“He suffered death and was buried”

This coming Sunday, as we approach Holy Week cultimating in Easter the following weekend, we are turning our full attention to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day when we traditionally celebrate the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. He came to Jerusalem for one purpose – his death and resurrection. Those same crowds that shouted “hosanna, hosanna” would become the same crowds that would shout “crucify him, crucify him.”

It’s our 12th week going the Nicene Creed and on Sunday Rev’d Paul will bringing us God’s Word on the next line of the creed: “He suffered death and was buried.”

A quick reminder about upcoming events next week:

• 7:00 PM Maundy Thursday Communion Service
• 10:00 AM Good Friday Easter Explained for families
• 11:30 AM Walk of Witness with the cross to Four Lane Ends (from Christ Church)
• 12:00 PM Service at Four Lane Ends, joining with other churches in Thornton (with special things for children to take part in)
• 12:45 PM (approximately) Picnic back at Christ Church (bring your own picnic, ice creams provided)
• 6:00 PM Seder Meal and Presentation (65 people booked in already!)

And now for some hot off the press exciting news…

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MAUNDY SERVICE – MR TOM PILKINGTON

The King and Queen will be attending the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral on Thursday 17 April 2025. Royal Maundy takes place each year on the Thursday before Easter Day and is a special service in which the King expresses his gratitude for those who serve and volunteer in their communities. The service is rooted in the tradition of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in the Upper Room the night before his death and goes back to medieval times. During the service His Majesty will present 152 recipients, 76 men and 76 women (signifying the age of the Monarch), with specially-minted Maundy money to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities. These recipients have been selected from the dioceses across the Province of York and from Wales and Scotland. One such recipient is our very own Mr Tom Pilkington!

Tom was nominated by members of Christ Church Thornton because of his humble and faithful service to the Lord, the church, the wider community, and ecumenical collaborations. During his years of active ministry Tom has showed exemplary pastoral skills and has impacted the lives of countless people. Never one to take the credit for this, Tom always speaks of his late wife Anne – his steadfast source of encouragement and support – the constant rock throughout their married life and ministry. In many ways, in attending the Maundy Service, Tom represents so many people at Christ Church, past and present, who have served the Lord in this same way. Tom’s service to the Lord is of course rooted in his conversion, by which the resurrection of Christ Jesus was the clincher for his faith. I have heard Tom reference this point many times, emphasising how important the resurrection of Christ is. On Maundy Thursday, as Tom receives from His Majesty the King this special recognition, let us with Tom give our thanks and praise to the Majesty of all Majesties, our God and King, who gave himself sacrificially at that first Easter and victoriously rose again on the third day. Praise be to Him!

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THANK YOU!

So far, the response to the Walk from Christ Church Thornton to Whalley Abbey in memory of Martin Ormond has raised £1,786. This is a wonderful amount – thank you to all who have donated. All money will be split between two charities which were close to Martin’s heart: Testimony Faith Homes (a Christian charity providing residential care for orphans in Kenya), and Open Doors UK (supporting persecuted Christians across the world).

If you haven’t given yet but would like to, there are three main ways to give: by bank transfer (see details at the bottom of this email); by envelope (pick up a white envelope in Church); and by card payment – using this link here. If you give by bank transfer or envelope, please ensure it is clearly marked or referenced ‘Walk from Whalley.’

In addition to the money raised from the walk, a further £2,000 will be added to the amount. This is the remaining tithe the PCC has put aside from 2024 income to support external mission projects as part of our Global Mission Partners project.

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New Electoral Roll

The Electoral Roll form is available online on this link: Electoral Roll 2025 (click on the blue words). Please fill it out NOW. Don’t wait! 

The Church Electoral Roll is the register of electors for Christ Church Thornton. It is the list of those qualified to attend and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the elections for the Parochial Church Council and the parish representatives on the Deanery Synod. In 2025 and every six years thereafter, the Electoral Roll is renewed. In a year of renewal (this year), no names are carried over from the old Roll, and everyone must apply for inclusion in the new Roll.

