St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 11th February 2024 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 11th February 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 13th February – Shrove Tuesday 11.00 am Singing for pleasure – Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 14th February – Ash Wednesday 4.00pm Holy Communion with the imposition of Ashes Thursday 15th February 10.00 am Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room Friday 16th February 12.00 pm 1st Lent Lunch URC Dronsfield Road 1.00 pm Funeral of Ronald Stanhope in Church Sunday 18th February – 1st of Lent 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms ******************************* This last week has been a difficult week for the family of St Nic’s. Putting together the final arrangements to give thanks to God for the life of Dorothy Cox, we learned of the death of John Richardson. Two Christian souls who we love dearly and who we will miss for ever in this earthly life. Every death in a church family is a painful experience nevermore so when those concerned have made such an impact on so many others. For those of us left behind the grief is at times overwhelming. But it’s at these times we must hold on to each other and to what we really believe. Yes, it hurts, yes, it’s hard to come to terms with, but we’re minded of the words of St Paul, in his letter to the churches of Thessalonica when he says along the lines of, “try not to grieve like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.” Death is not the end, but it still hurts! Teach me, O Lord, not to hold on to life too tightly. Teach me to hold it lightly; not carelessly, but lightly, easily. Teach me to take it as a gift, to enjoy and cherish while I have it, and to let it go gracefully and thankfully when the time comes. The gift is great, but the Giver is greater still. Thou, O God, art the Giver and in thee is the Life that never dies. Amen. Lent: We will mark the beginning of this most holy time with a service of Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes at 4 pm on Wednesday. On the following 5 Wednesdays at the same time, 4 pm, we will come together in the Broadway Rooms to enjoy Bishop Philip’s Lent reflections. Everyone is welcome to what will be a relaxed time of reading and reflecting on the scriptures. If you want to come but need a lift, please ring the Vicarage 874402 and we’ll sort it out. Please remember in your prayers: Louise Clark, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Craig Abson, Rev Jane Everett, Jeanette Norman, Joe Robinson, & Maureen Hardman. Please also remember the families of, Ronald Stanhope, Ray Kettle, Christine Jenkinson whose funerals are due to take place and our own John Richardson. 100 Club winners for January: Bernice Meekins, Moira Greenwood, Sue Dell, Christopher Ashworth, Elsie Mathias, Samantha Palinczuk, Ruth Aspinall, Dorothy Calderbank, Muriel Freestone, Margaret Forshaw, Nancy Burr, Gerald Mathias, Nancy Burr, Jennifer Gregson and Dorothy Angel.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 4th February 2024 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 4th February 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Monday 5th February 2.00 pm Community Crafts and Games in Jubilee Room Tuesday 6th February 11.00 am Singing for pleasure – Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 8th February 10.00 am Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room 10.30 am Funeral of Julie Gill in Church 1.00 pm Funeral of Maria Mellor in Church Friday 9th February 9.00 am St Nic’s Little Gang – Broadway Rooms 10.00 am Funeral of Dorothy Cox in Church 12.15 pm Funeral of Beryl Earnshaw at Lytham Sunday 11th February 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms ******************************* This Monday: Sees the start of our Community Crafts and Games afternoon. Why not come along with a friend or neighbour and enjoy some company and maybe even learn a new skill. We’ll be in the Jubilee room. We’re meeting on the first Monday of every month so be sure to put it in your diary going forward. Monday 5th February: Marks the 20th anniversary of the loss of a number of Chinese cockle pickers when they drowned in Morecambe Bay, forced into this perilous work by their traffickers. There will be an act of remembrance at Emmanuel Church at 5.30 pm on Monday, followed by a walk to the beach to release a number of Chinese lanterns. This occasion helps to highlight the challenges and dangers which people from countries around the world are facing in trying to find a new home where they can live safely. Save the date: Sunday 25th February! After the 10.45 service, we are all invited to join Olga and Lawrence in the Broadway Rooms to celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Please sign up at the back of church for catering purposes. Everyone is welcome. Lent Course: Rev’d Carolyn will be facilitating Bishop Philip’s Diocesan Lent Course, Journey to Freedom, over 5 consecutive Wednesdays commencing 21st February. The sessions will be held in the Broadway Rooms at 4 pm with a view to finishing by 5.15 pm each week with Compline. The format will be relaxed and will include listening to Scriptures, a Video talk and short discussion. Hope you can come! If you want to come but need a lift, please ring the Vicarage 874402 and we’ll sort it out. If you would rather attend an evening session, then the same course is being run at Trinity Baptist Church on Thursdays at 7 pm, commencing 22nd February. Please remember in your prayers: Louise Clark, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Rebekah, Jan Risely, Craig Abson, Rev Jane Everett, Jeanette Norman, Joe Robinson, Bob Leadbetter and Barbara Sharrocks. Please also remember the families of Julie Gill, Maria Mellor, Beryl Earnshaw, Dorothy Cox, Ronald Stanhope, & Sarah Leadbetter whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 