Last Friday I conducted my first ever wedding. It was a lovely afternoon for a lovely couple, and the service is available to watch on our church YouTube channel HERE. Please do continue to keep Amie and Jake in your prayers as they embark on married life together.

Nearly 70 years ago, another lovely couple had their wedding day! Huge congratulations to Josie and Raymond who on the 8th August will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary! There will be a prayer of thanksgiving for their marriage as part of the Mother’s Union Holy Communion at 2pm on Wednesday 16th August, which all are welcome to attend to support Josie and Raymond. 



This newsletter covers the next two weeks, so please don’t panic if you don’t receive a newsletter on Friday 4th August. Normal service will resume with a newsletter from Damian the weekend of Friday 11th.

-Andrew-

——————————-

SUNDAY SERVICES

The services and activities on Sunday 30th July are:

• 9:00 AM Traditional (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 LIVE streamed (with refreshments afterwards)
• 12:15 PM Meadows Books’ open (until 12:45 PM)
• 5:00 PM Treehouse Informal Family Worship (with refreshments)
• 6:00 PM Meadows Books open (until 6:15 PM)

——————————-

WATCHING ONLINE

Sunday 30th July
We’re sorry that due to volunteer availability we are unable to provide a livestream this week. Why not go back and watch a service that you might have missed in previous weeks instead, or watch Amie and Jake’s wedding?

Sunday 6th August
If you’re unable to attend due to health and mobility, our livestream can be viewed on our YouTube channel HERE and our Facebook channel HERE.

——————————-

BIBLE READINGS

Our focus in the Sunday morning services is on the Bible reading. On Sunday 30th July that’s Romans 8.26–39 (Church Bible page 944). You can read it online HERE.

On Sunday 6th August that’s Matthew 14.13–21 (Church Bible page 820). You can read it online HERE.

At Treehouse we’re continuing our mini-series on women in the Bible.

——————————-

ORDER OF SERVICE

To download or print the order of service for the 11:00 AM service, please click on this link HERE and select the appropriate week.

——————————-

BURN NAZE PRAYER WALKS

Over the summer we’ve been meeting at on selected Mondays at 3pm at the site of the old Burn Naze pub in order to prayer walk. Please do come to walk and pray around Burn Naze on Monday 7th August (without Andrew!) and Monday 21st August (with Andrew).

Note: Previously advertised prayer walks for September are no longer scheduled, and we will continue to pray fort Burn Naze in other ways!

——————————-

SUMMER BREAK

Our Community Centre Programme and Growth Groups are currently paused to allow our staff and volunteers to have a much needed break before starting up again. They will resume on Monday 7th August. 

Exceptions are:

• Family teatime cookery classes, which will resume on Friday 8th September.
• Playhouse at Burn Naze and our Tuesday Evening Worship Service, which will resume Tuesday 5th September.
• Pilgrim’s Rest and Meadows Books are still open.
• 9am Weekday Morning Prayer, 11:30am Wednesday Holy Communion, and all our usual Sunday services continue to run as normal.

Sanctuary Youth will not run on Sunday 30th July but will return on Sunday 27th August.

——————————-

GROWTH GROUP SOCIAL

On Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd August, we will be having Growth Group Socials instead of our usual Bible study. Please bring an item of food or drink to share appropriate to the time of day (7:45pm Monday/Tuesday, 10am Wednesday). If you have a simple board or card game that you would like play, please feel free to bring it along and we’ll pick one or two to play. 

——————————-

A TASTE OF THE KESWICK CONVENTION

And another date for your diary! A ‘taste of the Keswick Convention’ hosted by Damian on Friday 4th August 2023. It will be a great day out(!), leaving Church at 8:30 AM and returning late in the evening after the evening Celebration (arriving back in Thornton at 11:30 PM). It will be a long day out but with plenty of free time in the afternoon to rest, explore Keswick, the Lake, and the shops. The cost for the coach travel, a packed lunch, and fish and chips for tea is £35 per person.

The Keswick Convention has been taking place since 1875. It offers something for everyone – life-changing Bible teaching, worship and fellowship, all combined with the chance to relax and enjoy the wonder of the Lake District.

