Hello everyone and good morning. Tomorrow is special in two ways. Firstly, we’ll be joined by Bishop Philip (our Diocesan Bishop) at our 11:00 AM service to Confirm into the Church of England twelve people from Christ Church Thornton. It’s going to be a special occasion. Not only do we look forward to welcoming Bishop Philip who will be preaching and confirming but also the family and friends of those being confirmed. Most of all, it’s going to be special for those confirming their faith as followers of Jesus.
Please do stay on after the service to enjoy a ‘cream tea’ style picnic lunch in the Hall and to congraulate those being confirmed and to see Bishop Philip.
Secondly, it’s Trinity Sunday in our church calendar. Across the world, churches like ours are pondering the beautiful mystery of the three-in-one. Our God is one in three persons, Father, Son, Spirit. I’ve discovered a brand new worship song all about the beautiful mystery of the Trinity. You can listen to it HERE. Here are the words of the chorus:
This beautiful mystery: our God is One,
majestic in unity, perfect in love.
The Father, the Son and Spirit ever entwined
in beautiful mystery, in wonder divine.
So, are you coming tomorrow to worship the beautiful mystery that our God is One, is majestic in unity and pefect in love? Come and behold the Father, the Son and the Spirit! Come once, come twice, or come for the whole day!
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This Sunday’s Services
The services and activities on Sunday 31st May 2026 are:
- 9:00 AM – Traditional Service
- 11:00 AM – Contemporary Service – Confirmations
…with a free picnic lunch in the Hall afterwards
During the sermon, children of primary school age have their own time of teaching in the Community Centre Hall. The Chapel is available throughout the 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! - 5:00 PM – Treehouse Family Worship
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 and HERE and HERE or find them in your own Bible at home: Isaiah 6:1-8, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 1:9-13
Our live stream on Sunday at 11:00 AM can be viewed on our YouTube channel HERE. The 11:00 AM order of service is available HERE.
This week’s worship songs for our 11:00 AM service on the 31st May can be listended to advance using this link HERE. It’s a Spotify playlist.
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Thank you
To those who came along and helped make last Sunday after the 11:00 AM service so special. Jeff and Lucy, supported by Lorna and Elaine were superstars in the buffet they prepared to celebrate Harry & Emily’s engagement and upcoming wedding on the 20th June. On behalf of Harry and Emily and all the Platt family, ‘thank you’ to everyone for your kind words and support.
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Coming soon!
During the year we’ll be holding two special events (both on a Saturday) where we’ll be joined by a presenter from Walk Through the Bible. One of the events will be an interactive and engaging teaching event that uncovers the Big Picture of the Old Testament – Genesis to Malachi – and the second event will cover the Big Picture of the New Testament – Matthew to Revelation.
Each event will be really fun as well as an encouraging way to consolidate prior Bible knowledge and help fill in gaps. An experienced presenter will lead each event with five one-hour sessions on each of the two dates. 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.
The dates are: Saturday 11th July 2026 and Saturday 3rd October 2026. The first event is ‘Walk Through the Old Testament.’ To watch a promotional video introducing what happens in the event click HERE.
The cost is £16 per person per event. Details of how to book for Saturday 11th July are below…
You can scan the QR code or use this link HERE. The QR code and link takes 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.
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All for Jesus Seminars
Embracing the diocesan 2026 theme of All for Jesus, I am running a series of 45-minute seminars to look at some interesting and sometimes controversial subjects. The purpose of these is to stretch our theological muscles and ponder some little discussed but important subjects. Each seminar is rooted in teaching from the holy scriptures with some history, theology – all within a prayerful and pastoral approach.
- 011 | Tuesday 2nd June | Is the Church building a temple, a sacred space, or ordinary? Book HERE.
- 012 | Tuesday 9th June| What happens when we die?
- 013 | Tuesday 16th June | What will heaven be like?
- 014 | Tuesday 1st September | How can we have free will if God plans and knows everything?
- 015 | Tuesday 8th September | Does God allow or cause suffering?
- 016 | Tuesday 15th September | Did God create the devil to be evil?
- 017 | Tuesday 22nd September | What will hell be like?
- 018 | Tuesday 29th September | Did Jesus go to hell before his resurrection?
Future topics will include:
- Should we pray to the saints?
- Do babies go to heaven?
- Will we meet our loved ones in heaven?
- In heaven, will we eat, drink, work, play, shop?
All the seminars will take place on a Tuesday lunchtime from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM in the Community Centre Hall over a simple lunch of soup and a roll followed by cheese and biscuits. The cost is £5 to cover the cost of food. Booking in advance is required via the link published in the weekly news email the week before each event happens. Book HERE for Tuesday 2nd June.
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Please pray
For young people sitting their GCSE’s and A Level’s during this period and for their parents and teachers.
Heavenly Father, give grace to those studying and sitting exams. May they know you to be their shepherd throughout. As they seek to do their very best, may they know you to be their best influence, strength, and source of love. Help them rest well and work hard in the knowledge that you are sovereign over everything. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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Opportunities to Serve
On Tuesday 2nd June 2026, at 7:30 PM, Christ Church is the venue for the Primary Visitation – which is when Bishop Philip will install Churchwardens from the deaneries of Blackpool, Poulton, Kirkham, Lancaster and Morecambe. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch. We will need musicians and welcomers in addition to help with catering.
