Hello everyone. Have you been enjoying the sport of curling at the Winter Olympics? Curling and sweeping a stone towards the centre circle called the ‘house’ is the aim. Perhaps this period of Lent is a good time to clear out of the way any habits and behaviours which are forming a blockage of being near to Jesus? Perhaps we ought to put some guards in place to ensure the enemy can’t nudge us out of the way? The season of Lent is a useful time to recentre our lives on Jesus and be reassured of our place in The Father’s House which has many rooms.
At our services on Sunday we’ll be in the second week of a six week series exploring the call of Jesus on our lives and the implications of saying yes to Jesus:
1. The Invitation – the call of the first disciples
2. The Cost – take up your cross and follow me
3. The Commitment – treasures in heaven, two masters
4. The Character – salt and light
5. The Community – love and fellowship
6. The Great Commission
This coming Sunday we’ll be hearing the words of Jesus “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Do come and hear more at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. It can be very helpful to read and reflect on the Bible passages before coming to Church, to ensure some familiarity. You can read them using this link HERE and this link HERE or find them in your own Bible at home: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 and Mark 8:27-38.
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Watching Online
Our live stream on Sunday at 11:00 AM can be viewed on our YouTube channel HERE. The 11:00 AM order of service is available HERE.
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Sunday Services
The services and activities on Sunday 22nd February 2026 are:
- 9:00 AM – Traditional Service
- 11:00 AM – Contemporary Service
- 5:00 PM – Treehouse Family Worship
There are refreshments in the Community Centre Hall after the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services and before the 5:00 PM service. The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop is open after each service.
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Worship song playlist
Would you like to become more familiar with the upcoming Sunday’s worship songs we sing? Starting from now, each week a Spotify playlist will be created with the 11:00 AM upcoming Sunday worship songs on it. If you click on this link HERE it will open up for you the Spotify website or app on your mobile or laptop. If you already have Spotify you can listen straightaway. If you don’t, then the Spotify app is free to download following the instructions that come up. Do let us know if this weekly playlist is helpful or not. Our hope is that will spur us all on in our daily worship and enrich our Sunday worship.
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Finance, Personnel and Grants Manager
Expressions of interest are welcome for a new employed role of Finance, Personnel and Grants Manager on-site here at Christ Church Thornton. The part-time post of 25 hours per week will be a significantly important staff member role, pivotal to the support of the leadership of Christ Church and the delivery of its vision. The role will include things such as inputting data into financial systems, preparing and paying invoices, preparing budgets, financial reporting, preparing staff contracts, appraisals, tracking annual leave, sickness pay and preparing grant applications.
A committed Christian with a heart for the mission and values of the church will thrive in this role. In due course the role will be formally advertised along with a job description and person specification. In the meantime expressions of interest are welcome by email to damian@christchurchthornton.uk
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This year’s Diocesan Lent Course, ‘Knowing Jesus’ – led by Bishop Philip – is currently available on the Fruitful app.
Bishop Philip’s ‘Knowing Jesus’ course has five sessions. The series will help us to know about Jesus as we seek to understand more about who he is, what he has come to do and how he sets us free. It will also help us to know Jesus as we explore what to means to be in a deeper relationship with him and to offer our whole lives to him.
The sessions are:
- The Ascended Jesus
- The Sending Jesus
- The Suffering Jesus
- The Servant Jesus
- The Triumphant Jesus
This course complements the daily devotions (see below) by taking key moments in the book of Acts to help us know Jesus, while also celebrating our Diocesan centenary focus, ‘All for Jesus.’ You can find out more information about Bishop Philip’s Lent course using this link HERE.
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God’s Story – Your Story
Every year, the Diocese of Blackburn produce a daily devotional resource for the seasons of Advent and Lent, containing reflections from clergy and laity around the diocese.
Available as printed booklets, a downloadable PDF and on our discipleship app, Fruitful, the daily devotionals are designed to help churches and individuals throughout the diocese know the Scriptures better and equip them to live as disciples of Jesus.
