This Sunday is our Alpha Sunday, where we’ll be focusing on mission, and in particular the Alpha Course which is running 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM on Wednesdays starting Wednesday 13th September. Alpha is an introduction to Christian faith which includes a tasty meal with friendly people, a short video on topics such as ‘Who is Jesus?’ and ‘Why did Jesus die?’, and then a chance to express your own views and opinions in a small discussion group. It’s a great course to invite a friend along to if they are open minded to exploring what they believe about God and Jesus. 

If your friends are not ready for Alpha (or even if they are!), why don’t you invite them along to one of the other events happening at Church this term, as a chance to introduce them to other christians and welcome them into the Church building? Bring them to support Christ Church FC this Saturday, come with them and their children to KICK Academy or the Family Teatime Cookery Classes, or invite them to the Men United meal at Tramway. And that’s just events happening this week – see below for even more coming up in the coming months between now and Christmas!

There’s lots going on, lots to be involved in and lots to invite others to. What are you coming to, and who are you inviting?

Andrew

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SUNDAY SERVICES

The services and activities on Sunday 3rd August are:

• 9:00 AM Traditional (Book of Common Prayer) Service of Holy Communion (with refreshments afterwards)
• 10:00 AM Meadows Books open (until 10:45 AM)
• 11:00 AM Contemporary Service of Holy Communion LIVE streamed (with refreshments afterwards)
• 12:15 PM Meadows Books’ open (until 12:45 PM)
• 5:00 PM Treehouse Informal Family Worship (with refreshments)
• 6:00 PM Meadows Books open (until 6:15 PM)

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WATCHING ONLINE
If you’re unable to attend due to health and mobility, our livestream can be viewed on our YouTube channel HERE and our Facebook channel HERE.

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BIBLE READINGS

Our focus in the Sunday morning services is on the Bible reading, Matthew 16:13-20 (Church Bible page 822). You can read it online HERE.

On Tuesday Evening Worship and Wednesday 11:30 Holy Communion our reading is Luke 10:25-37 (Church Bible page 869). You can read it online HERE.

Treehouse will be our last all-together service before we return to our series in Exodus next week.

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ORDER OF SERVICE

To download or print the order of service for the 11:00 AM service, please click on this link HERE and select the appropriate week.

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CHRIST CHURCH FC

The next men’s 11-a-side match is on tomorrow, Saturday 2nd September at Poolfoot Farm Butts Road, kick off at 10:45 AM. This will be our first competitive match playing in the Cup competition of the South Manchester and Cheshire Christian Football League. If you are free, please do pop and support us!

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TUESDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE

Our Tuesday Evening Worship Service (TEWS) resume this Tuesday 5th September at 7:30 PM in church. This is a simple service with modern worship songs, a short sermon and an open prayer time. Our long term vision is to grow a congregation that can be planted into Burn Naze, but for the foreseeable future we are meeting in church. All are welcome. 

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BURN NAZE PLAYHOUSE AND KICK ACADEMY

From 5th September we’re (re-)launching two Tuesday afternoon activities at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Gamble Road in Burn Naze. Please do pray for these activities and mention them to people you know, especially if they live in or near Burn Naze.

Playhouse is our drop-in for 0-5s and their parents/carers with toys, songs, Bible story, tea and toast. It runs 2-3 PM every Tuesday. 

KICK is a football Academy for Primary School aged children that includes football coaching, a short half-time talk, and a game of football. It’s open to all abilities with the aim of having fun, learning football, promoting Christian values and connecting children to church. It runs 3:45-4:45 PM every Tuesday. Parents are encouraged to stay and watch, and remain responsible for their children at all times. 

To give us an idea of numbers and to aid with communication, it would be helpful if children could be registered for KICK, however you can turn up and registered in-person on the day. 
You can book Primary School aged children in to KICK Academy HERE.

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LEAFLETS – CAN YOU HELP?

We have printed a large number of postcards promoting the KICK Academy and Playhouse in Burn Naze. Could you help deliver them in the Burn Naze area? Speak to Andrew or email andrew@christchurchthornton.uk if you can help!

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FAMILY TEATIME COOKERY CLASSES

Our free Family Teatime Cookery Classes restart after the summer break on Friday 8th September at 5:00 PM in the community hall. Families are guided through preparing some food, share a meal together which we’ve prepared and cooked earlier, and then take their cooking home, along with a second set of ingredients to make it again at home. 

The classes are completely free, but it’s helpful if you can book on for each week in advance so that we know how much food to prepare. Book HERE for Friday 8th September.

