(Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 17th January 2024 Epiphany & Sunday 14th January 2024 Second Sunday of Epiphany
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 – 7th January – Epiphany
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Taizé Eucharist (musicians from 4:30pm)
Tuesday 9th and 16th
7.15pm Pilgrim Course (Vicarage)
Wednesday 10th and 17th
5.30pm Meditation and Evening Prayer
(Storey Chapel)
Friday 12th and 19th
9.30am Holy Communion
(Lady Chapel)
Sunday – 14th January
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Ignatian Evening Prayer
Next Sunday – 21st January
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am All Together Eucharist
12:30 pm Baptism
4pm Godly Play (see notice)
6pm Celtic Evening Prayer
Wishing you the spirit of Christmas which is PEACE, the blessing of Christmas which is HOPE, the heart of Christmas which is LOVE.
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.
Scripture Readings for our Worship 07.01.2024
Collect for the Feast of the Epiphany:
O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; 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.
Isaiah 60.1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 72.10-15
Refrain: The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring gifts.
11 All kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall do him service. Refrain
12 For he shall deliver the poor that cry out, the needy and those who have no helper.
13 He shall have pity on the weak and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight. Refrain
15 Long may he live; unto him may be given gold from Sheba; may prayer be made for him continually and may they bless him all the day long.
Refrain: The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice.
Ephesians 3.1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 2.1-12
Glory to you, O Lord
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Scripture Readings for our Worship 14.01.2024
Collect for the Baptism of Christ:
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; 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.
Genesis 1.1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 29
Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders;
the Lord is upon the mighty waters. Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
4 The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Sirion like a young wild ox. Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare; in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’
9 The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.
10 The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Acts 19.1-7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They replied, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ Then he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 1.4-11
Glory to you, O Lord
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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, Peter
Those who have died recently: Annie Lee, Sue Widden, Stephen Gardner.
Those preparing for Baptism: Ada Grace Birkby.
Parish Cycle of Prayer:
For those who live and work on Lingmoor Road, Patterdale Road, Thirlmere Road, Buttermere Road.
For those working to provide us with clean water, and protect our water courses.
For our Choir, and musicians.
For those attending our forthcoming Pilgrim Course, and Godly Play.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 9th January 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, 7th January- 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
Throughout history the people of God have struggled to reveal God’s glory to the world. We seem to be much better at concealing it – by keeping it to ourselves, squabbling about it, and sometimes even ignoring it entirely. The season of Epiphany not only challenges us afresh to feel the pull of God on our own lives but to seek constantly for ways in which we can reveal God to the world. Just think about what the world could look like if we succeed! Paula Gooder
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 this autumn/winter
This space for warmth, welcome, food and fellowship started up in November. We’re open from 11:30 am – 2 pm each Monday, resuming on Monday 8th January after the Christmas/New Year break. 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, and do please encourage people to come along and enjoy a warm welcome! Thank you.
The Olive Branch Foodbank
Thank you for all the generous donations to their Christmas appeal, but they need our ongoing support.. 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, longline 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/
New Year Planning!
Have you got some great ideas for events and activities at Christ Church in 2024? If so, please come along to a planning meeting on the 14th January after the 10.30am service.
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
If you are interested in learning how to respond more fully to creation care issues, sign up first to the two-hour self-paced online module hosted by the Diocese of Leeds https://learning.leeds.anglican.org/course/saving-creation-bronze/, which can be done at any time anywhere, and then to the Diocese of Blackburn’s course starting 17th January: – please see separate flyer, or go to https://www.blackburn.anglican.org/authorised-lay-ministry and scroll down to the Elective Modules section, and click on Environmental Stewardship (Spring 2024).
Eco-Church Talk at Christ Church
Plastic Packaging in People’s Lives: What happens to our plastic recycling and why? 7pm – 8.30pm on Tuesday 16 January 2024 Presentation & discussion led by our very own Dr Clare Mumford, Senior Research Associate, Lancaster University – everyone welcome, please bring a friend!
Emergency Short Term Refugee Accommodation
RAIS Lancaster will be 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). More information will be made available early in the New Year.
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 7th January, and the first Sunday of each month. There have been changes in what can be recycled from the next collection (4th February) onwards – please see the separate notice for further details of what can be accepted in future.
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Last night I dreamed I wrote ‘The Lord of the Rings’. I was Tolkien in my sleep.
Help Needed!
Julie Tinnion will be taking a sabbatical from leading Children’s Church in the new year. We need help to cover the 4-week gap. Materials will be provided, and all helpers will need a church DBS check. We have a few people already willing to lead the sessions, but we still need others to help with some of the practicalities. Please have a chat with Rev’d Carol to find out more.
Pilgrim course – starts 9th January!
On Tuesday 9th January at 7.30pm in the Vicarage, everyone welcome as we begin Pilgrim – A Course for the Christian Journey. Whether you’re new to church, or wanting to go deeper, this 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?.
Also starting this month – Godly Play!
On Sunday 21st January at 4pm in Church, we’re beginning Godly Play. This is a way of sharing Scripture stories, and helping children wonder about their 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). We’ll meet every month on the 3rd Sunday. If you can help, or would like to come along, please pick up a flyer, and ask Rev’d Carol if you’re curious.
PCC
…. meets on the 10th January. We’ll be talking about recycling collections, sound insulation in the Hall, and a request to become a Fairtrade Church, amongst other things. 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:
Changes to recycling w.e.f. 4th February 2024
TerraCycle UK has had to change its requirements owing to changes in packaging from certain companies. There will be a follow-up for 4th February on what can no longer be accepted in the future. This is partly owing to improved actions and changes in materials on the part of producers – but also because of withdrawal by some manufacturers from local schemes such as ours.
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 on hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855 for more info.
Help Needed!
Julie Tinnion will be taking a sabbatical from leading Children’s Church in the new year. We need help to cover the 4-week gap. Materials will be provided, and all helpers will need a church DBS check. Please have a chat with Rev’d Carol, and there will be a meeting after the 10:30 am service on 17th December to find out more.
Special Appeal – Doorways and Windows
You may be aware that the stonework around the porch is deteriorating, and has been shedding pieces of masonry. We urgently need to re-mortar the porch to make it safe and weathertight for decades to come. There are also several of our unique and historic windows which currently do not have protection from stones, pellets, weather, etc – and need a polycarbonate shield fixing. This combined work will cost around £8000. Whilst we can apply for a grant towards some of the work – please will you help by making a donation to the Church Repair Fund? Thank you!
Craft Group
Members of the craft group are currently repairing the gold-work embroidery on the red altar frontal. This has proved to be a mammoth task as some of the original work is Victorian – so thank you for all your hard work so far! We’ve been assisted by Sara Dennis from the Repair Shop – but in the mean time, the high altar will look a little plainer than usual!
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
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 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