A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 23rd August 2026 Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
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
6pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday
No Evening Prayer on Zoom
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation 6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion
Sunday 30th August
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
12:30pm Baptism
6pm Evening Prayer
Gluten-free wafers available. Please ask the Stewards for directions and assistance.
Please send items for inclusion in this newsletter to Kim Robinson by Thursday lunchtime. Many thanks.
Prayer for this week
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than either we desire or deserve: pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of 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
Please send items for inclusion in this newsletter to Kim Robinson. Many thanks.
Little Seedlings
Every Tuesday from 9am in the Church Hall for under 4s and their parents/carers.
Summer Club – This week
Monday 24th August 1-5pm Minute to Win it
Wednesday 26th August 1-5pm Summer Club
For further information, please speak to Innes..
Scripture Readings for our Worship
Isaiah 51. 1-6
Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be for ever, and my deliverance will never be ended.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 138
Refrain- Your loving-kindness, O Lord, endures for ever.
1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise to you.
2 I will bow down towards your holy temple and praise your name, because of your love and faithfulness; for you have glorified your name and your word above all things.
3 In the day that I called to you, you answered me; you put new strength in my soul.
Refrain- Your loving-kindness, O Lord, endures for ever.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
that great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, he watches over the lowly; as for the proud, he regards them from afar.
Refrain- Your loving-kindness, O Lord, endures for ever.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you will preserve me; you will stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand will save me.
8 The Lord shall make good his purpose for me; your loving-kindness, O Lord, endures for ever; forsake not the work of your hands.
Refrain- Your loving-kindness, O Lord, endures for ever.
Romans 12. 1-8
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 16. 13-20
Glory to you, O Lord.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion
God of all mercy, in this eucharist you have set aside our sins and given us your healing: grant that we who are made whole in Christ may bring that healing to this broken world, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Thomas Platt,Yan Connell, David Foster, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Christine McCrann, John Lyth, Freda Jackson, Martin Johnson, Ruby Rodrigues, Maria, Lou Rawlinson, Peter Milburn, Helen Stewart, Jenny Bowerman, Tony Walmsley, Chris Treddenick, Marie Baines. May God’s healing, wholeness and peace be with them.
For those preparing for Baptism: Reggie and Koby-Bailey Catalu. May they shine as lights in the world.
For those who have recently died, including: Bishop Stephen Pedley, Caroline Billinge. May they rest in peace andrise in glory
For those to be married: We pray for Dan and Courtney for their upcoming marriage. May God bless them in theirlife together
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide:
For those who live and work in Stone Row Head, Coleman Drive.
For those living in sheltered accommodation and those supporting them.
. May God’s loving kindness be found and shared.
For people attending and helping with the Apple Festival. Bless our community and those who share in worshipand service here.
Prayer for youth work
Come to us Lord, that we may find rest and peace in you. Help our young people know your replenishment. Lord, as we come to you, give us rest and replenishment. Amen.
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.
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.
In Other News…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
The Olive Branch badly needs all kinds of long-life food and drink – please bring a tin or packet to church with you to leave in the collection crates. . You can also give money for them to buy what people need: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
Anniversary Celebrations!
On Sunday 6th September, our Eco Group celebrate 10 years. At the 1030 Service our guest preacher will be Rev’d Susan Seed, who helped found the group, and we’ll a new Banner and will be followed by lunch in the Hall. We are grateful for all EcoGroup have done to raise awareness of how we can better care for creation, how they have helped change our habits and community life at Christ Church, and for the funds they have raised to support creation-care projects across the world.
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Peatlands are the world’s most efficient carbon store on land. They are invaluable in the fight against climate change, play a key role in flood mitigation as well as providing unique habitats for wildlife. UK law to protect peatlands has stalled so its up to you to make sure you only buy peat free compost and try to source plants and vegetables not grown in this medium.
Are you concerned about climate change, and caring for Creation?
If so, contact joycelynch1946@gmail.com to find out if our active Eco Group is something you’d like to be part of – it meets every six weeks at a member’s home.
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.
Appeal for clean, empty glass bottles
We are in need of clean empty glass bottles with screw top lids for the Apple Festival on the 12th September. Check yourrecycling and please bring any you have to church. Thank you!
Apple Festival
If you can spare 5 minutes to collect the windfall apples in the church garden, wrap them in newspaper and store them ready for the Apple Festival – that would be greatly appreciated! Please also take a poster, and a bundle of invitationsto share with neighbours in local streets. If you know of someone with an apple tree, please invite them to the Festival! We’d love to welcome stallholders to share the fair at the Apple Festival – if you’d be interested in having a table to sellyour produce and crafts, or share more about your community group – please contact Julie Buckley.
Thank you!
To our helpers of all ages who supported the MAGIC day last Saturday, and for all the cleaning, maintenance and DIY which you did! Thank you too to the Bunch team – we had an excellent morning!
Thank you for all your help and support for Sunday’s BVM BBQ – it was a lovely occasion and great to welcome new faces!
Churches Together
Christ Church is part of a network of churches across Lancaster who pray for and support each other. On Thursday 17th September, there will be a shared meeting at 7.15pm at Trinity URC on Bowerham Road. Everyone is welcome – the guest speaker will be Rev’d Clare McEnery, sharing her powerful story about her life as a police inspector, and how she came to be a priest!
PCC
Our PCC meets next on 21st September. .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:
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.
Little Seedlings
Our baby and toddler group, Little Seedlings, meets 9-10.30am every Tuesday in church. If you know someone with a child 0-4 who would like to come along, please invite them. It’s free!
Intercession workshop – Sunday 23rd August
Our prayers of intercession (the ‘prayers of the people’) are a key part of our church’s life and worship as we bring toGod the needs and concerns of our community. If you’d like to know more about this way of praying, or would like some food for the soul as you lead these prayers, Rev’d Carol will be running a workshop after the 10.30am service on Sunday 23rd August – all welcome!
Little Seedlings – Group for 0-4 year olds and their carers.
Our baby and toddler group, Little Seedlings, meets 9-10.30 every Tuesday in the Church Hall. If you know someone with a child 0-4 who would like to come along, please invite them. It’s free!
Church Choir
Our Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7 to 8pm in church. Although small in number, we are enthusiastic andnewcomers are made very welcome.We sing at services about once a month. Please contact jean.mccafferty@gmail.com if you’d like to know more.
Coffee with the Curate
Coffee with the Curate is held weekly on Mondays 10-12 at The Gregson Cafe. Meet new folk and have a chat over a brew. All are welcome!
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 Lorna at hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07808 765364 for more info.
Gardening Group
Our friendly gardening group meets on the first Friday of each month (4th September) between 12noon and 2pm to keep our church garden looking lovely. New members welcome, for all or part of the time – contact lippittjane@gmail.com. Please bring gloves & secateurs if you have them.
Book Group
The church book group normally meets on the first Friday of each month at 4 pm in the church hall (4th September). 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.
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
Fundraising – ideas, opportunities, and support needed!
We’re blessed to have received some generous grant funding for the work we need to do on the building, but we still need all the help we can get to raise the match funding we still need from our own resources. You’re welcome to send more ideas to buckleys@live.co.uk. if you’re able to send a financial contribution by using the QR code below, thank you. We’re getting closer to the target, so anything you can give would be much appreciated.
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
Parish Administrator: Ms Kim Robinson 07483936011 kimberly.robinson@blackburn.anglican.org
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