This week at Alpha we have explored the question: ‘Why and How Do I Pray?’ So what about you, how do you pray?
Do you find a specific time of day works better than others? Do you like to pray on your own or with others? Do you like to make up your prayers as you go, or do you find following a set liturgy helpful? Do you pray in English, your mother tongue (if that’s different), or some other language? Do you pray a lot all in one go, little and often over the course of the day or a mix of both?
I’m sure there’s a lot of variety between our various prayer lives, but however we pray, the important thing is that we do. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. He wants to hear what’s troubling us, and appreciates our gratitude when we thank Him for his gifts and blessings. And He wants to speak to and through us, guiding us as we seek His kingdom come and His will be done.
Why don’t you take a moment now, before digging into all the events and activities outlined in this newsletter, just to take a moment to pray, to bring to God what’s on your mind, to thank Him for His goodness towards us, and to listen to what He’s saying back to us.
Andrew
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SUNDAY SERVICES
The services and activities on Sunday 15th October 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)
- 10:00 AM Core Catechism Classes (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 Service (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
Our focus in the Sunday morning services is on the Bible reading, Matthew 22.1–14 (Church Bible page 827). You can read it online HERE.
At Treehouse we will be continuing to work through the Gospel Story Bible. This week’s story is Story 38 and our reading is Numbers 11. You can read the ESV version online HERE or on page 119 of the Church Bibles.
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ORDER OF SERVICE
For the 11:00 AM service is available HERE.
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THIS MONDAY: SHAKESPEARE NATION
“What do you think about Shakespeare?”
Roger Lloyd Jones is bringing ‘Shakespeare Nation’ to Christ Church on Monday 16th October at 1:00 PM to Lyrics and Lunch to show some different sides to the Bard’s work. Shakespeare Nation is a group of people from across Blackpool who have been working with the Blackpool Grand Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company to explore Shakespeare through performance. The group performed in Henry the VI Rebellion at Stratford-upon-Avon in 2022 and love bringing Shakespeare to audiences old and new.
All are welcome (free of charge) to come and enjoy the different sides of his plays by exploring various themes including – conflict and disagreements, the supernatural, love and comedy all with their own special twist!”
A soup and sandwich lunch will be available at 12:00 PM in the Community Centre Hall.
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THIS THURSDAY: ABIDE WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP
Starting on 7:00 PM on Thursday 19th October at Chris Hartley’s home and meeting around once a term, the book group will spend an enjoyable evening reflecting on a short Christian book. The first book will be ‘Heavenly Minded’ by Mary Wilson Hannah. This short book captures how fixing our eyes on heaven will transform our Christian experience here on earth, bringing assurance, hope and purpose. There are 10 copies of the book available to buy in the Meadows Books for only £2.50 (usual price £3.99). Please sign up HERE or speak to Chris Hartley for more information.
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VOLUNTEERS WANTED: THE CHOSEN SCREENINGS
The Chosen is a groundbreaking historical drama based on the life of Jesus, seen through the eyes of those who knew Him. There are currently 24 episodes (3 seasons) of varying length normally between 30-60 minutes, all of which are available to watch for free at watch.thechosen.tv
Starting in January we plan to screen the Chosen (starting at season 1, episode 1) on Wednesday evenings in term time from 6pm. Coming to watch The Chosen is a great follow-up for those who have attended Alpha this term, and others are also welcome to join in.
Andrew is looking for a keen volunteer or team of volunteers who could take charge of running the screenings of The Chosen episodes. You would need to welcome guests, play the video, and co-ordinate refreshments. Email andrew@christchurchthornton.uk or speak to Andrew to find out more.
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CORE CATECHISM CLASSES
Getting to grips with why we believe what we believe!
Core Catechism Classes have started!
Last week, we looked at some important people in Church history, such as Thomas Cranmer (and his poor wife carried in a wooden chest because priests weren’t allowed to be married!). We looked at the development of The Book of Common Prayer between 1549 and 1662. The catechism question for last Sunday was based from The Book of Common Prayer:
Question: Why was the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper ordained?
Answer: For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits which we receive thereby.
These classes are designed to equip Christians with the tools to understand more firmly why they believe what they believe. Using the ancient method of catechesis, the Core Catechism Classes (designed by Damian) will teach the foundational doctrines of Christianity, carefully tracing the story of the one true God as revealed in Scripture.
