(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
a vibrant, inclusive, worshipping community
on Sunday 27th March 2022 Fourth Sunday of Lent
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 27th March
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Christ Church All Together
For Mothering Sunday
12 noon Lent Course (in the Hall)
12:30pm Baptism
6 pm Evening Prayer (Lady Chapel)
Wednesday
5:30 pm Silent Meditation followed by
6 pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9:30 am NO Holy Communion
Next Sunday – 3rd April
Fifth Sunday of Lent – Passiontide begins
8:30 am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
10:30 am Parish Eucharist
with Children’s Church
(in church, then uploaded to YouTube)*
12 noon Lent Course (in the Hall)
6 pm Taizé Eucharist
*Our YouTube channel is at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoAvGj4K9085RV8zo0ZS9Q
Prayer for the Week:
God of compassion,
whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,
shared the life of a home in Nazareth,
and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself:
strengthen us in our daily living
that in joy and in sorrow
we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
A Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Scripture Readings for our Worship today:
Exodus 2.1-10
Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.
The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. ‘This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,’ she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’
Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Yes.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.’ So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, ‘because’, she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Psalm 34: 11-20
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is there who delights in life
and longs for days to enjoy good things?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to root out the
remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry and the Lord hears them and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those who are crushed in spirit.
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous; from them all will the Lord deliver them.
20 He keeps all their bones,
so that not one of them is broken.
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
Colossians 3.12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (19.25-27)
Glory to you, O Lord.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Loving God, as a mother feeds her children at the breast
you feed us in this sacrament with the food and drink of eternal life:
help us who have tasted your goodness
to grow in grace within the household of faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Holy Week Services:
Palm Sunday:
Palm Procession gathers at Martyrs’ Field, Derwent Rd at 10:15am to arrive at Church for 10:30am
6pm Evening Prayer
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:
6.30pm Stations of the Cross followed by 7pm Eucharist
Maundy Thursday:
11am Chrism Eucharist in Blackburn Cathedral
7.30pm Eucharist followed by Vigil
Good Friday
09:30am Stations
10:30am Family Service
12 noon Walk of Witness from Dalton Square
2pm Last Hour Service
Holy Saturday
7.30pm Vigil & Lighting the Easter Fire
Easter Day
Festal Eucharists at 8.30 and 10.30am
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Olive Niccolls, Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Ivy Buckley, Stephen Gardner, Ann Gilbride, Thomas Platt, Janet Ball, Dorothy Eidsforth, Sitar Rose, Heather McFadden, Jacqueline Stamper
Those who have died recently: Dorothy Stanborough, Mary McDermott, Simon Cooper
Those being baptised: Maxwell Muncaster, Ellsie Bateson, Boblee Calvert
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Those who live and work in Mannin Way, Caton Road, and Langdale Road; and the work of ShelterBox, especially their Ukraine Appeal.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 5th 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
Lent Course
Our Lent course, ‘Glimpses of God’, continues after the 10:30 Eucharist today in the Hall. Everyone very welcome!
Thought for the week
The problem with the world is that we draw the circle of our family too small. Mother Teresa
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Food choices are one of the most powerful and potent tools that we have as individuals to fight climate change. Buy local and organic if you can, and think about the origin and production of food and read eco labelling before you buy.
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
Day of Prayer for Ukraine
Following the Bishop’s invitation to keep last Thursday as a day of prayer and fasting to mark a month since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, you may also wish to pray at 5pm every Wednesday, in solidarity with churches in Ukraine.
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/
Homes for Ukrainian Refugees
From Lizzy Hare at RAIS – ‘Please apply here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-launches or by Googling ‘home for Ukraine UK’ to register for the scheme. This link will lead you to a registration form. Then email Fariha (our co-ordinator) at coordinator@rais.org.uk and she will put you in touch with a charity who are pairing hosts with Ukrainian guests. Once your guests have arrived at your house then please get in touch or visit us if you need any help.
Laundry Liquid and Powder
RAIS urgently needs supplies of laundry liquid and powder to pass on to asylum seekers, for whom this is too expensive to buy. If you can spare some, please pass them on to Pat or Jacqueline, or take them down to the RAIS office on a Tuesday morning. Many thanks.
Update on the Night Shelter.
On Monday 21st, 28 representatives from local churches, as well as the Council and Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service (LDHAS), began to share the current and future needs of our local communities after all the changes of recent years, and ask how we might serve those who are vulnerably housed and in need in future.
These included provision for basic needs (food, shelter, warmth, equipment, and accommodation) as well as longer term support with the cost of living, financial help and specialist advice, health and wellbeing; and the importance of community and support networks in befriending. This is at a time where there are local concerns for families as well as single people at risk of eviction and the effects of rapidly rising prices after an already strained few years.
If you’d like more details, please ask Rev’d Carol for a summary. I ask that you continue the conversation and discernment process about what what’s needed, how we grow what we have, and how we might work together.