To book your place on the trip please book HERE using this link.

——————————-

ALPHA

ALPHA is a short course that introduces the basics of Christian faith in a welcoming and engaging way. It includes a tasty meal, a short video on topics like ‘Who is Jesus?’, followed by a friendly discussion where guests are encouraged to express any opinion or ask any question they like. It’s a great course to come on if you’re exploring faith, and a great course to invite a friend to. 

We’re running Alpha from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on a Wednesday evening, starting on 13th September and running until 6th December. This will run alongside with Lighthouse, so the children will join us for the meal, and parents can stay for Alpha while the children are at Lighthouse. 

Sign up for Alpha HERE.

——————————-

BURN NAZE PLAYHOUSE AND KICK ACADEMY

From 5th September we’re (re-)launching two Tuesday afternoon activities at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Gamble Road in Burn Naze. Please do pray for these activities and mention them to people you know, especially if they live in or near Burn Naze.

Playhouse is our drop-in for 0-5s and their parents/carers with toys, songs, Bible story, tea and toast. It runs 2-3pm every Tuesday. 

KICK is a football Academy for Primary School aged children that includes football coaching, a short half-time talk, and a game of football. It’s open to all abilities with the aim of having fun, learning football, promoting Christian values and connecting children to church. It runs 3:45-4:45pm every Tuesday. Parents are encouraged to stay and watch, and remain responsible for their children at all times. 

To give us an idea of numbers and to aid with communication, it would be helpful if children could be registered for KICK, however you can turn up and registered in-person on the day. 
You can book Primary School aged children in to KICK Academy HERE.

——————————-

HOLIDAYS

Damian and Andrew will be taking annual leave during parts of the summer. Damian – 10th July to 3rd August; Andrew – 31st July to 15th August. During his absence Damian’s emails will be monitored by Denise Taylor, meaning you are still welcome to email if you have enquiries. For something more urgent, such as a pastoral matter, please speak to the Churchwardens or retired clergy (or Damian and Andrew when they are around).

——————————-

GIVING TO GOD

There are numerous ways to give to God and contribute to the mission and ministry of Christ Church:

• Online giving – you can give online HERE
• Text message – simply text SUNDAY to 70460 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message which will be added to your mobile phone bill
• 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)
• 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. 

——————————-

SERVING IN CHURCH

There’s always lots of opportunities to get involved in the mission and ministry of the church and all our activities throughout the week, on evenings, and on Sundays are dependent on volunteers to operate. Volunteers help to set up and tidy up, provide refreshments, assist with (and in many cases run) activities, and keep our churchyard mowed and tidy. 

Serving on a team is also a great way to get to know other members of the church family. If you don’t currently serve on a team at church and would like to, please do contact Damian or Andrew for a chat about where you might best fit. 

——————————-

DIARY OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

Here’s a comprehensive list of all that’s taking place in the week ahead…

Monday 31st July

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)

Tuesday 1st August

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Craft & Chat in Church
• 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)

Wednesday 2nd August

• 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – 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)
• 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Traditional (BCP) service of holy communion in Church
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 3rd August

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – 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)

Friday 4th August

• 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM – ‘A Taste of the Keswick Convention’ coach trip
• 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Craft & Chat in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel

Saturday 5th August

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

Monday 7th August

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – 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)
• 12:00 PM 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
• 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Lead-Your-Own Burn Naze Prayer Walk
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Monday night Growth Group in Community Centre

Tuesday 8th August

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Craft & Chat in Church
• 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 PM to 1:00 PM – Lunch in the Community Centre
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Tuesday night Growth Group in Community Centre

Wednesday 9th August

• 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM – Wednesday morning Growth Group in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – 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)
• 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Traditional (BCP) service of holy communion in Church
• 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – Lunches for Seniors in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 10th August

• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – 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)
• 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre and Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bat & Chat in the Community Centre

Friday 11th August

• 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Craft & Chat in Church
• 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)
• 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre

Saturday 12th August

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

Not sure what to come to? Not sure if a service or activity is suited to you or not? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and ask.

——————————-

With blessings,

Damian & Andrew