On Saturday 13th June 2026, Christ Church is the venue for the Christ Church Blackburn whole-church awayday. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.
On Saturday 27th June 2026, Christ Church is the venue for the St. John’s Whittle-le-Woods and Clayton Brook Community Church PCC Vision awayday. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.
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Men United
Gentlemen! Get this date in your diary! The next Men United (nothing to do with football – it’s just men eating food and enjoying each other’s company) is on Friday 12th June, 7:30 PM at the Tramway. Please see, call or email John Hearnshaw to book your place.
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Summer Dinner
Calling all ladies…it’s time for the Annual Ladies’ Evening Group Summer Dinner at Singleton Lodge. This year it will be held on Wednesday 15th July and promises to be another memorable evening with lots of lovely food, great fellowship and no shopping or washing up! What could be better than that on a summer’s evening? For more details and a menu, please see Judith Murphy.
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News from the Life Association
We support through prayer and financial donations the Christian charity Life Association. Since 1993 it has been reaching and serving some of the poorest communities in India, through Christian education, children’s homes, child development, vocational training, and disaster relief. There is news just in from them which you can read on this link HERE.
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Electoral Roll
As explained at the recent APCM on Ascension Day, all those who live in the parish or live outside of the parish but worship habitually are welcome to apply to be on the ecclesiastical Electoral Roll. It is renewed every 6 years and was done last year, so if you went on last year, you’re okay until 2031. However, if you didn’t go on last year or if you have joined Christ Church since last year then you are welcome to apply (subject to age requirements).
The Electoral Roll form is available online on this link: Electoral Roll Application Form (click on the blue words).
The Church Electoral Roll is the register of electors for Christ Church Thornton. It is the list of those qualified to attend and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the elections for the Parochial Church Council and the parish representatives on the Deanery Synod. Every six years the Electoral Roll is renewed.
Paper forms are available on request to those who cannot get online. Please ask Sally Johnson the Electoral Roll Officer and she will arrange to get one to you. Please, if you are online, do fill out the online form as this is most helpful to us administratively (zero admin for an online form vs 10-15 minutes for each paper form received).
Being on the Electoral Roll has other benefits too, especially for those who live outside of the parish – such as burial, marriage and baptism eligibility. However, if you live outside the parish boundary and want to come onto the Electoral Roll, you have to have been worshipping habitually at Christ Church for a minimum period of six months, unless you can provide reasons as to why you weren’t able to.
Be warned – the Electoral Roll application form isn’t the simplest form in the world! There are a number of options to choose from which require some careful reading. If you’re confused, struggling or just need a little direction, do please speak to Sally, Damian, or one of the clergy team.
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Keswick at Home
The Keswick Convention is an inspiring thing to attend and be part of. Not everyone can manage to get there or stay over. Therefore, on Friday 7th August we’re creating a ‘Keswick at Home’ experience at Christ Church in the Community Centre Hall.
We’ll be watching the Evening Celebration live on the big screen, hoping to create that big tent experience. We will be eating fish and chips (a popular delicacy at Keswick) and then tuning in to the teaching, the music and the atmosphere of the last day of the Convention on our big screen. Come along and experience the fun, fellowship, celebration and brilliant Bibe teaching.
More details to follow in the future but for now please save this date in your diary: Friday 7th August, 6:00 PM.
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2026 Treehouse Weekend Away
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.
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Celebration of the Centenary of the Diocese of Blackburn
2026 is the Centenary Year of the Cathedral and Diocese of Blackburn. A year of celebration will culminate on Thursday November 12th, the exact date when the Diocese was formed out of the Diocese of Manchester one hundred years ago.
On that day representatives of the Diocese together with friends and partners will gather in Blackburn Cathedral for a celebration of the Eucharist commencing at 7:00 PM.
Bishop Philip asks you to save the date in your diaries. A formal invitation will come from the Cathedral in the early part of the Summer.——————————-
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
- 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.
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Move & Chat
Move & Chat is the gentle exercise opportunity on a Friday afternoon in the Community Centre at 2:30 PM. For those who often attend, please be aware Move & Chat will not be taking place on the following Fridays: 5th June, 12th June.
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Diary of Activities and Services
Monday 1st June
- 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
- 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 9:30 PM – Growth Group in the Community Centre
Tuesday 2nd June
- 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
- 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 12:45 PM – All for Jesus Seminar & Lunch in the Community Centre
- 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
- 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM – Brickhouse (children’s group) in the Community Centre
- *Please note there is no ‘Prayer for Growth’ this evening due the special event with the Bishop in Church with Churchwardens*
Wednesday 3rd June
- *Please note there isn’t a ‘Walking Breakfast this morning – it resumes on Friday 5th June*
- 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 the Chapel
- 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 in Church
- 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
- *Please note there isn’t a Lighthouse this evening due to some children still being on their half-term break*
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 4th June
- 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
- 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
- 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – Alpha in the Community Centre
Friday 5th June
- 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Family Friday’ Breakfast in the Community Centre
- 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 Chapel
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – 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)
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