This Lent, we’ll journey through the book of Acts, tracing how God’s story became the Church’s story—and ours. From a small, fragile group in Jerusalem to a worldwide movement, Acts shows God breaking barriers and transforming lives through His Spirit. As we read together, we’ll discover that this isn’t just history—it’s still unfolding today, and you’re part of it.
Copies of the paper devotional booklets are available from the bookshop before and after church services and through the week. Please go in and help yourself. They are on the main counter. You can download a PDF copy of the devotional HERE
Or, if you’re digitally minded or prefer to have things on your mobile device, you access all the devotions from the Fruitful App. It’s free to download. The advantage of using the Fruitful App is that you get to watch the video of the person who has written the reflection. There is also an in-app Bible and the opportunity to make notes within the app. Click HERE to download the Fruitful App for Android and click HERE to download for Apple. You can also access most of the content of the app through the fruitful website: www.fruitful.faith
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A Big Day Out in Blackpool
In 2026 The Diocese of Blackburn celebrates its 100th anniversary! As part of a year of celebrations and special events, there will be a big day out on Saturday 16th May 2026 beginning at 11:00 AM. The day will take place in the centre of Blackpool; a place that has played such an important role in the history of the Diocese. There will be activities for children of all ages with games, crafts and stories. There will be sessions for teenagers and grown-ups from sport workshops to live music and more. In the afternoon, there will be a giant hog roast lunch at 1:00 PM before all coming together for an open air celebration service on St. John’s Square outside the Winter Gardens at 2:00 PM.
The Diocese of Blackburn would love as many people as possible to join in for this special day together. All the information you might need can be found on this link HERE.
Booking is required! Why not start thinking about who you can invite, how you can share transport and what things you might book for.
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Funerals of Church members
The funeral of Margaret Banks is on Tuesday 24th February, 2:30 PM at Christ Church.
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Pilgrim’s Rest Review Meeting
A meeting for those who volunteer at The Pilgrim’s Rest is taking place on Friday 27th February at 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in the Community Centre Hall.
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The Father’s House
The Father’s House is the name for our ministry to children and young people. Under that banner we have Playhouse toddler group, Lighthouse children’s group, Treehouse family worship service, Clubhouse children’s group, Cookhouse cookery class, along with our groups for young people
We’re at a pivotal point of preparation for the emerging era of our ministry to children and young people as we put in place what they need as they grow older. Some of this involves the provision for our Key Stage 2 children and young people of High School age. We are also looking to launch a new ‘house’ for children during the 11:00 AM service in the coming months. Children are such precious treasure!
A review and planning meeting for everyone involved in our ministry to children and people is taking place on Saturday 7th March from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Community Centre Hall. The meeting will finish with a tasty lunch together.
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All for Jesus Seminars
Embracing the diocesan 2026 theme of All for Jesus, I am running a series of 45-minute seminars in the coming months to look at some interesting and sometimes controversial subjects.
Due to an upcoming responsibility as area dean in being involved in an interview day for a local church in recruiting their new vicar, I am needing to put back a week the start date. Instead of them starting on Tuesday 10th March as previously published, they will now start on Tuesday 17th March instead:
Tuesday 17th March – Should we pray for the dead?
Tuesday 24th March – Do murderers and other bad people go to heaven?
Tuesday 31st March – Coming to Church on a Sunday – how often is ‘enough’?
Tuesday 14th April – Do Jews, Muslims, and Christians all worship the same God?
Tuesday 21st April – Should we pray to Mary?
Tuesday 28th April – Are our loves ones looking down on us?
Tuesday 5th May – Is it okay for Christians to gamble?
Tuesday 12th May – Do Mormons and JW’s believe in the same God we do?
Tuesday 19th May – Is purgatory real?
Tuesday 26th May – Is it okay to go shopping on a Sunday?
Tuesday 2nd June – Is the Church building a temple, a sacred space, or ordinary?
