This week at Treehouse we’re looking at the description of the Tabernacle in Exodus 25-26, which describes the Ark of the Covenant, Table for Bread, Golden Lampstand, and the various curtains, bars and frames that made up the Tabernacle itself. To help the young people think about the symbolism behind the various details of those features, we’re going to be comparing some Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated pictures of these features with the descriptions in the Bible, and spotting all the many mistakes that the AI has made in generating the pictures. 

It’s not just robots that make mistakes though, we humans do too! We fail to love God and we fail to love one another. We sin. The good news is that when we turn away from that sin, and ask for forgiveness, we receive that forgiveness from God. But we who have been forgiven much must also forgive those who sin against us. In our morning services we will be looking at the Parable of the Unforgiving servant, and thinking about how God’s forgiveness for us should lead us to forgive others. 

Andrew

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SUNDAY SERVICES

The services and activities on Sunday 17th September 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

Our focus in the Sunday morning services is on the Bible reading, Matthew 18.21–35 (Church Bible page 823). You can read it online HERE.

At Treehouse we will be looking at Story 35 and Exodus 25-26. You can read the passage in the ESV online HERE, or read the story in your Gospel Story Bible. It’s page 65 in the Church Bibles. 
 
On Tuesday 7 PM Evening Worship and Wednesday 11:15 Holy Communion our reading is Matthew 6:24-34 (Church Bible page 811). You can read it online HERE.

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ALPHA
We’re running Alpha from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on a Wednesday evening until 6th December. We had a great first week, but it’s not too late to join us if you’d like to sign up:  christchurchthornton.uk/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. Alpha runs alongside with Lighthouse, so the children will join us for the meal, and parents can stay for Alpha while the children are at Lighthouse. 

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ALPHA – CAN YOU HELP?
We’ve had a lot of people sign up for Alpha (great!) which has meant some volunteers who were allocated to the kitchen are now helping to run discussion groups. We could therefore use a couple of extra pairs of hands especially around 6pm to help with clearing up after the meal and clearing tables away in the hall. Speak to Andrew or email andrew@christchurchthornton.uk if you can help!

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FLOURISH WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

This new weekly opportunity for Bible study will start on Tuesday 19th September, 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Chris Hartley’s home. It will be an encouraging time for women to grow in their Christian walk together. Please speak to Chris for more information.

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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. Booking can be done using the links below:

• Friday, 22 September 2023
• Friday, 29 September 2023
• Friday, 6 October 2023
• Friday, 13 October 2023
• Friday, 20 October 2023

(Booking for later sessions will be opened at a later date).

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‘LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS’ WITH THORNTON CLEVELEYS BAND

Live music from Thornton Cleveleys band. Friday 22nd September from 7:30 PM. Entry costs £7 (pay on the door) with no booking necessary. Interval refreshments included!

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LUNCHTIME CONCERT

There will be a lunchtime concert on Tuesday 26th September at 1:45 PM in Church. Students from Rossall School will once again be performing for us. Sandwiches and hot drinks are available from 1:15 PM. All are welcome.

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EVENSONG

There will be a service of Evensong on Sunday 1st October at 3:00 PM. This will repeat on the first Sunday of each month. For more information please speak to Tom Pilkington or Damian. 

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CHORAL EVENSONG

We’ll be welcoming the Chapel Choir of Rossall School for Choral Evensong on Monday 2nd October and Monday 13th November, both at 7:00 PM in Church. Note: this is a change from previously advertised dates. 

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‘SCAM ALERT’ INFORMATION EVENING

According to UK Finance statistics £1.2bn was lost to fraud in 2022. This is equivalent to £2,300 every minute of every day. The most common type was card fraud with banks only refunding 59% of losses. But there are many other types of fraud and scams which frequently go unreported. Do you worry about ‘phone calls? Do you worry about text messages? Do you think you know all about scams?

Come along to the Community Hall at 6:30 PM on Thursday 5th October 2023 and let us help you to understand what you should, or should not, be doing. Even if you think you know all about scams, maybe you should come anyway so you can pass on some information to your parents, grandparents or elderly neighbours who may not be able to come. It will all be very informal, but maybe you could learn something you didn’t know before and there will be refreshments available and people to talk to if you’re worried that you may have been or are being scammed right now. For more information, please call or send a text to Sally Johnson 07903 776451 outside working hours.

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CORE CATECHISM CLASSES
Getting to grips with why we believe what we believe!

Core Catechism Classes will 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 will run in-between the Sunday morning services 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, enabling people attending either congregation to come. They will run in the Community Centre Hall and will include coffee and cake.

Topics will include: Church History, Creation, Creeds, 39 Articles, Bible Overview, Heresies, Baptism, Holy Communion, The Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, Reliability of the Bible.

Classes start on Sunday 8th October. For more information speak to Damian or Andrew.

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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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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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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). It will be great!

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. The date for the trip is 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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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.

Pleae 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! Bookings are filling up fast, so book now to avoid disappointment!

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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FRIDGE FREEZER NEEDED

If anyone is thinking of changing their upright fridge freezer, please keep in mind to give your old one (in good working order) to help Julie, a member of Christ Church Family as she needs one for her new flat to replace her 2 single ones which she hasn’t got room for. Please speak to Angela Roberts for more information.

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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 Thursday and 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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LEAFLETS – CAN YOU HELP?

We still have a few postcards promoting the KICK Academy and Playhouse in Burn Naze. Could you help deliver them in the Burn Naze area? Speak to Andrew or email andrew@christchurchthornton.uk if you can help!

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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 18th September

• 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 the Community Centre

Tuesday 19th September

• 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
• 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM – Tuesday Evening Worship Service (TEWS) in Church
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Tuesday night Growth Group in the Community Centre

Wednesday 20th September

• 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 3:30 PM – Mothers’ Union Corporate Communion & Meeting
• 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 21st September

• 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 22nd September

• 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 Class in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM – Last Night of the Proms with Thornton Cleveleys Band in Church

Saturday 23rd September

• 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.

Spott en knee errorz in r weakly newz – do let uz no so we kan correcct them!

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With blessings,

Damian & Andrew