Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 16th November 2025 Second Sunday before Advent
Vicar: Revd Carol Backhouse 07857 449724
revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 24 Wentworth Drive, Lancaster, LA1 3RJ
www.christchurchlancaster.org.uk Facebook:@ChristChurchLancaster
Everyone is welcome to join in prayer and worship this week:
Today
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
12 noon Confirmation Group
12.30pm Baptism
6pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday
5pm Evening Prayer on Zoom
Wednesday
5.30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer in the Storey Chapel
Friday
9:30 am Holy Communion
Next Sunday: 23rd November – Feast of Christ the King
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Festal Eucharist with Confirmations led by Bishop Joe
13.30pm Baptism
4pm Messy Church (in the Hall)
6pm Evening Prayer
Gluten-free wafers available. Please ask the Stewards for directions and assistance.
Prayer for this week
Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Little Seedlings
Every Tuesday from 9am in the Church Hall for under 4s and their parents/carers
Children’s Church
… is an important part of our church life, and one of the ways children learn more about Christian faith. If you can offer one Sunday morning each a month (or more if possible) please have a word with Innes. An Enhanced DBS check will be arranged. All children need to be accompanied to church by a parent/guardian, please.
Messy Church – 23rd November
On the 4th Sunday of the month at 4pm in the Hall for KS1/2 children.
Please send items for inclusion in this newsletter to Jacqueline Stamper by Thursday lunchtime. Many thanks.
Scripture Readings for our Worship today:
Malachi 4.1-2a
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98
Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things.
2 His own right hand and his holy arm
have won for him the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his salvation;
his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness towards the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.
5 Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth;
break into singing and make music.
6 Make music to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the voice of melody.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sound praises before the Lord, the King.
Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.
8 Let the sea thunder and all that fills it,
the world and all that dwell upon it.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands
and let the hills ring out together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world and the peoples with equity.
Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labour we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 21:5-19
Glory to you, O Lord.
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’
They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.
‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Gracious Lord, in this holy sacrament you give substance to our hope: bring us at the last to that fullness of life for which we long; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Nicola, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Christine McCrann, Richard Jones, Marlene Phillips, Mary Peel – that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
Those who have died recently: Lizzy Hilton, Donald Silverwood – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Those preparing for Baptism: Rupert Barnes-Hartley, Carter Driver – may they shine like lights in the world
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide:
For those who live and work Mill Street, Borrowdale Road.
For local care homes including Moorside and Dolphinlee
For those preparing for Confirmation – Harry, Oliver, Amelia, Keaton, Innes.
For Rev’d Kaarina, as she prepares for her priesting on the 17th January.
– that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Tuesday Evening Prayer
At 5pm most Tuesdays, the clergy say Evening Prayer over Zoom. If you’d like to join them to give thanks for the day past, read the Scriptures and pray, the details are: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81366929814?pwd=jTDuW7HO8lR7I0nQ9Jrm2BrMxjJqVS.1.
Children’s Church
… is an important part of our church life, and one of the ways children learn more about Christian faith. We’re looking for helpers for Children’s Church for the new term. If you can offer one Sunday morning each a month (or more if possible) please have a word with Innes. An Enhanced DBS check will be arranged. Please note that all children need to be accompanied to church by a parent/guardian.
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 revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com. Please ask the person’s permission if you’d like them included in the weekly notices.
Sponsor a Hymn
If you’d like to suggest and sponsor a hymn, to be sung within the 10.30am Eucharist, please fill in one of the blue forms from the noticeboard.
Choir Church
Thank you for your prayers and support! The last service was wonderful and well-attended. Please save the date for the next service on the 12th December at 3.15pm in school. Everyone is welcome to join us for the Eucharist in school, led by our fantastic school choir!
Quiet Morning – Saturday 22nd November
All are warmly invited to a Quiet Morning on 22nd November, exploring prayer through bread and beads. Refreshments provided, and the morning will end with a light lunch. For more information, see the flyer, and/or contact Rev’d Kaarina.
