St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 9th April 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 9th April Easter Day 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Cancelled 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Susan & Christine. Reader: Sandra 12.00 pm Jacobs Join and Easter celebrations in the Broadway Rooms 12.30 pm Baptisms of Roman Rayworth & Deny Rose Hargreaves Tuesday 11th April 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 12th April 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room Sunday 16th April 8.30 am Communion by Extension in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Carole & Sandra. Reader: Margaret 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms ********************************* From the Vicar: As we approach the climax of our journey through Passiontide to the glorious celebrations of Easter Day, we have much to give thanks for here at St Nicholas. I am personally grateful to everyone who has given so generously of their time and gifts, to ensure that our packed program of services and events have been delivered and to an extraordinarily high standard. We have seen countless new people and families joining us for the first time and this is exactly what we’re here for, as we seek to be witnesses, inspire children and young people and transform our community. Having now contracted Covid, I am indebted to Phil, Rev’d Carol Wilkinson, Rev’d Tom Maidment and Rev’d Jane Atkinson who have so very kindly agreed to cover the Easter Day services in my place. Lord God, You loved this world so much, that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world. All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen. Dear friends, hold on to the hope that no matter what lies ahead, Christ has conquered the grave. And by conquering the grave He has given us new life for now and eternity to come. Let your hearts be glad, shout with joy and celebrate this great day. Easter is here, and so is new life and hope. With love and Easter blessings to you and yours as we journey on together. Please also remember in your prayers: Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Mark Price, Lee Schofield, Grantham Fidler, Tony Hardman & Peter Hollier. And the families of Susan Smith, Reg Short, Marjorie Kenwright and Sarah Entwistle whose funeral are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 2nd April 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 2nd April Palm Sunday 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Judith & Dorothy W4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Monday 3rd April 2.00 pm Funeral of Walter Ward in Church Tuesday 4th April 11.30 am Funeral of Baby Lennox Murphy in Church 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church 7.00 pm Stations of the Cross in Church Wednesday 5th April 2.00 pm Funeral of Bill Cox at Poulton New Cemetery 7.00 pm Stations of the Cross on Zoom Thursday 6th April Maundy Thursday 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room 11.00 am Chrism Mass at Blackburn Cathedral 7.00 pm Holy Communion and the solemn Stripping of the Altar Good Friday and Easter Day All the events and services taking place are printed on a separate sheet and are available in church or on the website Easter Lilies: On Easter Day it is our tradition to fill the church with Easter lilies. To help with the cost of these, you are invited to make a donation in memory of a loved one, whose name will be added to a ‘remembrance roll’ and displayed in church. Please place you donation and loved one’s name in an envelope and deposit it in the box at the back of church. ‘Messy Church’: The event on Good Friday is a way of being church for us, for families and for others. It is Christ-centred, for all ages and is based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. Everyone is welcome, with or without children. We need lots of help to welcome and look after our guests. Why not come along this Good Friday. You’ll need a picnic lunch! Easter Sunday: It’s not too late to sign up for lunch and the Easter bonnet parade and quiz which is happening right after the 10.45 service. It really is a lovely day to be together and to get to know new friends too. Come and join us! Sincere thanks for all who have donated so generously of their time, talents, chocolate and money to make this day happen. Lord God, we give you thanks, for you are good, and your mercy is endless. Here we stand, at the start of this holy week; this week in which your church remembers Jesus’ passion and death, and we are distracted by many things. Turn our eyes now to the One who comes in your name, the One who opens the gates of righteousness, the One who answers when we call. We bless you, Lord, for shining your light upon us and for sending your Son to us in human frailty, to walk the road we walk. Open our eyes that we may see him coming and may praise him with pure hearts. And may we walk in the way of his suffering and share also in his resurrection. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. 100 club winners: in March were Paul Meekins, Ann Turner, Linda Cawley, Shirley Kershaw, Maureen Siddall, Laura Martin, Daniel Ashworth, Muriel Freestone, Alan Leeson, Claire Naylor, Gillian King, Mavis Evans, Lawrence Dunne and Barbara Quirk. Please also remember in your prayers: Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Mark Price, Berny McCarthy, Lee Schofield, Grantham Fidler, Tony Hardman & Peter Hollier. And the families of William Cox, Walter Ward, Baby Lennox Murphy, David Short and Susan Smith whose funeral are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 26th March 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 26th March 5th of Lent 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Elizabeth & Margaret. Reader: Sandra 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 28th March 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 29th March 6.30 pm Churches Together meet at Fleetwood Methodist Thursday 30th March 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning & Warm Hub in the Jubilee Room Friday 31st March 9.00 am St Nic’s Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms 9.00 am Easter Assembly at Shakespeare School 11.45 am Lent Lunch at Trinity Baptist Church, hosted by the Methodist Church Sunday 2nd April Palm Sunday 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Judith & Dorothy W 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms ********************************************** Dates for your Diary: Today the 5th Sunday in Lent, marks the beginning of Passiontide, the last two weeks in Lent. In the early years of Christianity, the monks of the East who had chosen the desert for a severer mode of life, returned to their monasteries to journey together through Holy week and onto the ultimate victory of Easter Day. The crosses, statues and images in church are covered in purple veils from toady until the end of the celebration of the Lord’s passion. This tradition is associated with the Passion Sunday’s Gospel in which Jesus “hid himself” from the people (John 8:46-59). Entering church during this period we are reminded of the solemnity of the season, only to be blown away by the splendour of the church, unveiled and brightly decorated on Easter morning. Heavenly Father, as we follow our Lord Jesus Christ on the way to the cross, we share in his suffering. Help us to pray to you in faith, to sing your praise with gratitude, and to listen to your word with eagerness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. At the back of church today and on our website, is an invitation to all the events planned for Holy week and Easter. Please take a few invitations and personally invite your friends and family to join us at some point over this most holy time. Again this year, we are having a ‘Messy Church’ event on Good Friday. Messy Church is a way of being church for us, for families and for others. It is Christ-centred, for all ages and is based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. Everyone is welcome, with or without children. We need lots of help to welcome and look after our guests. Why not come along this Good Friday. You’ll need a picnic lunch! Easter Sunday: Following the Easter Eucharist at 10.45 we will be continuing our celebrations in the Broadway Rooms with a Jacobs Join lunch, Easter bonnet parade and quiz. Please sign up at the back of church to tell us if you’re coming and how many you’re bringing. It really is a lovely day to be together and to get to know new friends too. Come and join us! Please also remember in your prayers: Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Mark Price, Berny McCarthy, Lee Schofield, Grantham Fidler, & Peter Hollier. And the families of William Cox and baby Lennie Murphy whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 19th March 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 19th March Mothering Sunday 8.30 am Communion by Extension in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Carole & Sandra. Reader: Margaret 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Monday 20th March 12.30 pm Funeral of Ray Merrison at Carleton Tuesday 21st March 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church 2.30 pm Funeral of Norma Newton at St Hilda’s in Carleton Wednesday 22nd March 9.30 am Funeral of Angela Smith at Carleton 10.30 am Funeral of Gordon Smith at Carleton Thursday 23rd March 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning & Warm Hub in the Jubilee Room Friday 24th March 9.00 am St Nic’s Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms 11.45 am Lent Lunch in the Broadway Rooms Sunday 26th March 5th of Lent 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Elizabeth & Margaret. Reader: Sandra 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms ********************************************** Mothering Sunday: A mother’s love is so special it’s worth celebrating and that’s what we will do today. But some people may find Mothers' Day difficult for lots of different reasons. Some people may not have a mother who they see any more. She may have died, or they just never knew her. Some parents find Mothers' Day sad because they have lost a child and still grieve. As well as celebrating the love of mothers, we always remember that Mothers' Day can be difficult as well. The Vicar can offer a confidential listening ear and prayer at this time, if that is something you would like. Lent Lunch: This Friday St Nicholas will be hosting the Lent Lunch in the Broadway Rooms. Do try to come along if you can to enjoy some homemade soup and good company. Donations on the day are for the benefit of International Aid. Easter Sunday: Following the Easter Eucharist at 10.45 we will be continuing our celebrations in the Broadway Rooms with a Jacobs Join lunch, Easter bonnet parade and quiz. It’s always a super afternoon and good to be together with the church family and new friends at this most special time in our church calendar. Please sign up at the back of church to tell us if you’re coming and how many you’re bringing. Be sure to I invite your family and friends. To help with the food and festivities for the Jacobs Join, we need sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps, snacks, cakes, deserts etc. Chocolates and Easter eggs for prizes and raffle prizes. Or you might rather just make a financial donation towards drinks for the table? The main thing is that you come whether you are able to donate anything or not! It really is a lovely day to be together and to get to know new friends too. Come and join us! 100 club winners: in February included Jillian Muir, Chris Jones, Sarah Quirk, Richard Quirk, Ruth Aspinall, Muriel Freestone, Margaret Forshaw, Mike King, Mandy Ryan, Robert Meekins, Tracey Meekins, Shirley Kershaw, Dorothy Cox and Dorothy Warren. Please also remember in your prayers: Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Mark Price, Lee Schofield, Grantham Fidler, & Peter Hollier. And the families of Ray Merrison, Norma Newton, Gordon Smith, Angela Smith, Lucy Adamson & Ray Woollett whose funerals are due to take place.
