St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 14th August 2022 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 14th August 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons – Carole & Sandra. Reader – Elizabeth Tuesday 16th August 12.00 pm Funeral of Peter Harrison in Church 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 18th August 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning Sunday 21st August 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons Judith & Dorothy W. Reader –Karen Roof Repairs – We had our first site meeting last week with the architect and the contractors who are going to be working on the roof. The start date is planned for 5th September and work should be completed by the beginning of November. We have received several unexpected and generous gifts in the last couple of weeks towards the cost of the repairs, for which we are sincerely grateful. We now have £26,600 in the roof fund against a target of £50,000.Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16–18 Do you know that joy and gratitude are linked? It’s a fact that people who describe themselves as living a joyful life, practice gratitude and attribute their joyfulness to a habit of thankfulness. There are lots of ways to ‘practice’ gratitude but one of the most obvious ways for us is in daily prayers of thanks to God for his bountiful provision.It’s also a fact that when the practice of gratitude becomes a discipline, we protect ourselves from the more negative impulses of envy, resentment, greed and bitterness. Ancient Israel’s calendar included several annual festivals to remind the people of God’s acts of deliverance and provision, so that they would renew their sense of gratitude and reliance upon the Lord. In Deuteronomy, Moses warns the people that they would be tempted to forget the Lord once they began to enjoy the blessings of the promised land. As a result, they would become proud, ‘worshipping’ their own skills and abilities in place of God. Gratitude counters this. Perhaps one of the greatest obstacles to gratitude is the sheer bounty of God’s generosity – our temptation is to take it for granted. Take time each day to be thankful, to count your blessings. Ask God to show you the things that you are taking for granted. It's important to recognise that being thankful in all circumstances is not the same as being thankful for every situation in which we find ourselves, but then thankfulness expresses our trust that, whatever the enemy meant for harm, God can use for good.Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.100 Club – Elizabeth King, David Ashworth and Margery Bond Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Tony and Maureen Hardman, Rev Martin Keighley, Gillian & Elizabeth King, Fiona, Eily, Mike Rimmer and John Richardson. Also, the families of Peter Harrison, Stephen Cunliffe, Barbara Blundell and Margaret P whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 7th August 2022 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 7th August 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons – Susan & Christine. Reader – Joy 12.30 am Baptisms of Posie and Dylan-Jae Welcome and Set-up Ruth Aspinall Tuesday 9th August 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 11th August 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning Sunday 14th August 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons – Carole & Sandra. Reader – ElizabethThe Transfiguration of our Lord – This Feast Day is celebrated on the 6th of August, and therefore, falls on a different day of the week every year. Next year it will fall on a Sunday and will therefore be the focus of our worship together. But this is one event in the New Testament that we actually encounter twice a year. That’s because, the Transfiguration, when Jesus takes his inner core of disciples up a mountain and is suddenly bathed in brilliant light and flanked by Moses and Elijah, appears in all three synoptic Gospels and for good measure, it comes up again in 2 Peter. The set bible readings we use in church, (the lectionary) follow a three-year cycle, focusing on one of the synoptic gospels each year, which means that we come across the transfiguration during Lent and then again on the ‘official feast day’ in August. One of the central aspects of this story is how Moses and Elijah point to Christ; the Law and the Prophets all lead to Jesus. And here’s the point for us and our worshipping community: everything we do as his Church, all our efforts, must point to Jesus. Do we, as God’s church point to Christ without any ambiguity in all that we do and say? Do we point clearly and plainly to Jesus Christ, the Son of God in whom the hopes of the world and the longings of every human heart are brought to peace? If not, then something must change! God of Light, Your Son was a perfect example of how to live as Christians here on earth, thank You for His life and purpose. Lord, whilst Your Son was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. Thank You for this account of the manifestation of Your power, because this example of Your power gives us hope as we too hold this power within us. Lord, continue to be with us. Summer Hols – If you would like the Vicar to call for a cuppa and a catch up, please do feel able to ring the Vicarage (874402) and arrange a suitable time. Be assured, it is one of the great joys of being a parish priest, so don’t be shy! The Vicar is never too busy for a brew.100 Club – Here is a list of the lucky winners for the last 4 weeks: - Richard Quirk, Kevin & Kath Parker, Linda Cawley, Bernice Meekins, Mandy Ryan, Judith Crosby, Dorothy Cox, Paul Meekins, Karen Hay, Ethel Chantler, Suzanne King and Nancy Burr. Congratulations everyone and thank you for supporting the work and ministry of St Nic’s through this initiative. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Tony and Maureen Hardman, Rev Martin Keighley, Gillian & Elizabeth King, Fiona, Eily, Mike Rimmer and John Richardson. Also, the families of Peter Harrison, Stephen Cunliffe and Margaret P whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 31st July 2022 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 31st July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons – Karen & June Reader – Phil Tuesday 2nd August 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 3rd August 10.45 am Funeral of Thomas Logue in Church Thursday 4th August 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning Friday 5th August 11.15 am Funeral of Fred Cartmell in Church Sunday 7th August 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons – Susan & Christine Reader – Joy 12.30 am Baptisms of Posie and Dylan-Jae Welcome and Set-up Margaret Kershaw A Defibrillator – In loving memory of Ann Howarth has now been installed by the notice board on the outside wall of the Broadway Rooms. A slate plaque will be placed next to it very shortly. The PCC made a charitable donation of £700 towards the cost of this equipment. Friday 29th July - is the day in the church’s year that we celebrate the Feast of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The gospels describe how Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus gave Jesus hospitality in their home at Bethany outside Jerusalem. Jesus is said to have loved all three. After Lazarus' death, he wept and was moved by the sisters' grief to bring Lazarus back from the dead. Martha recognised Jesus as the Messiah, while Mary anointed his feet and, on another occasion, was commended by Jesus for her attentiveness to his teaching while Martha served. From this, Mary is traditionally taken to be an example of the contemplative life and Martha an example of the active spiritual life. In a sermon in Bath Abbey the other week the Preacher asked the congregation to raise their hand if they associated more with Mary or with Martha. What about you? Are you a Mary or a Martha, or a bit of both? One thing is for sure, God has provided all we need to be the active, living body of Christ in this place at this time. Just let’s be the people God has called us to be, nothing less and nothing more! Summer Hols – Speaking of hospitality, it’s hard to believe that Monday sees the beginning of August and for many a well-earned rest is on the cards. Ministry and parish work is ongoing but one hopes that there will be fewer meetings to attend in the community and around the diocese. On that basis, and with three years into the ‘job’, if you would like the Vicar to call for a cuppa and a catch up, please do feel able to ring the Vicarage (874402) and arrange a suitable time. Be assured, it is one of the great joys of being a parish priest, so don’t be shy! The Vicar is never too busy for a brew. 100 Club – Publication of winners will be updated next week! Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Tony and Maureen Hardman, Rev Martin Keighley, Gillian King, Fiona, Eily, and Mike Rimmer. Also, the families of Tom Logue and Fred Cartmell whose funerals are due to take place this coming week.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 24th July 2022 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 24th July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons – Elizabeth & Margaret, Reader – David 12.30 pm Baptisms of Louis and Roman Welcome and Set-up Berny McCarthy Tuesday 26th July 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 28th July 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning Sunday 31st July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons – Karen & June Reader – Sandra Summer Table Top Sale – Massive big shout out to David and Joanne who took the lead on this event, not just for organising the stalls and roping us all in to help, but also for undertaking a major decluttering of the Broadway Rooms and stage area, in preparation for the sale. Hours of work, for which we are truly grateful. We will be able to give lots of other thank-yous and say a bit more about how the day went and how much was raised on next week’s sheet. Bishop Julian – Karen and June were able to represent St Nicholas Church at the Eucharist and laying down of Bishop Julian crozier at Blackburn Cathedral last Saturday. Julian and Heather are retiring and moving to Sussex to be nearer to their family. His prayerful and steadfast leadership in times of great change will leave a lasting legacy on our Diocese and he and Heather depart with our thanks and prayers. As we seek a new leader, by far the most important thing we can do is to pray in the next Diocesan Bishop. The appointment is made by a Crown Nominations Committee who will meet on 8th and 9th of November to interview potential candidates. If all goes well, we can expect an announcement to follow about two months after the interviews. To this end, there is a prayer card at the back of church which includes our diocesan vision prayer and a prayer for our new Bishop. We are encouraged to use these prayers daily and in all our acts of worship. Please do take a card for yourself and for anyone else who you think will want one. O faithful God, we ask you to guide us in our time of transition, in our Diocese and in our Church. We need your wisdom, that we might be receptive to change and growth. We need your grace to redirect our hearts so we may be willing to offer ourselves in joyful service. Do not allow fear, ignorance or pride to limit the work of your Spirit. Amen. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Tony and Maureen Hardman, Rev Martin Keighley, Gillian King, Fiona, Eily, and Mike Rimmer. Also, the families of Tom Logue and Fred Cartmell whose funerals are due to take place.