Core Catechism Classes run in-between the Sunday morning services from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, enabling people attending from either morning congregation to come. They run in the Community Centre Hall with tea and coffee available on arrival.
Topics will include: Church History, Creation, Creeds, 39 Articles, Bible Overview, Heresies, Baptism, Holy Communion, The Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, Reliability of the Bible.
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FAMILY TEATIME COOKERY CLASSES
Our free Family Teatime Cookery Classes have restarted after the summer. They are on Fridays at 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the Community Centre Hall. Families are guided through preparing some food, share a meal together which we’ve prepared and cooked earlier, and then take their cooking home.
The classes are completely free, but it’s helpful if you can book on for each week in advance so that we know how much food to prepare. Use the calendar HERE to book on.
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AWAY MATCH
The men’s 11-a-side football team are having their very first away match on Saturday 21st October, in the Manchester area, kick-off at 10:30 AM. They will be playing the People’s Church from Partington in Manchester. Do please pray for a safe and pleasant match, played with a great attitude.
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HARVEST SUPPER AND CEILIDH
Put on your dancing shoes and eating shirt for the Christ Church Harvest Supper and Ceilidh on Saturday 28th October 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Featuring live music from the Preston-based ‘Old School Band’ along with a tasty harvest supper of Home-made Lamb Hot Pot and Chocolate Fudge Cake with Cream (bring your own drinks).
Tickets must be purchased on advance and cost £10 per adult and £5 per child. Please book and pay by card HERE.
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HARVEST FESTIVAL
Our Harvest Festival service will be on Sunday 29th October at 10:00 AM. The morning services will be combined. Treehouse at 5:00 PM will still take place. Please invite family, friends, neighbours, as we gather to give thanks to God for all his goodness. Please also start to think about what food products you can bring on the day, all of which will be help keep our Food Pantry stocked to serve the local community and beyond.
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GOLD AWARD
Congratulations to 9 children/young people who have received their Gold Award at Treehouse!
This means they have attended Church at least 44 times in the last year! As a special thank you to them and to say well done, the children and youth leaders and Damian and Andrew will be taking them for a day out to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It will take place on Saturday 4th November, leaving Church at 9:30 AM and returning at 6:30 PM. Parents are also welcome to come on the trip.
Mums and Dads – if your child has received their Silver Award and is close to reaching their Gold Award – there is still time for them to collect more house stickers to reach Gold Award and get booked onto the trip. Keep coming to Church!
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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
You are invited to join an evening of prayer to mark the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on Sunday 5 November between 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM in the Community Centre. We will be listening to a live event which includes stories from Nigeria, Nicaragua and imprisoned believers and have the opportunity to pray together for Christians who courageously risk everything to follow Jesus. Please come and join us – you don’t need to pray aloud.
There will be members of other Churches joining us and refreshments will be served on arrival. If you can’t attend but like to watch the event please register on line at opendoorsuk.org/idop
If you require further information please contact Martin.
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CHORAL EVENSONG
We’ll be welcoming the Chapel Choir of Rossall School for Choral Evensong on Monday 13th November at 7:00 PM in Church.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
We will soon be recruiting for an Activities Welcomer & Coordinator (approximately 7 hours per week) to work on Monday and Thursday afternoons in the Community Centre Hall, starting on Monday 6th November 2023. It is essential that persons applying have a mature and growing faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This role carries an occupational requirement to be a practising Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010). Do get in touch for more information and to register for an application pack.
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ADVENT CONCERT
We’re looking forward to hosting an Advent Concert on Thursday 30th November at 7:30 PM. We’ll be hosting once again Christian singer-songwriters Yvonne Lyon, Gareth Davies-Jones and David Lyon as they bring you an evening of live acoustic seasonal music.
Please book tickets in advance, costing £7.50 adult, £4.00 child. Click HERE to book.
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COACH TRIP TO LIVERPOOL
Damian is running a coach trip to Liverpool – would you like to come too? It’s on Friday 1st December and costs only £15! 42 people are booked on the trip, meaning it will soon be full.
There will be an opportunity to explore Liverpool at your own leisure and do some Christmas shopping. You could also visit one of Liverpool’s Cathedrals.
