(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
on Sunday 9th October 2022 Homelessness Sunday
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:
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Parish Eucharist (Homelessness Sunday – we welcome Phil Moore from LDHAS and Jenny Guilder from The Ark)
6pm Evening Prayer
Wednesday
5:30 pm Meditation and Evening Prayer
Friday
9:30 am Eucharist (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday -16th October
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Parish Eucharist (with Children’s Church)
6pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
Children and Youth
Tiddlers
For under 5s and their parents/carers, every Friday at 10.30am in the Hall
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children.
For KS1/2
Monthly Messy Church
Crafts, stories, song and a meal together
4pm on 23rd October in the Hall for KS1/2
Prayer for the Week:
Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; 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.
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:
2 Kings 5.1-3,7-15c
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favour with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, ‘If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’ When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, ‘Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.’
But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.’ So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, ‘I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?’ He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, ‘Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, “Wash, and be clean”?’ So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.
Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, ‘Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel; please accept a present from your servant.’
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 111
Refrain: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
1 Alleluia. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the faithful and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great,
sought out by all who delight in them.
3 His work is full of majesty and honour
and his righteousness endures for ever.
4 He appointed a memorial for his marvellous deeds; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
Refrain: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
5 He gave food to those who feared him;
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He showed his people the power of his works
in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are truth and justice; all his commandments are sure.
Refrain: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever;
they are done in truth and equity.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever;
holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have those who live by it; his praise endures for ever.
Refrain: The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
2 Timothy 2.8-15
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (25.31-46)
Glory to you, O Lord.
‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison, and you did not take visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us,
and make us continually to be given to all good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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, Istok Bratić, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susannna Michaelis, Audrey Davies, John McCafferty, Chrissy, Doreen Hudson
Those who have died recently: Amira Tihić. Maureen Thorpe, David Morris, Michelle Simpson, Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, Gary (Spider) Brennan
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Parker Street, Davidson Street
For those working in the food industry, whether on land or sea.. .
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 1st November 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
Taizé Eucharist
On the first Sunday of every month at 6pm, there is a beautiful service of prayer, music and stillness in the style of the Taizé Community. The next will be next Sunday, 6th November – everyone welcome! If you’d like to join the music group (singing or instrumental), the rehearsal starts at 4.30pm. Do see Julian if you’d be interested.
Thought for the week
The Church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care. The blessing of Jesus always comes to us through the poor. The most remarkable experience of those who work with the poor is that, in the end, the poor give more than they receive. They give food to us. Henri Nouwen
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/
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
It is almost a year since CoP26, when momentous decisions were made. Despite some progress the world remains off track to avert a climate crisis. Do what you can to keep the government’s focus on the climate emergency.
After the Flood: the Church, Slavery and Reconciliation‘ is a 66 minute feature documentary produced by the Movement for Justice and Reconciliation. If we are serious about racial justice being an integral part of our Christian mission, this film can be a step on a learning journey toward carrying out that mission with renewed integrity. The film is being screened on Saturday 15th October at 7 pm in Lancaster Priory. Free, donations welcome.
Recycling at Christ Church
The next collection of crisp packets, used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, plastic bottle tops, and blister packets of tablets, will be on Sunday, 6th November and the first Sunday of every month.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. What musical instrument do you find in the bathroom? A. A tuba toothpaste!
PCC
Our Church Council next meets on the 25th of October – please let your PCC reps know if there are issues and ideas you’d like raising. In September, we made plans for church lighting and work on the North wall, set dates for special services and events, and discussed becoming a Warm Space for the community this winter.
Please keep the PCC in your prayers.
Hosting warm spaces and a warm welcome
If you’d be interested in helping make a warm space at Christ Church this winter, please see Rev’d Carol, and/or bring ideas to a gathering after the 1030 service today, Sunday 9th October.
Community at Christ Church:
Advent Calendars
The Real Advent Calendar, a Fairtrade chocolate calendar which shares the Christmas Story, will be available at Christ Church for £5 each. Please reserve yours by signing up on the sheet at the back of church.
Christ Church Crafting
… will meet next on Tuesday 11th October 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.
The Puzzles of the Kingdom – study group.
If you would enjoy exploring some of the key ideas and themes in Jesus’ teaching reflected in his extraordinary parables and pictures (the ‘Puzzles of the Kingdom’), all are welcome to an informal study group meeting after the 10:30 Eucharist on Sundays in the Hall – but not this Sunday, owing to the meeting about Warm Spaces.
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
Tea and coffee – please stay after the 10:30 service!
Please do stay and enjoy a hot drink, juice and a biscuit, and get to know one another better. (If you’re able to offer occasional help with the refreshments, please let Jane Lippitt or Julie Buckley know. )
Christmas Tree Festival
We’re looking forward to hosting our second Festival on the 2-4th December, raising funds for church and LDHAS. But we need your help! Local schools and groups will decorate trees to celebrate what’s going on in the community – and we need individuals/ businesses/groups to sponsor the trees. If you (or your company, or a shop you visit regularly) can help in this, please take a letter, and write their name on the list at the back of church. Thank you!
All Saints and All Souls
On Sunday 30th October we remember those who have been saints to us, and those who have died. At 3pm, there will be a Memorial Service for those who have died recently, with opportunities to light a candle to remember them. At 6pm, there will be a Requiem Eucharist for the Faithful Departed. If you would like a loved one’s name read out as part of there service, please add their name to the list at the back of church.
Parish Walk
The next parish walk will be on Saturday 22nd October, leaving from Christ Church at 9.30am and walking to Galgate (5.5miles). Those who wish can then get the bus back, or continue back to Lancaster via the canal (a further 6 miles). Please bring lunch, waterproofs and stout shoes. Dogs welcome. Some road walking is involved, so children must be accompanied. Please let Rev’d Carol know if you’re interested.
Baptisms, Confirmations and receiving Communion 2022
If you are interested in being baptised and/or confirmed, or know someone who would like to be, please let Rev’d Carol know. There will be a confirmation service with Bishop Jill on Sunday 27th November, with preparation classes beforehand.
Confirmation (of adults and older children) is a declaration of faith in Christ, and the Bishop represents the whole church in giving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Children may be in Year 6 or above.
If your child is not old enough to be confirmed, but would like to start receiving Holy Communion, please let Rev’d Carol know. There will be a preparation class, and then children will be formally welcomed to receive communion for the first time during the service on the 27th November.
Thank you!
To everyone who has helped to make the Ceilidh and Harvest Festival go so well – it was great to welcome friends new and old, and share in a wonderful harvest!
Thank you from Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service for all the harvest donations – these are greatly appreciated by the guests.
Save the Dates: Please pick up a flyer!
22nd October Parish Bounds Walk (postponed from 8th)
23rd October 11:45 am Money for Madagascar Book stall in the Hall
30th October 3 pm Remembrance Service for those who have died recently
12th November 9:30 -12 noon Church cleaning morning
13th November 10:30 am Remembrance Sunday Parade
20th November Feast of Christ the King
27th November 10:30 am Confirmation Service with Bishop Jill
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
Light up the Lady Chapel
The Psalmist writes: ‘Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ However, the lighting in the choir and Lady Chapel is in need of help – some has broken beyond repair, and the rest is struggling to illuminate a space that is now regularly used for worship. We already have raised half the funds needed.Can you help by sponsoring a light, or making a donation towards the £5k cost? Please see the envelope for more details or use this code:
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 …Miss Emma Simpson 01524 60955