Advent at Christ Church
During Advent, the 6pm service will move to 4pm, as follows:
30th November: Advent Carol Service
7th December: Christmas Tree Festival Service
14th December: Christingle
21st December: Traditional Carol Service
Sunday Lunch – 14th December
Join us for a simple lunch after the 14th December’s 10:30am service – if you can help, please sign up on the sheet at the back of church. Thank you. Do bring a friend!
Thought for the Week
Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices. St Teresa of Avila
In Other News…
The Olive Branch Foodbank – and Christmas Appeal
The Olive Branch badly needs all kinds of long-life food and drink, as always, but has also launched its annual Christmas appeal for Christmas foodstuffs, toiletries, toys and goodies. They will distribute gift bags from 1st December, so the earlier they receive such items the better. (See the flyer.) You can also give money for them to buy what people need: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
November is an ideal time for planting trees which do so much for wildlife offering nest sites, cosy hideaways and food in the form of fruit and leaves. So as well as providing essential food, water and shelter for wildlife think about planting a tree or shrub to give shelter and food in the longer-term.
Recycling at Christ Church – from the Eco-Group
On the first Sunday of the month, we collect medical blister packs and personal care items such as soft plastic tubes (e.g. for hand cream), wet wipe packaging and used make-up such as lipsticks, eyeshadow and mascara. Please look carefully at the information provided on and close to the collection boxes to ensure that you only bring in what can now be recycled volunteers. No bottle tops or dental products, please.
Fairtrade Church
We are a Fairtrade Church. as a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
Fairtrade Stall – 30th November
There will be a Fairtrade stall at the back of church after the 10:30 am Eucharist on 30th November – a great opportunity to stock up with fairly-traded gifts and goodies.
PCC
Our PCC met on 5th November. We discussed: ensuring our budget reflected our mission and ministry priorities; refreshing our vision for our buildings; developing children and families’ ministry; refurbishing the hall kitchen; and affirming our commitment to inclusion. Please do talk to your PCC reps about any aspect of life at Christ Church, and pray for the PCC in its work this year. You might want to use the following prayer:
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:
Little Seedlings – New Group for 0-4 year olds and their carers.
We have launched a baby and toddler group called Little Seedlings, which meets 9-10.30 every Tuesday in the Church Hall. Over the next two weeks we’ll be making salt dough footprint decorations to decorate our tree at the Christmas Tree Festival – then they can go home as a lovely keepsake. New children always welcome. f you know anyone with a child 0-4 who would like to come along with their carers, please pass it on. Free!
Choir
Our Choir resumed rehearsals on Thursday 13th November at 7pm in Church. We’re a friendly and supportive bunch who welcome new singers. There’s lots of exciting music as we prepare for the Advent season, so please contact grahamtoft1@aol.com if you’d like to know more.
Advent Course – Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons
Our course this year is based on Paula Gooder’s book, Women of the Nativity. The course will run at two different times from the first week of December: Wednesdays at 6.30pm and Sundays at 12.30pm to give people a choice of times. There are sign-up sheets at the back of church to indicate your interest.
Advent Calendars
Fairtrade Advent Calendars are for sale at the back of church – £5 each with all money
raised going to church funds. Dark or Milk Chocolate, and contains a Christmas story
Sunday Lunch – 14th December
Join us for a simple lunch after the 10:30am service on 14th December – if you can sign up to help, please see the list at the back of church. Do bring a friend!
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 Jacqueline at hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07808 765364 for more info.
Gardening Group
Our friendly gardening group meets on the first Friday of each month (5th December) between 12noon and 2pm to keep our church garden looking lovely. New members welcome – whether for all or part of the time. If you can, please bring gloves & secateurs.