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MEN UNITED

The next Men United meal will be at the Tavern at the Mill at 7:30pm on Friday 8th September. This is an ideal event for men to invite a friend to, introduce them to some other men from church, and then invite them on to Alpha starting the following Wednesday. 

Speak to John Hearnshaw to book your place. 

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WEDNESDAY MORNING COMMUNION NEW TIME – 11:15 AM

As our Wednesday morning communion service grows, we’re finding that we are sometimes pushed for time with the start of Lunches for Seniors immediately after. Rather than rush Holy Communion, we’re moving to a new start time of 11:15 AM, immediately after the Wednesday Growth Group. 

To give us time to let everybody know, the new time of 11:15 AM will take effect on Wednesday 13th September. Next week’s service (6th September) will start at 11:30 AM as usual. 

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ALPHA

ALPHA is a short course that introduces the basics of Christian faith in a welcoming and engaging way. It includes a tasty meal, a short video on topics like ‘Who is Jesus?’, followed by a friendly discussion where guests are encouraged to express any opinion or ask any question they like. It’s a great course to come on if you’re exploring faith, and a great course to invite a friend to. 

We’re running Alpha from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on a Wednesday evening, starting on 13th September and running until 6th December. This will run alongside with Lighthouse, so the children will join us for the meal, and parents can stay for Alpha while the children are at Lighthouse. 

Sign up for Alpha at christchurchthornton.uk/alpha.

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FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF MEADOWS BOOKS

We will be celebrating the first anniversary of Meadows Books on Thursday 14th September, 7:30 PM. There will be refreshments and a free gift for each person that comes. Come along, celebrate, browse!

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CHORAL EVENSONG

We’ll be welcoming the Chapel Choir of Rossall School for Choral Evensong on Monday 18th September and Monday 13th November, both at 7:00 PM in Church.

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FLOURISH WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

This new weekly opportunity for Bible study will start on Tuesday 19th September, 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Chris Hartley’s home. It will be an encouraging time for women to grow in their Christian walk together. Please speak to Chris for more information.

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ABIDE WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP

Starting soon and meeting around once a term, the book group will spend an enjoyable evening reflecting on a short Christian book. The first book will be ‘Heavenly Minded’ by Mary Wilson Hannah. This short book captures how fixing our eyes on heaven will transform our Christian experience here on earth, bringing assurance, hope and purpose. There are 10 copies of the book available to buy in the Meadows Books for only £2.50 (usual price £3.99). Please speak to Chris Hartley for more information.

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‘LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS’ WITH THORNTON CLEVELEYS BAND

Live music from Thornton Cleveleys band. Friday 22nd September from 7:30 PM. Entry costs £7 (pay on the door) with no booking necessary. Interval refreshments included!

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LUNCHTIME CONCERT

There will be a lunchtime concert on Tuesday 26th September at 1:45 PM in Church. Students from Rossall School will once again be performing for us. Sandwiches and hot drinks are available from 1:15 PM. All are welcome.

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‘SCAM ALERT’ INFORMATION EVENING

According to UK Finance statistics £1.2bn was lost to fraud in 2022. This is equivalent to £2,300 every minute of every day. The most common type was card fraud with banks only refunding 59% of losses. But there are many other types of fraud and scams which frequently go unreported. Do you worry about ‘phone calls? Do you worry about text messages? Do you think you know all about scams?

Come along to the Community Hall at 6:30 PM on Thursday 5th October 2023 and let us help you to understand what you should, or should not, be doing. Even if you think you know all about scams, maybe you should come anyway so you can pass on some information to your parents, grandparents or elderly neighbours who may not be able to come. It will all be very informal, but maybe you could learn something you didn’t know before and there will be refreshments available and people to talk to if you’re worried that you may have been or are being scammed right now. For more information, please call or send a text to Sally Johnson 07903 776451 outside working hours.

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CORE CATECHISM CLASSES
Getting to grips with why we believe what we believe!

Core Catechism Classes will equip Christians with the tools to understand more firmly why they believe what they believe. Using the ancient method of catechesis, the Core Catechism Classes (designed by Damian) will teach the foundational doctrines of Christianity, carefully tracing the story of the one true God as revealed in Scripture.

Core Catechism Classes will run in-between the Sunday morning services 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, enabling people attending either congregation to come. They will run in the Community Centre Hall and will include coffee and cake.

Topics will include: Church History, Creation, Creeds, 39 Articles, Bible Overview, Heresies, Baptism, Holy Communion, The Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, Reliability of the Bible.

