(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 11th November 2023 Feast of All Saints
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 – 11th November – All Saints
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am All Saints’ Eucharist
3pm Memorial Service
6pm Taizé Eucharist
Wednesday
5.30pm Meditation followed by
6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Sunday 12th November – Remembrance Sunday
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Remembrance Sunday Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Children and Youth
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children
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 holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age: as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example with boldness and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Scripture Readings for our Worship
Revelation 7.9-17
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, singing, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34.1-10
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall glory in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look upon him and be radiant
and your faces shall not be ashamed.
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
6 This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him
and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is gracious; blessed is the one who trusts in him.
9 Fear the Lord, all you his holy ones, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 Lions may lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.
1 John 3.1-3
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 5.1-12
Glory to you, O Lord
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ
Prayer after Communion:
Lord of heaven, in this eucharist you have brought us near to an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of the saints made perfect: as in this food of our earthly pilgrimage we have shared their fellowship, so may we come to share their joy in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Stephen Gardner, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susanna Michaelis, Juliann Dougherty, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes.
Those who have died recently: Jenni Lauruol, Ivy Crawford, Doreen Naish.
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
For those who live and work on Mill House Mews, St Peter’s Mews
For our link diocese of the Free State in South Africa
For the our Confirmation candidates and for the appointment of a Children’s Ministry Leader
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 14th November 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. The next will be this Sunday, 5th November- 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.
Thought for the Week
I’ve decided to stick with love. Hate is too heavy a burden to bear. Martin Luther-King
Confirmations
Would you like to take a next step in faith? Would you like to start receiving communion? On the 26th November, Bishop Jill will be with us for a Confirmation Service at 10.30am. If you’d like to be Confirmed (and/or Baptised) as part of this special occasion, or are curious, please have a chat with Rev’d Carol. Preparation classes are taking place on Sundays at 4pm. Suitable for adults of any age, and for children in Year 6 and above.
Save the Date – Advent Course, starting 28th November
All are welcome to join our Advent Study Course, Preparing the Way, each Tuesday during Advent (except on 12th December, when we meet on Monday 11th). Come along to the Storey Chapel at 7:30 pm for about an hour. Sessions are standalone.
Acts of Remembrance, 10th and 12th December
The Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field have invited us to the annual Act of Remembrance on Friday 10th November at 10.45am. Meet at the Memorial Stone on Derwent Road. Please bring wellies! The12th November 10:30 am Eucharist at Christ Church will be a special Remembrance Sunday Eucharist and Parade Service – all welcome.
The Real Advent Calendar
The only Advent calendar to contain delicious Fairtrade chocolate and a beautifully illustrated booklet of the Christmas story! Please order on the form at the back of church. £5 each – please place cash in a yellow envelope and mark it ‘Advent Calendar’
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…
Mingle on Mondays – 20th November 2023 – 25th March 2024
This space for warmth, welcome, food and fellowship will start up again next month, open from 11:30 am – 2 pm each Monday (apart from Christmas and New Year’s Day). If you’re able to help set up and host, even occasionally, or if you can make soup or cake, or shop for bread and other supplies and bring them along on a Sunday, please sign up on the rota at the back of church. Please claim expenses – no-one should be out of pocket. Please pray for all who will come and all who will host. Thank you!
The Olive Branch Foodbank
… is in URGENT 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
Madagascar is one of the poorest nations on earth and very vulnerable to climate change. The church’s chosen charity MfM aims to reduce poverty and protect the environment through sustainable community led initiatives. Please donate online between 28th November and 5th December to increase your gift four-fold through The Big Give https://moneyformadagascar.org/big-give-christmas-challenge/
Emergency Short Term Refugee Accommodation
RAIS Lancaster is asking people in local churches to help find short-term accommodation to preventing new refugees suddenly becoming street homeless. (Help with additional costs is available). Please see the attached leaflet with further information, sign up to join the Zoom meeting to find out what’s involved, or ask Pat if you have any questions.
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.
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 5th November, and the first Sunday of each month.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. What kind of nuts always seem to have a cold? A. Cashews.
PCC
…. met on the 11th October. We discussed how to encourage people to take the next steps in faith, as well as repair work to the building and reviewing recent events. Please let Rev’d Carol or Julie Buckley have your ideas and suggestions for discussion. 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
Community at Christ Church:
Serving Team
We’re looking for new members for our serving team for the 10.30am Eucharist, who help carry the cross, lights and Bible, as well as helping the service go smoothly. This can be on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Suitable for ages 9+, training will be given.
Help needed!
Might you be able to spare some time each week or each month to help with a typesetting job please? Rev’d Carol needs some help preparing the weekly service sheets and notice sheets, using Word or Pages. Please ask if you’re curious!
House to rent needed urgently!
Might you know of a three-bedroomed house to rent for a reasonable price? We have become aware of a lady with two teenage children who is in urgent need, as she is being evicted from her previously rented house through no fault of her own, and she is awaiting surgery. Please contact Rev’d Carol or Jacqueline if you know of somewhere, and we’ll ensure the contact reaches her.
Christ Church Crafting
… meets next on 14th November at 11:30 am in the Hall, and on the second Tuesday of the month. Bring your own craft project, or help with a community banner. 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
Plans for Christ Church
You may be aware that the Vestry and North Transept (area behind the organ pipes) are in a poor state of repair. They are spaces which, if refurbished, could benefit our community and the welcome we offer. A Working Party has been discussing this – and our architects have produced some initial suggestions for what might be possible. These sketches will be at the back of church in coming weeks – please take a look and comment on what you like (or dislike, or suggest to make the plans even better). These ideas will then be turned into a final plan – so please have your say!
Gardening
The church gardening group meets on the first Friday of the month from 12-2pm – do come for as much or as little as you are able to. Please bring gloves and secateurs if you can although there are some spares in the shed – everyone welcome on the 3rd November!
Quiz Night – 17th November
Why not come along to our first Christ Church Quiz Night on Friday 17th November at 6:30 pm? There will be lots of fun for all the family. Bring your own drinks – snacks will be provided. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the door – £10 for a family ticket, or £4 for an individual adult.
The Gregson Centre is 40!
https://gregson.co.uk/events/history/ As part of the Gregson’s 40’s Birthday celebrations, Molly Pye will be giving a talk about the early history of the building – when it was Christ’ Church’s Temperance Hall! All welcome on Wednesday 8th November at 8pm in the Gregson – booking recommended!
Christmas Tree Festival 1st – 3rd December – help needed!
The Christmas Tree Festival will be a great success, again, but it will only be so if people are kind enough to help with setting up the church for the festival and to be on hand to welcome people during opening hours, or to help with refreshments in the Hall. If you are able to help in any way, please sign up on the sheets at the back of church. (There are still a few trees available for sponsorship by local businesses, so please take an invite if you have a possible contact.)
Children’s Church, Messy Church – could you help?
Might you be able to help out occasionally with some of our children’s activities? Rev’d Carol and Julie Tinnion can tell you more about what would be involved.
Other Diary Dates…
10th November 10:45am Community Act of Remembrance at Miss Whalley’s Field
11th November 9:30am-11:30 am DIY and Cleaning Morning
12th November 10:30am Remembrance Sunday Parade Service
17th November 6.30pm Quiz Night
1st-3rd December Christmas Tree Festival
3rd December 4pm Advent Service
10th December 4pm Christingle Service
18th December 4pm Christmas Carol Service
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for hot and cold drinks, biscuits, etc., after the 10:30 am Sunday 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:
Churchwardens: … Mr Peter Bohdan 07974924968; 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