Book Group
The church book group meets on the first Friday of each month (5th December) at 4 pm in the church hall. Anyone who enjoys reading and discussion 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 in the Hall most Tuesdays at 11.30am. Everyone welcome – bring your own project, or share in one of the others on the go! No prior experience needed. Please talk to Julie Buckley if you’d like more info.
Save the Date!
Rev’d Kaarina’s Ordination and First Eucharist – 17/18th January
Rev’d Kaarina will be ordained Priest on Saturday 17th January 2026, at Colne St Bartholomew. We’re planning to hire a coach so that as many as possible can attend from church. On Sunday 18th, she will celebrate the Eucharist for the first time at the 10:30 am service – and we’ll have a celebration to follow!
Christmas Tree Festival.
Please save the date of the 5-7th December for Christ Church’s famous Christmas Tree Festival! If you run a local business (or have used a local business recently) – please collect an invitation to sponsor a tree. Half the money raised will support Lancaster Homeless Action, with the rest going to church funds. And if you’re part of a community group (music, sport, charity, craft or social) – please consider decorating a tree to show off your work. We’d love you to be part of this fabulous event!
Christmas Tree Festival – Help Needed!
The Tree Festival is a great celebration of our local community, welcoming in volunteer groups and schools to show off their good work. Across the weekend, we welcome over 500 people, and to make it a success we need your help. Whether for 30 mins or a whole afternoon, helping with the Festival is fun, chance to make new friends, and help your church community! Children are welcome to help too, so long as they are with their parent or guardian. Please sign up at the back of church, or have a chat with Lorna, Julie and the organising team about what’s involved.
Appeal for Children’s Books
Ahead of our Christmas Tree Festival, we’re looking for donations of good condition children’s books (suitable for a range of ages). If you’re having an autumn clear out – please bring your books to church! Thank you
Christ Church Toy Service
One of our church traditions is to take a collection of toys (new, and good-condition used) to share with local families via the Salvation Army in Morecambe. Please bring donations to the 14th December’s 10:30 Eucharist for a blessing. We’re unable to take soft toys, and please leave your gift unwrapped.
Christingle
Christingle is a celebration of the light of Christ coming into the world at Christmas. One of the ways we share that light is by caring for others, so as part of our Christingle service on the 14th December, there will be a collection for the work of the Children’s Society. www.childrenssociety.org.uk/ Please take a collection candle to fill with change, or make a donation online.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. How do you know that Edinburgh is the most haunted city in the UK? A. You measure it with a spirit level.
Promoting a Safer Church
If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999. Any safeguardingconcerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your Parish Safeguarding Officers, Debbie Steele and Emma Muckalt, who can be contacted as above.
Concerns can also be raised directly with our Diocesan Team,Tel: 01254 503088 or email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
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.
EasyFundraising
Did you know you can support Christ Church when you shop online? Register using https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/, and the brand’s commission will be donated to the church.
Key contacts:
Vicar: … Rev’d Carol Backhouse revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 07857 449724
Curate: … Rev’d Kaarina Leong curate@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07749 489623
Children’s Ministry Leader… Innes Heron-Stamp children@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07853791776
Church Warden: Greg Skelland churchwarden@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07944 683847
Director of Music: Graham Toft grahamtoft1@aol.com
Notices: Ms Jacqueline Stamper j.stamper@btinternet.com 01524 64083
Parish Safeguarding Officer: … Mrs Emma Muckalt & Ms Debbie Steele safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org 07547 717060
Parish Secretary: …Mrs Julie Buckley buckleys@live.co.uk 07717 824574
Hall Bookings: …hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07808 765364
Christ Church School …Miss Emma Simpson 01524 60955
Promoting a Safer Church
Christ Church, Lancaster have adopted the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook. All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training. If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999. Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your Parish Safeguarding Officers, Debbie Steele and Emma Muckalt, who can be contacted as above. Concerns can also be raised directly with our Diocesan Team, Tel: 01254 503088 or email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org