When was the last time you laughed so much you couldn’t stop yourself? You know, one of those laughs that comes from deep within where you end up making laughing noises that you didn’t know were possible? I did it on a canoe in the middle of a Lake in Wales this summer. Harry, Ruby and me were bravely venturing into the middle of the Lake. The canoe wasn’t gliding as smoothly or as quickly as it should have done. Why? Someone was paddling in the wrong direction – in reverse. Yes, you’ve guessed it. It was me! Once it was brought to my attention, I laughed and laughed, which included tears. It probably wasn’t that funny – but I was certainly tickled by it!
Does God laugh? I’m not sure if jokes are told in heaven. Ironic, considering all the jokes that are told about getting to the pearly gates and speaking to Saint Peter. Heaven will certainly be the most pleasurable existence ever, with no sin, no sadness, no death. There will be full and perfect joy in the presence of our perfect God. But does God laugh? Will we hear the Father laughing? I’m not sure. However we do know that He can laugh, and has laughed. So at this point you’re thinking “Damian, what on earth are you on about?!” Sorry, well on Sunday we’ll be looking at Psalm 2, which gives us an amazing image of God laughing – laughing at those powerful people on earth who rise up against him (have a read of it here).
We’ll reflect on Sunday at God’s power over everything, including earthly rulers. We’ll be encouraged to hear that we can take our refuge in the all-powerful, present-everywhere, mighty and eternal God. I’m looking forward to Psalm 2! I hope you are too. Will I see you there on Sunday? Three opportunities await you: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 5:00 PM.
Now let’s have a look at some church news and upcoming events…
——————————-
Sunday Services
The services and activities on Sunday 15th September 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 Service of Holy Communion 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)
——————————-
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 morning services we will be looking at Psalm 2. The 11am order of service is available here.
——————————
Harvest Supper & Ceilidh
Put on your dancing shoes (or just come to watch, listen, and eat!) for the Christ Church Harvest Supper and Ceilidh on Saturday 5th 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 hot pot and apple pie with cream (bring your own drinks). It will be great! Tickets are £10 adults and £5 children. BOOK NOW using this link so that your food can be ordered in time!
——————————
Our Church and Community Centre ‘Values’
On Thursday 10th October, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, an interesting evening exploring what our ‘values’ as a church are. Values can be things such as welcome, hospitality, generosity, and excellence – and many many more. Damian will be presenting some of his reflections from his sabbatical about what our specific-to-Christ-Church values are, the biblical basis for them, why they matter, and how we can strive to excel in them.
——————————-
Church WhatsApp number
We are trialing having a Church WhatsApp facility – a quick and easy way to ask a question. Several people will be connected to it and will be able to respond. The number is 07356 024257. An easy way to use it is to click this link here.
——————————-
Church WhatsApp Announcement Group
We are also trialing a Church WhatsApp Announcement Group (often called a WhatsApp Community). Short and quick-to-read useful messages of information about church life and activities will be posted on it. If you subscribe to it, no one can see your number except the administrator (currently Damian, with one or two more people to be added going forward).
To try it out and get involved click on this link here to be added to it. If you like it, you can keep on it and if you don’t like it you can easily ‘exit’ the group at any time. You can also ‘mute’ notifications at any time.
If it works, we’ll launch sub-groups by WhatsApp for various church activities going forward as an efficient way to broadcast useful and activity-specific important information (in addition to the weekly news).
——————————
An evening of magic and laughter
Featuring close up magic from Rod Williams and a headline show from Britains got Talent star John Archer at St John’s Church, Blackpool on Wednesday 2 October 2024 at 7:00 PM.
They will be performing their main stage show for us, but also interviewing each other about their christian faith. This is an absolutely perfect event to invite people exploring faith along to. It’s also made so older children can come with parents too if families want to come together. Click here to book.
——————————
Treehouse Weekend Away
It has been seven years since we started the Treehouse service. I hope you’ll agree, it’s been tremendous. New friendships have been formed and there is a real family feel to all that happens on a Sunday afternoon. It is with excitement therefore that we have a weekend away planned for Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2024. This will be a great opportunity to spend time together whilst growing deeper in our Christian faith.
This weekend aimed at children and families is open to all congregations, not just those that attend Treehouse. The weekend will be full board, including all meals in the hotel from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, with the option of a packed lunch on the Saturday.
You can book places for the weekend here. You can read more about the Treehouse Weekend Away, including a draft programme, in this letter.
——————————
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 they 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.
——————————-
Diary of Activities and Services
Monday 16th September
- 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
- 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 17th September
- 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
- 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM – KICK Academy at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Gamble Road
- 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM – Prayer for Growth in the Community Centre
Wednesday 18th September
- 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
- 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – Breakfast Club and Walking Bus to Royles Brook School in the Community Centre
- 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
- 2:00 PM – Mothers’ Union Communion Service
- 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse in the Community Centre
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 19th September
- 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – 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 the Community Centre and Church
- 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bat & Chat in the Community Centre
Friday 20th September
- 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 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
- 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move and Chat in the Community Centre
- 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – ‘Cookhouse’ Family Teatime Cookery Class in the Community Centre
Saturday 21st September
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
Sunday 22nd September
- 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 Service of Holy Communion 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)
——————————-
With blessings,
Damian
