(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 14th December 2025 Third Sunday of 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 Eucharist /Toy Service with Children’s Church
4pm Christingle
Tuesday
5pm Evening Prayer on Zoom
Wednesday
5.30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer in the Storey Chapel
Friday
NO 9:30 am Holy Communion (owing to Ripley Service)
Next Sunday: 21st December –Fourth Sunday of Advent
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist with Children’s Church
4pm Carol Service
Gluten-free wafers available. Please ask the Stewards for directions and assistance.
Prayer for this week
God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Little Seedlings
Every Tuesday from 9am in the Church Hall for under 4s and their parents/carers. (None on 23rd December, then resumes on 13thJanuary owing to the work on the Hall.)
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 – 25th January
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:
Isaiah 35.1–10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious..
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 146: 4-10
Refrain: The Lord shall reign for ever.
4 Happy are those who have the God of Jacob for their help,
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5 Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
who keeps his promise for ever;
6 Who gives justice to those that suffer wrong and bread to those who hunger.
Refrain: The Lord shall reign for ever.
7 The Lord looses those that are bound; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
8 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous;
9 The Lord watches over the stranger in the land; he upholds the orphan and widow; but the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever,
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Alleluia.
Refrain: The Lord shall reign for ever.
James 5.7–10
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 11.2–11
Glory to you, O Lord.
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, 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, Pauline Shepherd
– may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide:
For those who live and work in Firbank Road, Derwent Road.
For our King and government
For our Christmas Services and the people we will invite
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.
Advent and Christmas at Christ Church
During Advent, the 6pm service will move to 4pm, as follows:
14th December: Christingle
21st December: Traditional Carol Service
And our Christmas Services will be:
Christmas Eve: 4pm Crib Service
Christmas Eve: 11.30pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day: 8.30 and 10.30am Eucharists
Boxing Day: 9.30am Holy Communion
Sunday 28th: 10.30am Eucharist only. (No 8.30 or 6pm)
Friday 2nd January: No 9:30am Eucharist
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 opportunities to join in.
Sunday Lunch – today – 14th December
Join us for a simple lunch after the 14th December’s 10:30am service – if you can help, thank you. Do bring a friend!
Chimney Tops and Spire Appeal
Urgent repairs are needed to our church chimney and spires to make the building watertight and safe – 170 year old mortar has washed out, causing damage inside the building. We need to raise £10,000 ourselves before we are eligible for grant funding. Please would you help? Pick up a flyer with details of how to donate, and if you have ideas for fundraising events please have a word with Rev’d Carol or the fundraising team.
Christ Church Toy Service – today, 14th December
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.
Christmas Tree Festival – Thank you!
A huge thank you to all our helpers, supporters and decorators this weekend – what wonderful celebration of our local community! Half the funds raised will support Lancaster and District Homeless Action, with the rest supporting Christ Church.
Thought for the Week
We can only really wait if what we are waiting for has already begun for us. Waiting is never a movement from nothing to something. It is always a movement from something to something more. Henri Nouwen
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
Have family fun by making your own tree decorations using natural materials like pine cones, chestnuts, twigs and dried fruit or repurpose old decorations.
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.
PCC
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. 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! Owing to the work being done to our church hall, the group will not meet on 23rd December, and only resume in the New Year on Tuesday 13th January.
Choir
Our Choir rehearses on Thursdays 7-8:15 pm 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.
Carol Singing 2025
Can you spare some time to support the carol singing in our local community? You don’t need to be Aled Jones! Do pop along to one or more of these events:
- Saturday 13th December 5pm on the Ridge with our neighbours at Dynasty Church
- Sunday 14th December 2-4pm near Marketgate Primark – with Churches Together (please note the change of date)
- Monday 15th December 6.30pm around the hospital wards, meet in the RLI restaurant
- Monday 15th December 6.30pm Carol Singing around Freehold, meet at the Gregson.
- Tuesday 23rd December 3pm Christ Church singing at Moorside Hall Nursing Home
Well done to Christ Church School!
Following a recent SIAMS (the statutory body which inspects faith schools) inspection, we’re delighted with their report. The inspector praised the quality of RE and worship within school, and the school’s culture of trust and compassion, rooted in faith. Our own Choir Church project got a special mention! Well done to all the staff for their hard work and preparation, we’re so proud of you!
Hall Defibrillator
Thanks to a generous donor and local charity 3R, we’ve been able to install a public defibrillator on the outside of the Hall. We hope that it’s never needed – but pray that if someone is taken ill they will benefit from faster, life-saving treatment. Ring 999 first – and they’ll tell you the access code. Training video at https://vimeo.com/557677120/e7524918c5
Hall Kitchen
After a recent Environmental Health inspection, we found out that our 18-year old kitchen would not pass again and needs replacing. Thanks to grants from the Walney Trust, Community Fund and the Harold and Alice Bridges Trust, we will be replacing and upgrading the hall kitchen in early January. If you’re able to help with the demolition and clearance of the old kitchen, please have a word with Greg.
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 (2nd January) 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 (2nd January) 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!
We’re recruiting!
Do you have admin skills? Are you looking for a 14 hr/week paid post? We’re recruiting a parish administrator to support Rev’d Carol in her forthcoming role as Area Dean. Do have a chat with her if you’d like to know more, or take a look at https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/general-vacancies for the job description and application (deadline 15th January 2026).
Volunteers
It would be great if we could have a few more volunteers to help with events and services. Sometimes we’re not good at asking for help, but you don’t have to wait to be asked – we’re all in this together. If you are able to assist, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Christ Church Toy Service – 14th December
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 – 14th December
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.
Rev’d Carol’s News
Bishop Philip has asked Rev’d Carol to be the Area Dean of Lancaster and Morecambe. As well as remaining as parish priest and Vicar at Christ Church, this role also includes the pastoral care of clergy in our local family, and support for churches currently without a vicar. Please keep her in your prayers, and join in a Deanery commissioning service with Bishop Philip on Sunday 4th January at 6pm.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. What do elves study in school? A. The elf-abet.
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