Summer is often a quieter time in church where people go on holiday and some activities take a break (see below for details). What better time then to pause and reflect on our rhythm of life and spiritual practice of Bible reading and prayer. I really appreciated my recent retreat at Whalley Abbey and can recommend it as a great place to go for a day, or a few days, to pray and to reflect.
This week I’d also like to recommend an app for your phones that I’ve had recommended to me recently and have been finding really helpful to start and end the day with God. You can read or listen and be guided through a reflection on a short passage of scripture. Visit 24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365 to find out more.
This week’s newsletter is a double-whammy because we’re not able to send one out next week, so check the details carefully to make sure you’re looking at the right week.
-Andrew-
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SUNDAY SERVICES
The services and activities on both Sunday 9th July and Sunday 16th 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)
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WATCHING ONLINE
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.
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BIBLE READINGS ON SUNDAY 9TH JULY
Our focus in the Sunday morning services is on the Bible reading in Romans 7:15-25 (Church Bible page 943). You can read it online HERE.
At Treehouse we’re looking at story 33 from the Gospel Story Bible which covers God’s provision of manna in the wilderness in Exodus 16:1-17:7 – You can read it online HERE.
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BIBLE READINGS ON SUNDAY 16TH JULY
Our focus in the Sunday morning services is on the Bible reading in Romans 8:1-11 (Church Bible page 944). You can read it online HERE.
At Treehouse Mags and Gwen will be leading the service and kicking off a new summer mini-series!
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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 Sunday 9th July or Sunday 16th July.
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MEN UNITED
The next Men United will be tonight! Friday 7th July at 7:30 PM in the Vicarage Garden. Please bring your own drinks along with £5 to cover the cost of the food which will be Dominos Pizza. There will be games taking place in the garden including bowls and boules.
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GARDEN PARTY
Damian, Lauren, Harry and Ruby invite you to their home as they host a garden party at the Vicarage tomorrow afternoon, Saturday 8th July from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
There will be something for all ages. There will be a bouncy castle and slide for the children to enjoy, plenty of food, and wonderful live musical entertainment throughout the afternoon.
There will be no charge to attend.
IMPORTANT: if the weather forecast is realised and the rain from the heavens comes down, all the activities will be moved to the Hall and Church and Car Park. So please do come and look out for whether it’s in the Hall or the Garden.
There will be a BBQ, hot and cold drinks, and music from the Wyre Levee Stompers, Roger and Anne Lloyd Jones, Harry Platt and the Church Music Group. It’s going to be great!
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ANDREW IN HOSPITAL
Don’t worry, I’m not sick! Next week I’m completing my third and final placement week with the hospital chaplaincy. Please do pray for me, and if you happen to be in hospital, do l pop into the chapel to say “hi” or let me know so I can come visit you.
This is also an opportunity to remind you that you can (and should!) always let the hospital chaplains know if you go into hospital so they can come by for a chat and a prayer. Blackpool Hospital’s lovely chaplains can be contacted via email at bfwh.chaplaincy@nhs.net or phone (01253) 953876.
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SUMMER BREAK
Our Community Centre Programme will be pausing for three weeks at the end of July and the beginning of August. This allows our staff and volunteers to have a much needed break before starting up again. All usual Community Centre Activities will not run from Monday 17th July until Sunday 6th August. They will resume on Monday 7th August.
Exceptions to these dates are:
- Family teatime cookery classes, which will resume on Friday 8th September.
- Playhouse at Burn Naze and our Tuesday Evening Worship Service have both now finished for the summer and will resume the first week in September.
Pilgrim’s Rest and Meadows Books will continue to open, and 9am Morning Prayer will continue to run as normal.
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GROWTH GROUPS
Group Groups will also take a break for the same three weeks over the summer. Like the Community Centre Activities, they will not run from Monday 17th July until Sunday 6th August. They will resume on Monday 7th August.
In addition, there will be no Tuesday Growth Group next week (Tuesday 11th July).
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HOME FOR GOOD
The PCC have selected Home for Good as our second of three Global Mission Partners to support alongside Life Association. Home for Good believes that we all have a part to play to ensure that every child and young person has the home they need. They work to mobilise the Church in the UK to respond to the needs of children in care through families stepping forward to foster, adopt or provide supported lodgings for teenagers and churches wrapping around families with support, and to influence wider society through advocacy and engagement to create systemic change.
Please talk to Roger Lloyd Jones or Sandra Barrow for more information about Home for Good which they came across at a recent meeting with Mike Chesterton who works for home for Good, or visit homeforgood.org.uk.
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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.
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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 just before Christmas. 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.
Booking for Alpha will open in July. For now, please do be praying for Alpha and thinking about who you might invite. Email andrew@christchurchthornton.uk to find out more or to join the Alpha team.
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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).
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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:
- 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.
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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.
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DIARY OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Here’s a comprehensive list of all that’s taking place in the week ahead…
Monday 10th July
- 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
- 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Monday night Growth Group in Community Centre
Tuesday 11th July
- 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
Wednesday 12th July
- 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
- 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse children’s group in the Community Centre
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 13th July
- 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 14th July
- 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
- 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM – Family Teatime Cookery Class in the Community Centre
Saturday 15th July
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
Monday 17th 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 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
Tuesday 18th 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 – 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 19th July
- 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
- 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Mothers Union Communion
- 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Wedding Rehearsal of Amie Louise Sherratt and Jakob Adam Heald
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 20th 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 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
Friday 21st July
- 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
- 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Wedding of Amie Louise Sherratt and Jakob Adam Heald
Saturday 22nd July
- 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.
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With blessings,
Damian & Andrew
