(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
on Sunday23rd October 2022 Trinity 19
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 (with Children’s Church)
12:30 pm Baptism
4 pm Messy Church (in the Hall)
6pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
Wednesday
5:30 pm Meditation and Evening Prayer
Friday
9:30 am Eucharist (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday 30th October
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am All Saints’ Festal Eucharist (with Children’s Church)
3 pm Memorial Service
6pm All Souls’ Eucharist (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:
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, 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:
Ecclesiasticus 35.12-17
Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold. Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no partiality. He will not show partiality to the poor;but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged. He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan, or the widow when she pours out her complaint.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 84: 1-7
Refrain: Blessed are they who dwell in your house.
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul has a desire and longing to enter the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young: at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
3 Blessed are they who dwell in your house: they will always be praising you.
Refrain: Blessed are they who dwell in your house.
4 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion,
5 Who going through the barren valley find there a spring, and the early rains will clothe it with blessing.
6 They will go from strength to strength and appear before God in Zion.
7 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; listen, O God of Jacob.
Refrain: Blessed are they who dwell in your house.
2 Timothy 4.6-8,16-18
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
At my first defence no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (Luke 18.9-14)
Glory to you, O Lord.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
God of all grace, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry
with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom:
renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Ivy Buckley, Stephen Gardner, Ann Gilbride, Thomas Platt, Janet Ball, Sitar Rose, Istok Bratić, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susannna Michaelis, Audrey Davies, John McCafferty, Chrissy, Doreen Hudson
Those who have died recently: Gary (Spider) Brennan, Dorothy Eidsforth.
For our eight candidates preparing for Confirmation.
Parish Cycle of Prayer: For those who live and work in Hartington Street, Park Square; for the mission and ministry of our our cathedral church, St Mary’s Blackburn.
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 on 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
Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. Thomas Merton
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
The prolonged drought suffered in many areas of UK has been of major concern to farmers working to sow and harvest crops. Subsequent food shortages and higher prices for food and fuel will have the greatest impact on those least able to cope. Try to contribute to the food bank if you can or share a meal with a friend.
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. Why did the man run round his bed? A. Because he was trying to catch up on his sleep!
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.
Christ Church Crafting
… will meet next on Tuesday 8th November 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.
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 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! If you can spare an hour or more to:
- help set up the trees and prepare the church
- Welcome visitors and steward the festival
- Offer refreshments or run a stall (sale goods will be provided)
Please sign up on the lists at the back of Church – it will be a fun weekend and a chance to make new friends.
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
Next 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.
Receiving the notices by email
If you would like to receive these notices by email, please contact Jacqueline Stamper on the above address.
Remembrance 2022
We’ve been invited to the Act of Remembrance at the memorial at Miss Whalley’s Field (Derwent Road) at 10:45 on Friday 11th November. The service is led by local schools, and members of the local community are welcome to share.
On Sunday 13th November, we will be joined by our uniformed organisations for a Parade Service, which will include 2 minutes’ silence at the War Memorial. Everyone is welcome.
Later that day, the 6pm Service will include prayers for Healing and Wholeness, using beautiful words and music from the Iona Community. This will offer to God the pain and suffering of the world, and of those known to us, trusting in God’s compassion auto being wholeness and peace. All are welcome – you may wish to pray for someone you know who is troubled in mind, body or spirit, to pray for yourself, or for those whose troubles are known only to God.
Bookstall in aid of Money for Madagascar
After the 10:30 am Eucharist today, 23rd October, there will be coffee and a bookstall in the Hall. All funds raised will go towards the Eco-Group’s chosen charity, Money for Madagascar, the Eco-Group’s chosen charity Pictures of their work to reduce climate change and poverty in Madagascar are in the Williamson Park Cafe at present.
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