The coach will be setting off from Christ Church Thornton at 8:30 AM, arriving in Liverpool just around 10:00 AM. The coach will leave Liverpool at 4:00 PM, arriving back at Christ Church around 6:00 PM, traffic dependent.
As an optional extra, you can also enjoy a 50-minute ferry ‘cross the Mersey to see one of the greatest waterfronts in the world! The cruise will be followed by a bus tour of Liverpool. The route provides the opportunity to see some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The cost for this is an extra £16 (£31 total).
Book your tickets and pay online HERE.
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CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNITY DINNER 2023
Delicious Food,Friendship, and Joy
We are looking forward to hosting a joy filled afternoon on Monday 25th December from 1:00 PM onwards in the Community Centre Hall. The meal is for anyone who might benefit from having company on Christmas Day. Enjoy a proper Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, followed of course by pudding, cake, and cheese and biscuits! There will be a quiz and live music.
There is no charge for any of the food or the activities. God gave the generous gift of Jesus at the first Christmas. We believe in sharing the generous love of God with anyone who would like to receive it.
Booking is essential. Please sign up HERE.
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VOLUNTEER WELCOMERS NEEDED
We see hundreds of people coming through the Church doors each week. We strive to give each person a personal welcome. On a Friday this isn’t possible. Can you help? from 9:45 AM to 12:45 PM (or whatever you manage between those times).
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BOOSTER SEATS
We’re looking to keep a stock of spare booster seats (for cars) at Church for times when a family may come to an activity by public transport but then find it isn’t on and may need help with transport back home. If you can help, please get in touch.
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LEAFLETS – THANK YOU
Big thank you to those who help deliver postcards promoting the KICK Academy and Playhouse in Burn Naze. One new family at each of the activities this week told us that they came as a result of receiving a post card through their door.
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FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL
A few church members are planning to go on a McCabe Pilgrimage. It’s a cruise and stay starting from Athens, and sailing around the Greek islands, following in the footsteps of St.Paul
It takes place 3-13th October 2024 costs from £2999. It has some interesting guest speakers, including Paul Jones ( Manfred Mann) and Pam Rhodes (Songs of Praise). For more information please get in touch or speak to Ann Hearnshaw who can put you in touch with McCabe Travel to obtain a brochure.
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TREEHOUSE WEEKEND AWAY
We’re very pleased to announce the third Treehouse Weekend Away, which take place from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2024. It will be at Thornleigh Christian Hotel at Grange-over-Sands. We hope to have all the accommodation at the Hotel in use just for the Treehouse congregation, with many families enjoying a weekend away growing in faith through worship, prayer, Bible teaching, alongside great food, walks out, and fun times together. A letter with more information will be available in due course. For now, keep those dates free if you’re interested in going.
For members of other congregations, a three-day stay at Thornleigh Hotel is also being planned for 2024. More details to follow when they are available.
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PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
In recognition of the suffering taking place on all sides, we will not be publishing for the time being any more information about the proposed 2025 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
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AUTUMN, ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
We have been planning our worship, special activities and events for Autumn, Advent and Christmas. For a preview of what’s taking place, please click HERE (with corrections since its last issue). Printed leaflets will be made available and will be distributed in Church, the Community Centre and to homes around the Parish.
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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
- 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
- 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
Below is a comprehensive list of all that’s taking place in the week ahead. You can also visit out online diary on the church website HERE.
Monday 16th October
- 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
- 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Shakespere Nation
- 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 the Community Centre
Tuesday 17th October
- 9:00 AM to 9:25 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
- 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Flourish Women’s Bible Study at Chris Hartley’s house.
- 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
- 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Gamble Road
- 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM – KICK Academy at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Gamble Road
- 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Tuesday night Growth Group in the Community Centre
Wednesday 18th October
- 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)
- 11:15 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
- 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM – Mothers’ Union Communion
- 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM – Lighthouse in the Community Centre
- 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM – Alpha in the Community Centre and then Church
- 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 19th October
- 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
- 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Abide Women’s Book Group at Chris Hartley’s home.
Friday 20th October
- 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 12:00 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 Classes in the Community Centre
Saturday 21st October
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
- 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM – CCFC football match against People’s Church Manchester
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.
Spot n e erroz inn r weakqly newz – dew lettuce no sow we kan corectt vem!
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With blessings,
Damian & Andrew