Future topics will include:
What happens when we die?
How can we have free will if God plans and knows everything?
Should we pray to the saints?
All the seminars will take place on a Tuesday lunchtime from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM in the Community Centre Hall over a simple lunch of soup and a roll followed by cheese and biscuits. The cost is £5 to cover the cost of food. Booking in advance is required via the link published in the weekly news email the week before each event happens.
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Shakespeare Nation Hamlet Tour
On Wednesday 11th March at 1:15 PM there will be a special event in Church, organised by Roger Lloyd Jones. All are welcome to listen and see the Shakespeare Nation project that tells the story of Hamlet through words and photography. They have asked the question, “If Elsinore (where Shakespeare set Hamlet) was Blackpool, then where would the action take place?” Shot on the promenades, the pier and in the park, come and see the results!
This work is presented in partnership with Blackpool Grand Theatre and the RSC as part of the RSC Hamlet Tour 2026.
The event is FREE to attend and immediately follows the lunch at 12noon in the Community Centre Hall. Why not come to both!
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News from The Life Association
The latest newsletter is available to read using this link HERE.
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Seminar for Parents – preparing yourself for the arrival of a teenager
Being a parent is precious and yet demanding. How can we best prioritise the spiritual needs of our children? How do we model worshipping God on a Sunday when our children’s sporting events are on a Sunday? How do we say “yes” to a birthday party and “yes” to Church at the same time? How do we encourage our children to follow Jesus in a world where following Jesus doesn’t seem to be a thing? How do we help our children foster important friendships and yet at the same time foster a friendship with Jesus? And what about mobile phones, snap chat, social media, sleepovers?!
On Saturday 25th April, Damian and Lauren will be sharing some of their parenting experience for parents and guardians. Not because they’re the experts but because they’ve trodden the path twice already and know how important it is to think these issues through and support one another. The seminar is from 10:00 AM until 12noon in the Community Centre Hall. The event is free. Just turn up.
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Lighthouse
Our midweek children’s club ‘Lighthouse’ is on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM. The next Lighthouse is on Wednesday 25th February. This is for children of primary school age. Lighthouse is a weekly term-time Bible-based club for children, with snacks, songs, teaching, and craft. Parents are welcome to stay for coffee in the Chapel.
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Cookhouse
Cookhouse is on Fridays at 5:00 PM. The next Cookhouse is on Friday 27th February.
Cookhouse is for families. Each family have their own little workstation in the Hall to use. We provide all the utensils, equipment and ingredients needed.
Cooking starts at 5:00 PM with a welcome drink and snack. Then there’s a short story explaining the theme of the evening. Families are then guided through preparing some food, after which they share a meal together which has been prepared and cooked earlier by the brilliant volunteers. Whatever was preparing during the cookery class can then be taken home to enjoy over the weekend.
We have space for 12 children plus their parents/carers. Please book using this link HERE. Booking is essential! Please note that the volunteers purchase ingredients at 12 noon the day before (Thursday). Bookings will therefore close at 12 noon the Thursday before Cookhouse.
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Playhouse
Playhouse is our brilliant hour each morning (Monday to Thursday) for babies, toddlers and pre-school children with their adults/parents/carers. Each time there is a Christian story and songtime led by Lauren and ‘Banjo Bob.’ There’s toast and drinks for everyone. It takes place from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday to Thursday in the Community Centre Hall.
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Good Grief Support Group – finding hope whilst journeying through loss
An informal get together over coffee and cake centred on supporting those who are bereaved. Comfy sofas, fresh tea and coffee, scrumptious cakes, scripture readings, prayer, honest conversation. Tuesdays at 2:30 PM. Please note the support group isn’t providing professional bereavement counselling, rather it is an informal space to provide support and find hope whilst journeying through loss. For more information please speak to Dawn Bradbury.
