Where is God? In heaven, on earth, everywhere? That’s partly what we’ll be looking at tomorrow in our services as we reflect on the words of Jesus: “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Looking forward to seeing so many of you tomorrow! Remember to keep inviting friends, family, neighbours, so that more and more people might know the presence of God and be in relationship with him.
Have you noticed there is so much sport taking place at the moment? World Cups, athletics, leagues. Here at Christ Church there is lots of sport taking place too. I’m pleased to report our men’s 11-a-side football team remain unbeaten after a 3-3 draw last week. The men pulled off a dramatic comeback to level the match at 3-3 from 3-1. With grateful thanks to our faithful supporters – you were the 12th man!
This week our KICK acedemy started as part of our re-plant into Burn Naze, with children of primary school age enjoying football and learning about Jesus. Exciting times in the life of our church. The most important thing is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
——————————-
SUNDAY SERVICES
The services and activities on Sunday 10th 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)
- 6:00 PM Youth trip to All Hallows Bispham to join with their youth group
——————————-
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.
——————————-
BIBLE READINGS
Our focus in the Sunday morning services is on the Bible reading, Matthew 18.15–20 (Church Bible page 823). You can read it online HERE.
At Treehouse we will be looking at Story 34 and Exodus 20:1-24. You can read the passage in the ESV online HERE, or read the story in your Gospel Story Bible.
On Tuesday 7 PM Evening Worship and Wednesday 11:15 Holy Communion our reading is Luke 17:11-19 (Church Bible page 876). You can read it online HERE.
——————————-
LEAFLETS – CAN YOU HELP?
We have printed a large number of 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!
——————————-
FOOD PANTRY STOCKS RUNNING LOW
Our stock of food in the Food Pantry is running low due to increasing demand from those struggling in our community. Food donations are welcome via the trolley in the porch.
——————————-
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, 15 September 2023
- 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).
——————————-
WEDNESDAY MORNING COMMUNION NEW TIME – 11:15 AM
As our Wednesday morning communion service grows, we’re finding that we are sometimes pushed for time with the start of Lunches for Seniors immediately after. Rather than rush Holy Communion, we’re moving to a new start time of 11:15 AM, immediately after the Wednesday Growth Group.
——————————-
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 at christchurchthornton.uk/alpha.
——————————-
LIGHTHOUSE
Lighthouse, our Wednesday evening club for primary school aged children is starting again this Wednesday 13th September. This term we are running 5:30-7:00 PM including a meal for children and parents from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM for children and their parents, alongside our Alpha Course guests (see above).
To sign up for the meal, please use the Alpha Course sign up at christchurchthornton.uk/alpha. If you’re just coming for the meal and not staying for Alpha, let us know that in the notes.
——————————-
FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF MEADOWS BOOKS
We will be celebrating the first anniversary of Meadows Books on Thursday 14th September, 7:30 PM. There will be refreshments and a free gift for each person that comes. Come along, celebrate, browse!
——————————-
AUTUMN CLEANING
On Saturday 16th September from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM we’re gathering to clean the Church building, corridors, toilets and Community Centre. Can you help? Many hands make light work! Please bring your dusters, cloths, vacuums, etc. For more information please speak to Judith Murphy.
——————————-
CHORAL EVENSONG
We’ll be welcoming the Chapel Choir of Rossall School for Choral Evensong on Monday 18th September and Monday 13th November, both at 7:00 PM in Church.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
‘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!
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
‘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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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 we’re looking at is Saturday 4th November, leaving Church at 9:30 AM and returning at 6:30 PM. It will be a fun day out! Please can the parents of those with the Gold Award and the children and youth leaders liaise with Damian about whether this date will work. 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!
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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).
——————————-
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.
——————————-
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.
——————————-
DIARY OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Here’s a comprehensive list of all that’s taking place in the week ahead…
Monday 11th 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 12th 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 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 13th 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 3:00 PM – Mothers’ Union Service and 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 14th 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
- 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – First Anniversary of Meadows Books
Friday 15th 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 Classes in the Community Centre
- 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Meeting of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)
Saturday 16th September
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Autumn Cleaning in Church and Community Centre
- 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 ne errorz in our weakly newes – do let us know so we can correct them!
——————————-
With blessings,
Damian & Andrew
