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.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 18th December 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 18th December 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 - Margaret 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms 6.30 pm Nine Lessons and Carols with Thornton Cleveleys Band in Church Monday 19th December 12.30 pm Funeral of Audrey Ross in Church Tuesday 20th December 11.30 am Funeral of Annie Bates in Church 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 22nd December 10.00 am Community Christmas Coffee Morning, with carols in the Jubilee Room Christmas Eve 5.30 pm Crib Service in Church 11.30 pm Midnight Holy Communion Christmas Day 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church followed by mince pies and drinks at the Vicarage * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Here at St Nicholas, we’ve had a busy December with lots of different events and services which have brought the church family together with the community and the local schools. We have much to be grateful for, not least the band of volunteers who have given so freely of their time and resources to make these occasions happen. As we approach the end of year it’s natural to look back on 2022, recalling the joys and sadness’s of which there have been many, not just for us as individuals but for us as a nation and a world. One of those sad occasions was the passing of our Queen. This Christmas will be the first time since 1957 that Queen Elizabeth II will not be addressing the nation. Her first Christmas broadcast came from Sandringham House. It was an historic event, because this was the first time that the public could see and hear the queen thanks to what she described as the 'new medium' of television. As we journey through these final days of Advent in preparation for our Christmas celebrations it’s worth remembering some of the wise words she shared with us, in a public expression of her faith: *God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general … but a Saviour, with the power to forgive. Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. … It is my prayer that … we all might find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord. (2011) *Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ’s unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another. (2015) *Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far. He was maligned and rejected by many, though he had done no wrong. And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe. (2016) May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ-child be yours this Christmas. Christmas Wishes – Beryl Clarkson sends her good wishes to you at Christmas. Nancy Burr wishes the church family a happy Christmas and good health in 2023. Berny McCarthy sends her love and best wishes to you in this Holy season. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Tony Hardman, Rev Martin Keighley, Gillian & Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Kathryn Pendleton, Jean Wright, Cath Chambers, Peter Keitch, Emily Lowe, Peter Hollier & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of Audrey Ross, Annie Bates, Jean Watson, Patricia Fallows and Margaret Crawshaw whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 11th December 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 11th December 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 - Joy 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 13th December 10.00 am Little Treasures Nursery - Nativity 11.45 am Funeral of Doris Wadsworth at Carleton 1.30 pm Shakespeare School YR2 Christingle in Church 2.30 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 14th December 10.00 am Charles Saer School Nativity in Church Thursday 15th December 10.00 am Shakespeare School Nativity in Church Friday 16th December 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms 12.00 pm Funeral of Christopher Sherry in Church 7.00 pm Fleetwood Choral Society and Band – Concert in Church Sunday 18th December 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 - Margaret 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms 6.30 pm Nine Lessons and Carols with Thornton Cleveleys Band in Church * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Important Changes – Please note and pass the word round that Tuesday’s Communion service will start at 2.30 pm for one week only. Also, the Nine Lessons and Carols next Sunday has changed from 4 pm to 6.30 pm so as not to clash with the World Cup Final. This year our carols are being led by a brass band in church and as usual it will be a lovely service to invite folk to. A full programme of events between now and Christmas is available on the red card at the back of church and on our website. Carols in the Courtyard - Massive shout out to Ruth for organizing this with her nephew Colin and the Saddleworth band. And to Janet in charge of the kitchen and all the team who delivered this wonderful start to our Christmas celebrations. It was lovely to be together and to enjoy lunch together too. The Roof – Work has now been completed and the scaffolding has been removed. We are so sincerely grateful for the generous response to our appeal. We have managed to cover all our costs from donations with the exception of the VAT which we will have to pay from our working capital. Hopefully we have done enough to stop any further water ingress, time will tell! The damage to the ceiling will have to thoroughly dry out before we can consider redecorating. Sincere thanks to Brian Pendlebury who has project managed the work and to Steve Fish our architect. Christmas Wishes – More people than usual this year are opting not to send Christmas cards to their friends and family, partly due to the time and cost involved but also because of the planned postal strikes. Instead, some have decided to make a donation to church or to a charity. If you are thinking you might like to follow suit, then your name and a special Christmas message will be included with this notice sheet on 18th December. Please liaise with the Vicar if you wish your message to be included. 100 Club – Winners last week were Muriel Freestone, Gordon Roberts and Nancy Burr. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Tony Hardman, Rev Martin Keighley, Gillian & Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Kathryn Pendleton, Timothy, Cath Chambers, Peter Hollier & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of Annie Bates, Christopher Sherry, Jean Watson, Margaret Crawshaw and Doris Wadsworth whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 4th December 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 4th December 8.30 am No Service 9.30 am No Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons Carole & Sandra. Reader - David 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Monday 5th December 12.30 pm Funeral of Bill Blundell in Church Tuesday 6th December 12.00 pm Funeral of Barry Porter in Church 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church 7.00 pm Patronal Festival in Church Wednesday 7th December 1.15 pm Funeral of Tony Fowell at Carleton Thursday 8th December 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning in the Broadway Rooms Friday 9th December 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms Saturday 10th December 11.30 am Carols in the Courtyard Sunday 11th December 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 - Joy 12.30 pm Baptism of Charlie Wells-Howarth Welcome and Set-up Dorothy Angel 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway RoomsWelcoming today - Rev’d Dr Carol Wilkinson who will preach and preside at our 10.45 service. Carol has recently retired as an Accountant and we are ever grateful for her help and support at St Nic’s.Christmas Fair - Massive shout out to David, Joanne, Trudie and Wendy and their amazing team of helpers who, after weeks of planning and preparation, pulled off an amazing event on Saturday. The Broadway Rooms were buzzing with our own stalls complimented by 17 community stalls. The café provided exquisite cuisine, delivered by Tim and Judith and it provided a super meeting place and refuelling station. Harmony and Health added to the Christmas cheer and Santa popped in too on his way to the North Pole. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way, grafting on the day, providing gifts, prizes and purchasing raffle tickets. It was a blast and hopefully we made a bit of money too. Advent & Christmas Events – Dates and times are all now available on the red Christmas card at the back of church and also published on our website. On Tuesday this week at 7 pm is our Patronal Festival at which the Venerable David Picken will be preaching. Please do make this a priority if you are able. We want the Diocese to see us at our best. If you would like a lift, please just ask or phone the vicarage 874402.On Saturday we have our carols in the church car park with the Saddleworth Brass Band, followed by a hot pot lunch in the Broadway Rooms. Please sign up at the back of church today for lunch.100 Club – Winners last week were Gerald Mathias, Barbara Quirk and Ethel Chantler.. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Tony Hardman, Rev Martin Keighley, Gillian & Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Kathryn Pendleton, Timothy, Cath Chambers, Peter Hollier & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of Bill Blundell, Barry Porter, Tony Fowell, Annie Bates & Margaret Crawshaw and Doris Wadsworth whose funerals are due to take place.
