“Through him all things were made”
That means, through the Son of God, everything was made. How incredible that heaven, earth, every planet, every star, everything we see and can’t see – we’re all made by the Son of God! Come and hear more tomorrow as Rev’d Peter Nunn helps us understand this truth as we continue our journey through the Nicene Creed.
It’s Lent! That means the Lent Devotional Booklets are once again available. This year’s is entitled ‘Hear our Prayer.’ You can pick one up in the bookshop (if there’s any left!) and/or you can read, watch and listen to them on the Fruitful app. Bishop Philip has once again produced a five-week video-based Lent course which is featured on the Fruitful app.
I can’t recommend highly enough that you download the Fruitful app to help you in your discipleship.
Please read below for church news and events…
See you Sunday? Yes? Take your pick: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM…
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Sunday Services
The services and activities on Sunday 16th March 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)
- 3:00 PM Choral Evensong with Chapel Choir of Rossall School
- 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: Genesis 1 (Church Bible page 1). The 11:00 AM order of service is available here.
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In memory of Martin
We did it! We arrived back at Church just before 8:00 PM on Saturday 8th March. 12 and a half hours of walking, 32 miles completed, from Whalley Abbey to Christ Church. Thank you to everyone for your support and the tremendous welcome back to the Little Theatre and Christ Church. And most of all thank you to Mick for the idea, and John and Geoff and Mick for all their brilliant route and walk preparations. Geoff, you kept us encouraged and supported throughout the day – thank you. Mick and John, you are an inspiration in the strength and stamina you showed.
Thank you to Helen and Terry for joining us in the final parts of the route and for encouraging us in those final tough miles.
We thank God for Martin, who served the Lord faithfully wherever he went, who helped, befriended, encouraged and enhanced the lives of those he met. Praying for the Lord to raise up more Martin’s in our lives.
If you would like to sponsor the walk you can make a donation by cash using a white Gift Aid envelope available at the back of Church and clearly mark it ‘Walk from Whalley Abbey.’ Or for online and digital donations please reference your donation is for the ‘Walk from Whalley Abbey.’
Below are two photos from their walk. For more photos and videos visit the Christ Church Thornton Facebook page.
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Football match
The men’s 11-a-side football team are through to the trophy competition quarter-finals. Their next match is tomorrow, Saturday 15th March at 10:30 AM. Supporters are welcome – unfortunately it isn’t nearby – it’s being played at Ashton Community Science College in Preston.
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Evensong
We’re delighted to be welcoming the Chapel Choir of Rossall School this coming Sunday on Sunday 16th March at 3:00 PM in Church for a service of Choral Evensong. Please do come and worship the Lord in this way and to support the young people involved.
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Cookhouse
Please book here for ‘Cookhouse’ family teatime cookery class on Friday 21st March at 5:00 PM. Booking is essential. Please note that the volunteers purchase ingredients at 12 noon the day before (Thursday). Bookings will therefore close at 12 noon on Thursday.
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School places
Did you know? The Diocese of Blackburn doesn’t just consist of 280 churches, there are also 190 Church of England schools in the diocese. Many of them are in demand. Parents often select a Church of England as their first choice when applying for a school place.
However, what parents sometimes don’t realise, is that to obtain a school place on the eligibility of the ‘faith’ criteria, parents need to have attended worship at church regularly for at least one year prior to the time when they apply. For example, for a child entering Year 7 (High School) in September 2027, parents must have been attending for one full year prior to 2026. That means from September 2025.
A year or so before entering Year 7, schools send to the Church a form to fill out, which the vicar signs to state whether or not the parents have been attending church regularly in the year prior. What does ‘regularly’ mean? It means at least fortnightly.
Sometimes criteria/admissions policies can change, so please don’t take the above as ‘gospel.’ The key thing to take from this is, if you are hoping for your child to have the strongest chance of obtaining a Church of England school place on the basis of the ‘faith’ criteria, it is never too early to start attending church regularly. Sometimes parents leave it too late to start attending church and find that they can’t attend a whole year regularly prior to applying for a school place.
But, despite all the above, don’t just attend church to get a school place, come to church because it’s great! It’s important, it’s the one day in seven given to us by God to set to one side to rest, to worship, to draw closer to him. Invest spiritually now in your children’s lives and you and they will reap the benefits for an eternity.
