Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 12th May 2024 Seventh 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 – 12th May Seventh Sunday
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am All Together Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday
4pm Prayer4 on Zoom
7:15pm Pilgrim Course at the Vicarage
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation
6pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday: 19th May Pentecost
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Festal Eucharist
4pm Godly Play
6pm Evening Prayer
Prayer for this week
Risen, ascended Lord,as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children
Godly Play
Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4pm in Church for KS1/2 children. Next: 19th Mays
Contact: Rev’d Carol for more information.
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
Acts 1.15-17, 21-26
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 1
Refrain: The Lord knows the way of the righteous.
1 Blessed are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the assembly of the scornful.
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord and they meditate on his law day and night.
3 Like a tree planted by streams of water bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither, whatever they do, it shall prosper.
Refrain: The Lord knows the way of the righteous.
4 As for the wicked, it is not so with them; they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement, nor the sinner in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Refrain: The Lord knows the way of the righteous.
1 John 5:9-13
If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 17.6-19
Glory to you, O Lord.
‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susanna Michaelis, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Mary Tredennick, Sheila Parsons – that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
Those preparing for Baptism:
Luca Hargrove, Ava Burns – as they begin the journey of Christian faith
Those preparing for marriage:
Keely Jolliffe and Richard Geddes – that God will bless them in their new life together.
For those who have died recently: Joyce, Juliann Dougherty – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide for:
For those who live and work on Edward Street, Wyresdale Gardens
For the children, families and staff in our primary and secondary schools
For the appointment of a Children’s Ministry Leader and the person God is calling
For our September mission weekend and the people we invite to share our church community – that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 14th 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 Passcode 942105
Thought for the Week
If I look at myself alone, I am nothing, but when I look at all my fellow-Christians joined together in love, I have hope. Julian of Norwich
**Don’t forget**
This weekend sees the Highest Point Festival in the park – please allow extra time for travel and parking!!
Godly Play! 4pm on the third Sunday of each month
Godly Play is a way of sharing Scripture stories with children, and helping them wonder about faith, using a Montessori approach, with crafts and a snack to share too. It’s free, and especially suitable for primary age children (accompanied by an adult please). The next gathering is on Sunday, 19st May, at 4pm. If you can help, or would like to come along, please pick up a flyer, and ask Rev’d Carol if you are curious.
Pilgrim – a new course for the Christian journey
On Tuesdays 7.15pm in the Vicarage, everyone welcome as we continue Pilgrim – A Course for the Christian Journey. Whether you’re new to church, or wanting to go deeper, this new 6-week course will help us think about what it means to turn to Christ. Please ask Rev’d Carol if you’d like more info – why not invite a friend?
Children’s Ministry Leader
We’re looking for someone with experience of working with children and families, who will work with the clergy, congregations and local schools. Might this be you, or someone you know? The post is 22.5 hours per week with a salary depending on experience, for a 3-year contract. The post is subject to Enhanced DBS clearance and references. Our parish serves a large number of schools and families. The PCC wish to consolidate and grow our work with primary school-aged children and their families. For more details, please contact Rev’d Carol. For the Job Specification and Application Form: https:// pathways.churchofengland.org/en/jobs/sec-diocese-of-blackburn Closing date 12 noon 16th May 2024
Please pray for this appointment, and for the person God is calling to this role.
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.
Reception into Communion
If your child attends Christ Church regularly, and would like to begin sharing communion, please speak to Rev’d Carol. There will be two preparation classes so that children feel ready to being sharing the bread (and wine in agreement with their parents). Suitable for children in Year 2 and above – this forms a stepping stone before Confirmation.
In Other News…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
The foodbank continues to be in great need of tins of curry, chilli con carne, pies, meatballs, hotdogs, stewed steak, tuna, salmon, pork, corned beef, ham, fruit, rice pudding, custard, tomatoes, sweetcorn, carrots, peas, kidney beans, chickpeas; biscuits, crisps, multipacks of cake, cereal, jam, pasta sauce; packs of hot chocolate, coffee, tea, sugar, cordial, longlife juice, and many types of toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, toilet rolls, etc.) 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
From 13th to 17th May, Waterwise aims to raise awareness and promote ways in which we can save water. By incorporating small water-saving habits into our daily routines we can collectively make a BIG impact on water conservation. See https://www.waterwise,org/save-water/.