The deadline to apply to be on the Electoral Roll is the 5th May 2025. Paper forms are available on request to those who cannot get online. Please ask Sally Johnson the Electoral Roll Officer and she will arrange to get one to you. Please, if you are online, do fill out the online form as this is most helpful to us administratively (zero admin for an online form vs 10-15 minutes for each paper form received). 

Being on the Electoral Roll has other benefits too, especially for those who live outside of the parish – such as burial, marriage and baptism eligibility. However, if you live outside the parish boundary and want to come onto the Electoral Roll, you have to have been worshipping habitually at Christ Church for a minimum period of six months, unless you can provide reasons as to why you weren’t able to.

Be warned – the Electoral Roll form isn’t the simplest form in the world! There are a number of options to choose from which require some careful reading. If you’re confused, struggling or just need a little direction, do please speak to Sally, Damian, or one of the clergy team.

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Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Our 2025 APCM will be on the evening of Thursday 29th May beginning at 5:30 PM. Please do attend if you can, as this is an important annual meeting giving an overview of the previous year and looking forward to the year to come. This APCM will be suitable for all ages, so do come along as a family. We will start with food, then worship, after which a representative from each congregation will share some highlights of the ministry and mission during 2024. 

The evening consists of two official meetings, firstly the Meeting of Parishioners (known as the ‘Vestry Meeting’ where Churchwardens are elected) and the APCM where the annual accounts and report are presented and members of the laity are elected to serve on the PCC and Deanery Synod.

At the APCM we have four places for a three-year term on the PCC. Nomination forms are available to download and print here: 

• A nomination Form for Election to the PCC can be downloaded using this link HERE.

Nomination Forms must be submitted before or at the meeting. For more information about eligibility to serve on the PCC and Deanery Synod and the nominations and election process, please do get in touch with me. Please pray that God will equip and call people to these important roles to serve and lead His Church.

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Spring Clean

Can you come and bring a duster and some polish tomorrow? Or vacuum? On Saturday 12th April from 9:00 AM to Noon we will be having a spring clean of the Church and Community Centre Hall. These occasional cleaning days are essential in seeking to keep the building clean and getting ready for the great Easter celebration. If you can come, please just turn up. 

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Special guest at Easter

Over the Easter weekend we’ll be welcoming Ziggy Rogoff to Christ Church Thornton. Ziggy grew up in London in a traditional Jewish home and experienced the rigors of traditional Judaism from an early age. His family kept kosher, and Ziggy went to Hebrew classes three times weekly. His bar mitzvah, held at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, was a landmark moment in his life and summed up who he is: quintessentially Jewish. As an adult Ziggy started to investigate the claims of Jesus to discover if Jesus was the Messiah. Ziggy says: “I knew that the probability of the Messianic prophecies being fulfilled in one person was virtually zero. So when I realized that Jesus did fulfill these prophecies, it felt like comparing a fingerprint with a finger and getting an exact match.”

Ziggy comes to us in Thornton representing Jews for Jesus – an organisation that exists to support churches in exploring Jewish life with faith in Jesus. Those working for the organisation are Jews who are for Jesus. Many Jewish people have never heard that following Jesus can be a thriving expression of Jewish life. The events will give Christians the opportunity to further understand Jewish life and to help share our faith with Jewish people we meet.

You can read more about Ziggy and the work of Jews for Jesus on this link here.

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Traditional Seder

On Friday 18th April at 6:00 PM (Good Friday), Ziggy Rogoff will speak to us about the Passover (פֶּסַח) and take us through a traditional Seder, weaving together the story of the Exodus, with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), our Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ). This promises to be fascinating, educational and spiritually enriching evening.

Bookings will close on Monday evening, so please book your place using this link here.