There will be a meeting to discern the next steps on Monday 25th April at 2 pm in church – all welcome.
School News!
Christ Church Primary School has just been awarded a £750k decarbonisation grant from the government, via our Diocese. This is fantastic news, and will help the school’s carbon footprint to reduce through more efficient heating and insulation.
Community at Christ Church
Don’t forget to put your clocks forward overnight 26th/27th March!
Mothering Sunday – Ukraine Appeal
As part of our Mothering Sunday services today, there will be a collection for ShelterBox, who provide emergency supplies to refugees, including in the Ukraine crisis. Please give either online via their website (www.shelterbox.org) or put your donation in an envelope with ‘ShelterBox’ written on it. The collection on Mothering Sunday will also go towards their work. Thanks to Jean McCafferty for suggesting the charity.
Electoral Roll
If Christ Church is *your* church – whether or not you live locally, or worship here every Sunday – please consider joining the Electoral Roll. This enables you to vote in the Annual Parish meeting (on Sunday1st May) and helps us know how many people are part of the church. Please pick up a form (also circulated electronically last weekend) and return it to Jane Lippitt. (If you’ve filled in a form since March 2019, you don’t need to do another)
Gifts and Talents
Christ sets before us a pattern of serving others. Whether in making worship possible, reaching out to the community or making our church life together possible, there are several teams which need your help. Please pick up a green form (and return it to the green box by 1st May) – and talk with Rev’d Carol if you’re not sure.
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
Christ Church Crafting
… will meet next on Tuesday 12th April 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 Real Easter Egg – available to collect!
If you have pre-ordered a Fairtrade Easter Egg, (in dark, milk or white chocolate) these are now available to collect from the back of church. There are some spare eggs available for £6 too. Please label your donation ‘Eggs’
Spring Raffle
£3 per ticket, or 4 tickets for £10 – choose your number from the list in church. A hamper and a L’Occitane gift set are among the prizes! The draw will be made today (27th March) after the 10:30 Eucharist. Please contact Julie Buckley if you’d like a ticket.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
What did Mommy spider say to baby spider? “You spend too much time on the web.”
Save the Dates: Please pick up a flyer!
27th March Mothering Sunday Service, including drawing the raffle.
15th April – 12 noon Walk of Witness from Dalton Square with Churches Together
6th May – 7pm Ladies’ Night at the Vicarage
21st May Pilgrimage to the Shepherd’s Church, Abbeystead, for a picnic lunch
29th May – 4pm Choral Evensong and Cream Tea to begin the Jubilee Weekend
24th July – 3pm Pet Blessing Service
31st July – 3pm Pimms and Hymns Service celebrating our favourite hymns
14th August 10.30am Feast of the Assumption, followed by Barbecue in the Church grounds.
9-18th September Heritage Open Days
24th September – 2-4pm Community Apple Festival
8th October Parish Bounds Walk
2nd October Harvest Festival
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
Sponsored Sundays
If you would like to Sponsor a Sunday hymn (perhaps in memory of a loved one), please fill in one of the blue forms from the noticeboard at the back of church, and give it to Rev’d Carol with at least a month’s notice before the Sunday you’d like to sponsor. You can nominate a hymn if you wish. Please place your donation in an envelope labelled ‘Sponsored Sundays’, and place it in the offertory box. It is up to you how much you wish to give!
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.uk07749 489623
Parish Secretary:Mrs Julie Buckley buckleys@live.co.uk 01524 37229
Hall Bookings:hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07890 351855
Nightshelter Co-ordinator: Ms Jan Norbury coordinator.nightshelter@gmail.com 07547 717 060
Christ Church School : Ms Emma Simpson 01524 60955
COVID-19 – latest update from Rev’d Carol, 25th Feb.
National covid rules have changed again, and there is now no longer a requirement to sign/zap in on arrival. It is the discretion of each Vicar how each church responds, so if you have any queries or concerns please contact Rev’d Carol. I ask that people still consider wearing a face covering (especially for sung services) and remain at a sociable distance apart until local case rates drop further.
I also ask that people don’t return to the practice of intincting their wafer – if you prefer not to receive the common cup, it is fine to receive the bread only. I continue to encourage people to use hand gel on arrival and before receiving communion.
As a church, we seek to be a safe place for all, especially those who feel vulnerable for any reason. We’re called to be one body united by diverse opinions and experiences, and so we respect that some will feel comfortable with more and others with fewer personal precautions in place. There are a range of quieter and busier services for those who wish. We continue to pray for healing for the effects of covid on individuals, communities and our world, and lift up those who are grieving, exhausted or lonely at this time.
Notice of APCM – 1st May
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will happen at 12noon on Sunday 1st May, at which our Churchwardens and PCC will be elected for the next year. Please prayerfully consider who you’d like to nominate!