Hello everyone!

It’s great to be back! I hope you’re enjoying the summer.

I’m looking forward to speaking tomorrow about the second line of the Lord’s Prayer ”your kingdom come, your will be done.” Come and listen at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

I’ll have some exciting news to share tomorrow about a HUGE weekend coming up for us all next month, on the weekend of the 11th to the 13th September. Across the whole of the Diocese of Blackburn, every church is running a Parish Mission Weekend. We have some exciting events lined up for Christ Church which I’ll be announcing tomorrow.

In the meantime, here’s your digest of upcoming events and church news…

Across the various churches in Thornton will be a month of events to worship together. There’s something for everyone! Through the month is an afternoon tea, opportunities to play games and to sing together. It all starts with a treasure hunt on Saturday 19th September 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM here at Christ Church. Mums and Dads – get that date in your diaries now – kids are going to love it! All the details are above and in flyers available in the leaflt racks in the corridor at Church.

A great opportunity is coming our way next week! The outstanding animated film David (based on the person of David in the Bible) is being released in the UK and is coming to the Vue Cinema in Cleveleys from Friday 21st August. It has great reviews!

It’s a PG and therefore great for people of most ages. The showings are daily at 12:45 PM from Friday 21st August to Thursday 27th August (although at the moment the website seems only to be taking bookings for Friday and Saturday). Tickets available to book HERE.

The film blurb says this…

Join the adventures of David, the shepherd boy and future king, as he steps out of Goliath’s shadow and into his destiny. When the giant Goliath rises to terrorize a nation, a young shepherd armed with only a sling and a few stones steps forward. Pursued by power and driven by purpose, his journey tests the limits of loyalty, love, and courage. You probably know the story this far, but follow David’s many adventures on his way to become king.

To the Treehouse congregation – tomorrow night, we’ll have a chat about who wants to go together and we’ll see if we can arrange a date and time to meet.

The latest Life Association newsletter is available on this link HERE. It tells the story of their work supporting a tailoring school in Tamil Nadu. Since then, eight cohorts of women from impoverished backgrounds have successfully completed their training and graduated.

Tomorrow we have services at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 5:00 PM. Download the Order of Service for the 11:00 AM service HERE.

During the sermons at the 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM services, children of primary school age have their own time of teaching in the Community Centre Hall. The Chapel is available throughout the 11:00 AM service as a creche area for parents and their babies and toddlers with the service streamed to the TV screen. Children are welcome to all our services! We love to see them and hear them!

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.

It can be very helpful to read and reflect on the Bible passage(s) before coming to Church, to ensure some familiarity. You can read them HERE or find them in your own Bible at home: Revelation 11:15-19 and Matthew 4:1-25.

We’ve been live streaming services since 26th March 2020. Did you know they are all available to watch on our YouTube channel?

We hope that by streaming the service live, anyone who faces restrictions because of mobility, health or other reasons, can benefit from tuning in on a Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. We know of some people who come to the 9:00 AM service and go home and enjoy the 11:00 AM live stream at home. And others who appreciate the opportunity to be in Church on a Sunday but to watch the sermon back again at home. Others like to worship through the week by joining in the worship songs. Here is the link you need to watch the live stream this Sunday and view any of the 750 videos available on our channel: https://www.youtube.com/ChristChurchThornton/

This week’s worship songs for our 11:00 AM service on the 16th August can be listened to in advance using this Spotify playlist on this link HERE.

Walk Through The Bible (New Testament) is taking place on Saturday 3rd October 2026. The next event will be a fun and encouraging way to consolidate prior Bible knowledge and help fill in gaps. An experienced presenter will lead the event with five one-hour sessions. The presenter will set up the room to explain the Biblical geography and how it impacts the story. There will be a specifically designed Workbook, accompanied by a PowerPoint, containing maps, charts and book summaries.

Use this link HERE to book for the next event. It will take you to the Walk Through the Bible website. Scroll down the list of events at different churches to find the Christ Church Thornton event and buy tickets from there. For any questions, further info or booking issues please speak to Chris Fallone.

Once again we’re driving up the M6 to Grange-over-Sands for the fifth 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 23rd October to Sunday 25th October 2026. 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. We’ll enjoy a lovely walk out on the Saturday afternoon – to spot birds, spot trains, spot Blackpool Tower, play in the park, feed the ducks and visit the chocolate shop! 

The food at Thornleigh is always amazing!

The Treehouse Weekend Away is always a great opportunity to spend time together whilst growing deeper in our Christian faith.

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 below is a subsidised price made possible by the generosity of church members and through raising funds or securing diocesan grants.

The price for the weekend is £170 per adult (17+). £40 for ages 3–5, £60 for ages 6–11, and £80 for ages 12–16. Children aged 0–2 are free of charge.

The booking link is now live HERE. 

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 instructions 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.

Monday 17th August

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in Church
• 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 1:45 PM – Lyrics & Lunch in the Community Centre
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Growth Groupon Mondays

Tuesday 18th August

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in Church
• 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
• 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM – Prayer for Growth in the Chapel

Wednesday 19th August

• 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 Church
• 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 – Growth Group on Wednesdays
• 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
• 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM – Mothers’ Union in the Church and Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 20th August

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in Church
• 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 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bat & Chat in the Community Centre

Friday 21st August

• 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 – ‘Side Aisle Support’ in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Craft & Chat 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)
• 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre