Hello everyone!

Do you remember what we discovered last week? God revealed his name to Moses: “I AM.”

His name means he is all that is needed. He is self sufficient, self existent, eternal, has and is everything he needs. God needs no one or no thing to be who he is. He is independent, unchanging, without any vulnerabilities or weakness. Wow. What an amazing God!

It is that God who came to earth to take our place, suffer and die, forgive, bring peace, and secure an everlasting victory over death, sin and evil. It is that same God who promises to return again to dwell with us eternally.

Tomorrow, come again to discover more about our amazing, faithful, promise-keeping, forgiving, patient, strong, God.

As part of the centenary celebrations of the Diocese of Blackburn, on Monday begins the Diocesan Conference. It takes place every four years. This time it’s at Liverpool Hope University. Over 360 people representing churches from across Lancashire will be enjoying four days of teaching, worship, workshops and refreshment.

Everyone can join in, as the five main sessions are being livestreamed to the Fruitful app. To download the app search ‘Fruitful Blackburn Diocese’ on your app store. You can also watch them on the diocesan YouTube channel.

Found by Jesus is the conference theme, based around the books of Luke-Acts drawing on an exciting line up – homegrown and international. You can find out more info about the conference HERE.

There are several members of Christ Church Thornton attending and helping at the conference. Peter Nunn is preparing and operating the slides for during the worship; Sheena and Peter Burwell are taking the bookshop stock in a van to provide a bookstall for the conference delegates; Brian Bloxham and Paul Clemence are running the bookstall during the conference; and I’m coordinating some parts of the conference. Janette Grey is attending to represent Christ Church. Thank you to all those involved!

To watch the livestreams, here are the days and times:

• 3:45 PM and 7:15 PM on Monday 6th July
• 10:30 AM on Tuesday 7th July
• 10:30 AM on Wednesday 8th July
• 10:30 AM on Thursday 9th July

Do tune in and watch to enjoy worship, teaching, interviews and bonus content before each session!

Please note the bookshop is closed from now and into all of next week due to all the stock being taken to the diocesan conference.

There are over 140,000 people already benefitting from The Bible Course. After going through it you will be able to confidently apply Scripture to everyday life by getting to grips with the Bible’s key themes, characters and stories. There will be interactive films, striking resources and exclusive content from Bible experts.

Tomorrow marks the start of week four of The Bible Course. It’s taking us through the Bible’s big story – from Genesis through to Revelation. The Bible Course lasts for eight weeks. On a Sunday, the theme of the week is introduced during the sermon in the service. Then, come back again during the week to one of the five midweek opportunities. Don’t like going out in the evening? That’s fine, choose from one of the three daytime groups. Working during the day? We understand, for you there’s two evening groups to choose from.

Here’s the full list:

• Monday at 7:30 PM (in the Community Centre Hall)
• Tuesday at 2:30 PM (at 99 Church Road)
• Wednesday at 10:00 AM (in Church)
• Thursday at 7:30 PM (in the Community Centre Hall)
• Friday at 10:00 AM (in the Community Centre Hall

Coming up on Sunday 12th July is our youth BBQ in the Vicarage Garden (more like a meadow!). The question is, will the Vicarage grass be cut in time?! Taking place from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, young people who are already or who are about to be of High School & Sixth Form age will gather for burgers, water fights and other crazy games!

Tomorrow we have services at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM 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, 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM 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: 1 Samuel 8:1-22, John 18:29-38 & John 19:16-22.

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 28th June can be listened to in advance using this Spotify playlist on this link HERE.

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 10th July, 7:30 PM at the Golden Eagle. Please see, call or email John Hearnshaw to book your place. After this event, the next Men United will be on Friday 11th September.

Lots of people have booked already! Have you? Don’t leave it too long to book!

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.

Sometimes we all need a break. That time is almost upon us. The biblical principle of resting from our labours is important to embrace. Our summer recess is taking place over the last two weeks of July and the first week of August. All Sunday services continue as normal. The things are are not taking place are the usual midweek activities and services. The Church and Community Centre will not be open midweek, with the exception of the external groups that use the Hall and Church.

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. (Note this event is an exception to the summer recess)

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.

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.

• On Saturday 11th July there are some catering and hosting needs for the Walk Through the Old Testament day. If you can help please speak to Chris Fallone.
• On Sunday 12th July there will be a youth BBQ at the Vicarage from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Volunteers needed to prepare and run the BBQ and help prepare games in the garden from approximately 5:00 PM onwards.
• On Sunday 6th December helpers are needed to prepare 100+ hot chocolate drinks and mince pies for the 5:00 PM Tree Lighting Service.
• On Monday 7th December we will be holding a Pantivity in Church (a Pantomime Nativity – “oh yes we are”!) – welcomers, popcorn and drinks team needed! Accommodation hosts for the actors is also needed.
• On Friday 25th December, we will once again be hosting a Christmas Day Community Dinner from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• On Tuesday 13th April 2027, we be hosting a Diocesan Clergy Study Day.

If you can help with the catering, accommodation and other practical elements for any of the above, please do get in touch.

Monday 6th July

• 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 – 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
• 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – The Bible Course on Mondays

Tuesday 7th July

• 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 – 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
• 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM – The Bible Course on Tuesdays
• 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM – Brickhouse (children’s group) in the Community Centre

Wednesday 8th July

• 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Walking Wednesday’ 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 – 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 – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – The Bible Course 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
• 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse (children’s group) in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 9th July

• 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 – 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 – The Bible Course on Thursdays
• 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – Alpha in the Community Centre

Friday 10th July

• 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 11:30 AM – The Bible Course on Fridays
• 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 – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre

Remember it’s Walk Through the Old Testament on Saturday 11th July – book via the link earlier in this email.