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Opportunities to serve
Coming up soon are various events at Christ Church where help is needed with hospitality…
Saturday 22nd March, Christ Church Thornton PCC Day
Saturday 29th March, St. Andrew’s Longton PCC Vision Planning Day
Saturday 14th June, Christ Church Blackburn – whole Church Awayday
If you would like to be involved, please email Damian.
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Funeral of Beth Coleman
Beth’s funeral will be taking place on Friday 28th March at 12:45 PM at Christ Church Thornton, with the service continuing at 2:00 PM at Carleton Crematorium. All are welcome to the service in Church, and at the Crematorium, and afterwards at Carleton Bowling Club.
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Funeral of Raymond Turner
Raymond’s funeral will be taking place on Tuesday 8th April at 2:15 PM at Christ Church Thornton, with the service continuing at Carleton Crematorium at 3:30 PM.
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Funeral of Stephen Parker
Stephen’s funeral will be taking place on Friday 11th April at 1:30 PM at Christ Church Thornton, with the service continuing at 2:45 PM at Carleton Crematorium. All are welcome to the service in Church, and at the Crematorium, and afterwards at the Community Centre Hall back at Christ Church.
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Special events in Holy Week and Easter
Jews for Jesus is 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.
Friday 18th April (Good Friday)
- 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Presentation: ‘Christ in the Passover Banquet’ – with a Seder
- *Booking required* (more details nearer the time)
Saturday 19th April (Holy Saturday)
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
- Presentation: ‘Gospel of Grace to the Nations’
Sunday 20th April (Easter Day)
- 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Presentation: ‘John 2 – the Significance of the Resurrection’
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Year of Prayer for Growth and Renewal
During the diocesan Year of Prayer for Growth and Renewal they have set aside five quiet days for prayer at Whalley Abbey. These are designed to be a day in the company Jesus, in a beautiful location with nice food and hospitality. Please find a poster for these quiet days using this link here.
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New Electoral Roll
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. Forms will be made available in the coming weeks – with various ways to apply, including online and paper forms.
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 at Christ Church for a minimum period of six months.
For more information, please speak to the Electoral Roll Officer, Sally Johnson.
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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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2025 Treehouse Weekend Away – “Hallowed”
Once again we’re driving up the M6 to Grange-over-Sands for the fourth Treehouse Weekend Away. It’s only an hour from door-to-door. We’ll be staying at the Thornleigh Christian Hotel. The weekend will take place from Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November. The weekend will be full board, including all meals in the hotel from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, with plenty of coffee breaks and biscuits inbetween. On the Saturday afternoon there might be a special trip to Holker Hall & Gardens in the nearby Holker Estate in Cartmel.
The Treehouse Weekend Away is always a great opportunity to spend time together whilst growing deeper in our Christian faith. The theme will be “hallowed.”
How much? As a church we always try to subsidise the cost of the weekend for all who go, to ensure cost isn’t a barrier and to make things a little easier for families to budget, especially so close to Christmas. The price for the weekend is £155 per adult (17+). £35 for ages
3–5, £55 for ages 6–11, and £75 for ages 12–16. Children aged 0–2 are free of charge.
BOOK NOW! Places are available on a first come first served basis.
You can book and pay for places for the weekend here. If you’d prefer to pay in instalments by bank transfer, you can find the bank details here.
If the affordability of the weekend is a struggle, please get in touch. We don’t want cost to be a barrier to anyone attending.
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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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Diary of Activities and Services
Monday 17th March
- 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 18th March
- 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
- 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM – Prayer for Growth in the Community Centre
Wednesday 19th March
- 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – Breakfast Club and Walking Bus to Royles Brook School in the Community Centre
- 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 3:00 PM – Mothers’ Union Communion Service in Church
- 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse in the Community Centre
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 20th March
- 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
Friday 21st March
- 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
- 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
- 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre
- 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – ‘Cookhouse’ Family Teatime Cookery Class in the Community Centre
Saturday 22nd March
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
- 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM – Christ Church PCC Day
Sunday 23rd March
- 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 and 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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With blessings,
Damian
