Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 3rd November 2024 All Saints & All Souls
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 – 3rd November
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am All Saints’ Festal Eucharist
6pm Taizé Eucharist for All Souls
Tuesday
5pm Evening Prayer via Zoom (see notice)
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Saturday
5pm Confirmation Group
Next Sunday: 10th November – Remembrance Sunday
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Remembrance Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Prayer for this 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
Children’s Church
welcomes primary-aged children during the 10.30am service during term time. Parents/guardians are also welcome to join in. Please see notice.
Contact: Rev’d Carol for more information.
Godly Play – 17th November
Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4 pm in church for KS1/2 children
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
Isaiah 25.6-9
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death for ever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 24
Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.
1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it, the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.
2 For he has founded it upon the seas and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.
3 ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, or who can rise up in his holy place?’
4 ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie;
5 ‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a just reward from the God of their salvation.’
6 Such is the company of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.
Revelation 21.1-6a
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’
And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 11.32-44
Glory to you, O Lord.
When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
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
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Sheila Parsons, Christine McCrann, Steve Wilkinson, Richard Jones, Ella, Revd Kaarina- that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
Those who have died recently: Mike Seed, Betty Jones, Jane Cross, Andrew Sproxton, May Bailey, Margaret Broad – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide for:
For those living and working on Mill House Mews, St Peter’s Mews.
For our link diocese of the Free State in South Africa
For Innes, beginning work as our Children’s Ministry Leader.
For those preparing for Confirmation.
– that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Tuesday Evening Prayer
On 5pm each Tuesday, Rev’d Carol and Rev’d Kaarina 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. (Please note the recently changed link.)
Taizé Eucharist – 3rd November
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. 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.
Children’s Church
… is an important part of our church life, and one of the ways children learn more about Christian faith. We’re looking for helpers for Children’s Church for the new term. If you can offer one Sunday morning each a month (or more if possible) please have a word with Rev’d Carol. An Enhanced DBS check will be arranged.
Godly Play! 4pm on the third Sunday of each month – 17th November
Godly Play shares 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 17th November at 4pm. Everyone welcome!
All Souls
As November begins, the church especially remembers the people who have been saints (those who signpost God’s love in the world), and remembers those who have died and now know the fullness of God’s love. As part of the 6pm Taizé Eucharist on the 3rd November, we remember by name those we have loved – please print their name on the list at the back of church.
Remembrance at Christ Church
On Sunday 10th, our 10.30am service will be a Remembrance Parade. On the 11th November, there’s a warm invitation to join the Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field at the Memorial Stone in Derwent Road for a Community Act of Remembrance, gathering from 10.45am
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.
Rev’d Kaarina’s News
Rev’d Kaarina has had surgery this week, and we keep her in our prayers as she recovers. It is likely to be after Christmas before she returns to ministry at Christ Church, so please direct any enquiries or pastoral conversations to Rev’d Carol in the first instance.
Thought for the Week
Before you speak of peace, you must first have it in your heart. St. Francis of Assisi
Confirmations
Would you like to take a next step in faith? Would you like to start receiving communion? On the 24th 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 Kaarina (or email Rev’d Carol to arrange a convenient time to talk to her). Confirmation Group runs on Saturdays 5pm – 6pm, in church. Suitable for adults of any age, and for children in Year 6 and above.
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 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/
Welcome Innes!
We’re pleased to announce that Innes Heron-Stamp has been appointed as our new Children’s Ministry Leader, and began this week. The post is for 22.5 hours a week, to lead and grow our work with children and their families, both in the parish and in church. Innes brings extensive experience as a youth worker and leader. Please keep Innes in your prayers.
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
Our local charity MfM works to help local communities prepare better to face the increasingly frequent natural disasters to which Madagascar is subject. It is now co-leading an initiative with Solar United Madagascar consortium to develop projects using solar to improve education, health, and livelihoods. To learn more, please come along to a presentation in church on Tuesday 12th at 7.15pm.
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 – from the Eco-Group
On the first Sunday of the month, we collect 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. No bottle tops please.
Concert for Gaza – 29th November
At 6pm on Friday 29th November, local musicians will be hosting a short concert in Christ Church to raise funds for a well in Gaza. Please do support them if you can, and if you can help with refreshments on the night, please speak to Rev’d Carol
Solar Solutions to poverty and the environmental crisis – talk
Get inspired by Solar Solutions to poverty and the environmental crisis in an engaging talk by Irenée Rajaona-Horne from the international development and conservation charity, Money for Madagascar, on 12th November at 7:15pm in church.
Fairtrade Church
We are now a Fairtrade Church. as a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
PCC
… meets on the 11th November. We will be discussing Safeguarding at Christ Church – both what is practically in place to keep people safe, and also the culture of our community.
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:
Christmas Tree Festival
On the 6-8th December, we’ll be hosting our fourth Christmas Tree Festival – raising funds for Lancaster Homeless Action and Church, and showing off the work of lots of local groups. If you’re part of a local business which might like to sponsor a tree – please collect an invitation from the back of church – we’d love to hear from you! We’ll also be inviting local community groups to decorate a tree – if this might be you, please contact Julie Buckley..
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
My nickname at school was Scarface – I was really good at knitting.
Christ Church Primary School at 150!
On the 25th January 2025, our school will celebrate its 150th anniversary! Originally founded by Rev’d Philip Bartlett on Moor Lane, it moved to its Derwent Road site in the early 1990s. If you have photos or other memorabilia which you’d like to share for their history project, please drop this into the school office (labelled, so they can return it to you!)
There’ll be a special service for the school on the 19th January, and then our 10.30am service on the 26th January will have an open invitation to past pupils and staff to celebrate this fantastic milestone!
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.
Christ Church Choir
….. sings at the 10.30 service about once a month, plus other special occasions, and practises in church on Thursdays, 7-8:15 pm. 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
Craft Group
…. meets on the second Tuesday of each month (and sometimes others – including 5th November) 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 next date is 29th October.)
Thank you!
To members of the Craft Group for helping restore our 70+-year-old red altar frontal. The goldwork has required painstaking restoration – we hope it will last for many more decades to come! A huge thank you also to all in our local community who made poppies for a display in church next Sunday. If you’d like to buy a poppy brooch, they are available for £3.50 at the back of church.
Help needed – cleaning/DIY morning (and brunch) – 9th November
Please could you spare half-an-hour or more to help clean, de-clutter, do odd DIY jobs around church and in the hall on 9th November between 9:30 and 11.30am. Brunch provided? Thank you in advance.
Book Group
The church book group next meets on the 1st November, and then on the first Friday of each month at 4 pm in the church hall. Books are provided. 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
Advent Calendars
Fairtrade Divine Chocolate calendars will soon be available – please sign up on the list at the back if you’d like to order one for more for £6 each.
Christ Church Preserves!
There’s a wide range of delicious jams and chutneys available for sale at the back of church, some recipes including churchyard apples! Please do support the church by buying a jar or two!
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
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:
Vicar: … Rev’d Carol Backhouse revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 01524 942105
Curate: … Rev’d Kaarina Leong curate@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07749 489623
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
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