*please note on Tuesday 24th February Good Grief is beginning at the slightly earlier time of 2:00 PM*
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Quiet Day
All are invited to attend this special event at Christ Church on Friday 13th March here at Christ Church – 7 healthy habits of evangelical spirituality.
Please use the QR code on the poster to book your place. All are welcome – there is no need to be a member of the Blackburn DEN to attend.
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Opportunities to Service
On Friday 13th March, from 10:00 to 4:00 PM, Christ Church is the venue for the Diocesan Evangelical Network Quiet Day. Guest speaker Ian Paul will be coming to speak on the subject of ‘7 Healthy Habits of Evangelical Spirituality.’ If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.
On Saturday 28th March, from 10:00 to 4:00 PM, Christ Church is the venue for the St. Peter’s Fleetwood Alpha Awayday. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.
On Saturday 9th May at a wedding at 2:00 PM at Christ Church, some help is needed to make hot drinks in the Hall after the service and to oversee the distribution of some scones and muffins. If you can help, please do get in touch.
On Tuesday 2nd June, at 7:30 PM, Christ Church is the venue for the Primary Visitation – which is when Bishop Philip will install Churchwardens from the deaneries of Blackpool, Poulton, Kirkham, Lancaster and Morecambe. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch. We will need musicians and welcomers in addition to help with catering.
On Saturday 13th June, Christ Church is the venue for the Christ Church Blackburn whole-church awayday. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.
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Confirmation Classes
For those looking to be confirmed by Bishop Philip on Sunday 31st May, preparation classes are taking place from 7:15 PM to 8:45 PM on:
- Wednesday 22nd April
- Wednesday 29th April
- Wednesday 6th May
- Wednesday 13th May
- Wednesday 20th May (confirmation rehearsal)
The venues will vary from week to week, however for the first class it will be in the Community Centre Hall. Please email Damian to indicate if you would like to be confirmed. The preparation classes are a necessary step to being confirmed. However if you cannot attend them all because of illness or prior commitments, do let Damian know to see what alternatives are possible.
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2026 Treehouse Weekend Away
The Treehouse Weekend Away dates for 2026 are: Friday 23rd October to Sunday 25th October. Places can be secured by paying a deposit – details of how to do this to be released soon.
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Celebration of the Centenary of the Diocese of Blackburn
2026 is the Centenary Year of the Cathedral and Diocese of Blackburn. A year of celebration will culminate on Thursday November 12th, the exact date when the Diocese was formed out of the Diocese of Manchester one hundred years ago.
On that day representatives of the Diocese together with friends and partners will gather in Blackburn Cathedral for a celebration of the Eucharist commencing at 7:00 PM.
Bishop Philip asks you to save the date in your diaries. A formal invitation will come from the Cathedral in the early part of the Summer.
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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 23rd February
- 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 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
- 12:00 Noon to 1:15 PM – Lyrics & Lunch Lunch in the Community Centre
- 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
- 7:45 PM to 9:30 PM – Growth Group in the Community Centre
Tuesday 24th February
- 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
- 2:00 PM – Good Grief! Bereavement Support Group in the Community Centre
Please note the earlier start time of 2:00 PM for Good Grief (a one-off time change) - 2:30 PM – Funeral of the late Mrs Margarent Banks in Church
- 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM – Prayer for Growth in the Community Centre
Wednesday 25th February
- 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Walking Wednesday’ Breakfast 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 11:00 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
- 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse (children’s group) in the Community Centre
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 26th February
- 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 – Quiet Hour in Church
- 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
- 7:30 PM – The Alpha Course in the Community Centre
Friday 27th February
- 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Family Friday’ Breakfast 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 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
- 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM – The Pilgrim’s Rest Review Meeting in the Chapel
- 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre
- 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – ‘Cookhouse’ Family Teatime Cookery Class in the Community Centre
Sunday 1st March
- 9:00 AM – Traditional (The Book of Common Prayer) Service of Holy Communion
- 11:00 AM – Contemporary Communion Service
- 5:00 PM – Treehouse Family Worship Service
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