(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 9th April 2023 Easter Day and 16th April 2023 Easter 2
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 9th April – Easter Day
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Festal Eucharist
12:30 pm Christening
(No 6 pm Service)
Wednesday 12th and 19th
5.30pm Meditation followed by
6pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday 14th and 21st
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Sunday 16th April
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
(No Children’s Church)
6pm Ignatian Evening Prayer
Sunday 23rd April
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am All Together Eucharist
1:30pm Christening
6pm Celtic Evening Prayer
Children and Youth
Tiddlers
For under 5s and their parents/carers, every Friday at 10:30 am in the Hall
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children
Messy Church
Crafts, stories, song and a meal together at 4pm on Sunday 21st May in the Hall for KS1/2
Connect Club
Meets in the Hall at 4pm on alternate Fridays (next one 21st April). Youth group for those in Years 5-7, with games, snacks and conversation.
Contact: Mrs Julie Tinnion 07749 489623
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.
Prayer for the Week
God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains of death and hell: fill your Church with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ.. Amen.
Scripture Readings for our Worship
Jeremiah 31.1-6
At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’
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:
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.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (28:1-10).
Glory to you, O Lord
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
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
Readings and Prayers for the 16th April (2nd Sunday of Easter)
Prayer for the Week.
Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred:
open the doors of our hearts,
that we may seek the good of others
and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace,
to the praise of God the Father. Amen.
Acts 2.14a,22-32
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, “I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover, my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”
‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, “He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.” This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 16
Refrain: The Lord is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge; I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord, all my good depends on you.’
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble in heart.
3 Though the idols are legion that many run after, their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
neither make mention of their names upon my lips.
4 The Lord himself is my portion and my cup; in your hands alone is my fortune.
5 My share has fallen in a fair land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
Refrain: The Lord is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
6 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel, and in the night watches he instructs my heart.
7 I have set the Lord always before me; he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
8 Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my flesh also shall rest secure.
9 For you will not abandon my soul to Death, nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.
10 You will show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Refrain: The Lord is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
1 Peter 1.3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (20.19-31).
Glory to you, O Lord.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
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 also remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Stephen Gardner, Thomas Platt, Sitar Rose, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susannna Michaelis, Mike Dickinson, Valerie Williams, Margaret Lyth, Leon Taylor
Those who have died recently: Jean Staveley, Shirley Riggulsford, Celine Pye, Louie Etchells.
Those preparing for Baptism: Margot Edmondson, Amelia-Mae Bunford.
Those preparing for Marriage: John Keegan and Krystal Heathorn.
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
For those who live and work on Grizedale Road, Coniston Road, Scarfell Road.
For the students and staff at the universities of Lancaster and Cumbria.
For the participants in the Bread of Life Course that begins on the 18th April.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 18th 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
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. Owing to the Coronation, the next will be on Sunday 4th June – 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.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Wishing you a very Happy Easter!
Thank you to everyone who helped prepare church and welcome guests for Holy Week and Easter; and to everyone who helped lead worship, music, readings and prayers.
Starting after Easter
The Bread of Life Course will be starting on Tuesday 18th April at 7pm at the Vicarage, running for 6 weeks. Everyone welcome as we explore more about the Christian faith through the lens of the Eucharist. More info from Rev’d Carol.
Thought for the Week
On [Easter] Sunday, in churches … all over the world, people will gather in the darkness, light a small fire, kindle a flame and declare that this Jesus who died on the cross is risen and that he is the light of the world. Hope itself is rising up. This hope can change the world for good. It can inspire us to be better. It can break down walls. It can roll away stones. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
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.
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.
Notice of APCM The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will happen at 12noon on Sunday 30th 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.
In Other News…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in particular need of tinned pudding, rice, tinned curry, tinned pies, tinned ham, sweetcorn and peas, shampoo, shower gel, size 5 and size 6 nappies. . 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
Bay Area Recycling is delivered by volunteers who provide drop off points for a growing list of items which they parcel up and send to TerraCycle. Could you recycle more of your own items or even become a volunteer yourself?
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 7th May, and the first Sunday of every month.
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.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q, What do you call an Easter egg from outer space? A. An egg-straterrestrial!
PCC
Our Church Council meets next on 17th April. Please keep your PCC in your prayers, and share this prayer for our church:
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
Save the Date!
Saturday 14th May sees a cross-bay walk, in aid of Money For Madagascar, our Eco-Group’s nominated charity. Please book a place asap here https://moneyformadagascar.org/cross-bay-walk-2023/
and let Rev’d Carol know if you’d like a lift, leaving from 1.30pm from Arnside. She also has three spare tickets available, first come, first served!
Community at Christ Church:
Christ Church Crafting
… will meet next on Tuesday 11th April at 11:30am in the Hall – all welcome! Bring your own craft project, or help with a community banner. Meeting on the second Tuesday of the month at the same time. Contact Julie Buckley for further details.
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
Restoration and Refurbishment
Following the workshop on 27th March, February, the working party will meet with the architects to begin to plan the next steps. All welcome to have your say. If you (or some people you know) have skills in project management, fundraising and finance, historic buildings or conservation, please let Rev’d Carol know.
Other Diary Dates…
TBC April Spring Fayre with Children’s games and events
7th May Cream Tea and Choral Evensong
8th May Coronation Community Litter Pick followed by BBQ
14th May Cross Bay Walk
17th June 7pm Steven Moore Concert in Church
23rd July 3pm Pet Blessing Service
30th July 3pm Pimms and Hymns Service celebrating our favourite hymns
13th August Feast of the Assumption followed by Barbecue
Coronation Weekend:
On Sunday 7th May, there will be a special Cream Tea and Choral Evensong to mark the occasion. Cream Teas served from 2.30pm on the lawn (weather permitting!) followed by Evensong in Church at 4pm. Please do take a poster, and invite friends and neighbours along too.
On Monday 8th May as part of the Big Help Out, we have a barbecue at 12noon, followed by a Community Litter Pick in the parish – bags and pickers provided, but please bring gloves and solid shoes.
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for hot and cold drinks, biscuits, etc. after the 10:30 am services.
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: …TBC safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07547 717060
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
Christ Church School …Miss Emma Simpson 01524 60955