Weekly News on Friday 24th January 2025

Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen”

Over the last few weeks some clear skies have enabled us to spot in the sky the planet Venus. Have you seen it? It’s been twinkling. More accurately, astronomers call the effect of the prisms that cause the light to twinkle “scintillation.”

Apparently, for the next month or so, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be in a straight line in the sky at night. This has a name too – a “planetary parade.”

There – you learn something every day!

Why am I sharing this information? Because there is a Maker – a Creator – behind all that is, seen and unseen. The one God in three persons in which we believe is the Creator. On Sunday we’ll be looking again at the Nicene Creed and what it tells us about the person of God the Father being the maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. He has lined up the planets in a line. He is the parade marshall.

Join us on Sunday as we look at the book of Job in the Bible. Chapter 38 wonderfully articulates how every cloud, thunderbolt, and star is made by God – the one who laid the foundation of the earth and who determined its measurements.

Wow, what an awesome God! Come and praise Him and enjoy Him.

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Sunday Services

The services and activities on Sunday 26th January 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 reading: Job 38:1-41 (Church Bible page 443). The 11:00 AM order of service is available here.

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Damian and Andrew

Good news – Andrew is home from hospital and is making good progress after his recent illness. Do continue to pray for him. I (Damian) will be taking the services at St. David’s and St. Peter’s in Fleetwood again this Sunday as Andrew continues his recovery. God-willing I’ll be back at Christ Church for all the services as normal on Sunday 2nd February.

Advance info: on the 2nd February we’ll be getting to know Derek and Carolyn Walmsley who recently moved to Thornton and joined us at Christ Church. I’ll be interviewing them in the services and Derek will be preaching..

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Bookshop

SPECIAL OFFER: 10% off all items in the shop from 12th January to 31st January. The Meadows Books is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. It’s also open after services on a Sunday when possible.

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Bible Teaching Workshop – tomorrow morning

Jonathan Lamb will be coming to the Fylde Coast on the morning of Saturday 25th January 2025. He will explore “The Message of 2 Corinthians – encouragements for Christians feeling hard pressed and ineffective.” It will take place in the Poulton Community Hall, Vicarage Road, Poulton. Coffee at 9:00 AM for a 9:30 AM start. It will finish at 12:45 PM. The workshop is free of charge. Registration: for planning purposes, please let the organiser know if you plan to attend this free workshop. It is being organised by David Gascoigne at St. Chad’s Church in Poulton. Email davidpgascoigne@gmail.com or Mobile 07768 303462 .


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Football match – tomorrow morning

The next men’s 11-a-side football is match is on Saturday 25th January, at 10:30 AM at Common Edge Playing Fields in Blackpool (next to Blackpool Airport). Whilst you are deeply encouraged to attend the Bible Workshop in Poulton, if for some reason you intend to support our football team, you are most welcome to. Dress as if you are going to Siberia!

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An evening of prayer

Come and join others from across the Blackburn Diocese to pray for the future of the Church of England in our nation. On Thursday 30th January, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, at St. Cuthbert’s Church Fulwood, Preston.

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Move & Chat

Move & Chat recommences on Friday 31st January.

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Cookhouse

Please book here for ‘Cookhouse’ family teatime cookery class on Friday 31st January 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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Men United

Gentlemen! You are welcome to the Tramway on Friday 14th February, 7:30 PM. Please book in with John Hearnshaw.

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Evensong

We’re delighted to be welcoming the Chapel Choir of Rossall School on Sunday 2nd March at 3:00 PM in Church. Please note that last week’s email said February. This has now had to change to March at the request of the school. Our normal Evening Prayer service will therefore take place as usual on Sunday 2nd February at 3:00 PM, with the Evensong with Rossall Choir being on the 2nd March at 3:00 PM.

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An evening at Singleton Lodge

Have you ever tussled with the subjects of science and faith? Are they compatible, at odds with each other, or complementary? On Thursday 27th February at 6:30 PM at Singleton Lodge, Rev Andrew Sach will be speaking on the subject of “How is Christian faith still relevant in this modern scientific world?” This evening includes an evening meal and drinks and is ideal to invite a friend. For more details and to book click on this link here.

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Flowers in Church

For Easter, Harvest, and Christmas, it will be wonderful to have pedastals of fresh flowers in Church. Judith Moore is willing to coordinate this and work with a small team of people to make this happen. She’s looking for 3-4 people. Please reply to this email if you’re interested and you’ll be put in touch with Judith Moore.

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2025 Treehouse Weekend Away – “Hallowed”

BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN!

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 27th January

  • 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 28th January

  • 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 29th January

  • 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
  • 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 30th January

  • 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 31st January

  • 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 1st February

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

Sunday 2nd February

  • 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 Communion (with refreshments)
    + 6:00 PM – Sanctuary Youth Gathering (with games, pizza, etc)
  • 6:00 PM – Meadows Books open (until 6:15 PM)

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With blessings,

Damian

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