8th October Parish Bounds Walk
2nd October Harvest Festival
1-4th December Christmas Tree Festival
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
Sponsored Sundays
If you would like to Sponsor a Sunday hymn (perhaps in memory of a loved one), please fill in one of the blue forms from the noticeboard at the back of church, and give it to Rev’d Carol with at least a month’s notice before the Sunday you’d like to sponsor. You can nominate a hymn if you wish. Please place your donation in an envelope labelled ‘Sponsored Sundays’, and place it in the offertory box. It is up to you how much you wish to give!
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: …Ms Jane Lippitt safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07930 979503
Children, Youth & Families Coordinator: …Mrs Julie Tinnion children@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07749 489623
Parish Secretary: …Mrs Julie Buckley buckleys@live.co.uk 01524 37229
Hall Bookings: …hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855
Nightshelter Co-ordinator: …Ms Jan Norbury coordinator.nightshelter@gmail.com 07547 717 060
Christ Church School …Ms Emma Simpson 01524 60955
COVID-19 – Update from Rev’d Carol
I ask that people still consider wearing a face covering indoors (especially for sung services) and remain at a sociable distance apart until local case rates drop further.
I also ask that people don’t return to the practice of intincting their wafer – if you prefer not to receive the common cup, it is fine to receive the bread only. I continue to encourage people to use hand gel on arrival and before receiving communion.
As a church, we seek to be a safe place for all, especially those who feel vulnerable for any reason. We’re called to be one body united by diverse opinions and experiences, and so we respect that some will feel comfortable with more and others with fewer personal precautions in place.
We continue to pray for healing for the effects of covid on individuals, communities and our world, and lift up those who are grieving, exhausted or lonely at this time.