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Diary of Usual Activities and Services

Monday 14th April

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 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 Noon to 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre and Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Growth Group in the Community Centre

Tuesday 15th April

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 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)
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Craft & Chat in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Lunch in the Community Centre
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church

Wednesday 16th April

• 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 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)
• 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM – Wednesday Morning Growth Group in Church
• 11:15 AM to 12:00 Noon – Traditional (BCP) service of Holy Communion in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Lunches for Seniors in the Community Centre
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM – Mothers’ Union Corporate Communion in Church
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 17th April

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

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Diary of Special Services for Holy Week and Easter…

Thursday 17th April (Maundy Thursday)

• 7:00 PM – Book of Common Prayer Communion Service in Church

Friday 18th April (Good Friday)

• 10:00 AM – Easter Explained! Come to a fun event where families can enjoy time together and explore the true meaning of Easter. With crafts, games and food. Why not come to find out why Good Friday is so good and to discover the wonderful surprise of the first Easter! (Community Centre Hall)
• 11:30 AM – Walk of Witness (from Christ Church to Four Lane Ends) followed by Churches Together in Thornton Service
• 12:00 PM – Churches Together in Thornton Service (outside the Little Theatre at Four Land Ends), followed by a walk back to Church
• 12:45 PM (ish) – Picnic in the Community Centre Hall/Outside Church if good weather (bring your own lunch and drinks – ice cream provided!)
• 6:00 PM – Presentation: ‘Christ in the Passover Banquet’ – with a Seder. With special guest Ziggy Rogoff. Book here.

Saturday 19th April (Holy Saturday)

• 10:00 AM – Presentation: ‘Gospel of Grace to the Nations’ by Ziggy Rogoff

Sunday 20th April (Easter Day)

• 6:00 AM – Sunrise Service & Breakfast (The Book of Common Prayer Communion Service)
• 9:00 AM – Family Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt
• 10:00 AM – Easter Day Celebration Service (Church & Community Centre Hall) see the info below
• 7:00 PM – Presentation: ‘John 2 – the Significance of the Resurrection’ by Ziggy Rogoff. 

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Easter Day Celebration

The Easter Day Celebration is an opportunity to bring all the congregations together as one big church family. It will be carefully planned so as to incorporate aspects familiar to each congregation. There will be a mix of traditional and contemporary hymns. There will be liturgy from The Book of Common Prayer and modern sources. There will be some lovely refreshments on arrival in the Community Centre Hall, so as to give opportunity for coming together as a church family for conversation and deepening relationships with one another. Part-way during the service children of primary school age will be invited to attend their own age-appropriate teaching and activities. The service will culminate in remembering the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus as we receive holy communion together. After the service, there will be another opportunity for refreshments in the Community Centre Hall, if you have time to stay – however we appreciate some will need to be making tracks at this point.

The Easter Day Celebration starts at 10:00 AM in the Community Centre Hall.

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Easter Monday

Please note that the Church and Community Centre will be closed on Easter Monday (21st April). All usual activities and services will resume on Tuesday 22nd April.

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Sunday Services

The services and activities on Sunday 13th April 2025 are:

• 9:00 AM Traditional (The 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 Communion Service (livestreamed with refreshments afterwards)
• 12:15 PM Meadows Books’ open (until 12:45 PM)
• 5:00 PM Treehouse Family Worship (with refreshments)
• 6:00 PM Meadows Books open (until 6:15 PM)

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Watching Online, Bible Reading and Order of Service

Our livestream can be viewed on our YouTube channel here and our Facebook channel here. In our services we will be looking at the following Bible readings: Romans 5:1-11 (Church Bible page 942) and John 19:28-42 (Church Bible page 906). The 11:00 AM order of service is available here.

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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:

• 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)
• Online giving – you can give online here
• You can give by text with a smartphone.  Send a text to 07380 307 800 containing our keyword “CCTFY5”, followed by the word “give”, followed by the amount you wish to give.  For example “CCTFY5 give £10” to give £10. Step by step instuctions here
• 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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Have you read this far?

Well done! Let me know – it’s always encouraging to know.

With blessings,

Damian