St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 1st January 2023
We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve.
Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671
Sunday 1st January
10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons Susan & Christine. Reader - Sandra
Tuesday 3rd January
2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church
Thursday 4th January
10.00 am Community Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room
Friday 6th January
9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
From the Vicar - If you are reading this, then you must have made it through 2022! It was the year we finally went back to normal…..sort of! Hugs were allowed, we had a proper Christmas and all the restrictions of the pandemic were lifted. But whilst it wasn’t Covid 19 dominating our news this year, there were plenty of other events that left us feeling a little bewildered. From the war in Ukraine to our Queen’s passing; to getting through three Prime Ministers; to eye watering inflation and rising energy prices and now to strikes galore. Add to that our own personal challenges, then I think you’ll agree 2022 has been quite a ride. According to the YouVersion Bible App, the most popular bible verse among global users in 2022 was Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” If this is the verse that we’ve been referring to and highlighting the most, it seems to me that we are still acutely aware of our need for God’s strength to equip us to make it through this journey we call life. However we’re feeling as the year draws to a close, we can take courage that God is present in our lives and in the world around us.
Closer to home and at St Nic’s we can be encouraged with all that we have achieved in 2022, not least the completion of £50,000 worth of roof repairs made possible by your generous donations and the hard work that went in to all the fund-raising events throughout the year. We also ran a successful Alpha course and hosted the Living in Love and Faith deanery day conference. We had Phil licensed to us as a Lay Minister. We delivered Messy Church events at Easter, Harvest and Advent and launched our weekly Family Service. The PCC completed all safeguarding training and checks. We installed lights in the Car Park and a defibrator in memory of Ann Howarth and we gave away 5% of our income to help other people in need! This is just a snap shot, there are other examples of where God has guided and equipped us as his people in this place and we can take courage and start 2023 with renewed confidence. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
Finally, I want to express my sincere thanks for the many cards and greetings that I received from so many of you over the Christmas period, and for your ongoing love, care and support. I hope you have had a peaceful and blessed Christmas and I pray that God will bless you and yours richly in the coming year.
With love and continued prayers from Reverend Carolyn.
100 Club – This will begin for 2023 from today with 106 subscribers. If you wish to join, please see Ruth.
Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Kathryn Pendleton, Jean Wright, Cath Chambers, Emily Lowe, Carol Allcock & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of Joshua Morrissey, Victor Redman, Roger Moore and Margaret Crawshaw whose funerals are due to take place.