28th January 2024 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 28th January – Presentation of Christ 8.30 am cancelled 9.30 am cancelled 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 30th January 10.30 am Funeral of Jason Moran in Church 11.00 am Singing for pleasure – Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 31st January 6.30 pm Fleetwood Churches Together – Methodist Church Thursday 1st February 10.00 am Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room Friday 2nd February 9.00 am St Nic’s Little Gang – Broadway Rooms 11.00 am Funeral of Ron Scantlebury in Church Sunday 4th February 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms ******************************* Today: We welcome Rev Canon Dick Cartmel to preach and preside on this feast day of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The actual feast day is Feb 2nd and it is also known as the Feast of the Purification. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem Temple forty days after Jesus’ birth, in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law (Leviticus 12:2-8). The feast is celebrated about forty days after Christmas. According to the account of Lk 2:22-39, the presentation of Jesus was also the occasion of the meeting of Jesus with Simeon and Anna, the gospel passage set for today. Simeon’s prayer of blessing is the basis for the canticle Nunc dimittis. Celebration of the feast dates from the fourth century in Jerusalem. It was introduced in Rome in the seventh century, where it included a procession with candles and the singing of the Nunc dimittis. The celebration came to include the lighting and blessing of candles which were carried in procession. For this reason, the feast is also known as “Candlemas.” Simeon was a devout Jew who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Save the date: Sunday 25th February! After the 10.45 service, we are all invited to join Olga and Lawrence in the Broadway Rooms to celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Our Events Team will be organising an afternoon tea for us all to enjoy. Please sign up at the back of church from today for catering purposes. Everyone is welcome. Lent Course: Rev’d Carolyn will be facilitating Bishop Philip’s Diocesan Lent Course, Journey to Freedom, over 5 consecutive Wednesdays commencing 21st February. The sessions will be held in the Broadway Rooms at 4 pm with a view to finishing by 5.15 pm each week with Compline. The format will be relaxed and will include listening to Scriptures, a Video talk and short discussion. Hope you can come! Please remember in your prayers: Dorothy Cox, Louise Clark, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Rebekah, Jan Risely, Craig Abson, Rev Jane Everett, Jeanette Norman, Joe Robinson, and Barbara Sharrocks. Please also remember the families of Jason Moran, Ronald Scantlebury, Maria Mellor, Beryl Earnshaw and Julie Gill whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 21st January 2024 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 21st January 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 23rd January 11.00 am Singing for pleasure – Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 25th January 10.00 am Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room Friday 26th January 9.00 am St Nic’s Little Gang – Broadway Rooms Sunday 28th January 8.30 am cancelled 9.30 am cancelled 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms ******************************* Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Takes place annually from the 18th – 25th January. It has a history of over a hundred years, in which Christians from around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. By annually observing it we move toward the fulfilment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one." (John 17:21). Each year a Christian community is asked to pick a theme. This year the theme is ‘You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself’ (Lk 10:27), and the parable of the Good Samaritan. The theme has been chosen by Christians in Burkina Faso in West Africa. The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the best-known passages of Scripture, yet one that never seems to lose its power to challenge indifference to suffering and to inspire solidarity. If anyone knows about suffering, then it surely is the Christian minority in West Africa. Christian churches have been expressly targeted by armed attacks. Priests and pastors have been killed during worship and the fate of others who were kidnapped remains unknown. Christians can no longer openly practice their faith in these areas. Because of terrorism, the majority of Christian churches in the north, east and north-west of the country have been closed. There is no longer any public Christian worship in many of these areas. Where worship is still possible, with police protection, usually in large cities, it has been necessary to shorten services owing to security concerns. We may not be gathering formally as Churches Together this week, but might we take some time to pray for peace and healing in Burkina Faso? The people there are confident that God’s love will overcome the violence that currently afflicts their country. Let us be confident too! Lord Jesus Christ, may our eyes not look away, but be wide open to the world around us. As we travel through life, may we stop and reach out, bind up the wounded and in so doing experience your presence in them. Give us a renewed commitment to journey with you towards unity. Amen Please remember in your prayers: Dorothy Cox, Louise Clark, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Rebekah, Jan Risely, Craig Abson, Rev Jane Everett, Jeanette Norman, Joe Robinson, and Barbara Sharrocks. Please also remember the families of Jason Moran, Ronald Scantlebury, Maria Mellor and Julie Gill whose funerals are due to take place.