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.
Changes to recycling at Christ Church – from the Eco Group
We can still collect plastic bottle tops/lids, plastic toothbrushes and electric brush heads, covers and flosser nozzles, also flossing sticks, interdental brushes and dental tape containers, We can still take medical blister packs, but owing to the large quantities, please take your own to Superdrug if you can. Thank you for your ongoing support with recycling on the first Sunday of each month.
Fairtrade Church
As a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers, Christ Church have become a Fairtrade Church. This means that we commit to using and serving only Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar – more info here: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
Lunch and Bug Hunt
Join volunteers from North Lancs Wildlife Group on Sunday 9th June for a bug hunt in our garden. Please bring some food for to share for a picnic lunch, and the fun begins at 1pm. Part of the Churches Count on Nature project and the Big Green Week!
From Trash To Treasure
Join the Eco-Group for a fascinating and practical talk on Composting on the 4th June at 7.30pm in Christ Church. Compost reduces waste going to landfill, and benefits plants, people and the soil on which we depend!
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. How do you weigh whales? A. You go to a whaleweigh station.
PCC
A new PCC was elected at the APCM last Sunday. Your new reps are: Greg and Lorna Skelland, Celia Bragg, Paul Thompson, Clare Mumford, Louise Tuck, Helen Simpson, Susan Brooks, Mandy Whitehouse, Jacqueline Stamper, and Julie Buckley. Our Deanery Synod reps are Cathy Wilson, and Pat Allen, and Sam Price remains as Treasurer. Please keep them in your prayers, and if you have questions or suggestions for life at Christ Church, please let us know!
Unfortunately, we were unable to elect Churchwardens as no-one was nominated. The PCC will look at ways of sharing this important role in the care and oversight of our community and buildings.
We ask you to pray this prayer ‘this time tomorrow’ after a Sunday service – wherever you are. (Why not put a reminder in your phone?)
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
Community at Christ Church:
Hall for Hire – Don’t forget that the Hall is available for hire, especially at weekends and during the day. £24/first hour and £12 for each subsequent hour/part-hour. Please contact Pat hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855 for more info.
Book Group
The church book group meets on the first Friday of each month at 4 pm in the church hall. Books are provided by Lancashire Libraries, in addition to those shared by members. The date of the next meeting is 7th June. Anyone who enjoys reading and discussion books is very welcome to join us. You can just turn up on the day, speak to Joyce, or send an email to joycelynch1946@gmail.com
Craft Group
Meets on the second (and sometimes other) Tuesday(s) of each month at 11.30am in the Hall. Everyone welcome – bring your own project, or share in one of the others on the go! No prior experience needed. The group next meets on 14th May.
Gardening
If you can spare some time to help weed and tidy the church garden, our gardening group meets on the first Friday of every month, between 12 and 2pm. Please bring gloves and secateurs if you have them – and contact Liz Mills if you’d like to know more.
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
Date for your diary – 29th June!
We are blessed that Kaarina will be ordained Deacon on 29th June in Blackburn Cathedral. Rev’d Kaarina will then join Christ Church as Curate for the next few years to train further in ministry. If you would like to support her at her ordination, there will be lifts available to the Cathedral, and also opportunities to welcome her warmly.
Date for your diary – 19th July!
The Bishop of Burnley Designate, the Rev’d Dr Joe Kennedy, will be consecrated at 11 am on 19th July in York Minster. If you would like a lift, please contact Jacqueline.
Anny Lee’s Memorial Service
Will be at Patty’s Barn, Cockerham on Thursday 30th May, lunch at 1pm, sharing of memories from 2pm and scattering of Anny’s ashes at Cockersands Abbey. Dresscode – cheerful. Please let Bridget know you’re coming – 07932 562234.
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for refreshments after the service.
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 Officers: … Mrs Emma Muckalt & Ms Debbie Steele safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org 07547 717060
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