I recently attended the New Wine summer conference, camped with thousands of other christians in Kent. It was encouraging to be together with so many other members of God’s family, united in worship of our one lord, Jesus Christ. 

At our services this week we might not quite fit 6,000 people into the church, but we still join together as one body with congregations around the world worshipping one God together. At our communion services, we’ll celebrate, remember, and spiritually share in the death of Jesus, the son of God, whose body was broken and whose blood was shed because of His great love for us. And we’ll recall his sacrifice that reconciles us not only to God, but to one another as well. 

There’s lots going on as we enter into a new term, so please do read this newsletter carefully and think not just about what you could come to yourself, but what you could invite others to as well. And while you’re thinking, do check out the new leaflets shelf that Damian has put together in the entrance hall to help us do just that. Not all the activities have sign up pages yet, so watch out for those in another newsletter coming your way in the next few weeks!

See you soon.

Andrew

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SUNDAY SERVICES

The services and activities on Sunday 20th August 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)
• 11.30am Picnic in the Park (see below)
• 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 15:21-28 (Church Bible page 821). You can read it online HERE. 

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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 the appropriate week.

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THORNTON CHURCHES TOGETHER PICNIC IN THE PARK This Sunday (20th August) from 11.30am & into the afternoon. Opposite St John’s Church Stanah Road, Little Thornton (or inside St John’s if the weather is wet!)

Bring your own picnic; all are welcome! 

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FOOTBALL FINAL! The England women’s football team are through to the World-Cup Final this Sunday. It’s at… 11:00 AM! We aren’t going to change our service times to accommodate the football as our worship to God, hearing His Word and remembering his death and resurrection take priority. However, if you really want to watch the match LIVE then you could come to the 9:00 AM service and be back home around 10:15 AM in plenty of time to watch it. For those coming to the 11:00 AM service, we will show the second half of the match in the Community Centre Hall on the big screen whilst we have our teas and coffees, meaning there’s no need to rush home and we can enjoy the excitement together before we head to ‘Picnic in the Park’!

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BURN NAZE PRAYER AND LEAFLET WALK

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 for our final Burn Naze Prayer walk on Monday 21st August.

This week we will also be delivering leaflets advertising Playhouse and KICK Academy (see below) to homes in the Burn Naze area.

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

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BACK FROM THE SUMMER BREAK

Our Community Centre Programme and Growth Groups are now all running again. 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.

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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. 

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CHRIST CHURCH FOOTBALL MATCH VS KAY STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

The biggest football match of the week: Christ Church FC play Kay Street Baptist Church on Tuesday 22nd August 8pm at Stanley Park, West Park Drive, Blackpool as they play Kay Street Baptist Church. Supporters from church are both welcome and needed!

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ARTS & CRAFT FAYRE

On Saturday 26th August 10am-noon we have an Arts & Craft Fayre in the Community Hall. This is a fun event to bring a friend along to and introduce them to the church building and family while you browse the stalls and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Stalls include cards, crafts, cuddly toys and more! There’s no entry fee, but plenty to spend your money on if you’re so inclined!

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SANCTUARY YOUTH CLUB

Next Sunday (27th August) 6pm-7:30pm we have our Sanctuary youth group after Treehouse for young people in school years 6 to 13. This is a space to welcome young people into church and features table tennis, pool, card games, Nintendo and pizza. If you are a young person, you’re very welcome to come and bring a friend, or if you know a young person, please invite them along!

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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 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.

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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.

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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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ABIDE WOMEN’S BOOK GROUP

Starting soon 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. The book will be available to buy in the Meadows Books for only £2.50 (usual price £3.99). Please speak to Chris Hartley for more information.

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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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CORE CATECHISM CLASSES

Sundays 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM in the Community Centre Hall, starting Sunday 8th October. More details coming soon!

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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 will go on sale soon (watch this space!) They will cost £10 per adult and £5 per child. 

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COACH TRIP TO LIVERPOOL

Save the date: Friday 1st December. More details and how to book coming soon!

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CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNITY DINNER 2023

Save the date: Monday 25th December from 1:00 PM onwards. More details and how to book coming soon!

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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 21st 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 – Burn Naze Prayer and Leaflets Walk
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Monday night Growth Group Social in the Community Centre

Tuesday 22nd 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 Social in the Community Centre
• 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM – Christ Church Football Match vs Kay Street Baptist Church

Wednesday 23rd 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 Social 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 24th 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 25th 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 26th August

• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to Noon – Arts & Craft Fayre in the Community Centre

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