Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 2nd June 2024 First Sunday of Trinity
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 – 2nd June
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am Parish Eucharist
6pm Taizé Eucharist
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Next Sunday: 9th June Trinity 2
8:30am Holy Communion
10:30am All Together Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Prayer for this week
God of truth, help us to keep your law of love and to walk in ways of wisdom, that we may find true life in Jesus Christ your Son. Amen
Children’s Church
Every Sunday of term time during the 10.30 service for KS1/2 children
Godly Play
Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4pm in Church for KS1/2 children. Next: 16th June
Contact: Rev’d Carol for more information.
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
Deuteronomy 5.12-15
Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as well as you. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 81.1-10
Refrain: O come, let us sing to the Lord.
1 Sing merrily to God our strength,
shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
2 Take up the song and sound the timbrel, the tuneful lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
as at the full moon, upon our solemn feast day.
4 For this is a statute for Israel,
a law of the God of Jacob,
5 The charge he laid on the people of Joseph, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
Refrain: O come, let us sing to the Lord.
6 I heard a voice I did not know, that said: ‘I eased their shoulder from the burden; their hands were set free from bearing the load.
7 ‘You called upon me in trouble and I delivered you; I answered you from the secret place of thunder and proved you at the waters of Meribah.
8 ‘Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 ‘There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not worship a foreign god.
10 ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I shall fill it.’
Refrain: O come, let us sing to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4.5-12
For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark 2.23 – 3.6
Glory to you, O Lord.
One sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.’ Then he said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.’
Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come forward.’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
Eternal Father, we thank you for nourishing us with these heavenly gifts: may our communion strengthen us in faith, build us up in hope, and make us grow in love; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Ernie Wilson, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Susanna Michaelis, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Mary Tredennick, Sheila Parsons, Christine McCrann – that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
For those who have died recently: Julianne Dougherty, Audrey Crompton, Kurt Johnson, Andrew Bell – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide for:
For those who live and work on Tarbet Street, Ayr Street
For the work of the RLI Hospital
For our September mission weekend and the people we invite to share our church community.
For Kaarina, as she prepares for ordination, and for Bishop-Designate Joe (Burnley)
For the appointment of a Children’s Ministry Leader – that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Zoom Prayer:
Tuesday 11th June 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
Thought for the Week
The Sabbath is the Festival of Creation on which the world is made over again. The universe presents the cryptogrammic wonder of a detective story; but with this difference, that the secret is not a hidden crime, but a hidden kindness. G K Chesterton (b.. 29 May 1874)
Godly Play! 4pm on the third Sunday of each month
Godly Play is a way of sharing Scripture stories with children, and helping them wonder about 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). The next gathering is on Sunday, 16th June, at 4pm. Everyone welcome!
Children’s Ministry Leader
This post is being re-advertised. Please encourage people you think might be interested in leading and growing our work with children and families to apply, and please share with likely candidates and through your networks. https://pathways.churchofengland.org/en/jobs/children-s-ministry-leader/1087
Readers and intercessors
If you would be interested in joining the team of people who read and/or pray at the 10:30 am services., please sign up on the list at the back of church, or contact Pat.
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…
The Olive Branch Foodbank
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, longlife 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/
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Composting is a great way to recycle the organic waste we generate at home. It produces free compost which improves soil health and better plant growth in your garden. Learn the best way to do it by attending the composting talk in Church on Tuesday.
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.
Changes to recycling at Christ Church – from the Eco Group
We can still collect plastic bottle tops/lids, plastic toothbrushes and electric brush heads, covers and flosser nozzles, also flossing sticks, interdental brushes and dental tape containers, We can still take medical blister packs, but owing to the large quantities, please take your own to Superdrug if you can. Thank you for your ongoing support with recycling on the first Sunday of each month.
Fairtrade Church
As a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers, Christ Church have become a Fairtrade Church. This means that we commit to using and serving only Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar – more info here: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
Lunch and Bug Hunt
Join volunteers from North Lancs Wildlife Group on Sunday 9th June for a bug hunt in our garden. Please bring some food for to share for a picnic lunch (suggestions on the sign-up list at the back of church), and the fun begins at 1pm. Part of the Churches Count on Nature project and the Big Green Week! Please bring some cash with you for leaflets as part of the bug hunt. Thank you!
From Trash To Treasure
Join the Eco-Group for a fascinating and practical talk on Composting on the 4th June at 7.30pm in Christ Church. Compost reduces waste going to landfill, and benefits plants, people and the soil on which we depend!
PCC
The new PCC, elected at the APCM, meets next on 10th June. Please get in touch with Rev’d Carol and/or Julie Buckley to flag up any issues you would like discussed at the PCC meetings, or any questions you would like to ask
We ask you to pray this prayer ‘this time tomorrow’ after a Sunday service – wherever you are. (Why not put a reminder in your phone?)
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:
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 hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855 for more info.
Book Group
The church book group meets on the first Friday of each month at 4 pm in the church hall. Books are provided by Lancashire Libraries, in addition to those shared by members. The date of the next meeting is 7th June. Anyone who enjoys reading and discussion books 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 on the second (and sometimes other) Tuesday(s) of each month at 11.30am in the Hall. Everyone welcome – bring your own project, or share in one of the others on the go! No prior experience needed. The group next meets on 11th June.
Gardening
If you can spare some time to help weed and tidy the church garden, our gardening group meets next on Friday 7thJune, between 12 and 2pm (and the first Friday of every month). Please bring gloves and secateurs if you have them – and contact Liz Mills if you’d like more 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
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
Q. What sort of lights did they have on Noah’s Ark? A. Floodlights
Date for your diary – 29th June!
We are blessed that Kaarina will be ordained Deacon on 29th June in Blackburn Cathedral. Rev’d Kaarina will then join Christ Church as Curate for the next few years to train further in ministry. If you would like to support her at her ordination, there will be lifts available to the Cathedral. There will also be opportunities to welcome her in the Sunday services the following day.
Date for your diary – 19th July!
The Bishop of Burnley Designate, the Rev’d Dr Joe Kennedy, will be consecrated at 11 am on 19th July in York Minster. To book a seat on the (free!) coach leaving from St John’s Ellel at 8am, please click here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bishop-of-burnleys-office/diocese-of-blackburn-north-coach-journey/2024-07-19/08:00/t-avkxdmj. You’ll also need to book a place at the service here: https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/Nzk3NS05/t (congregation) https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/Nzk3NS01/t (clergy and LLMs).
Election Hustings
If you’d like to hear more about the local candidates to be our next Member of Parliament, their policies and how they would respond to key issues, Churches Together is hosting a hustings shortly. Once the venue, date and time have been confirmed, we’ll let you know as soon as possible. All welcome – bring along your questions to ask the candidates!
Thank you!
To Susan for repainting the hall exterior – a big improvement!
Thank you!
To Lyra and Joanna for their help as part of their Archbishop of York Volunteer award.
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: … Mrs Emma Muckalt & Ms Debbie Steele safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org 07547 717060
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