Classes start on Sunday 8th October. For more information speak to Damian or Andrew.

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HARVEST SUPPER AND CEILIDH

Put on your dancing shoes and eating shirt for the Christ Church Harvest Supper and Ceilidh on Saturday 28th October 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Featuring live music from the Preston-based ‘Old School Band’ along with a tasty harvest supper of Home-made Lamb Hot Pot and Chocolate Fudge Cake with Cream (bring your own drinks). It will be great!

Tickets must be purchased on advance and cost £10 per adult and £5 per child. Please book and pay by card HERE.

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COACH TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

Damian is running a coach trip to Liverpool – would you like to come too? It’s on Friday 1st December and costs only £15!

There will be an opportunity to explore Liverpool at your own leisure and do some Christmas shopping. You could also visit one of Liverpool’s Cathedrals.

The coach will be setting off from Christ Church Thornton at 8:30 AM, arriving in Liverpool just around 10:00 AM. The coach will leave Liverpool at 4:00 PM, arriving back at Christ Church around 6:00 PM, traffic dependent.

As an optional extra, you can also enjoy a 50-minute ferry ‘cross the Mersey to see one of the greatest waterfronts in the world! The cruise will be followed by a bus tour of Liverpool. The route provides the opportunity to see some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The cost for this is an extra £16 (£31 total).

Book your tickets and pay online HERE.

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CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNITY DINNER 2023
Delicious Food,Friendship, and Joy

We are looking forward to hosting a joy filled afternoon on Monday 25th December from 1:00 PM onwards in the Community Centre Hall. The meal is for anyone who might benefit from having company on Christmas Day. Enjoy a proper Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, followed of course by pudding, cake, and cheese and biscuits! There will be a quiz and live music.

There is no charge for any of the food or the activities. God gave the generous gift of Jesus at the first Christmas. We believe in sharing the generous love of God with anyone who would like to receive it.

Booking is essential. Please sign up HERE.

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WHALLEY ABBEY RETREAT PROGRAMME

The vision for Whalley Abbey is to be a place of encounter, spiritual refreshment and growth for all, and several members of our congregation have enjoyed retreats and quiet days at Whalley as a space to reflect. The diocese have recently produced a brochure of the 2023/2024 programme which you can download here:

WA Retreat Programme.pdf 

Email bookings@whalleyabbey.org or ring 01251 828 400 for more details. 
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GIVING TO GOD

There are numerous ways to give to God and contribute to the mission and ministry of Christ Church:

• Online giving – you can give online HERE
• Text message – simply text SUNDAY to 70460 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message which will be added to your mobile phone bill
• Bank transfer – details available HERE
• By dated giving envelopes (on request)
• By contactless machine at the back of Church (or sometimes positioned in the Pilgrim’s Rest or the Community Centre)
• Cash in the collection plate (positioned on the font)

Bank transfer or standing order is the preferred method of giving as they do not have any processing fees attached. Tax payers can add Gift Aid to their gift. More information about this can be found on the website HERE. 

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SERVING IN CHURCH

There’s always lots of opportunities to get involved in the mission and ministry of the church and all our activities throughout the week, on evenings, and on Sundays are dependent on volunteers to operate. Volunteers help to set up and tidy up, provide refreshments, assist with (and in many cases run) activities, and keep our churchyard mowed and tidy. 

Serving on a team is also a great way to get to know other members of the church family. If you don’t currently serve on a team at church and would like to, please do contact Damian or Andrew for a chat about where you might best fit. 

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DIARY OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

Here’s a comprehensive list of all that’s taking place in the week ahead…

Monday 4th September

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre and Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Monday night Growth Group in the Community Centre

Tuesday 5th September

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Craft & Chat in Church
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – Lunch in the Community Centre
• 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Gamble Road
• 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM – KICK Academy at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Gamble Road
• 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM – Tuesday Evening Worship Service (TEWS) in Church
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Tuesday night Growth Group in the Community Centre

Wednesday 6th September

• 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM – Wednesday morning Growth Group in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Traditional (BCP) service of holy communion in Church
• 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – Lunches for Seniors in the Community Centre
• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Mothers’ Union Service and Meeting
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 7th September

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre and Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bat & Chat in the Community Centre

Friday 8th September

• 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Craft & Chat in Church
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre
• 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM – Family Teatime Cookery Classes in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – Men United at the Tavern at the Mill

Saturday 9th September

• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop

Not sure what to come to? Not sure if a service or activity is suited to you or not? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and ask.

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With blessings,

Damian & Andrew